LED headlight upgrades

[Aaron]

I really do love the LED Headlights available out there now and Id like some. Im a little bit worried how bright they are for on coming traffic though.

Can anyone with these lights tell me what their opinion is. Using people flashing you with their high beams as a guide might be a good sign that they are dangerous for other road users.

[ericvv]

If in Australia you buy either JW Speaker, Nolden, or Trucklites homologated for LH traffic, and if you install/adjust them properly, they won't dazzle oncoming traffic at all. Here in Europe i have the JW Speaker 8700 Evo for RH traffic, and have no problem with oncoming traffic whatsoever. It is all a matter of buying the right lamp, RH or LH driving, for your area, and adjusting them properly. I can confirm, their light output is of another world if compared with even the best halogens.
Eric

[Naks]

I have a set of Trucklites, but they are sitting in my boet's container until he moves into his flat in Dec/Jan :no2:

I cannot wait to install them, so gatvol of the rubbish HIDs I put on.

[chopper]

Are we talking globes or light assemblies ?

[Aaron]

Whole assembly like the Trucklites

[chopper]

Whole assembly like the Trucklites

according to their website , they are only globes and "ballists" not lenses or housings

[Perth Def90]

Here is another option; Power Vision- quality and beam throw are good, coupled with a Rijidij bar with an LED bar light gives a discrete lighting package.
Contact sales@ultra-vision.com.au

regards
Patrick

[BadCo.]

according to their website , they are only globes and "ballists" not lenses or housings

Complete replacements.

Truck Lite 27270C 7" LED Headlight Headlamp Phase 7 Harley PAR56 | eBay (http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/161176542983?nav=SEARCH)

Popular in 'murica for replacing Harley and Jeep headlights. I reckon they would work on GQ Safaris too.

[BadCo.]

In Aus do you guys not have your headlights tested for your warrant of fitness? If you do wouldn't this tell you that your headlights are too bright or improperly angled? Or too bright from the improper angle! (ie shinning up into peoples faces instead of down on the road)

[Naks]

This is what I've got (well, not installed yet):

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1069.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1070.jpg

[BadCo.]

Yeah they look awesome, definitely getting me some.

[chopper]

This is what I've got (well, not installed yet):

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1069.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1070.jpg

what are they worth ?
I have a broken lens at the moment and they look expensive to replace

[lmurko]

Truck Lite 27270C 7" LED Headlight Headlamp Phase 7 Harley PAR56 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161176542983'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

cheapest i have been able to find them, just make sure you place an order quantity of 2 or youll pay some extra shipping

cheers,
lachlan

[Ranga]

Any idea what the expected lifespan is like?

[BadCo.]

Here is the page

Truck-Lite - Catalog Product : 7'' Round LED Headlamp, Complex Reflector Optics Design (http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay'storeId=10001&productId=92025)

Can't see the lifespan anywhere though

[goingbush]

I had LED 7" round phase5 Trucklites on my Defender when I sold it 12 months ago it passed the Victorian RWC no problems (Warrant of Fitness) and the vic RWC is one of the toughest .


My new truck unfortunately does not have 7" round headlights so I could not fit TL's but I replaced the H1 and H7 low and high beam Halogen bulbs in the existing enclosures with Cree LED bulbs and they are almost as good as the Trucklites were and a LOT less expensive @ about $80 a set.

[BadCo.]

If you have a old jeep or Toyota you can use these versions.

Truck Lite 27450C 5'' x 7'' Rectangular LED Headlamp Complex Reflector Optics | eBay (http://m.ebay.com/itm/Truck-Lite-27450C-5-x-7-Rectangular-LED-Headlamp-Complex-Reflector-Optics-/181301182856)

[Aaron]

Going bush, could you give me some brand names on what you have? Is this set up on your beautiful Iveco?

