Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Headlight “Look” Showdown: Stock vs LED

I don’t like how LEDs look so I’m also running stock, but with black bezels. Once I properly aimed the headlights I stopped thinking about upgrading.
I'm doing the same. Used Rustoleum truck liner on the bezels which look awesome and hold up really well.
 
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So my build is a bit funky, trying to blend old and new, tastefully. Flat fenders front, flare delete rear.
My bezels are painted metallic charcoal, and match my wheels.
Long and hard thought, went w/ a blue tinted headlight...I like it, and it's different.

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I thought there were more accidents at night per mile driven today than there were 10 years ago with much lower power headlights? I also thought that fatal accidents increase more on well lit highways at night than they do when compared to rural highways. People always say there are more accidents on those dark rural highways at night but you have to remember there are also more fatalities on those highways during the day too. I'm certainly not suggesting one study or statistic answers the question but it is important to realize there are valid points on both sides. People talk allot about new high power headlights but those old things that have been around for 50 years aren't all bad, the discussion isn't as black and white as some people think. It's just possible that those old yellow lights on your Grandma's 1938 Dodge kept driving slow enough and alive long enough for you to be born. If you like em go for it but try to understand they aren't for everybody and your opinion might not be the right answer for everybody.
 
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Looks wise I still can't get behind the expensive lights I just put in. The older halogens are period correct. Especially with my setup where I've kept to old style round reflector trail lights instead of light bars.

But I live where there are no lights and the sky is almost always cloudy. So light output wise they're awesome.
 
It’s funny that when I got these I never thought about the looks, OEM vs LED, I was just wanting to see better. I have J.W.Speakers and they are properly adjusted, I have never been flashed because my low beams are too bright. As far as the look though, I like them.

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Edit:Bezels match MCE fenders.
 
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So my build is a bit funky, trying to blend old and new, tastefully. Flat fenders front, flare delete rear.
My bezels are painted metallic charcoal, and match my wheels.
Long and hard thought, went w/ a blue tinted headlight...I like it, and it's different.

View attachment 147166

Those headlights aren't the greatest...

This video shows why, you can take a look through the rest of the video to see how they compare to others.
 
H4 housings, upgraded 130% Sylvania bulbs, upgraded wiring harness. I love them. Just commenting on them last night. Fantastic illumination for a halogen
 
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Nice thread! I am in the market to upgrade my headlights atm. PO installed some Hella Housings with some very cheap halogen bulbs. (Osram H4 Original Line - 60/55W)

FYI - the factory incandescent headlamps are 60/55w halogen bulbs, just inside a sealed housing.

It is the lens quality/light pattern of the Hella and Cibie E-code housings that makes the light shine farther with the same wattage bulb. Philips Xtreme Vision +130 and similar bulbs by other manufacturers are slightly "whiter" in color temperature than the usual 60/55w H4 (but still not blueish) which makes them appear even brighter to the driver than the standard H4 even though the wattage is the same.

Personally, I don't care for the look of LED headlamps on a TJ/LJ and the light is too blue for my tastes, i.e. too harsh. That includes the "cheap" Chinese Trucklite knockoffs that seem to be so popular on the Internet jeep forums. Ironically, the cost of a set of Hella E-Codes and +130 H4 halogen bulbs is less than the Trucklite knockoffs and in my humble opinion work better.
If I decide to go stock, and to keep the hella housing, do you think It would be better to use a halogen bulb with higher wattage, or stick to a good choice 55/60W halogen bulb like the Philips Xtreme Vision +130 you suggested?

Also, installing a led bulb inside the hella housing would be appropriate? or not?
 
Nice thread! I am in the market to upgrade my headlights atm. PO installed some Hella Housings with some very cheap halogen bulbs. (Osram H4 Original Line - 60/55W)


If I decide to go stock, and to keep the hella housing, do you think It would be better to use a halogen bulb with higher wattage, or stick to a good choice 55/60W halogen bulb like the Philips Xtreme Vision +130 you suggested?

Also, installing a led bulb inside the hella housing would be appropriate? or not?
If you go with higher wattage, you would want to upgrade the headlight wiring to accommodate. I suggest the 55/60w halogen.
I tried a few different LED bulbs in the stock housing, and the light pattern for each was just terrible, so I switched back.
 
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If you go with higher wattage, you would want to upgrade the headlight wiring to accommodate. I suggest the 55/60w halogen.
I tried a few different LED bulbs in the stock housing, and the light pattern for each was just terrible, so I switched back.
Thanks!

So I'm sticking to a good 55/60W halogen bulb inside my Hella Housing for now.

Which bulbs are you running right now? Do you have any suggestions?
 
Thanks!

So I'm sticking to a good 55/60W halogen bulb inside my Hella Housing for now.

Which bulbs are you running right now? Do you have any suggestions?
The Philips are a great choice, xtreme vision or not. They last a long time and have a great pattern and those are what I used.

I am currently running Truck Lites leds with the heated lens to see how well I like them. That was the other issue with the led bulbs-not enough heat generation to keep the lenses clear of ice and snow, though you don't have that issue in Athens GR (generally speaking). Skiing at Parnassos may be a different story.

So far, the Truck Lites work very well, don't blind the other drivers, and definitely have a much longer reach on high beams than the stock halogens.

A refresher on headlight adjustment.
 
The Philips are a great choice, xtreme vision or not. They last a long time and have a great pattern.

I am currently running Truck Lites leds with the heated lens to see how well I like them. That was the other issue with the led bulbs-not enough heat generation to keep the lenses clear of ice and snow, though you don't have that issue in Athens GR (generally speaking). Skiing at Parnassos may be a different story.

So far, the Truck Lites work very well, don't blind the other drivers, and definitely have a much longer reach on high beams than the stock halogens.

A refresher on headlight adjustment.
Hey! Thanks for the answer!

I see you know some things about Greece! haha. Yeah, generally snow is not an issue over here! just a few days per year, or like you said at Parnassos or other mountains!

I think I am going to go budget friendly for now, and maybe buy some Phillips halogen bulbs (which are widely available over here).

*I'm saving up money for lockers! haha
 
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No doubt that LED headlights are brighter than stock.

HOWEVER... who has retained the stock headlights for the more classic look and feel?

I recently asked the same question in another thread. Looks like this thread has wandered a bit. @mynamesrickgrimes , did you find your answer? What LED option has the most 'factory' look?

Edit: Here, and the two posts below it, seems like @CasterTroy found some?
 
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I tried LED in both of my jeeps. Went back to a stock look with hellas. Did not like the LED look or the color and pattern of the light.
 
Properly adjusted LED bulbs in stock or stock-style housings will be best. The LED must be properly oriented in the lens to get the light going in the right direction. I upgraded all the bulbs in my 2011 Ram with bulbs from Headlight Revolution, the company in the video above. With silverstar ultras i had to use high beams just to see anything. With the LEDs my low beams are twice as bright as the ultra high beams and don't get flashed because it's still the stock housing. The problem I'm having in my 97 TJ is the plastic adjuster is broken and I can't find another one. Any sources???
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts