I just purchased a LED headlight conversion kit for my Santa Fe Sport. Does anyone know if it would be easier to remove the entire headlight assembly to replace the bulbs or just try to deal with the tight quarters trying to install the low beam bulbs?
2018 Santa Fe Sport LED Headlight Conversion
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Personally, I would attempt the installation without removing any headlight assembly. If it is indeed to tight, then see if parts inside can be moved before removing the headlight assembly.
Most modern assemblies probably don't require alignment if removed and reinstalled. But that is also something to keep in mind.
Most modern assemblies probably don't require alignment if removed and reinstalled. But that is also something to keep in mind.
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Be careful. Your lamp housing were designed for the type of bulb they had with the filament in the correct position relative to the reflector / projection to put the light down on the road in the correct pattern. If the LED replacement "bulb" is not right (It may physically fit but its output in the wrong location within the lamp) you may not get a good forward light pattern and / or may be blinding drivers. I know these conversions are popular and sometimes they do work out, but.... We had a well respected local company doing both HID and LED conversions and they stopped doing it because of all of the issues with the light patterns not being correct. They will not only install such a kit if the owner buys it first and the owner assumes all liability for warranty and fitness. If the headlamps do not work properly the company will charge them to revert back. Just food for thought...
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What graysave and davesupra are saying is absolutely correct. I tried a few LED bulbs on my '13 SFS (thank you Amazon for having a liberal return policy) .
I ended up liking the Hikari LED conversion bulbs. The '13 SFS takes the same bulb for both the low beam and fog lights. I chose the Hikari because of a) the temperature b) It's adjustable c) it appears to have the right SMD chip aiming onto the Hyundai reflector, so I do get a brighter beam (other's were too dispersed) and has a sharp top line cut-off)
If you are able to, try a few bulbs out.
Good luck.
I ended up liking the Hikari LED conversion bulbs. The '13 SFS takes the same bulb for both the low beam and fog lights. I chose the Hikari because of a) the temperature b) It's adjustable c) it appears to have the right SMD chip aiming onto the Hyundai reflector, so I do get a brighter beam (other's were too dispersed) and has a sharp top line cut-off)
If you are able to, try a few bulbs out.
Good luck.
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25 Posts
davesupra, I did get the 6K - cool white option.
Keep in mind that there isn't much play with the adjuster, but it is a visible change nonetheless IMO. I aimed my car at my garage door while I was installing so that I could see the difference and while making adjustments. No fitment issues at all. All the tabs lined up and locked in place with a simple twist.
With the '13 SFS, there is also ample space to work behind the housing to allow you to remove the dust cover and get the bulb in. There is also enough room in the housing to accommodate the bulb and cooling fan and still get the dust cover back on.
I ended up replacing all my lights - low & high beams + fog lamps - so that it's all uniform, and matches up nicely with the OEM LED 'eyebrow'
Keep in mind that there isn't much play with the adjuster, but it is a visible change nonetheless IMO. I aimed my car at my garage door while I was installing so that I could see the difference and while making adjustments. No fitment issues at all. All the tabs lined up and locked in place with a simple twist.
With the '13 SFS, there is also ample space to work behind the housing to allow you to remove the dust cover and get the bulb in. There is also enough room in the housing to accommodate the bulb and cooling fan and still get the dust cover back on.
I ended up replacing all my lights - low & high beams + fog lamps - so that it's all uniform, and matches up nicely with the OEM LED 'eyebrow'
I recently replaced my low beams with LEDs on my 2013 SFS. This model fit, works well, has the correct LED placement so the light pattern seems to be fine with a good sharp cutoff, and runs cool.
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martamanvan, do you have a link to what you bought? I'm thinking about doing the same thing to my 2013 SFS 2.0T. I'll probably just start with the low beams. Did you have to buy any additional parts (i.e. locking collar)? Or did what you buy just use the existing hardware? I replaced my halogens last year with sylvania silverstar H11 but they are already dimming again. I'm thinking I'll enjoy the LEDs alot more than the halogens.
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Hi texlnghorn
These are the Hikari LED headlights that I replace my stock lights with : https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Conve...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I understand there is an updated 2020 model on Amazon as well: https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-H11-H...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
You might want to try that out as well.
I did not have to pick up any additional "accessories like a locking collar or canbus adapters" it was purely a plug and play swap. If you are into it, order two sets as the low beams and the fogs are identical bulbs. It is just a little more involved to replace the fog lights as it is only accessible behind the bumper and is covered by a splash cover.
Good luck.
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Hi, I looked at these bulbs on amazon but it says they won't fit my 2013 SFS 2.0T. Should I not go by what they say in regards to fitment? Sylvania told me that my lows are H11, Highs are H7 and Fog lights are H8. Is that what your SFS took? I want to switch all of mine out but don't want to go super expensive.
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Hi Martmanvan,
What size bulbs did you use for the low, high and fog lamps. Is your '13 SFS a 2.0T? Mine is and I want to switch out all of the halogens. (I have the projection headlights. Does yours have those too?) Also what brand did you use? I am looking at Hikari and Sealight. I don't want to break the bank either.
Thanks!
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Those posts are a year old, and NHTSA is forcing recalls of some LED conversions.
Take a look at more current reviews:
BulbFacts | Aftermarket LED Kits Chart - Comparing to Halogen in Projector Headlights & Foglights
Bulb Facts, Lab testing on automotive headlight & foglight bulbs, comparison chart before you buy.
www.bulbfacts.com
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Sealight is not competitive with the rest of the LED brands. If you are going to buy Hikari, buy the Ultras, which are ~$70-90.
The best performing LEDs are not sold on Amazon.
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