Where is a good, inexpensive place to buy LED headlight replacement bulbs?
Have 2013 Jeep Wrangler and the factory headlights are pretty sad.
Thanks! Virgil B.
Ebay or Amazon. You need to watch Amazon's prices. Often they're higher than other online retailers. I often use Amazon to research an item but buy it elsewhere. Ebay ads are very limited in details and reviews.
Excellent article, and it re-affirms my dislike (hatred, actually) for aftermarket LED bulbs in headlights not designed for them. Plus, as stated, they produce less useful light.
You get what you pay for.
Tiny Monsters if you want a hell of an LED.
VERY informative post!
After reading this I decided I do NOT want LED lights!
Thanks for sharing!
Virgil B.
Excellent article, and it re-affirms my dislike (hatred, actually) for aftermarket LED bulbs in headlights not designed for them. Plus, as stated, they produce less useful light.
Spot on.
What is a good factory replacement bulb that will give better lighting?
Have ran PIAA in the past, but they don't last very long.
Is there another replacement bulb made that will last?
Thanks! Virgil B.
Sylvania Silver Stars seem to last pretty well and are brighter then the stock bulbs. More important though, is the condition of your lenses. If they are clouded or sun-damaged, they block a lot of light. Most can be polished to make them clear again.
What is your bulb spec , h4?
Very useful thread, thank you all.
Not all LED are created the same.Be carful what you buy some knock out your Car/Truck FM radio signal.
Excellent article, and it re-affirms my dislike (hatred, actually) for aftermarket LED bulbs in headlights not designed for them. Plus, as stated, they produce less useful light.
Less useful light? I put a pair of LED's in my Dodge pickup last year. Dodge's are famous for their poor OEM lights. The LEDs at least doubled the light output. For the 1st time, I can actually see the road. There's a very noticable cutoff at the top of the low beam and I've never had a car flash it's lights at me.
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
It's an easy DIY job. Any parts store will have a buffer pad that fits in an electric drill. Use 2000 to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand them good by hand, then buff them. In 30 min you can do a fairly good job.
That said, once the outer coating is sanded off, they won't stay clear. It won't be long before you have to do it again. You can get coatings to wipe on that will help keep them shiny but that won't last all that long. The only real long term fix is new lenses.
I put these in my 13 wrangler this fall and they are nice, have the halo around the outside you can hook up to turn signals. Install was very easy using directions.
https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-2...mp;ref_=pd_bap_d_csi_bia_sims_prsubs_0_t
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
It's an easy DIY job. Any parts store will have a buffer pad that fits in an electric drill. Use 2000 to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand them good by hand, then buff them. In 30 min you can do a fairly good job.
That said, once the outer coating is sanded off, they won't stay clear. It won't be long before you have to do it again. You can get coatings to wipe on that will help keep them shiny but that won't last all that long. The only real long term fix is new lenses.
I tried all the so-called methods on the ‘net as well as NAPA lens kit on our ‘01 Sienna two years ago. Quit wasting time and effort and ordered new headlight fixtures, and installed them. Brand new lights. They were about 40 bucks apiece.
Sylvania Silver Stars seem to last pretty well and are brighter then the stock bulbs. More important though, is the condition of your lenses. If they are clouded or sun-damaged, they block a lot of light. Most can be polished to make them clear again.
Have silver stars changed from say 3-5 years ago? I gave them a try and didn’t see a big enough difference in light output and considerably shorter life.
Example of one pair, but not impressed.
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
It's an easy DIY job. Any parts store will have a buffer pad that fits in an electric drill. Use 2000 to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand them good by hand, then buff them. In 30 min you can do a fairly good job.
That said, once the outer coating is sanded off, they won't stay clear. It won't be long before you have to do it again. You can get coatings to wipe on that will help keep them shiny but that won't last all that long. The only real long term fix is new lenses.
As to the new lense deal don't cheap out with some of these aftearket lenses.
Go back with factory lenses. The aftermarket stuff will let moisture in within 3 years if not sooner.
Yeah they look neat but from what I have seen on loads of kids/younger crowd replacing factory stuff to look cool they aren't built with any quality, price reflects that. Most have moisture in them rather quickly.
I just redid my 08 GMC and put all new rear lenses on the truck, factory GM that set me back a few penny's but hopefully they give me 10+ years of service.
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
It's an easy DIY job. Any parts store will have a buffer pad that fits in an electric drill. Use 2000 to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand them good by hand, then buff them. In 30 min you can do a fairly good job.
That said, once the outer coating is sanded off, they won't stay clear. It won't be long before you have to do it again. You can get coatings to wipe on that will help keep them shiny but that won't last all that long. The only real long term fix is new lenses.
