LED Headlight options for XJ

13592 Views 30 Replies 20 Participants Last post by PenelopeEllison, Nov 18, 2021

AidanMullen

Discussion Starter · Jan 14, 2019

I recently bought my 16 year old daughter a 1994 XJ and she loves it. It's had a considerable amount of work already done to it, but the headlights are crap, and I need to replace them. Before I do the same H4 upgrade I've done to my YJ, I'm wondering if any of you have had any good experiences with the newer LED technology that's available? I'll likely upgrade her wiring harness next week regardless, but I'd like to see what options may be out there. I can find a bunch to choose from, but all seem to have some bad reviews.
Thanks!

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Built_YJ

· #2 · Jan 14, 2019

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWBRDJ5?ref_=pe_2640190_261118450_302_E_DDE_dt_1

I got these a couple of months back and so far they have been working great. The beam is much brighter and I like the look of them a lot more then some of the other LED lights. I would have loved to get TruckLites but those are just way to expensive for me. I have a YJ, but they also work for the XJ.

All the Best

JUSTaXJ

· #3 · Jan 14, 2019

AidanMullen said:
I recently bought my 16 year old daughter a 1994 XJ and she loves it. It's had a considerable amount of work already done to it, but the headlights are crap, and I need to replace them. Before I do the same H4 upgrade I've done to my YJ, I'm wondering if any of you have had any good experiences with the newer LED technology that's available? I'll likely upgrade her wiring harness next week regardless, but I'd like to see what options may be out there. I can find a bunch to choose from, but all seem to have some bad reviews.

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-W...lights+led&dpPl=1&dpID=61q+-fVZeDL&ref=plSrch

I bought these a while back and they work 74.56% better than stock you can wire the sides up to your running lights so they look like halos

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CJ7-Tim

· #4 · Jan 14, 2019

I advise people that as of this date, there are two kinds of aftermarket LED headlights, the expensive types like TruckLights that are good headlights, and then there are all the Cheap junky Chinese LED headlights. Maybe in the future there will be more decent quality midrange price LED headlights, but for now I am not impressed with most of the LED headlights available now.

Upgrading the headlight harness and installing a set of E-Code all glass H4 headlamps is still is the best value and has the best results. You should avoid any H4 housings with plastic or ones that have Diamond or Crystal in their description. I just installed a $22 KASLight wire harness upgrade and some Hella H4 E-Code all glass housings to replace the stock headlights, and the difference is amazing.

Reactions: 4

AidanMullen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 15, 2019

Thanks! I'll have a look.

AidanMullen

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 15, 2019

XJ Headlight options

CJ7-Tim said:
I advise people that as of this date, there are two kinds of LED headlights, the expensive types like TruckLights that are good headlights, and then there are all the Cheap junky Chinese LED headlights. Maybe in the future there will be more decent quality midrange price LED headlights, but for now I am not impressed with most of the LED headlights available now.

Upgrading the headlight harness and installing a set of E-Code all glass H4 headlamps is still is the best value and has the best results. You should avoid any H4 housings with plastic or ones that have Diamond or Crystal in their description. I just installed a $22 KASLight wire harness upgrade and some Hella H4 E-Code all glass housings to replace the stock headlights, and the difference is amazing.

Thanks for the info. I've spent a couple of hours looking at the two previous suggestions and because they're both Amazon, there are an assortment of reviews and Q&A's to go through. While both have a high satisfaction rating with Amazon, there are a number of bad reviews, most pertaining to quality, consistency, and longevity. I've had bad luck jumping in on something when I've been warned against it, so I'm a bit wary. The H4 upgrade is what I did on my YJ using the Rampage Conversion kit with new relay wiring, and I'm very happy, although I still wish they were brighter because my night vision has gone wonky now that I'm on the backside of my 50's.

The bulbs I've got currently are the ones that came with the kit (55/60's). Can you recommend a higher wattage bulb for this application? Are there any H4 style LED bulbs that might work? The brighter for me the better. We live in the country with winding, hilly roads, no streetlights, and an abundance of deer, and other wildlife to hit. Thanks to all of you guys for the recommendations!

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Hoagy

· #7 · Jan 15, 2019

I've had TruckLite's for about two years now and they have been great. Only two complaints: 1. In snow storms with wet, icy snow the LED doesn't create enough heat to melt the snow reducing visibility greatly. I have had to stop and clear off the buildup before but this is in really bad weather 2. The warranty is only for three years and for such a pricey light you would think they would cover them for longer.

CJ7-Tim

· #8 · Jan 15, 2019

H4 LED conversion bulbs are even crappier than the cheapo complete LED headlight units, and they suffer from the same issues as HID H4 conversions, the light is not emitted in the correct location for proper focus and cut-off, so you just get lots of glare that goes all over and annoys oncoming traffic.

H4 bulbs are available with normal low beam and higher power bright beam, or with higher power for both low and high beam. I would suggest replacing the Rampage housings with a better quality brand name like Hella, Bosch, or Cibie. Even the budget brand AutoPal is a good choice. Because all glass E-Code H4 headlamp housings have excellent light focus and cut-off, you can use brighter bulbs and then lower the headlight aim slightly so you get good light, and don't blind oncoming traffic. With an all glass E-Code headlamp housing you may find that you don't need higher power bulbs. LED fog or LED driving lights would be a good addition for use on rural roads.

Reactions: 1

oldjeepman60

· #9 · Jan 15, 2019

Check out Olympus Offroad , they have a 5x7 led headlight..

