Truck Lite Phase 7

[Blade74]

I installed a new set of Truck Lite headlights yesterday and gave them a test last night on the D90.
Very impressed and happy with them especially compared to the original headlights.

Very Wide spread and they need a bit of fiddling to align them well. I have them pretty close now.

Definitely recommend them to anyone that wants the safety of extra vision at night.
They allow you to see things on either side of the road pretty well.

Will be amazing to see what phase 8 are like when they eventually come out.

[redneb72]

Which ones are they mate? And where from?

[Blade74]

Truck Lite Phase 7. I got them from eBay from Eastern Pc which is a motorbike/Harley dealer.
$400 a pair landed.
Just make sure you order 2 as they sell them singular for Harley Davidsons but they are identical lights with a H4 connector attached already.

[Marty110]

found these from Eastern PC - $487.68 landed, still a good price I think.

Truck Lite 27270C 7" LED Headlight Headlamp Phase 7 4x4 Jeep Hummer Offroad | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400416762785'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

[Chops]

These look alright, any chance of a pic with them on showing H/L beam in action?
The Defer (MY11) has shocking lights I reckon. I'm thinking my old series 3 had better lights in it.

[Blade74]

I'll see if I can get some tomorrow night...

[chook73]

This is a good comparison there is a video on the blog comparing the tl phase 6, 7 and jw speaker.

http://betterautomotivelighting.com/tag/27270c/

[LoveB]

if on the ebay link it says 486$ does that mean its already a pair?

[chook73]

if on the ebay link it says 486$ does that mean its already a pair?

Yep, it states they are a bit further down the page.

[dullbird]

how do you go with the headlight level adjuster does it still work with them

[Blade74]

I had another look and that was what I paid for two delivered. The original price I thought I paid was without postage.

Yes dullbird the light adjuster still works with the new lights. :)


60578

This is Low Beam

60579

This is High Beam

Not the best photos sorry as they were taken on my phone.

[Iain_B]

That looks great - just ordered a pair. :)

[Chops]

Well they look alright, thanks for that boys.
I'm a bit surprised the high beam isn't a bit better. I was expecting it to be brighter, or more fuller or something (??).
Have to admit, they look a damn sight better than what's on there now,, ;)

[110 Pete]

Look good!! What is the low beam like compared to stock?? Highbeam looks good and looks like it has a good solid spot beam in the middle. Can you post a pic off what they look like fitted on your defender??

Cheers

Pete

[Blade74]

Nice work Iain.

They are a lot better than the picture shows on high beam.



Ill try and get a picture on the car tomorrow.

Low beam is a lot better than stock. They also spread nice and wide.

I came out of a Disco 4 with Xenons and Halogen fill lights on high beam and couldnt stand the original lights.

Just need some good spotlights to complete the package.
Might have to get LED NAS lights now for the rest of the lights...:cool:

[Marty110]

thanks for that - Eastern will do good out of this thread I reckon - just ordered a pair myself, have been looking at these for a while cos I just cant justify forking out 3 X as much on a pair of Speaker LED's. Hopefully due to the low current draw these will extend the life of the headlight switch and avoid having to do the wiring loom upgrade as well as being much better and safer lights to drive by. Combined with an LED light bar the high beam should be great - at the moment flicking from high beam with my light bar to standard low beam is like trying to drive by yellow candle light........

[patclan]

Hey Blade74 I have the same lights, think I got them from the same place also.

Question for you, do you have two V shaped hotspots projected out onto the road? I do and they don't annoy me too much but I do wonder if I have maybe not got them adjusted correctly.

They are great lights though.

[goingbush]

pictures don't really show what the eye sees, they are a lot better in real life.
eye strain and glare is vastly reduced & the photos don't show that

I've had the TL Phase 5's about 12 months, (5 Led's on low beam) they don't have any hotspots but do have some dark areas on low beam, but I don't even notice them now, The Phase 6 solved the dark spot on low beam, (6 led's on low beam)

The phase 7's may be different but in that time I've never been flashed by oncoming lights once, except when I stayed on High beam a little long

in rain they are the bees knees, I hate driving at night without them. Even much better than new cars that have HID's

the LED light bar is just the icing on the cake

http://www.goingbush.com/landy/tl5lb.jpg

[Blade74]

Hey Patclan,
Yeah there does seem to be two hotspots.
Was thinking of trying to aim lights more outward and see what they did.
I wasn't sure if it was due to the overlap of the two beams together or just the nature of the beam.
Eastern will be wondering why so many orders from Australia at one time..