I tried all the so-called methods on the ‘net as well as NAPA lens kit on our ‘01 Sienna two years ago. Quit wasting time and effort and ordered new headlight fixtures, and installed them. Brand new lights. They were about 40 bucks apiece.
A co-worker claims pretty good results wiping them with diesel fuel.
It definitely makes them clear. Don't last long, but ain't hard to do either.
Read a bunch of reviews on the Sylvania Silver Star replacement bulbs.
Most guys say they don't last long. Already did that with PIAA.
Any more ideas? I'm thinking about installing a set of driving lights, separate from my headlights.
Thanks! Virgil B.
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
It's an easy DIY job. Any parts store will have a buffer pad that fits in an electric drill. Use 2000 to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sand them good by hand, then buff them. In 30 min you can do a fairly good job.
That said, once the outer coating is sanded off, they won't stay clear. It won't be long before you have to do it again. You can get coatings to wipe on that will help keep them shiny but that won't last all that long. The only real long term fix is new lenses.
I tried all the so-called methods on the ‘net as well as NAPA lens kit on our ‘01 Sienna two years ago. Quit wasting time and effort and ordered new headlight fixtures, and installed them. Brand new lights. They were about 40 bucks apiece.
A co-worker claims pretty good results wiping them with diesel fuel.
It definitely makes them clear. Don't last long, but ain't hard to do either.
Same as spray and wipe with WD-40. Looks great until it rains. One would have to do that almost daily. Wasted effort, IMO&E.
Mo betta to R&R the fixture and have nice lights for years.
Not sure on the newer Jeep’s but one of the things noted on the Jeep forums is how under-sized the older Jeep headlight wiring is. Lots of guys are installing bigger wire and relays to remedy the problem. Might be something to look into. Good luck, Dave
SeanD;
I'm running the factory headlights in my 2013 Jeep Rubicon.
Thinking I should have my lenses polished out, and have a pr. of Sylvania Silver Star bulbs installed.
Virgil B.
That doesn’t tell what bulb your headlights use is. H4 or H11? Check out the recommendations on the Tacoma thread for bulb replacements, higher than stock wattage requires a relay headlight harness (not expensive). This guy has most of the bulbs in these sizes tested, obviously in Tacoma reflectors but should give you an idea of what might work better. Higher wattage bulbs burn out faster, no getting around that in a halogen. But they also light up way farther down the road than any LED replacements in halogen reflectors. Another upside is they won’t be a bright flood light that “lights up the road” up close - preventing you from seeing what’s down the road at a farther distance. Which is what headlights are designed for.
Just talked to the people at batteries plus Bulbs. They have some Halogen bulbs that will work, for $50. pr.
Going to go check them out and compare warranty, and specs on these. Gotta make sure they will work with my wiring.
Virgil B.
SeanD; I just looked at a chart that lists my 2013 Jeep Rubicon, and it says my headlights are H13 ?
I'm not very skilled at computer stuff, so I appreciate the help.
Thanks!
Virgil B.
Nice article. Fully agreed.
Nineo Gen II. Amazon.
Anyone who thinks leds put out less light than halogens are using the wrong bulbs. Period.
There are many tests out there, just look them up. Nineo gen 2 were the third brightest at about 3 times the original light output of a test of 25 top bulb makers. The bottom bulbs are less bright than halogens, the top ones are immensely brighter. The number 2 and 1 bulbs were 100 dollars each and 200 dollars each. Nineo gen 2 are about 18 each.
Please aim them correctly. You will blind people if not careful. You may also need to align them correctly (they have a lock screw on the side of the mount for this) if the flat spot is not at the top of the beam shape when initially installed. Rotate them until the flat spot is at the top then re-aim them. Again - be sure to aim them correctly - they will blind the living snot out of other drivers.
For clouded lenses - replace them if feasible. If not (Mrs. Geno's headlight housings were 600 each - whew), wet sand with 600, 800 and 1200 grit. Then spray with spray max 2k high gloss. This is a 2 part paint that mixes when you activate it. It's only good for 48 hours afterwards. Lasts about 3 years. Be absolutely certain to mask off the entire car. That stuff on your windshield makes terrible glare and can only be removed with a razor. Don't ask how I know this - lol.
Nineo Gen II. Amazon.
Anyone who thinks leds put out less light than halogens are using the wrong bulbs. Period.
There are many tests out there, just look them up. Nineo gen 2 were the third brightest at about 3 times the original light output of a test of 25 top bulb makers. The bottom bulbs are less bright than halogens, the top ones are immensely brighter. The number 2 and 1 bulbs were 100 dollars each and 200 dollars each. Nineo gen 2 are about 18 each.
Please aim them correctly. You will blind people if not careful. You may also need to align them correctly (they have a lock screw on the side of the mount for this) if the flat spot is not at the top of the beam shape when initially installed. Rotate them until the flat spot is at the top then re-aim them. Again - be sure to aim them correctly - they will blind the living snot out of other drivers.
