I own a 1997 Defender 90 and wanted to update my old barely visible headlights to LED. Can anyone recommend moderately priced one's? Sorry, I don't really want to spend over $300.00 on new headlights—hopefully, something without the integrated turn signal halo. I really appreciate any help you can provide.
LED Headlight recommendation.
- Thread starter omegavc
- Start date
WreckITFrank
Technical Excellence Contributor
You can probably do Trucklite 27270C's for about that money. No personal experience, but good company and good reviews.
Thanks, I'll check those lights out.
Peterson 701c has been a good light for me for the past 5 years or so. Excellent upgrade. Came out to about right at $300. They used to be available on Rock auto, but I just looked and haven't seen them.
I think they even have the correct connector in the back to make it full plug n play.
I think they even have the correct connector in the back to make it full plug n play.
Being in the same boat with the Classic - I gave up trying to find good LED bulbs to use in standard or Hella housings, and I don't like the look and especially color temperature of "proper" headlight replacements.
Ended up with Hella 80/100W in E4 (European) housings, and a wiring harness + relays to feed the juice to them. The amount of light I get is now comparable to D1/D2 headlights with 55/65W bulbs, same or better top cutoff on the light pattern, and I love the warm white color.
Ended up with Hella 80/100W in E4 (European) housings, and a wiring harness + relays to feed the juice to them. The amount of light I get is now comparable to D1/D2 headlights with 55/65W bulbs, same or better top cutoff on the light pattern, and I love the warm white color.
Mattarm
Well-known member
I have the 27270C's which were a massive upgrade. They do throw a strange horizontal shadow about half way through the beam due to the split design. If I had to do it all over again I would also recommend the heated version. We don't get a ton of snow in my area so I figured I was safe with non heated but on a trip through ABQ last Feb I hit a snowstorm and had to pull over to clear headlights 3 times due to total loss of visibility due to snow build up.
Napalm00
Technical Excellence Contributor
Very similar to what I posted above, except DOT not E2 . will be way better than the sealed beams
Thanks, everyone, for the help. I looked up the 27270C's, and the only places I've found them they want about $173.06 ( not including wiring kit) each.
I think it's better to go with Halogen instead of LED, easier to find. I did notice that Rovers North sells LED Luxeon Z Headlamps, tempting.
I think it's better to go with Halogen instead of LED, easier to find. I did notice that Rovers North sells LED Luxeon Z Headlamps, tempting.
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
thats exactly the set up I have as well. It’s so bright, I really have no need for any additional lights.
Relays definitely recommended.
Such a true statement. Just look at the new Defender; no one likes the classic look. I was driving behind what turned out to be a young girl driving her new Defender, and the taillights were just these led squares that lit up. It made me sad what they did to the classic Defender style; guess I'm just stuck in the past.
erover82
Well-known member
Original Halogens used reflectors and lenses which focused light to correct beam pattern. Later halogen lamps used more advanced reflector design to eliminate the focusing lens. These have a flat clear cover which looks more modern. To develop a lens focused LED lamp would require a specially engineered glass lens for LED optics, all for a limited market. It's easier to develop reflector based designs which is what you see on the market.
A lens focused H4 headlamp housing with warm white H4 LED "bulb" will get you close to ideal, but not quite. An integrated package could be engineered into a much better solution.
Z.G
Well-known member
While I've heard many times that it'd be tricky to do, I disagree that it's a limited market. In terms of aftermarket headlights, it's hard to imagine a more universal style light than the round 7" light. Jeeps, Rovers, Motorcycles, etc etc. Not as though they're designing it for a unique shape
I purchased from an overseas vendor what I remember to be LED headlamps offered onLHD Defenders. Think I paid close to $1,000 with the adjustable brackets. The LED look is great, do not get me wrong, but they do not offer up the light beam to match the E Code H4 Hellas that I removed, which had PIAA bulbs and relays. I think H4 Hellas with the City bulbs would be great, and somewhere I have a new set in a box...