[chook73]

Hey Patclan,
Yeah there does seem to be two hotspots.
Was thinking of trying to aim lights more outward and see what they did.
I wasn't sure if it was due to the overlap of the two beams together or just the nature of the beam.
Eastern will be wondering why so many orders from Australia at one time..

I think this is the American beam pattern more than anything. It dots in the middle rather than raising up on the left.

[Blade74]

These are the photos

[two up]

What life do they quote on the LED's.

[Blade74]

Not 100% sure but I'm sure by the time the LEDs fail there will be atomic plasma laser lights available that can shoot 10kms....😃😉

[Blade74]

I'm pretty sure being Truck Lite they'll last a while. The build quality is top notch...
I was very impressed pulling them out of their boxes.

[Marty110]

What life do they quote on the LED's.

Generally LED's are quoted at 50-100,000 hours - I would be more concerned about the polycarbonate lens and the quality of the reflectors before the LED's.........

[Blade74]

They do have a polycarbonate lens. My discovery was the same and it stood up pretty well.

The Truck Lites are made in USA and have military grade specs. They even have a little gore tex breath hole.

[Marty110]

They do have a polycarbonate lens. My discovery was the same and it stood up pretty well.

The Truck Lites are made in USA and have military grade specs. They even have a little gore tex breath hole.

yep, I know they are good quality - I was just meaning that not to get hung up on the LED life span as they would outlast the lens and reflector which are great quality anyway. Cant wait for mine to arrive - have put up with the dim yellow light from the standard lights too long already

[Blade74]

Nice work Marty.

I actually had a massive grin as I was pulling them out if their boxes.

[Chops]

They look good, even when they're not switched on, but I'll have to wait a few months before I can get mine :(

[LoveB]

a little more thinking and I'll end up ordering one. lol


hopefully next week

[Blade74]

Haha you will end up giving in to better light.

I just fitted two x 6 inch 18w led's under my rear bar and connected them to the reversing light.
They are so bright.
I might have to fit a switch in parallel so I can switch them on when I go camping and need to pitch a tent at night.
Just hope the cops don't harass me about how bright they are when I'm reversing.
I'll post a picture later.

[PAT303]

With the LEDs you would expect the headlight switch problem to be solved as they don't pull as many amps?. Pat

[uninformed]

regarding the headlight switch and whether to do the wiring upgrade or not. I would have figured it better to do so regarless to get the most out of the new, better product. The wiring in my Tdi is pretty crappy, undersize etc IMO

[Chops]

a little more thinking and I'll end up ordering one. lol


hopefully next week

Paul,,, your cars gunna look pretty strange with one normal light and one LED light,,, I think you should bite the bullet and get two,, one for each side,, ;)

[Blade74]

The new reversing led's to add extra light when reversing. It's like daylight

[LoveB]

Paul,,, your cars gunna look pretty strange with one normal light and one LED light,,, I think you should bite the bullet and get two,, one for each side,, ;)

Well you've got me there :p

gonna try and order it end of this coming week... Then a led bar!


then towbar, then side steps then better radio then whatever else i think of:angel:


I like the LED idea... bit hard to back up sometimes

[Rick Fischer]

found these from Eastern PC - $487.68 landed, still a good price I think.

Truck Lite 27270C 7" LED Headlight Headlamp Phase 7 4x4 Jeep Hummer Offroad | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400416762785'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)


Beware LHD headlights with a right hand throw on low beam.:D Plod and your rego checker will get upset - never mind the oncoming traffic.

RF

[chook73]

Beware LHD headlights with a right hand throw on low beam.:D Plod and your rego checker will get upset - never mind the oncoming traffic.

RF

They are a us beam pattern which has a focal point in the centre of the beam. Still not compliant but they won't blind oncoming traffic as badly as a euro/lhd pattern

[Marty110]

They are a us beam pattern which has a focal point in the centre of the beam. Still not compliant but they won't blind oncoming traffic as badly as a euro/lhd pattern

Rightly or wrongly I had planned to mark up on the shed wall the low beam pattern of the standard lights then use this to adjust the Trucklites so they dont throw any higher and then experiment to get it right for on-coming traffic...... on our own farm tracks with our other car as the 'on-coming'

[Iain_B]

You have to stop coming up with these ideas - I don't have time to fit the all :D


The new reversing led's to add extra light when reversing. It's like daylight

[Chops]

Rightly or wrongly I had planned to mark up on the shed wall the low beam pattern of the standard lights then use this to adjust the Trucklites so they dont throw any higher and then experiment to get it right for on-coming traffic...... on our own farm tracks with our other car as the 'on-coming'

That's not a bad idea,, but I'm thinking my garage door may look a little strange if I do that,, :eek:

[Marty110]

That's not a bad idea,, but I'm thinking my garage door may look a little strange if I do that,, :eek:

you should see whats on my shed wall already...........

