Headlight “Look” Showdown: Stock vs LED
- Thread starter mynamesrickgrimes
- Start date
Rubicon John
TJ Enthusiast
I kind of went both ways. I replaced the stock housings with Hella 002395031 housings. I installed some Beamtech LED bulbs in the housings. It looks completely stock until the lights are turned on. The housings actually create a decent cutoff and from what I can tell the pattern isn’t obnoxious for other drivers, although I barely drive at night as it is. I’ll try and get some photos this evening.
Im still using stock here. One is the original wagnor housing. I am not sure what it is but I feel my headlights give off a ton of light. Even compared to my wifes KL with LEDs.
Almost any decent flashlight is better than the factory headlights 
It doesn't even have to be LED. An H4 e-code conversion housing with decent bulbs will do the trick as well.
Cosmetics aside I'm not sure why anyone wants a brighter headlight. High beams sure, off road lights fine, but so many of these aftermarket LEDs actually blind on coming traffic on low beam. How can you possibly feel better knowing you will be able to clearly see that blinded driver cross the centerline?
Darwanism at its finest.
Darwanism at its finest.
C.J. Roberts
TJ Addict
I never tried LED headlights, but I had an LED bar for a while. Bright as Hell, but I couldn't see a thing. I just can's see the 6000K color temp. Any street sign illuminated by it just was WHITE coming back at my eyes.
I currently have H4 headlights, using a 100/ 90 watt bulb. For most purposes they allow me to see everything there is to see. When they're not enough, I have a set of Hella cornering lights, (which are the same color temp as the H4s), to add more close up light. For long distance I have two sets of driving lights, that in combination with the rest, make it close to daylight in front of me.
I love the stock look and I'm considering going the Hella E-Code route since it keeps that similar style. However, I also like the modern design of some LED options. I've been undecided for the last couple of months as to which headlight route I will be going.
I like the stock look. I have sylvania brand lights in there from the PO (not sure if those are original or not). The halo LED headlights look terrible on the TJ unless you do a lot more modern restyling to it to match it.
Of course it's a black and white issue. You're either blinding people or you can't see ahead of you at speed. Or not.
Steve Rodgers
TJ Enthusiast
We have many deer here, there are no predators except for hunters and the deer have endless supplies of food due to it being, well, Maui. On the rare times I drive at night I really need to see. I changed to LED, what a difference. I don't get any flashing from oncoming drivers on low beam.
Safety first
Safety first
Tray Burge
TJ Addict
My hallway "nightlight" is brighter than stock headlights! They're just plain dangerous.
After market Trucklites here.
After market Trucklites here.
Headlight revolution has a great selection of LED H4 bulbs that fit in aftermarket glass lens housings and keep a good light pattern. While this was somewhat of a dilemma a few years ago it isn't today. There are options that work well and have the look you want.
I still have the stock headlights. One thing to check is the voltage drop from the battery to the headlights. I was seeing a 1.3 volt drop at the headlights. This makes the headlights not put out the light they are capable of. It did make a noticeable difference when upgrading the headlight plugs and wiring a relay with direct battery voltage. The relay is controlled by the headlight switch for normal operation. This is a good read on the subject.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html
My trucklite clones are twice as bright as stock lights over an area probably 5x larger than stock. I adjusted them carefully. I have them set so they don't shine (probably needlessly) as far as my newer cars but my vision is still dramaticaly increased over stock. I'm really happy and would recommend everyone get better lights than stock TJ lights.
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
I went with Sylvania Silverstars - basically stock and a bit brighter. Super cheap too. I prefer the stock look so if I ever upgrade, I guess it's Hella's for me...
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