Changing from halogen headlights to LEDs

[Buckster]

These posts are great. I've yet to see anyone who can explain exactly why an LED bulb with the diodes in the exact same location/configuration as the elements in a halogen bulb cause this so-called "bleed" or "unfocused light".
Properly installed LED bulbs that are designed to replace specific halogen bulbs and are clocked correctly, will throw light in exactly the same pattern as the halogen. I've had the Beamtechs going on three years and I don't get flashed....at all. I'm lifted on 37's and my headlights have been properly adjusted.
It doesn't seem to matter how many pics are posted like those by @Htfan that show no scattered light and a clean cut off, the posts persist that seem to indicate that LED produced light somehow travels differently than halogen produced light.

OP - these are direct replacements. $40 on Amazon and the money you save can go to other mods. Don't be headlight shamed into spending cash unless you just want to.

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[Buckster]

Absolutely this. You’re not going to be liked by lost people on the road if you put LED or HID bulbs in a light meant for halogens. I think the equivalent of a tank of gas nowadays gets you a set of proper headlights. Don’t be that guy just to save 40/50 bucks on a 50k car.

Sorry, but I'm going to call you out here. LED bulbs in halogen housings work just fine. HID bulbs only go in projectors - so not relevant. Tank of gas costs me $75, LED replacements run from $250 for cheap crap to over $800 for name brand - so ???.
And you lost all credibility when you called it a "car".

 

[blnewt]

Try the bulbs if you want, if you don't like them you're only out 8 gallons of gas

 

[4xeEsq]

Sorry, but I'm going to call you out here. LED bulbs in halogen housings work just fine. HID bulbs only go in projectors - so not relevant. Tank of gas costs me $75, LED replacements run from $250 for cheap crap to over $800 for name brand - so ???.
And you lost all credibility when you called it a "car".

Call yourself out - a quick amazon search shows they start under 70$, not 250$. I’d bet money this cheaper headlight (1) has better light output than the 50$ light bulbs you’re suggesting people put in their reflector headlights and (2) doesn’t blind people on the road. Finally, I can imagine how cool of a person one must be to look down on people referring to their jeep a car.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086Y8HNSB/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_45RYRMHBHNFC8XSSHQJ0?psc=1

 

[Gaffer]

Do all of these options require reprogramming like a taser or trip to the dealer?

 

[blnewt]

Do all of these options require reprogramming like a taser or trip to the dealer?

My RoughCountry/Oracle setup didn't require any taser or dealer software updates. Some aftermarket lights require a anti-flicker adapter to keep the CANBUS happy.

 

[Cycle11111]

I have the Oracle Oculus in my Sport and although I have a Tazer for axle and tire upgrades it was not needed for the LED lights. Tried bulb replacement and for me I did not like the scatter - yes I checked clocking. I love these lights plus I like the DRLs on the Oracles as well; also I upgraded my fogs and taillights to LED. Expensive sure, but after all the other items I spent money on to upgrade building my rig, it was the lower end of the upgrade pool of $s.

 

[Medsker]

I'm not sure about other peoples experience but here's mine with one halogen and one LED bulb installed. They look like the same cutoff to me and I was never flashed. I did adjust them down a little after installing the lift and tires but everyone should do that. I changed mine out for the LED headlights simply because I wanted to go with heated ones.

 

[OldBlue]

My 2¢ -

I've changed out the halogen bulbs in numerous vehicles, everything from Silverados, to F150s, to VWs, and yes, many of these were not successful. Too much glare to oncoming drivers or just poor results, so I switched many of them back to halogens. I can say that I've had the most successful results w/ LEDs in the stock JL halogen fixtures. We've noticed no glare to other drivers, and excellent results with a simple bulb replacement. See my post HERE.

 

[jsw872]

Call yourself out - a quick amazon search shows they start under 70$, not 250$. I’d bet money this cheaper headlight (1) has better light output than the 50$ light bulbs you’re suggesting people put in their reflector headlights and (2) doesn’t blind people on the road. Finally, I can imagine how cool of a person one must be to look down on people referring to their jeep a car.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086Y8HNSB/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_45RYRMHBHNFC8XSSHQJ0?psc=1

I looked these up, it says for JL (need add Bracket) does anyone know what bracket?

 

[Chupacabra]

I'm not sure about other peoples experience but here's mine with one halogen and one LED bulb installed. They look like the same cutoff to me and I was never flashed. I did adjust them down a little after installing the lift and tires but everyone should do that. I changed mine out for the LED headlights simply because I wanted to go with heated ones.

That looks identical to what I saw when I put the Beamtech bulbs in mine too. Identical cutoff to the halogens. In 2 years I have not been flashed once, and I've tried driving towards my Jeep in another car and it does not seem obnoxious at all.

 

[AntonioF]

do you need to program the computer when swapping for either LED bulbs or the entire unit options? what does that look like? What happens if you don't reprogram them?

 

[Paluss]

The halogen housing will support LEDs but it does not focus the beam correctly so there is light bleed towards oncoming drivers. The LED conversions are nice and cheap though. I would consider saving up some and buying a complete LED replacement housing (OEM or aftermarket). The entire housing is very easy to change out.

I agree 100%, the lights may look brighter, but may not shine much further down the road do to improper reflectors. Yep buy the complete LED housing

 

[sailscall]

do you need to program the computer when swapping for either LED bulbs or the entire unit options? what does that look like? What happens if you don't reprogram them?

LED (either bulbs or whole units) draw a lot less power than halogens. The JL can sense low power and think the halogen bulb has gone bad. If you buy a CANBUS compatible bulb or headlight assembly that can fake the JL out to think it still has halogens. You will not need to reprogram. The explanation is very simplistic and may make some of our techie brethren cringe .

In my not so humble opinion you can

1) Buy decent replacement LED bulbs for $50
2) Buy non customer supported LED assemblies from Amazon for $250-350. The complaints on those are they have no customer service and there is not much light right in front of the JL. One JT owner drove around with his fogs to compensate and thought that was OK
3] Buy scratch and dent Rough Country LED housings on eBay when available - $160
4] Buy 7” LED housings with adapters to fit in the 9” openings of the JL - $250-350
5] Spend $500+ on awesome Oracles, Rough County’s, Or DV8s.

If I were to do it again I’d do option 3. Option 5 is my second choice. I do love my Oracle Oculus Bi-LED switchbacks.

 

[Heimkehr]

I'm rarely an early adopter where tech is concerned, but I was so with LED lighting technology. From experience, I can say that the subject is almost as contentious as engine oil choice, when either one is subjected to the tender mercies of online enthusiast forums. Like this one.

Anyway, I've made my choice, and it's all good.

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