[Blade74]

I did something similar. Made some marks on the wall and tried to keep them similar.
They have a fairly definite cutoff on them.
I kept my original lights just in case I need them for Rego. Takes about 20 mins to change them back.

[Blade74]

Hey Iain and Marty. Did you get your lights yet? If so let us know if you like them or not?
Love B did you decide to get some in the end?

[Marty110]

Hey Iain and Marty. Did you get your lights yet? If so let us know if you like them or not?
Love B did you decide to get some in the end?

according to parcel tracking they got into Oz on Friday and have just sat - finally moved today so should see them soon - will let you know.....

[Iain_B]

Fedex said they tried to deliver them this morning, but even though my two sons were home and they both said they heard nothing. They just left a note. Hopefully they come back tomorrow.

Sometime they just knock once then move on, I wonder if they get paid for each attempt to deliver.

[Blade74]

Very true Iain,
I sometimes wonder that also.
Very excited to hear what you guys think.
Hope they live up to your expectations but pretty sure they will. A torch is almost better than the original candle lights.

[Marty110]

lights arrived today in the post - look the goods but will have to wait until the weekend to fit.......

[Iain_B]

Lights arrived today, and I've just fitted them. They are pretty heavy, and look really solid.

Decided to take some photos and be a bit more scientific.

I set the camera onto manual 0.5" shutter speed and F4.5, so I would get the same light level each time.


61058
OEM Low beam with Philips +70% globes



61059
OEM High with Philips +70% globes



61060
OEM High with Philips +70% globes and Hella 4000 with 55W HID inserts


61062
OEM High with Philips +70% globes and Hella 4000 with 55W HID inserts and Baja Design 10" LED bars

[Iain_B]

Fitting was easy, took only as few minutes, worst part was getting the plastic surround past the light and behind the bullbar as the Trucklites stick out about 15mm more than the OEM headlights. Looking at the photos now, I think I should have adjusted them a bit higher for a proper comparison. The car was on an angle, which makes the lack light on the left seem worse, but it is definitely noticeable in it absence when driving.


Same spot, same camera settings 0.5 sec @ F4.5




61065
Trucklite LED Phase 7 Low Beam


61066
Trucklite LED Phase 7 High Beam


61067
Trucklite LED Phase 7 High Beam + Hella 4000 with 55W HID inserts


61068
Trucklite LED Phase 7 High Beam + Hella 4000 with 55W HID inserts Baja Design 10" LED bars


This is what they look like fitted.

61069

First thoughts on them.

1. Very tough, should outlast the OEM ones by a long way.
2. Very different light pattern to what I am used to, not having them raise up on the left will take some getting used to.
3. Compared to the OEM lights with the +70% Philips globes, I would say marginally better.
4. Adjustment is important, after driving around I adjusted them a bit higher, and will use the headlight level switch to play around a bit more.
5. Two definite hot spots, I had to readjust after driving to them strait ahead, but there was a few shadows from the bull bar.
6. I like the white light - much better than the yellow light, even with the upgraded globes.
7. I need to get some LED globes for the little park lights - the colour different is very extreme, yellow light compared to the LEDs


In summary, was it worth the $507.60 ( final price charged to due to the drop in the exchange rate) - difficult to say, in the long run, I think so, the Philips +70 globes are $75 a pair, and last about 12-15 months, less if you use them more often. If you have to replace a 7" headlight because of stone damage, they cost around $120 for decent Bosch inserts more if you buy from Land Rover, so since I plan to keep my Defender forever, they are worth it to me as I think the polycarbonate lenses should be a lot tougher (unbreakable?)

The main reason I bought them is that we are going on a 6-8 week trip up to Bowen, then Cairns, across the Savannah Way, then down to Shark bay, then back across via Alice Springs, Simpson Desert, Birdsville Track, & Cameron Corner then back to Brisbane.

I got a lot of things to fit to the Defender before we go - Runva winch, X-Brake, Airbags inserts, gullwing windows, Satphone dock and a bigger inverter to run the Nespresso machine :) . This is a nice easy upgrade for better reliability and should be one less thing to go wrong.

