Baja Designs IP6 DOT headlight install in a TJ

[MikekiM]

I'm curious why you aren't running the Koito housings?

I did have them and was really pleased. I probably detailed it in the post @Longwhitejeep linked to above. I had been running LEDs for a long time and while Koito’s with Hella 80/100s had plenty of output, period correct looks, quartz housings, a great pattern (probably the best I’ve used in an H4) and by far the best bang for the buck, I needed the 5700k temp. All worthwhile reviews were in sync that retro fitting an LED bulb in a halogen housing was a feeble move at best, so I dropped coin for the Holleys. That was two or three years ago and zero regrets.

If you’re okay with the warmer 3000k temp of the H4’s the Koito kit can’t be beat. The Hella 80/100s were $3 a pair when I bought them and the Koito kit was a little more than what I see them going for now. Crazy good deal for some of excellent lighting.

 

[Zorba]

Plastic lenses, I presume?

 

[The4bangertj]

Plastic lenses, I presume?

Yes. I believe even Hollys are as well.

 

[Zorba]

Yes. I believe even Hollys are as well.

Yea - that's VERY unfortunate.

 

[The4bangertj]

Yea - that's VERY unfortunate.

Being that other lp6s are serviceable at home. I hope the dot version would atleast have lense replacements and hat would be under warranty. For what ever reason the dot version isn’t at home serviceable like the other lp6s

 

[MikekiM]

The plastic lens debate..
Holley's are polycarbonate. I have installed LaminX protection film to prevent any sandblasting to the lenses. Concerns are often raised about snow/ice freezing to the lens in the absence of heat from the bulbs. I can say that after three northeast winters with bone chilling temperatures and road sand kicking up on the lenses the Holley's still look brand new, haven't yellowed and have never had ice collect on them. So, there's that..

 

[The4bangertj]

I also ordered these knowing so many have said good things about LatinX or any ppf. https://www.getjlc.com/product/baja-lp6-film/31

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

I did have them and was really pleased. I probably detailed it in the post @Longwhitejeep linked to above. I had been running LEDs for a long time and while Koito’s with Hella 80/100s had plenty of output, period correct looks, quartz housings, a great pattern (probably the best I’ve used in an H4) and by far the best bang for the buck, I needed the 5700k temp. All worthwhile reviews were in sync that retro fitting an LED bulb in a halogen housing was a feeble move at best, so I dropped coin for the Holleys. That was two or three years ago and zero regrets.

If you’re okay with the warmer 3000k temp of the H4’s the Koito kit can’t be beat. The Hella 80/100s were $3 a pair when I bought them and the Koito kit was a little more than what I see them going for now. Crazy good deal for some of excellent lighting.

HM. Sounds like you found what you like. I also tried the Hella 80/100 and was not impressed. Light was very yellow and albeit not really much brighter than 55/60. I switched to these Osram's and they are far better than any +xx% or higher wattage bulb I have tried. Whitest light I have seen from H4 as well.

Holley option does look nice.

 

[The4bangertj]

My attempt to match mikes picture. The trees are probably 100 yards away. Not a lot of stuff up close but tried my best to capture the whole beam.

While driving the beam on the driver side is seen through the door window because how wide it is.

 

[MikeE024]

My attempt to match mikes picture. The trees are probably 100 yards away. Not a lot of stuff up close but tried my best to capture the whole beam.

While driving the beam on the driver side is seen through the door window because how wide it is.

View attachment 655047

View attachment 655048

That's a lot of throw for such a low cut off line. Looks legit.

 

[MikekiM]

I’m calling them keepers as far as the patterns go.

 

[06TJ35's]

 

[thedustyboot]

Certainly a tempting purchase for me as well, they're nearly $1100 for me up here sadly.. I'd love to get rid of my cheap chinese lights

My two main questions are how do they perform when engine is idling? The TJ has a reputation of flickering when people install LED headlights.

And my second question (which I may have to ask BD directly) is do they produce any EMF? long winded explanation below:


I was forced by the local constable to change my headlights (long story) and just bought some cheap amazon lights to satisfy the a**hole.. But now I have a Kenwood VHF radio in the jeep that I rely on for dodging logging trucks but the cheapo headlights seem to emit enough EMF into my vehicles wiring that it greatly affects my transmit/receive capability. Unplugging the lights eliminates this issue completely.

