I'll be sure to let you know how it works out.

Actually bought the car new in Fall of 2002, and for the last 7 years never really used the fogs... until rewiring them a few weeks ago to work without the headlights. Now I use them lots, hence the new interest.

 

I've done at least a dozen different H3 trying to match those stock HID headlights...I found IMO that PIAA Extreme White (110w) + Raybrig (85w) to be the closest color wise but still not perfect, cause you can't compare HID and Halogen, it's not even close! Any product that states "Like HID" is a liar! If you wanna match put Hid in your fog lamps!

 

At the moment, I'm going with the inexpensive replacements recommended by Ghost_54. Really, I'm just looking for good enough over stock. No ricey yellow or blue/purple... just something better than the washed out stock look.

If these cheap bulbs don't satisfy, then I'll be trying again. I agree with you (based on sifting through the forum) that a perfect match is impossible, and that's OK.

Honestly, I'm kind of curious about these 36-LED's that jowo9 found. Can't wait to hear his feedback on those things when they show up.

 

maybe try these
http://cgi.ebay.com/HID-Xenon-CONVER...3%3A1|294%3A50

 

Still waiting for the 36 LED bulbs. I know they're not going to be as functional as a regular bulb... but since when were our fogs actually functional of the 5th gens anyway? I just want 'em to look good. They're supposed to be here any day, and I'll install them and upload pics as soon as they get here...
Oh and Rochester, maybe you'd be interested in these too. I ordered them from v-leds.com as well along with the fog LEDs. We'll see how they turn out... I'll get pics

For my parking lights:

http://v-leds.com/Interior-LED/Gauge...38587-1-2.html

For my back up lights:

http://v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/Back-...35716-1-2.html

 

Thanks for the heads-up, jowo9. I'm looking forward to reading your opinions on those LED's.

Coincidentally, I have some 12-bulb LED wedges showing up any day now (tonight?) White for the back-ups, and Amber for the running lights (to match the markers and turn signals.) These are forward facing bulbs.

 

nokya 3000k yellows, 70 watt

 

Yeah, I was thinking of getting some amber LED parking lights... right now I'm doing the white theme thing on the front... but probably in the future I'll try switching the parking lights out for amber.
So anyway, I got my LEDs in today and I'm installing them right now. The 36 LED fogs are a good color match ... but the fog light housing has a kind of barrier inside them that the bulb sits behind. This barrier goes over the top and front of the fog bulb so as to ensure the fogs only shine on the road... unfortunately, this decreases the light output, especially when there are LED bulbs in it. It prevents all those side-firing LEDs that aren't facing down from reaching the reflector properly and the 6 LEDs on the front aren't seen directly either... So, my conclusion thus far is that they're not as bright as the regular halogens, but color-wise, they match well with my Orion V2's and with the HID headlights. It's still daytime, so I have to wait for twilight/night to take pics and to be sure of what I think of them. We'll see, but I think I'll like 'em. I just wanted them for looks, and didn't want to detract from the angel eye/HID look, just complement it.

 

I'm kind of bumming out right now, too. I just received a bunch of LED's in the mail as well. The 5-bulbs look awesome in the door panels. But the 12-bulb white are not nearly as bright as the OEM filament bulb. They look good, but if they don't work as well, what's the point, right?

The thing that really upsets me is the 12-bulb ambers are less bright than the 5-bulb ambers, in the daytime running lights. That's kind of a disappointing surprise.

So, I'm 1 for 3 today. Not great, but not a total loss, I suppose.

 

Nokya!

 

Why are members weighing in on their yellow fogs? I don't want yellow.

Man, it's like herding cats, sometimes.

Curse you non-editable thread title!

 

Try GP Thunder's site there are some really bright leds I'm running some of theirs in my front marker lights in the headlight assy

 

Jc Whitney has some less than $15 with 130W white and bluish white (more white than blue) but bright as hell!

 

Rochester, Where are you getting replacement lenses from?
I need them bad!
Thanks in advance...

 

Ebay. $51.37 + $12.99 shipping = $64.36.

Note, these are not Nissan lenses, they're something called "Depo". However, they're pretty close to a perfect match. I say "close" because the wavy front section of the lens is slightly different than the Nissan version. This observation is only applicable close-up. Once you stand upright, you can't tell one from the other.

Also, the bulb that comes with the lens is a spot-on match for the OEM bulb, (meaning dull and washed out... hence this thread.)

I'm replacing my passenger side now because I broke one of the rusty bolts that hold it in place. After 7 winters... I pretty much expected it to snap.

Here's a link to the store:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/American...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

 

Thank you Rochester, That is the best price I have seen yet.

So as far as fittment and harness connection goes, this is a drop in replacement correct?
I am assuming they are "glass" like the OEM?
If so, have you had any luck coming up with a way to protect them from stones?
I tried the overlaminate, but that just burned over about a month of use, and turned brown.

 

Im useing the SilverStars from AutoZone..they are really a clear bright white.

 

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Yes. Simple drop-in replacement. See shiftice.com on how to remove your fog lens.

Yes. Glass.

Yes. Don't tailgate.

 

Those Litech bulbs showed up today from HRautoParts.com. $10 + $5 shipping and very quick delivery... nice!

However, my replacement fog lens won't be here for another week still, so the jury is out on how acceptable they are. Looking forward to it, though.

