LED Headlight Solution for John Deere X500's

[Venturabass]

All,
Like many I've seen on the forums, I too hated the low power stock headlights on the John Deere X500 tractors. I searched these forums for an LED replacement solution with higher lumens but didn't find much. I did however figure out a relatively easy solution and wanted to share what I did with my X540.

First off, I think the stock headlights are 1156 bulbs? Don't quote me on the bulb size but I believe it's the same as the tail light bulb on my Volkswagen. Not very bright. I really couldn't find an LED replacement with decent lumen output in that size. So I ordered the JD halogen light kit, part number BM21289, which is about $60. It has a set of shields in there to protect against overheating but on my headlights there was no place to attach them, and it didn't list they applied to the X540. I believe this kit uses 894 bulbs which is a fog light bulb if I'm not mistaken. I searched around on the internet and was able to find that JDM ASTAR Auto LED Bulbs,LED Headlight,Fog Lamps & Turn Signal Brake Tail Light sells a set they call "1G 881 Foglight Cree LED Bulbs" that they informed me were compatible with 894 applications. These fit perfectly fine. They are longer but did not touch the lens nor interfere with the engine when the hood was closed. These bulbs were also about $60 for the set. So $120 for the light upgrade. It wasn't cheap but they look great and are much much brighter than the originals. Just thought I'd share for anyone looking for a solution.

 

[beenthere]

Thank you for the heads up and the upgrade route to get the LED lighting.

 

[jgayman]

Do you have any photos you can share?

 

[Venturabass]

Do you have any photos you can share?

Here are the photos I took the day I did it. These are inside my barn during the day, I have no main overhead lights which is why it's dark looking in there. Not the greatest photos but I think it's pretty easy to see the difference in color and intensity of the light cast onto my backhoe in front of the John Deere. I will try to take some photos outside in the dark both in front and behind the machine looking forward at the ground.

 

[jgayman]

Thanks!

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Here is a link to several 1156 base LED's - various Lumens, also some 894 base:

1156 led- Free Shipping 1156 led- Retail 1156 led from MiniInTheBox

881 886 889 894 896 898 899 862 PGJ13 35W 7 x CREE LED White 6K Car Headlight Bulb AC/DC 9-3V 4691988 216 – $6.29

 

[Zebrafive]

Did you try the halogens? If so, how do they compare to the LEDS?

 

[Venturabass]

Did you try the halogens? If so, how do they compare to the LEDS?

I did not try the halogen bulbs that came with the JD light kit. I had looked up the lumen output from that type of bulb and it was much lower than the LEDs I was able to source.

 

[Zebrafive]

I did not try the halogen bulbs that came with the JD light kit. I had looked up the lumen output from that type of bulb and it was much lower than the LEDs I was able to source.

Good to know, LEDs have come a long way. I would have thought halogens would be brighter.

 

[Venturabass]

CindySchnauzer replied above with some high lumen 1156 LED bulbs. The site looked a little sketchy but there was one 1156 with a lumen output of ~2000. Not something I came across in my search, but if it's accurate that's incredible, its just a tail light bulb after all. Yes LEDs have come far.