[rijidij]

I recently fitted the Truck Lites to my County. I've only had a chance to have a short drive with them at night, so haven't fully assessed them yet, but my first impressions are..............definitely better than standard headlights on low beam, but the beam pattern is a little patchy due to the reflector design. High beam doesn't offer enough extra light that I would have these as the only light source on a vehicle, however, combined with a good driving light they are quite good.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/994.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/Defender%20Tube%20Bull%20Bar/County%20Bull%20Bar/Truck-Lite-Ph7_zps28af02c2.jpg.html)


I've been trying to find an LED spot beam driving light that actually has good distance penetration. I'm often explaining to customers that LED light bars with 'spot' beam lenses are still pretty much a flood light because the small lights just don't seem to penetrate even though there are many of them.

I decided to try a couple of different lights with bigger lenses. The first one I tried was this type, a 9" light (described as a combo beam) with 3 x 15w LEDs pointing back towards a big reflector. I was hoping the sheer size of these would be an advantage, but I was a little disappointed with the performance, they were still pretty much a flood pattern. Also, these just looked too big on the front of the car.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/995.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/LED%20Lights/9-LED_zpsc14db940.jpg.html)

Next I tried these 7" lights with 3 x 15w LEDs mounted in the centre. These are described as having a 8 to 10 degree spot beam pattern.
These were a lot cheaper than the 9" lights and easily outperformed them for distance due to the tight beam. I was quite happy with these combined with the Truck Lites on the short drive I did. I'm driving to Sydney next week, so I'll have a good chance to see how they go then.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/996.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/LED%20Lights/Untitled_zps9da39732.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/997.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/Defender%20Tube%20Bull%20Bar/County%20Bull%20Bar/County-Tube-Bar_zps0970267a.jpg.html)

Cheers, Murray

[BadCo.]

Murry, we're the new headlights easy to install and adjust to the right level?

[Judo]

Are all the LED headlight options white light or are yellow light ones available too?

[rijidij]

Murry, we're the new headlights easy to install and adjust to the right level?

They are very easy to install, they are a direct replacement for any standard 7" headlight, and they have a standard H4 plug hard wired in the back, so they simply plug in to the Defender / County loom.
They use the standard adjusters on the car. I haven't done any adjustments yet, but I haven't been flashed by anyone either, so they must be somewhere near right.

Cheers, Murray


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/991.jpg

[rijidij]

Are all the LED headlight options white light or are yellow light ones available too?

I haven't come across any yellow ones. I presume you mean what they refer to as 'warm white', not a bright yellow. All seem to be 'bright white' which is typical for LED vehicle lights.

Cheers, Murray

[two up]

I recently went and had a look at a couple of mates gq patrols, one had the trucklites fitted the other had hid projector lenses fitted. I thought the trucklites were impressive until the projectors were turned on. The light from the projectors was unbelievable, in fact the beam from the trucklites completely disappeared, it was not visible at all in the beam of the projectors. I know which way I am going now.

[Pickles2]

They are very easy to install, they are a direct replacement for any standard 7" headlight, and they have a standard H4 plug hard wired in the back, so they simply plug in to the Defender / County loom.
They use the standard adjusters on the car. I haven't done any adjustments yet, but I haven't been flashed by anyone either, so they must be somewhere near right.

Cheers, Murray


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/991.jpgMurray, did you use the standard loom, which some say hinders headlight performance?
Pickles.

[rijidij]

Murray, did you use the standard loom, which some say hinders headlight performance?
Pickles.

At 1.80amps (low beam), 3.60 amps (high beam) there should be less load on the headlight switch than standard halogen lights.
You shouldn't have any issues with the standard loom, but I'm not an auto elec expert.

Cheers, Murray

[rijidij]

I recently went and had a look at a couple of mates gq patrols, one had the trucklites fitted the other had hid projector lenses fitted. I thought the trucklites were impressive until the projectors were turned on. The light from the projectors was unbelievable, in fact the beam from the trucklites completely disappeared, it was not visible at all in the beam of the projectors. I know which way I am going now.

Naturally projector HID's will be much brighter, but for them to be legal they need to be ADR approved and you also have to have self leveling headlights and headlight washers to comply.
Fit them if you like, but they wont pass a roadworthy test.