 

[The4bangertj]

Certainly a tempting purchase for me as well, they're nearly $1100 for me up here sadly.. I'd love to get rid of my cheap chinese lights

My two main questions are how do they perform when engine is idling? The TJ has a reputation of flickering when people install LED headlights.

And my second question (which I may have to ask BD directly) is do they produce any EMF? long winded explanation below:


I was forced by the local constable to change my headlights (long story) and just bought some cheap amazon lights to satisfy the a**hole.. But now I have a Kenwood VHF radio in the jeep that I rely on for dodging logging trucks but the cheapo headlights seem to emit enough EMF into my vehicles wiring that it greatly affects my transmit/receive capability. Unplugging the lights eliminates this issue completely.

That’s expensive!
First question: no. I have not noticed any dip in output from idle to high revs, no flashing, no flickering, nothing which I was worried about since I direct wired them in and am not running a resistor or relay for them.
Second question: I don’t know forsure. I haven't used any rf since installing the lights except my Bluetooth, which has zero effect on. I have a gmrs radio I could try testing with but I don’t have anything for vhf. I havnt dived into this so I don’t know if emf that your headlights emit are a specific frequency or does it effect all frequencies but it hasn’t messed with my Bluetooth frequency. So long winded I don’t think so but if you can tell me how I could test more I would be happy to try.

 

[thedustyboot]

That’s expensive!
First question: no. I have not noticed any dip in output from idle to high revs, no flashing, no flickering, nothing which I was worried about since I direct wired them in and am not running a resistor or relay for them.
Second question: I don’t know for sure. I haven't used any rf since installing the lights except my Bluetooth, which has zero effect on. I have a gmrs radio I could try testing with but I don’t have anything for vhf. I haven't dived into this so I don’t know if emf that your headlights emit are a specific frequency or does it effect all frequencies but it hasn’t messed with my Bluetooth frequency. So long winded I don’t think so but if you can tell me how I could test more I would be happy to try.

This whole RFI thing is brand new to me as well. A similar example to what I'm experiencing is if you have an FM transmitter acting as a middle man to "bluetooth" your PHOOOOOONNE (@Zorba) and you have some LED auxilary lights you can hear a funny sounding frequency that can change pitch depending on engine rpm. I had this symptom on my old ranger.

I do the majority of my posts from a work computer so I'm unable to add a video of what I'm experiencing on here. Plus I'm already kinda hijacking this thread anyway

 

[MikekiM]

I have had four different LED headlights. From dirt cheap Amazon specials the PO installed to the current Holleys and none have had any flickering.

 

[Longwhitejeep]

My attempt to match mikes picture. The trees are probably 100 yards away. Not a lot of stuff up close but tried my best to capture the whole beam.

While driving the beam on the driver side is seen through the door window because how wide it is.

View attachment 655047

View attachment 655048

That looks really good! Even high beam is still a nice wide pattern.

 

[The4bangertj]

Follow up since I also got these based on the life time warranty and since other lp6s use a swap the lenses at home feature I was hoping they would cover swapping the lenses under warranty since they’re not glass.
They seem to be willing to swap the lenses if they get yellowed. I still plan on using a film to protect and prolong that process but it’s nice to know they would cover the replacement if it was bad enough.

 

[Zorba]

Follow up since I also got these based on the life time warranty and since other lp6s use a swap the lenses at home feature I was hoping they would cover swapping the lenses under warranty since they’re not glass.
They seem to be willing to swap the lenses if they get yellowed. I still plan on using a film to protect and prolong that process but it’s nice to know they would cover the replacement if it was bad enough.

View attachment 658354

I guess that beats a poke in the eye with a mascara brush - but why don't they just use glass lenses?

 

[The4bangertj]

I guess that beats a poke in the eye with a mascara brush - but why don't they just use glass lenses?

The other lp6s use plastic I’d assume because the tinted options for yellow and they use the lense to refract the light as well as rock chips seem to do better. With the lenses being 20 bucks and I can swap them my self I don’t mind plastic lenses.
On a sealed headlight that isn’t self serviceable i would like to see glass.