It will hopefully be our last big trip before I finish my Unimog. The Trucklites will be fitted onto the Unimog then, for another round Australia trip, then a two year around the world trip, so I think I will get my use out of them.

[BigJon]

Mine turned up today. Who knows when I will have the time to fit them!

[Blade74]

Wow very good thorough review Iain,

They are definitely better than my original lights as mine had standard globes and the glass looked all hazy.
Definitely take a bit if getting used to them, I reckon they throw a wider beam and allow you to see more left and right.

They do have hotspots but I'm used to them now. Let us know once you do a bit more night driving what you think.
Sounds like you have a lot of things to do in the next few months.
Good luck with the trip.

[HardCharger]

Nice!

Question, how is the light performance during rain and fog? Does the light disappear like with the poor quality HID retro kits?

Now seriously considering these for my HiLux and for the Deefer once it arrives... :cool:

[Marty110]

got home early, fitted the Trucklites, now for some night driving to try them out!!!! Adjusted them per marks on the shed wall and as described in the Puma workshop manual. Will fine tune while out and about.

[Marty110]

7. I need to get some LED globes for the little park lights - the colour different is very extreme, yellow light compared to the LEDs


Check these out for the parkers: Pair OF NEW 12V BA15S T18 5 White LED Globe Replacement | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PAIR-OF-NEW-12V-BA15S-T18-5-WHITE-LED-GLOBE-REPLACEMENT-/310347540774?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item484227a926&_uhb=1)

[Blade74]

I just ordered some of these

Look at this on eBay:

N4U8 12V BA15S SMD 3020 50-LED Brake/Stop Tail Light Car Bulb Lamp Cold White DC

http://bit.ly/15hKNeY

[Blade74]

What sort:type of globes are in the brake lights and also reversing light?

[Marty110]

What sort:type of globes are in the brake lights and also reversing light?

I'm not sure if the Landy stop tail have offset pins - you may have to pull one to see. Then this site seems to have any type you want: 1pc 12V 1157 BA15D 5050 SMD LED Light Brake Stop Turn Tail Parking Reverse Globe | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1pc-12v-1157-BA15D-5050-SMD-LED-Light-Brake-Stop-Turn-Tail-Parking-Reverse-Globe-/221220970835?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&var=&hash=item3381cc2153)

[goingbush]

Nice!

Question, how is the light performance during rain and fog? Does the light disappear like with the poor quality HID retro kits?

Now seriously considering these for my HiLux and for the Deefer once it arrives... :cool:

I have avoided driving in the rain at night for many years, but with LED lights and light bar i can once again venture out, The light does not seem to reflect back from the rain, and reflections are nowhere near as bad on reflective signs as with regular lights, they are even better in fog, suprizing since the frequency of yellow light is supposed to be better in fog ( hence yellow fog lights)

Seriously i could not go out at night in anything else now.

Ebay 120W 22" led light bar - YouTube

[Blade74]

Hey Marty,
How are yours at night?

Going Bush what lights and led bar do you have?

[goingbush]

I have LED Trucklites phase 5 and 120W light bar

[Marty110]

Hey Marty,
How are yours at night??

As with Ian, wil have to play with adjustment and set a little higher. Not bothered by no left "lift". Drove in rain this morning on way to PCB landys and were real good but really appreciate the light bar for extra light. Will use dash adjuster to set them lower for daytime driving

[LoveB]

so how are you guys enjoying the phase 7 after some time?? i'm thinking of ordering them now or get a led bar first...

[Iain_B]

I am pretty happy with them, once I got used to not having the left hand raised part. Brighter than the +70 Philips globe, and a nice white light.

Having the headlight adjusters is great, normal city I can keep them relatively low, but out on a country road I can adjust them up a bit. They are very bright with two defined hot spots. I've never had anyone "flash" me because they are two bright - the cut of is very defined. There are a few weird shadows from the bull bar close to the front - but the shadows are very narrow and don't bother me.

They are good enough to either move them to the Unimog, or get another set for it. (maybe wait for Phase 8 or 9 :) )

I also got a pair of 18W LED reverse lights - only fitted as a reverse light as it is super bright, now I can actually see in the side mirror when reversing, before I had to use the brake lights to see if I was going to hit something.

