The LED headlight thread

[The_Vermonster]

Ok I agree durability is also a benefit.

What about high end cars? They are using them because they illuminate the road better.

HIDs are not LED powered. Most car HID use a Xenon arc bulb. They are most often found with Projector housings. When car companies today say LED, they generally are referring to the DRL and turn signals.

The LED headlight thing is fairly new. Audi has been working on it for a while but has trouble with NHSTA. The concept is similar to a Rigid or Baja Designs LED bar. They have a matrix of LEDs with individual lenses aimed to a specific place. It does a nice job as low beams because it minimizes harsh shadows. But cost is going to be astronomical. Their 2018 A6 will supposedly have them so we'll have to see what replacements cost. I'd expect them to be in the $1500 range.

 

[LazyRabbit]

Quick snip bit for the military LEDs: Beyond what was already stated, i understand that LED white light makes it easier to see ground disturbances or tells that could give away an IED or mine.

I have set of original trucklites that i bartered for in the stan. I like them and also serve as a little momento of my two years of going over there. They have their hot spots, but im satisfied and i like the white light way better than the standard halogen color.

 

[AdamSanta85]

HIDs are not LED powered. Most car HID use a Xenon arc bulb. They are most often found with Projector housings. When car companies today say LED, they generally are referring to the DRL and turn signals.

The LED headlight thing is fairly new. Audi has been working on it for a while but has trouble with NHSTA. The concept is similar to a Rigid or Baja Designs LED bar. They have a matrix of LEDs with individual lenses aimed to a specific place. It does a nice job as low beams because it minimizes harsh shadows. But cost is going to be astronomical. Their 2018 A6 will supposedly have them so we'll have to see what replacements cost. I'd expect them to be in the $1500 range.

Yes I know they are different technologies achieving similar goals. I equate HID to what plasma TV's were.

Toyota Corolla and Nissan Maxima SR have LED low beams.

Point is, they perform better then halogen when properly implemented.

 

[AdamSanta85]

 

[FlyersFan76]

Although I am normally quite fanatic about classic appearance and originality, I think the NOLDEN's are the best ones available. I have also installed Trucklites on some of my trucks as well as JWSpeaker but the Noldens remain my favorite. Last year I sold around 30 sets to customers in the US. I should have another 50 sets in the next 6 weeks.

Darn it. I should have waited to buy mine.

 

[Jeff B]

I agree the Noldens look the best cosmetically.


.

 

[AdamSanta85]

Illuminated

 

[RBBailey]

I can't stand the look of the LEDs. I think that they look ridiculous on a 30 year-old truck, like the guy who puts HIDs in his 1998 Civic.

I love Hella H4s with a good Hella bulb in them. Adding Hella 550s on the brush bar is an excellent way to improve your lighting. The H4s + the 550s is just perfect for night driving off-road.

I wouldn't disagree for the headlights, but I am going to use LED for my various interior and exterior lights. I might stick with my Hella 550s, or whatever it is I have sitting in my garage, for my main forward lights + my head lights. But the low cost, low power usage of the other areas makes sense to use LED.

One day, I will probably switch out the turn signals and parking lights and brake lights for LED, but never headlights.

 

[chris snell]

If you must use LEDs, at least get the "warm white" color temperature bulbs from Super Bright LEDs. They look decently close to factory bulbs.

 

[The_Vermonster]

I wouldn't disagree for the headlights, but I am going to use LED for my various interior and exterior lights.

Just a thought about that, that many might disagree with. I like having dim interrior lights in the front area so that when they are on at night they don't 1, ruin the night vision, or 2, make it hard to drive with them on.

I saw some great flexible maplights that had a red LED and white LED. I wish I had saved the link.

 

[FlyersFan76]

Just a thought about that, that many might disagree with. I like having dim interrior lights in the front area so that when they are on at night they don't 1, ruin the night vision, or 2, make it hard to drive with them on.

I saw some great flexible maplights that had a red LED and white LED. I wish I had saved the link.

This one?

http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/labcraft-led-map-light.html

 

[The_Vermonster]

This one?

http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/labcraft-led-map-light.html

Beautiful! Thanks.

 

[RBBailey]

We have to admit, it didn't help the US Army avoid the ducks.


Reviving this thread to ask about the Holdens as a drop in over the long-term, but also to ask about any conversion kids that people have used with the H4 lenses.

 

[NPT90]

Hard to beat the pricing on the Rigid Heated "trucklites"
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0102OGTD0

This was the cheapest price I could find, I pitched the adapters.

If you're a purist then by all means stick with the Halogens, they are generally ok but comparatively awful in terms of light output.

You can get a pair of Noldens for less money on ebay, from what I can tell they are genuine (judging by the markings on the lense)

I ended up with the trucklites (rigid) because of the heated lense. Not that it's necessary all of the time its just a really nice option if you find yourself in snow or freezing rain.

 

[RBBailey]

I think the United Pacific LEDs look most like stock. That is, as they are sitting in the truck, the lens and reflector are comparable to a halogen set. The light pattern for all of the LED lights will be different.

I'm going to get LED bulbs for my parking lights today. I may look into some 7" set up for the headlights as well, but would feel better about buying them personally so that I can return them easier if I don't like the color temp or light pattern.

 

[The_Vermonster]

I found a set of NTO, heated, Truck-lite on ebay for $210. They are the military variant which from my limited research, has a slightly better heater element than the civilian version. They also have black wires, with crimped on tags for high, low, and gnd, and bullet connectors. Not a problem for me because I was going to put Deutsch connectors on all my lights anyway. It's worth keeping an eye out for them. At the time I bought mine, there was a second set for $330.

 

[O2batsea]

So someone is pinching these off military vehicles and selling them on Ebay? I hope they get caught.

 

[Red90]

Watch this series before deciding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qStRHOFRcY&list=PLhombf0sgTNy-fsw4tf24UzBKHGQEoX7D

Al lights are not created equal.

 

[NPT90]

Watch this series before deciding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qStRHOFRcY&list=PLhombf0sgTNy-fsw4tf24UzBKHGQEoX7D

Al lights are not created equal.

I watched pretty much all of these, decided that the NOLDEN/JW Speaker had the best light with the trucklite coming in a close 3rd.

That said deciding factor for me was
1. Heating
2. US supplier with dealer support
3. Everything is a huge improvement over halogen/H4

I must admit it looks a little ricey on an older defender, I mean I have LED markers and turn signals already so I am kind of out of the running for an 'original' anyway. People are shocked when I tell them my truck is an 84 however.

 

[Red90]

3. Everything is a huge improvement over halogen/H4

You've never had a decent halogen....

Another option without going to high wattage bulbs are quality LED bulbs in quality halogen housings. Once again, you need to research and purchase well, but you can maintain the stock look with lots of light at low power draw.