LED Headlights/Fogs - How to

I figured I'd right up a little install thread since I didn't really see too much info on a "How to". The kits I bought were from Xenondepot.com. There is an excellent write up (Honda Ridgeline Forward Lighting | Ridgeline HID and LED headlights and fog lights | Ridgeline lighting upgrades) about the Ridgeline and different lights that I reviewed and made my decision on, so I decided to buy the kits from there. I also liked how their kits do not have fans, but use a heat sink instead. We will see how they stand up over time. I bought the H11 XTREME LED HEADLIGHT KIT and H8 XTREME LED HEADLIGHT KIT. There really is no difference between the two as the plugs don't attach at the actual fixture.



Okay, now for the fun part! Gather some tools. You'll need:

10mm socket and socket wrench
Phillips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Dikes
Double side tape
Zip ties

Nice to have:
Car ramps/jack and jackstands
Creeper
Work light
Beer/soda
Music

I tackled the headlights first. Here is the before (excuse the messy garage):



So to get started, make sure your vehicle is in a good spot with adequate light. Pop the hood and remove the front cover (manual page 513). It just pops off, use your hands and pull up gently. I found it easiest to start from the outside working my way in. Once you have that off, set it aside. Grab the phillips head and remove the clips on the air intake duct. To be safe, I pulled both parts off since they are held on with those cheesy clips. I was afraid I might accidentally break the other one off while working. You should be left with a pile looking like this:



and your engine should look like this:



Now that you have access, tackle the driver's side first. Reach down forward of the battery and feel around for the outboard light socket. Disconnect the coupler. Rotate the socket counter-clockwise and pull out the old bulb. Grab the new LED and harness. Before installing, check to make sure all the connections are connected and tight. I also found it easier to connect the coupler before installing the bulb. Install the bulb and when you get it in the socket, rotate clockwise. Don't get frustrated if it takes a bit to get the bulb seated, access is tight and you are working blind. If you get irritated, take a break. No use getting frustrated and destroying your new LEDs! Secure the new harness with some zip ties. There are plenty of anchor points, choose one. Use the dikes and clip your zip tie tails. Now test the system. Should look a little better!



Now reinstall the air intake duct. The passenger side requires nothing removed, but access is extremely tight. I found this to be the most difficult one due to my large hands. Again, take your time and work patiently. Same steps as above.

Once the headlights are out of the way, it's time to tackle the fogs. For ease of access, I put my truck on ramps. If you do so, follow all the normal safety tips (chocks on the wheels). I would have preferred to jack it, but I didn't know where the central jack point was and this was just faster. Once up, grab the creeper and get under there. You should see this:



The Honda manual (page 526) has the procedure, but I'll be damned if I could make it work with just that access. So I pulled quite a few fasteners. Starting on driver side first, I removed the four clips and four black 10mm bolts on the front plastic "skid plate". I then pulled the two silver 10mm bolts and two clips on the front lip on driver's side. There is also another 10mm bolt a little aft of the this area that needs to be removed. Then I pulled the covers around to get access. It looked like this when I was done:



I then had plenty of access for my hand. So same procedure, unclip coupler and pull the old light. Now before installing the new ones, I new there was limited anchor space. So I used double side tape to secure the harness to the inside of the bumper. TEK Rider has a great photo of the inside of the bumper and install points at post 60 http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2339138)#post2339138. Follow the same procedure to connect the coupler and install the light. Once installed, check your work to make sure you have light. Reinstall the aft 10mm bolt (it's the funny long one of the bunch) and the two silver 10mm bolts and clips for the front lip. Leave the skid plate alone. Gain the same access on the passenger side and follow the same steps to install the passenger light. Once installed, check the light. You should be rewarded with something like this:



Reinstall all the bolts and clips and reattach the front skid plate with the four 10mm bolts and four clips. Make sure all removed fasteners are tight (I don't know the torque settings, but they weren't super tight from factory). Do a tool check and get all your stuff out of the way, take the truck off the ramps and grab a beer or drink!

So far I'm impressed with the lights, they aren't "blinding" bright for oncoming cars, but they do throw plenty of light ahead and to the side. I was looking for a whiter light that matched the DRL and this kit is a factory match. I'm really pleased right now and will see how long they last (hopefully I'll sell the truck before the burn out). I'll say that it's taking a bit to get used to the abrupt cut off of the LED style lights. While driving you can definitely see where the light cuts off vs. a halogen that just fades away. It's been raining at night, so I haven't gotten any good after pics, but you can use your imagination for now!