How to Install H13 LED Bulbs

If your car has H13 headlight bulbs and you're thinking about replacing them with LEDs, here are some things you should know. Although some bulbs are not plug-and-play, the majority are. Additionally, it is crucial to line the bulb correctly. In this section, we will teach you all you need to know to install ANY H13 model bulb.

Note: The US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates lamps, reflective devices, and related equipment in the United States. Vehicles registered for on-street use are not permitted to use these LED lights despite the fact that they can be used in place of the original halogen light bulb. The only circumstances in which this kind of alteration is permitted are in fog lighting applications, off-road applications, or jurisdictions outside of the United States.

H13 halogen headlight bulbs, which are most commonly found on Dodge and Ford trucks, can be challenging to install.

Make sure you only replace your halogen bulbs in street-legal applications. Changing your H13-equipped car or truck's bulbs to LED or HID is not DOT-compliant, which means you can't drive on public roads! You are free to do whatever you want with an unregistered, off-road-only car that is license plate-less. Also, modifications may be permitted for street use if you are making them in a nation other than the United States, as legislation may differ. Prior to starting, please refer to our Street Usage Handbook and ensure that any changes you make to your car are compliant with both federal and state regulations.

Similar to this Dodge Ram pickup, it has a large reflector headlamp with an H13 bulb on the back. To use it, you just twist the bulb and draw it back.

It features two H13 headlight bulbs, though, like this Ford Super Duty F250/F350 headlamp (below). Twisting the bulb and pulling it out is the same method for removing it. Easy.

H13 Bulb Install

It is equally easy to install your new LED headlight bulb. Line up the tabs, insert them, and twist them into place with a device similar to the S-V.4 H13 (not to be confused with the Supernova bulbs, etc.).

Certain bulbs are slightly more difficult to mount than others. For instance, you have to remove the bulb and then only attach the collar to the headlamp if it has a plastic mounting collar like the one shown in the picture.

Some little plastic tabs inside the bulb design hold everything together. You can push and twist to achieve this kind of alignment by first installing the collar. However, if you rely on them to press the entire force of the bulb in during installation, you risk shearing off the small plastic tabs on the inside of the collar.

GTR Lighting Ultra Bulb

If you have the GTR lighting Ultra bulb, align the tabs, attach the collar alone, and then twist it into position. Next, insert the LED lightbulb.

Any of these LED H13 headlight bulbs will function similarly to your original halogen bulb. The only thing that will make it brighter is the way the light is created.

The LED headlight bulb has three mounting tabs, and the halogen bulb has the same three mounting tabs (shown below) as the mounting collar. Therefore, you can insert one of them and twist it to lock it into place as long as they are oriented in the same way.

The wire connector will be the same on the opposite side. Thus, unplug the H13 halogen bulb's wiring and connect it to the new LED H13 bulb's wiring.

Installing a device similar to the GTR lighting CSP Mini (shown below) that I have here is easy; it's fashioned like the original bulb, requires no additional parts, and requires you to line up the tabs, position it, and twist.

Morimoto 2Stroke

The Morimoto 2Stroke is an additional product. As you can see, it shares the same wire connection off of the driver and is fashioned similarly to the original halogen H13.

Once the three tabs are lined up, you may align the bulb by twisting and pushing it in.

How are the LEDs pointing up and down in a somewhat diagonal fashion? From left to right, they should be completely horizontal.

After mounting it, you can turn it until the LED chips are precisely aligned from left to right by pushing the bulb in to release the tabs.

Remove the old halogen lightbulb, align the mounting collar tabs, and then replace it with the new LED. Apply pressure to the driver's rear end to release it after twisting it into position to lock it. Then, draw it back and twist it.

For the optimal beam pattern, align your LED chips so that they face straight ahead, left to right. You can next check the beam pattern on your garage door wall or glance in front of your headlight to see for yourself.

The shape of it should resemble your original beam.

Clocking Your Chips

Various manufacturers have developed different methods for indexing or clocking your LED chips since it is crucial to ensure that the LEDs face left and right.

Allen set screws are used in something similar to the S-V.4. An Allen wrench is included in the package that comes with the S-V.4.

To ensure that the lightbulb is perfectly aligned from left to right, use the Allen to loosen the screw, remove it, and spin it freely. Once it's precisely aligned, replace the set screw and insert the lightbulb. To get it perfect, this technique may require some trial and error, but we assure you that it is well worth the effort.

The story's lesson is that the design and installation of LED headlight bulbs in the H13 model are essentially the same. Simply ensure that your LED chips are oriented from left to right and that you are aware that this is just as crucial as the brightness of the lightbulb.