Also, Patrol owners who fit HID low beams need to learn how to aim a headlight correctly, I've seen plenty of them who obviously don't give a **** about other road users.
I've got non compliant stuff on my car for sure, but when it comes to incorrectly adjusted HID low beams it's just plain annoying and selfish.

Cheers, Murray

[TeamFA]

I had LED 7" round phase5 Trucklites on my Defender when I sold it 12 months ago it passed the Victorian RWC no problems (Warrant of Fitness) and the vic RWC is one of the toughest .


My new truck unfortunately does not have 7" round headlights so I could not fit TL's but I replaced the H1 and H7 low and high beam Halogen bulbs in the existing enclosures with Cree LED bulbs and they are almost as good as the Trucklites were and a LOT less expensive @ about $80 a set.

You wouldn't have a link to the ones you purchased, would you?

I've been looking at the LED bulbs for a while, but have been unsure as to whether or not to take the plunge.

[rijidij]

You wouldn't have a link to the ones you purchased, would you?

I've been looking at the LED bulbs for a while, but have been unsure as to whether or not to take the plunge.

I had the LED bulbs in Narva headlights before the Trucklites. They actually had a cleaner beam than the Trucklites and, for the price, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend trying them if you're reluctant to fork out for full light replacements. I much preferred them to the standard halogen.
Apparently the ones you can get now are better than the ones I had, so they should be pretty good. The only down side with the globes was similar to the Trucklites, not a lot of difference to high beam.

Also, the earlier type had an external driver which was a bit of a pain to mount. They were 25w per globe.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/962.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/LED%20Lights/H4-LED-Set-1_zpseda934c3.jpg.html)

There's new ones available with the driver built in, but I haven't seen these in the flesh yet. They are 30w per globe.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/907.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/rijidij/media/LED%20Lights/H4LEDAi1_zps216adda6.jpg.html)

Cheers, Murray

[two up]

Naturally projector HID's will be much brighter, but for them to be legal they need to be ADR approved and you also have to have self leveling headlights and headlight washers to comply.
Fit them if you like, but they wont pass a roadworthy test.

Also, Patrol owners who fit HID low beams need to learn how to aim a headlight correctly, I've seen plenty of them who obviously don't give a **** about other road users.
I've got non compliant stuff on my car for sure, but when it comes to incorrectly adjusted HID low beams it's just plain annoying and selfish.

Cheers, Murray
Fitting ****ty hid globes to normal headlights is my biggest bugbear the worst culprits beind the rice racers. The hid projector lenses have a definate cut off line same as your mercs audis etc etc. Led lights are not adr approved either and you will run into the same problems as the hid at rego time. The original hid lights in my accord euro were neither self leveling nor did it have headlight washers. The patrol with the projectors has already passed 2 roadworthy tests. For the money involved in upgrading to the trucklights or jw speakers I just cant see the value in them. When and if I do upgrade it will be with the projectors.

[BadCo.]

Here is there 3 year long thread about after market headlights on Jeeps.

Headlight Shootout - JeepForum.com (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/headlight-shootout-1166827/)

[BadCo.]

Are there a 7" Hid drop in replacement light out there? My 05 Subaru has HID's and they are awesome.

[two up]

Are there a 7" Hid drop in replacement light out there? My 05 Subaru has HID's and they are awesome.
Google micks projectors. he does them for most makes.

[Tombie]

Google micks projectors. he does them for most makes.


So he heats the light open, paints the reflector etc...
Adds a $35 Projector kit and sells them for how much?

I know how it's done - done it to plenty of motorbikes...

[two up]

So he heats the light open, paints the reflector etc...
Adds a $35 Projector kit and sells them for how much?

I know how it's done - done it to plenty of motorbikes...
Dear oh dear, if you did even the most basic of research you would see he only uses denso ballasts and osram globes, then add in projector lenses if you can do that for $35 I'll take a hundred sets.

Use what you want to use. From what I have seen the led lights dont even compare to good quality projectors.

[Tombie]

Dear oh dear, if you did even the most basic of research you would see he only uses denso ballasts and osram globes, then add in projector lenses if you can do that for $35 I'll take a hundred sets.


I had a read... He does good work...