[Blade74]

Been really enjoying them. They probably won't blow you away but they do seem a fair bit brighter and whiter. The beam spread is so much better across the road and covers more of the side of the road as well. Yes they do have some funny patterns in the beam but you get used to it fairly quick. I just feel safer in general with them.
I have also fitted 2 x 18w reversing lights like Iain and they help a lot when reversing. I have some young kids that live in my apartment complex and just feel like I can now see easier behind me when reversing in the common garage at night. Also when I go camping and driving at night next I know I'll have great light if I need to reverse up a narrow bush trail.
Have also fitted a 20 inch LED Lightbar to the front which has a single row of Crees. Very neat and bright with amazing spread on the beam and the distance it shoots is still pretty good.
It's a flood type bar as opposed to a beam but I'm very happy with lighting now. :-)

[Chops]

Iain B, whats the adjusters you've got, and how exactly do they work?

[Blade74]

I'm assuming he's talking about the headlight height adjusters. I'm think they're standard in Defenders as my older TD5 has them.

[Tombie]

Will someone, anyone....

Please get a lux meter and actually measure the difference...

Glare and brightness are different, yet often misinterpreted.

Can we please just have some nice data to go with what is a glowing ( ! ) review of these so far...

[Blade74]

I don't have one sorry mate. And I don't trust the measurements on my iPhone to even be realistic.

Hopefully someone else out there does.

If anyone is thinking of buying them and live in Sydney I'm happy to meet up and show them at night to get a real world look at them.

[goingbush]

Will someone, anyone....

Please get a lux meter and actually measure the difference...

Glare and brightness are different, yet often misinterpreted.

Can we please just have some nice data to go with what is a glowing ( ! ) review of these so far...

I'm not sure that a measurement of Candle Power / Lumens alone will be all that conclusive, when interpolated with Kelvin color Temperature and light spread it will but would take some algorithm to work it out.

Its more whats perceived from the human eye I think

( my Eyes are not that good), All I know is that the Trucklites are the only headlight that I can actually see at night driving when raining, the light does not seem to bounce back off the rain drops, That, and the fact that they have a sharp cutoff so that you don't blind oncoming drivers is more important than Lux,( they are great in fog too.)

[LoveB]

Blade ill be in sydney this werk or the next... wpuld love to have a look!

[Blade74]

No dramas LoveB.

PM sent.

Let me know if anyone else wants to check them out before buying.

[TeamFA]

I'm assuming he's talking about the headlight height adjusters. I'm think they're standard in Defenders as my older TD5 has them.


I'm curious about that, as our '02 110 TD5 Defender doesn't have them, and I've heard a few people say that they were standard...

[goingbush]

I'm curious about that, as our '02 110 TD5 Defender doesn't have them, and I've heard a few people say that they were standard...

my MY05 Defender 110 does not have them either

[n plus one]

My 03 and 09 110s had/have them?

[Blade74]

Ok that means they weren't standard then.

Wonder if they were an option.
Apparently my car was an Extreme so maybe it was part of the pack.

[goingbush]

I thought it was the South African built ones had them, the UK don't, could be wrong ??

[Chops]

Ok that means they weren't standard then.

Wonder if they were an option.
Apparently my car was an Extreme so maybe it was part of the pack.

I'll have to find out if they can be bought and installed to an MY11,, could be a handy little feature, even if you've only got standard lights,,

[Blade74]

Guessing the main reason to have the feature is for when you tow or load up the back with a lot of weight it lowers the rear which makes your lights shoot higher.
A lot of newer cars like the Disco 4 has auto leveling lights and suspension.

[Leroy_Riding]

I'll have to find out if they can be bought and installed to an MY11,, could be a handy little feature, even if you've only got standard lights,,

my 2012 stock standard has them?

[rick130]

The adjusters were an option even as far back as Tdi's (although I don't think any Oz delivered Tdi had them ??)

[Chops]

my 2012 stock standard has them?

I've got the Crew Cab,, its bare-bones all the way.
No ABS, no TC, although I do like that fact :D

[LoveB]

my sep 12 one has abc,tc and adjustable headlamps

[LoveB]

lol abs not the alphabet

[Loubrey]

My 2010 90 has it fitted standard.

It was one of the first batch of 90's shipped in early April 2010 after the "Long Absence".

Cheers,

Lou

[Chops]

My 2010 90 has it fitted standard.

It was one of the first batch of 90's shipped in early April 2010 after the "Long Absence".

Cheers,

Lou

Well, with that bit of info, I guess I should be able to source a second hand unit,, no doubt a new one would be excessively priced,, :mad: Then I'll just have to work out how to wire it up,, :eek:

[rick130]

Well, with that bit of info, I guess I should be able to source a second hand unit,, no doubt a new one would be excessively priced,, :mad: Then I'll just have to work out how to wire it up,, :eek:

You'll probably find the loom is there, just working out which plugs are which though..... :D