75SV1

· #10 · Jan 16, 2019

I'd add JW Speaker for LEDs. Although I have no experience with them or Trucklites. As mentioned, in colder climates, there will not be enough heat from LEDs for ice or snow. I think I have Osram bulbs. I did use AutoPals for a few years. They were good. I have Cibies now.

Edit: I have also used GE Nighthawks and Flosser (Floesser). The 'e' is an umlaut. All bulbs are German. I did run the bulbs that came with the Autopals I ran. AutoPals about twice as good as stock.

Ralph77

· #11 · Jan 16, 2019

I am going to assume that what I did can't not match LED's. But buying the Wagner BriteLite verisons of the 6054 and doing the headlight harness upgrade works for me. I very rarely drive at night. Just happen to be doing so a couple days ago. Might have been the first time that I have driven at night any real distance since doing this. You also have to understand that I am older and as you get older driving at night can be a little tougher. Anyway so very pleased at how what I did worked. I feel I felt way more comfortable driving at night that night then I have in the past.

axlaxl

· #12 · Jan 22, 2019

Not so sure on the LED route, but if you upgrade the harness and add a relay and upgrade to something like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M9QRE you will have more than enough light. Harness/relay upgrade made a big big difference and going with conversion headlamp did as well. Mine went from mediocre to bad to now being on occasion flashed when im on low beams because people think i'm on high, probably due to the 3" lift putting the lights more directly at eye level. Just make sure to re-adjust the aim on the lights after the upgrade.

Reactions: 1

un4gvn1

· #13 · Jan 22, 2019

CJ7-Tim said:
I advise people that as of this date, there are two kinds of aftermarket LED headlights, the expensive types like TruckLights that are good headlights, and then there are all the Cheap junky Chinese LED headlights. Maybe in the future there will be more decent quality midrange price LED headlights, but for now I am not impressed with most of the LED headlights available now.

Upgrading the headlight harness and installing a set of E-Code all glass H4 headlamps is still is the best value and has the best results. You should avoid any H4 housings with plastic or ones that have Diamond or Crystal in their description. I just installed a $22 KASLight wire harness upgrade and some Hella H4 E-Code all glass housings to replace the stock headlights, and the difference is amazing.

^^This^^, 100%!!

About the only thing I'd add is K Suspension in Idaho sells a harness that people seem to be happy with for $25.

K Suspension relay harness

For $125 they sell the whole kit, harness & Autopal housings.

K Suspension H4 upgrade kit

Full disclosure, I have no connection with Raffi or K Suspension, but have heard good things about the way he treats his customers.

BTW- They got featured in a Bleepin' Jeep video.

BleepinJeep Ksuspension harness review

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b16gsr

· #14 · Jan 23, 2019

6

I have owned all of the mentioned above. Autopal H4, with IPFs, LEDs and HIDs, with upgraded harnesses. TruckLite LED, JW Speaker and now the Amazon cheapie specials. I have LOVED the TruckLites the best over the years, but decided to try the Amazon ones due to another members recommendation, and I am impressed.

The headlights.

My tire salesman was highly impressed.
Low beam:

High beam:

All finished up.

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Reactions: 1

75SV1

· #15 · Jan 23, 2019

I had a wiring harness like the one from K Suspension. It did work. The flaw I see in it is that the relays are also a ground. They are also an attachment point for the harness. Mine would slip out of the socket over time. Not fun driving at night with out lights. Cops don't like it. I don't like people/drivers using their high beams to let me know my lights are out. I did look at a picture of the PUTCO. It seemed better. I do not think the relays are used for grounds on the PUTCO. I have a Daniel Stern relay on mine.

downs

· #16 · Jan 23, 2019

I used these on the XJ. I've been happy with them. They have a good cutoff on low beam and on high beam I have no need for light bars or the like. I use Trucklites on my motorcycles and have been impressed with them but they do have a steep price tag. For 90 dollars IMO these while probably not to the same quality as Trucklites are close enough for the price difference.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074LT5B1M/ref=psdc_318323011_t3_B07BWBRDJ5

b16gsr

· #17 · Jan 28, 2019

2

Here are a couple comparisons. I will get the outdoor ones with the new Jeep as soon as its one all 4 again.

Truck Lite

Amazon Specials

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SmashDN

· #18 · Jan 28, 2019

Bought and installed the cheap ones from wish.com or someother chinese import place. I figured for about 80 bucks I would roll the dice. So far so good. Did not install the day time halo thingys though the model I have has them.

I had the putco harness on my rig long before the leds. It helped but the factory lights still sucked.

skjeep

· #19 · Feb 1, 2019

As i am in Europe and E-mark lights are a must (otherwise you do not pass the inspection) i can compare both.

European headlight beam geometry is different from US. It is more to distance and less to sides.
So if you are used to have US beam and swith over to EU it might seem to you as a huge improvement.

All the cheap india/china whatewer full glass E-mark lamps are crap when compared to original OEM EU Hella/Cibie. Combined with Osram NightBreaker H4 bulbs it is not bad. Autopal is somewhere in between. But still the light is not the yellow from the egg.

Switching to LED may be an improvement, depending on the quality. I had the best results with Trucklites - they outperform the OEM H4 easily. And exist in E-mark version also. The only drawback is the snow/ice problem due to low heat from lamps. And they are pricey too.

Harness upgrade and relay conversion is a must, there is no doubt about that.

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downs

· #20 · Feb 1, 2019

My 90 dollar units are DOT marked which is required in the US though no inspection station ive ever been to in texas checks for such things. Euro inspections are much more thorough

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