So the point of your "research" comment?

Point is you can achieve same with a $35 projector kit - still doesn't make the conversion legal.

[Tombie]

And for the record - he offers the Osram and Denso upgrades for additional cost....

And the projector unit he supplies - exact unit fitted into my current motorbike....

[two up]

I rang him today to enquire about a set of 7" round lights he said tha he is only suplies denso and osrams now as he had an unacceptable rate of problems with other kits. After seeing the different lights at the same time I would not bother with the led lights. For a lot less money you could fit a set of britax lenses upgraded harness and good quality globes and get similar performance to led headlights.

[Tombie]

And that I completely agree with...

LED tech, and HID tech just aren't all that the hype suggests...

The HID projector on my bike is more for the look than performance :)

[BadCo.]

Holy crap so a set of 7" for the landy is gonna be over 700?

Might just stick with a wiring upgrade kit and new headlights with 90/100w globes.

[lmurko]

Badco. Earlier in the thread i posted an ebay link for the trucklites which works out to be about 425 AUD for the pair. Which is the cheapest ive seen them

Cheers,
Lachlan

[BadCo.]

Badco. Earlier in the thread i posted an ebay link for the trucklites which works out to be about 425 AUD for the pair. Which is the cheapest ive seen them

Cheers,
Lachlan

Eighth post on the first page is me also posting a link to ebay haha :)

[lmurko]

And its the exact same listing. I completely missed that. My bad :P

Cheers,
Lachlan

[BadCo.]

Didn't even realise it was the same. I just threw it up as an example.

[BadCo.]

Found another source for HID headlights.

Morimoto Sealed7 Round Headlights (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-headlight-fog-light-housings/morimoto-sealed7-headlights.html#reviews)

Looks to be about 700 us? Though I think it's a purpose built light rather then a retrofitted halogen light.

[LoveB]

Morimoto is good.

They will be HID's not LEDS but they are fantastic gear

[skidrov]

Have been watching this thread with interest! (Especially the "over-hyped" comments - I must admit, other than as a small hand-held torch, I have also been under-whelmed with LEDs as a lighting product...)

But, to contribute: I also found this: Dapper Lighting 7 Inch Classic Projector Kit | Dapper Lighting (http://www.dapperlighting.com/products/7-classic-projector)

It looks like you get a halogen projector for $US 280, and a 55w HID projector for $US 400 (PLUS shipping) (I'm presuming it's a pair, not per light). And, you can select for RHD and LHD vehicles.

Now, earlier up the thread, there was a description of LED 30w bulbs: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/907.jpg

(Thanks rijidij)

These LEDs are currently on eBay for $AU75 a pair delivered, ex-HK.

Given the risk of hype v. $, I am inclined to try the LED bulbs. They seem to offer best bang for buck, and worst case you end up a little better than standard, I would think. FYI, I have a Puma, so I think I'm correct in assuming I get the benefit of reasonable wiring from birth (i.e. don't need a relay kit). And, LEDs draw lower current, so it should be a win in that case anyhow...

[redrovertdi]

I purchased the fan cooled led bulbs from ebay for $72 the pair, they have the dished rocker reflector, they are great, so good a mate ordered the same for his county.
High beam doesnt seem that much brighter than main beam but thats what hid driving lights are for.

[rijidij]

Are all the LED headlight options white light or are yellow light ones available too?

I just came across these, they seem to have a yellow lens cover over the LEDs
2014 New design All in one Led Headlight (http://www.cn360led.com/product/H4-Hi-Lo-All-In-One-Led-headlight.php)
It's a bit confusing reading the colour specs as they say it's 3000k, but further down they say 3000k for low beam, 5500k for high beam.

Cheers, Murray

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/826.jpg

[TeamFA]

There's a few pics of bulb here that are "dipped" beam only. Are people using these in their headlights? If so, it looks as if the 3rd LED comes on for "main" beam, which won't give you a higher pattern, just more light.

I've been looking at this sort of design, which is supposed to give a true low and high beam pattern.

