[cj5chic]

Ok, like most of us with CJ's, I simply can't see where I'm going at night due to the crappy headlight output. It's actually getting quite dangerous this time of year due to shorter daylight hours.
Because of my total lack of electrical knowledge I need something plug and play
Found these on Amazon:
7 Inch LED Round Headlight Conversion for Jeep CJ CJ5 CJ7 Tractor Trailer Truck 150W 6000K Hi/Lo Beam Led Headlamp 1 Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GNZ54H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KAbdCb5BJB163
Any advice on whether these would work or not would most certainly be appreciated!

 

[Hoover7]

Hey cj5chic, I don't have any experience with LED headlamps, but did purchase this harness to use with my existing halogen H4 stock headlamps.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H5JFHR...olid=1WZOU8N8TPW91&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Wow, what a difference when 12 full volts were routed directly to the headlamps as opposed to the original configuration of running power from the battery through the harness to the light switch and THEN finally to the headlamps. Although this product looks generic, the harness came to me as a Hella brand (nice quality), and was simple to install and did not require any modification of the original harness (big plus for me). Virtually plug and play once you identify your routing and where to hang the two relays. In my mind, the other bonus is not having to contend with possible fitment issues on a aftermarket LED bulb to the original headlight buckets. Plus you cut your proposed cost in half! Just my thoughts...

Best,
Hoov

 

[Matt1981CJ7]

Chic,

I'd be leery of those high wattage bulbs for a couple of reasons. First, many states have restrictions on the amount of wattage headlights can have. I think it's around 100W for high beams and 50W for low beams. Second, high wattage bulbs will put an additional strain on the already poor headlight circuit in your CJ, which could cause wires to overheat.

What many of us have done to improve the headlights is to add a relay harness, which drastically improves the voltage to the headlights. Along with upgraded bulbs, the difference is profound. It's a very easy plug and play deal. Here's my thread on the upgrade. You can do it cheaper than I did, if you shop around for the parts.

https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/jeep-cj-lighting-upgrade-installation-2130225/

Before and after pics below.

Matt

 

[cj5chic]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I so appreciate you help and wisdom!😘
I think I'm starting to wrap my head around this... almost.
What does H4 mean?
These are the headlights I have now.
SYLVANIA H6024 XtraVision Halogen Sealed Beam Headlight (7" Round) PAR56, (Contains 1 Bulb) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C18Q44/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QEidCbYK0PWDS
Will a relay harness work with these existing headlights?

 

[TIPPEDITOVER]

There does not currently exist any 7" LED headlight that will bolt into a CJ without modification, though they all like to market them as if they will. They all require something be done, some more than others. Check out my build thread if you want a taste of what it takes. It's really not that bad. If you use projector type LED's you can aim them very well as to not blind oncoming cars. They have a very focused pattern.

But to keep life simple you probably should stick with the headlights you already have and purchase a relay kit to power them. Many vendors on amazon sell the kit for around $25. Hoov's link above are $35, but appear to be very good quality. I bought it.

Your factory wiring is the main problem. All the amazon kits are nearly plug and play. They use your factory wiring and headlight switch only to trigger the relays. 40 year old crusty wiring is still capable of that job, cause it takes just miliamps to trigger the relays. The new relays and their associated wiring carry the current load.

 

[BagusJeep]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I so appreciate you help and wisdom!😘
I think I'm starting to wrap my head around this... almost.
What does H4 mean?
These are the headlights I have now.
SYLVANIA H6024 XtraVision Halogen Sealed Beam Headlight (7" Round) PAR56, (Contains 1 Bulb) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C18Q44/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QEidCbYK0PWDS
Will a relay harness work with these existing headlights?

Nothing wrong with your sealed beam headlights, generally considered to be a good quality brand and no corrosion issues.

An H4 headlight housing is not sealed, it is open at the back and you can put in an H4 size halogen bulb. Generally considered to be an upgrade as it gives a range of available bulbs etc. Hella are a good brand, but you do not need to change out your Sylvania.

Your problem is that the voltage at your bulb is not battery level i.e. 13,5V when running. Your old wiring, dodgy switches and porr ground path may only be delivering 10.5V. This would reduce output by more than 40%.

Rather than spend money on fancy bulbs, fix the harness. A relay harness will allow battery voltage to be supplied at the bulb and a much better return path to the battery. Only fit one that has a return ground to the battery, do not ground it locally to the grille or fender. You will find your headlights are super bright.

All my Cjs with relays drive fine at night, only one has the original harness and it is guesswork at night. Puthijeep has relays, thick wires, Hella H4 housings and Philips bulbs, brilliant.