I believe the term used was "less USEFUL light". There is no denying that LED's installed in a headlamp assembly designed for halogens results in undesirable beam scatter, causing glare to oncoming traffic. This is because the placement of the LED(s) on the bulb are not in the same place as the halogen filament of the original bulb, and the "shape" of the light produced is different. People say "make sure they are aimed". Yeah, right. You'd have to aim them so low to avoid blinding oncoming traffic that you'd only illuminate 30-40 feet in front of you.
Prove me wrong, nobody else has been able to yet.
I am a self confessed light slut. My wife's ride has factory adaptive LED headlights that self level and aim into corners depending on steering angle. My truck has Bi-Xenon headlights, Rigid DOT legal LED fog lights, and a set each of ARB Intensity and ARB Solis driving lights. I don't blind oncoming traffic, because my low beams and fog lights are properly aimed and have very well controlled beam patterns. The driving lights will most certainly get anyone's attention, but I use them in rural areas with little to no traffic. You get what you pay for in lighting, and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole gets the results one should expect.
Nineo Gen II. Amazon.
Anyone who thinks leds put out less light than halogens are using the wrong bulbs. Period.
There are many tests out there, just look them up. Nineo gen 2 were the third brightest at about 3 times the original light output of a test of 25 top bulb makers. The bottom bulbs are less bright than halogens, the top ones are immensely brighter. The number 2 and 1 bulbs were 100 dollars each and 200 dollars each. Nineo gen 2 are about 18 each.
Please aim them correctly. You will blind people if not careful. You may also need to align them correctly (they have a lock screw on the side of the mount for this) if the flat spot is not at the top of the beam shape when initially installed. Rotate them until the flat spot is at the top then re-aim them. Again - be sure to aim them correctly - they will blind the living snot out of other drivers.
I believe the term used was "less USEFUL light". There is no denying that LED's installed in a headlamp assembly designed for halogens results in undesirable beam scatter, causing glare to oncoming traffic. This is because the placement of the LED(s) on the bulb are not in the same place as the halogen filament of the original bulb, and the "shape" of the light produced is different. People say "make sure they are aimed". Yeah, right. You'd have to aim them so low to avoid blinding oncoming traffic that you'd only illuminate 30-40 feet in front of you.
Prove me wrong, nobody else has been able to yet.
I am a self confessed light slut. My wife's ride has factory adaptive LED headlights that self level and aim into corners depending on steering angle. My truck has Bi-Xenon headlights, Rigid DOT legal LED fog lights, and a set each of ARB Intensity and ARB Solis driving lights. I don't blind oncoming traffic, because my low beams and fog lights are properly aimed and have very well controlled beam patterns. The driving lights will most certainly get anyone's attention, but I use them in rural areas with little to no traffic. You get what you pay for in lighting, and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole gets the results one should expect.
I think a lot of them are saying to make sure they are adjusted correct don't realize they are talking about the bulb itself, not the housing. Some of the top end bulb companies will have adjustable bulbs so you can position the bulb differently in the headlight housing.
I do like how you say you have yours set up. Run something that won't blind on coming traffic in your low side and then some top end stuff as high beams and offroad/rural lights.
What kind of truck are you using them in?
Nineo Gen II. Amazon.
Anyone who thinks leds put out less light than halogens are using the wrong bulbs. Period.
There are many tests out there, just look them up. Nineo gen 2 were the third brightest at about 3 times the original light output of a test of 25 top bulb makers. The bottom bulbs are less bright than halogens, the top ones are immensely brighter. The number 2 and 1 bulbs were 100 dollars each and 200 dollars each. Nineo gen 2 are about 18 each.
Please aim them correctly. You will blind people if not careful. You may also need to align them correctly (they have a lock screw on the side of the mount for this) if the flat spot is not at the top of the beam shape when initially installed. Rotate them until the flat spot is at the top then re-aim them. Again - be sure to aim them correctly - they will blind the living snot out of other drivers.
I believe the term used was "less USEFUL light". There is no denying that LED's installed in a headlamp assembly designed for halogens results in undesirable beam scatter, causing glare to oncoming traffic. This is because the placement of the LED(s) on the bulb are not in the same place as the halogen filament of the original bulb, and the "shape" of the light produced is different. People say "make sure they are aimed". Yeah, right. You'd have to aim them so low to avoid blinding oncoming traffic that you'd only illuminate 30-40 feet in front of you.
Prove me wrong, nobody else has been able to yet.