NEW 2X H4 30W High Beam 22W LOW Beam Cree LED Headlight Bulb FOG Light Lamp KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-2x-H4-30W-High-Beam-22W-Low-Beam-CREE-LED-Headlight-Bulb-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit-/310969151780?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486734b124)

[goingbush]

Going bush, could you give me some brand names on what you have? Is this set up on your beautiful Iveco?


You wouldn't have a link to the ones you purchased, would you?

I've been looking at the LED bulbs for a while, but have been unsure as to whether or not to take the plunge.

The H7 LED bulbs I purchased were for my Low Beam lights in the Iveco
photos show the packaging , the comparison with existing H7 Halogen bulb and the truck photo shows Halogen compared to LED ,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/795.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/796.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/797.jpg

the Low beam lights are in the bumper due to ADR , the main headlights are more than 1m off the ground so they can only be used for high beams, the other lights in the bumper are fog lights, still original bulbs, Ive never turned them on.

the ebay item was 221468624250

The high beams on the truck use H1 bulbs , and I chose a different design to the above , ebay item 111305791576 , these LED bulbs have a separate control box which fits onto the main headlight enclosure nicely.

I also have HID's in the unused compartments of the Main Headlights and I find the LED lighting to be almost as good as the HID but without the dipping warm up delay of HID's and in rain or on wet roads the LED's are better, I've yet to have a car flash at me even when I'm late at dipping (not that Im in traffic much at might)

the original Halogen Low beams in the Iveco were absolutely pathetic, the H7 LEDs are about 50% better and are still only just adequate, (but they are only in tiny 4" reflectors.) However the LED H1 Highbeams are 150% better than the Halogens and as good as the Trucklights were on the Defender.


There's a few pics of bulb here that are "dipped" beam only. Are people using these in their headlights? If so, it looks as if the 3rd LED comes on for "main" beam, which won't give you a higher pattern, just more light.

I've been looking at this sort of design, which is supposed to give a true low and high beam pattern.

NEW 2X H4 30W High Beam 22W LOW Beam Cree LED Headlight Bulb FOG Light Lamp KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-2x-H4-30W-High-Beam-22W-Low-Beam-CREE-LED-Headlight-Bulb-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit-/310969151780?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486734b124)

I believe these H4 bulbs (or similar) would be OK for a Defender, low and high in the same bulb, part of the H4 specification is the distance between the mounting base and the filament , which would need to be the same on the LED bulb, providing there is room in the enclosure for the fan on the back of the bulb, should be OK, no where near as huge as the fan on the back of my H7's

Also note its perfectly legal to wire your lights so that the Low beam stays on whilst your on High beam, not a bad idea.

[BadCo.]

There's a few pics of bulb here that are "dipped" beam only. Are people using these in their headlights? If so, it looks as if the 3rd LED comes on for "main" beam, which won't give you a higher pattern, just more light.

I've been looking at this sort of design, which is supposed to give a true low and high beam pattern.

NEW 2X H4 30W High Beam 22W LOW Beam Cree LED Headlight Bulb FOG Light Lamp KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-2x-H4-30W-High-Beam-22W-Low-Beam-CREE-LED-Headlight-Bulb-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit-/310969151780?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486734b124)

I was thinking about this too and these look like a better replacement globe.

[rijidij]

There's a few pics of bulb here that are "dipped" beam only. Are people using these in their headlights? If so, it looks as if the 3rd LED comes on for "main" beam, which won't give you a higher pattern, just more light.

I've been looking at this sort of design, which is supposed to give a true low and high beam pattern.

NEW 2X H4 30W High Beam 22W LOW Beam Cree LED Headlight Bulb FOG Light Lamp KIT | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-2x-H4-30W-High-Beam-22W-Low-Beam-CREE-LED-Headlight-Bulb-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit-/310969151780?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486734b124)


I was thinking about this too and these look like a better replacement globe.

Given that the single sided globes are supposed to be the 'new 2014 model', I thought it was strange to only make use of half the reflector in the light.
I think the double sided ones would be my choice.

Cheers, Murray

[goingbush]

The configuration on that LED in question is similar to the Halogen with offset filaments ,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/789.jpg