 

[jeepdaddy2000]

You can also go the added distance and install a set of driving lights. I run a set of old Bosch rectangular's on the front bumper of the F350 (which has THE poorest headlights in history). They are relayed into the high beam circuit and upgraded with 100W bulbs. While not used with the lows, they are a big improvement on the open road. They not only light up the night, but are independently adjustable, allowing me to rotate the passenger side out off the road a bit, which helps me spot those pesky deer at night.

 

[trailhead2004]

I'm with these guys. No need for fancy bulbs, just relays.

The basics are install two relays, one for low beam, one for high beam. Drive the coils with the existing wires going out to the bulbs, gray and gray stripe in the case of my 1980 CJs. Then run battery power through a fuse and up to the relays, along with a ground wire. Run the power through the relay contacts and distribute it out to the lights along with ground wires. Boom! Done! Better lighting.

I'm in the middle of rewiring my CJ5 right now and that was one of the primary things I wanted to do. I'll post up a design next week.

 

[Matt80cj]

I put trucklite brand LED headlights in mine and they bolted right in no problem. This was a few years ago now and they weren’t cheap. I love the bright white light though.

I did the relay mod (bought a hot rod kit off of eBay) later and will say I think it still made a difference in brightness even with the LEDs.

I will give another vote for the relay mod.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TIPPEDITOVER]

Hey cj5chic, I don't have any experience with LED headlamps, but did purchase this harness to use with my existing halogen H4 stock headlamps.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H5JFHR...olid=1WZOU8N8TPW91&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I just bought the $35 plug and play kit you linked from amazon. Seems legit.

 

[cj5chic]

I'm in the middle of rewiring my CJ5 right now and that was one of the primary things I wanted to do. I'll post up a design next week.

Some photos along with instructions would be perfect! Especially since we both have the same Jeep.
Thanks so much!

 

[Hoover7]

I just bought the $35 plug and play kit you linked from amazon. Seems legit.

I was was pleasantly surprised, Tipped. From the amazon images, I was expecting a much more cheaply made unit. Once in hand, though, it was well put together, used Hella relays, shrink wrapped, and enclosed in a loom with zipties.

For my setup, it was easiest to keep the harness on the passenger side and use the passenger side headlight harness plugs to operate the relays. I used the positive side of the solenoid for power, and grounded to my buss bar behind the battery. The hardest part was taping up the unused original harness plugs after removing the headlight and buckets.

Edit: My apologies for the first image, can't seem to delete it. :dunno:

Edit2: Ahh, fixed it.

Hoov

 

[cj5chic]

From my research so far I've heard people either get the Hella relays or some cheap Chinese brand. Sounds like a crapshoot as to what you actually end up receiving.

 

[cj5chic]

Ok, I just purchased the relays on Amazon. Crossing my fingers they end up being the Hella.🤞

 

[John Strenk]

....

Edit: My apologies for the first image, can't seem to delete it. :dunno:

Hoov

OOPS, Sorry about that. I tried to help you with deleting the first picture but I did the wrong one.
Please re-post that picture again.

Here is how you delete an uploaded picture:

Well it looks like animated gifs do not work here.
here are the steps
1. Go to Edit
2. Go to Advance Edit
3. Go to Upload Pictures.
4. SCROLL DOWN.
5. Select the picture you want to delete.
6. Done!

 

[Guy Smilie]

Ok, I just purchased the relays on Amazon. Crossing my fingers they end up being the Hella.🤞

I purchased this relay and didn't get the Hella. It is still well made but i was disappointed that it only has one fuse for both relays. I contacted them about that and they claim its the new improved version. I can always add the other fuse later

 

[Matt1981CJ7]

This is the company that makes Daniel Sterns relay harnesses.

http://www.rallylights.com/all/license-lamps

You'll pay a little more than the Amazon harness, but you will be guaranteed to get the best components and a fuse for each relay.

Matt

 

[jp360cj]

Be sure to add dedicated grounds from the headlights to the battery to get the full benefit of the relays. I mounted a ground bar on the firewall and run all my light/accessory grounds off of it. Also, a self resetting circuit breaker is a good idea in at least the low beam circuit and may keep you from going completely dark when you need headlights.

 

[Hoover7]

OOPS, Sorry about that. I tried to help you with deleting the first picture but I did the wrong one.
Please re-post that picture again.

Here is how you delete an uploaded picture:

Thanks for the helpful walk through, John - and sorry for the derail, cj5chic. I didn't realize there was variation in the harnesses from that Amazon link, and wouldn't have promoted it had I known. That being said, hope you get the hella relays.

Hoov

 

[cj5chic]

No apologies necessary. I too couldn't figure out how to delete photos so this information is helpful.
As far as the harness goes, I knew it was a crapshoot before purchasing as to which I'd actually receive. I can always send it back and go with the one recommended by Matt if needed.