I am a self confessed light slut. My wife's ride has factory adaptive LED headlights that self level and aim into corners depending on steering angle. My truck has Bi-Xenon headlights, Rigid DOT legal LED fog lights, and a set each of ARB Intensity and ARB Solis driving lights. I don't blind oncoming traffic, because my low beams and fog lights are properly aimed and have very well controlled beam patterns. The driving lights will most certainly get anyone's attention, but I use them in rural areas with little to no traffic. You get what you pay for in lighting, and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole gets the results one should expect.
I think a lot of them are saying to make sure they are adjusted correct don't realize they are talking about the bulb itself, not the housing. Some of the top end bulb companies will have adjustable bulbs so you can position the bulb differently in the headlight housing.
I do like how you say you have yours set up. Run something that won't blind on coming traffic in your low side and then some top end stuff as high beams and offroad/rural lights.
What kind of truck are you using them in?
The LED’s bulbs that I have seen that have the adjustable collars do not allow for adjusting the depth of the diode in relation to the reflector, only the rotational angle, thus limiting effective placement. Maybe there some that do, I’m not aware of them.
My truck is a 2014 Ram 2500 4X4. Unfortunately I gave up on posting photos when Photobucket went rogue……
Give postimages.org a go, pretty easy hosting site.
I just redid an 08 Sierra. Thinking about some kind of high power lighting for high beams and fogs. Maybe an LED bar tucked back in behind the grill.
https://www.blackoakled.com/These are worth looking at. Very good quality and high output.
Had the headlight lenses on my Jeep polished out, and halogen bulbs installed.
My Mechanic explained LED's to me, saying they put out light in a different place than Halogens.
So, now I finally understand why one must use the correct reflectors.
Virgil B.
Unfortunately I gave up on posting photos when Photobucket went rogue……
That's a shame, because your truck is bad ass.
I have a black oak led bar on my truck, wired with a switch and high beam only. Great light - it paid for itself on the first moose that I probably would have hi without it. I'll go with a bigger bar next time, but that one fit well and doesn't interfere with the plow.
I will end up with something like your arb intensity eventually. It is 3.5 hours each way to our cabin, and dark the whole time with plenty of ice and snow and wildlife to dodge in winter. More light is better.
Excellent article, and it re-affirms my dislike (hatred, actually) for aftermarket LED bulbs in headlights not designed for them. Plus, as stated, they produce less useful light.
Agreed LEDs are typically configured in a blade format shining perpendicular to you direction of motion and thus require a housing configire to turn the light ~90° +/- as opposed to 180° +/-..
Additionally many aftermarket LEDs have an ungainly heat dissipation system that requires spa e behind the lights...
I find it Odd that a Jeep has bad lighting... they used to be known for their excellent lighting.... But that is when ther were intended for off road time..
My last Jeep was a 1973. It had pretty good headlights, but they were standard seal beam lights.
Polishing out the lenses and installing halogen bulbs made a HUGE difference.
When the lenses get "foggy" again, I'll replace them with new factory lenses.
Still going to add a pr. of driving lights soon also.
Virgil B.
Apparently the oem lenses in my '08 Dodge 2500 weren't made for halogens either. They didn't put out enough light to see anything. I tried bigger ones and that didn't help. I finally got LED's and that worked. I can see twice as far and the lows have a definite cuttoff at the top so they don't blind other drivers.
Apparently the oem lenses in my '08 Dodge 2500 weren't made for halogens either. They didn't put out enough light to see anything. I tried bigger ones and that didn't help. I finally got LED's and that worked. I can see twice as far and the lows have a definite cuttoff at the top so they don't blind other drivers.
You’re not wrong about that. Stock Ram headlights were miserable in both the 2nd and 3rd Gen trucks, even new. The 4th Gen projector lights were better, but not by much unless you went HID in the projectors. The 5th Gens finally have some pretty good LED’s, but it damn sure took long enough to get them.
Interesting thread. Lots of good onfo
GTR Ultra2 from Headlight Revolution
Thank me later. 😉
I used Truelander LEDs on my 22 F250 from Amazon. No problems so far. The stock halogen lighting was pathetic.
I'm looking to add LED's to my LX470. Hopefully they will work instead of scattering light and blinding everyone. Good stuff here.
I had Hella H4 size in my old Mercedes. When I had to replace them several years ago, I did a bunch of research and ended up ordering the H4 OSRAM Night Breaker Plus. I didn't even consider LED bulbs. I'm happy with them and they are significantly brighter than the original Hellas they shine farther out than the Hellas as well, though they apparently don't last as long as the original Hellas.
I did have to replace the sockets with ceramic sockets, though. Original sockets melted with the new OSRAM Night Breaker Plus bulbs.
Many of the LED bulbs have a built-in fan to keep them cool as they generate a lot of heat. But then I read complaints about them not being warm enough to melt snow off the lenses. I haven't had that problem with mine. So if they're creating enough heat to need a cooling fan, where does it go if not to melt off the snow?