 

For sure that was quick delivery on the bulbs, pain now having to wait for lens ... but I am still more than confident that you will enjoy the new bulbs a 1,000 times better than the stock washed out look

Here's a link for replacement fogs for 02-03 they are the closest I have seen on any site to the OEM ones
http://www.k2motor.com/lf-max02coem.html

 

 

Finally got my replacement fog lens in today, and I swapped out the OEM halogens for these Litech bulbs. Of course, it's not even close to the HID low beams, but all in all I'm pretty pleased with the new light in the fogs... white without being blue, not a hint of yellow, and very, well, clear. It's like the lens sparkles more because the light is whiter.

I hate to use the word "sparkle"... (somebody punch me and get me a beer.) But that's pretty accurate.

It's night time right now, so pictures are too grainy. But here are 2 close-up shots stitched together for comparison. Pretty obvious which is which.

Not too shabby for $10 + $5 shipping. Thanks again, Ghost_54.

 

Now those new fogs really look much better, of course should you wish to get the HID look of your head lamps your going to have to invest in an HID kit for your fogs ... but that's another mod for a later time ... they do give a nice white light which is what I was after as the stock washed out look just didn't look right ... Nice install glad to hear that you are pleased with the results.

 

Luv mine too

 

These new Litech bulbs seem to be working fine, but 2 days later the 15 amp fuse for the fogs blew. I put a new fuse in, and it blew instantaneously.

Why? Seriously, I'm a little outside my expertise with electrical issues.

Anyone?

 

stockies... but thinking about going 10K and use my ballast from high beams...

 

I would be willing to bet that one of those bulbs are faulty. They might not "look" blown, but sometimes there can be an internal short which will cause the fuse to blow.

My suggestion is to unplug both foglights, and then replace the fuse. If it doesnt blow, then plug the fog lights back in...ONE at a time to find out which one is the culprit. To do this properly, you will have to plug one light in.....run to check the fuse, and if its still good, plug the other one in, and see if it pops. It most likely will. It's also possible that the dead light might be the one you plugged in first. This whole process will be completed while the fog lights are in the "on" position.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need any other questions answered.

 

Thanks, Ghost. After thinking this through, I came to the same action plan. The rub is that now I need to go buy ramps... there's no way I'm going to jack up one corner at a time for diagnostics. I'll lose my mind.

I was thinking that perhaps the bulb wire is shorting out inside the housing. But I really won't know until I get under the car again.

Well, they looked great for 2 days.

 

Just installed them on my car. They look great.

 

Nope, the bulbs are fine. It was the bulb-wire connectors shorting out on the retention clip. Some trial and error research to find the problem fog, some new fuses, some black tape... and I'm back in business.

I fixed my fogs with black tape. Sweet.

(ps. finally bought some ramps -- these things called Rhino Ramps. Man, I wish I had those when I started messing with the fogs.)

 

I am glad you were able to find the problem and make the repair, as for those ramps I only wish I owned a set. I remember doing my fogs for the very first time laying down on my back and sliding under the bumper area and when I open the wheel well liner to gain access and the pulled down I got a face and mouth full of some of the foulest filthy water and junk that was just sitting in there. Anyway I am pleased to hear that you have them working and your happy again

 

Too funny! And only because I also got a face-full of dirt and dead bugs.

With the ramps, working on the fogs was effortless and fast. I would change my own oil now, but the dealership still does it for free, tops off the fluids and whatnot.

Anyway, I appreciate your supportive comments, Ghost.

 

Somewhat off topic, but loosely related to swapping yellowed lighting for white...

I swapped out the vanity bulbs in my visors today. Here's a picture. Can you guess which side is OEM filament, and which side is LED?

 

Very nice ... nice and bright on the driver side ... but you know I am going to ask? - Dual vanity mirrors Mine only came with the passenger side one ... How did you manager to get a woman's Maxima? Now you will have to swap out the rest of the interior lighting - over head map lights - center interior light - front driver and passenger door panel lights, I swapped mine all to Blue LED's

Just kidding the new LED white light is very clean looking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ACbaNOj6xY

 

Only came with the passenger side? Really? You had me going there, until I re-read the "just kidding" comment.

Your video. Kind of speechless here. I mean, I'm pretty much middle-aged, and you're older than me... so it through me for a loop. Interesting video, though. Neat music.

I'm using 5-bulb LED wedge lights in the door panels. And 5-bulb amber LED wedges in the driving lights, as well as the rear license plate lights. For the overhead, I've got a 6-LED festoon bulb, but I'd like to swap it for something brighter and warmer.

The map lights... still working on those. This one here is pretty interesting:

 

Hey Rochester, i agree that the yellow can sometimes look bad, but if done right it can work well. I decided to go with smoke foglight housings with yellow 3k hid bulbs in there. It offers the car to look clean in the day time <match my blacked out headlights> and i can turn on the yellow when the weather is bad.

I agree with the people that 5th gen fogs arent that functional to begin with. If you really consider fog light function is kindve intended for other drivers to see US in bad weather. So despite originally having 6k hid fogs i have since changed over to the yellow hid bulbs. Something to consider since you are in NY as myself and it can get snowy at times.

* My .02

 

Now that I'm comfortable swapping fog bulbs, and can do it quickly. I'm thinking that next year it's possible I might experiment with yellow, to change things up a bit. This year, however, I just want a white look.

Thanks, RacerX. Sorry if I dumped too hard on the yellow-bulb crowd.

 

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/LED-opti...34Q2ec0Q2em322

And if your going to change the dome light try a Festoon bulb

 

I just ordered this LED panel... I'll see how it goes. 36 LED's on a 5cm x 5cm panel, with a festoon bulb adapter.

 

Excellent I have seen those installed and they are super bright white light you will be pleased