For the Naysayers: LED Replacement Bulb Beam Pattern

[Zandcwhite]

Actually vehicle headlamps are regulated by the US DOT. Unless the replacement bulb is DOT approved for use in the specific lamp / reflector it is installed in then it is illegal. You won’t get a ticket most likely because cops have a hard time being able to verify it’s an illegal bulb but it is illegal as per the DOT regs. It's not illegal for you to replace the bulbs unless it's a commercial vehicle.

DOT regs don't apply to non-commercial drivers. That is why you'll never get a ticket for changing your headlamp bulbs or beadlocks (unless your state has a ban on them).

Sponsored

 

[Zandcwhite]

While there may not be “DOT approved lights” there certainly are DOT legal…

§ 571.108 Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
S1 Scope. This standard specifies requirements for original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
S2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents, by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and by enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their presence is perceived and their signals understood, both in daylight and in darkness or other conditions of reduced visibility.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-571/subpart-B/section-571.108

Much like osha standards, they exist but are not enforceable in a private setting. That's like saying it's illegal to stand on the top ring of a ladder. It's ill-advised, but you won't and can't be ticketed for it in your home. I think we are confusing regulations and laws. There are regulatory standards for manufacturers that can be enforced on them. You as a private citizen aren't required to follow these regulations. There's no enforcement agency or vehicle or civil code for you to be charged under. It's like saying it's illegal to work on my Jeep wearing sunglasses because they don't meet the ansi spec for safety glasses. It's not illegal to not wear safety glasses period. It's also not illegal to scream at the sky in broad daylight although apparently people should be arrested for that now too?

 

[Zandcwhite]

This is the headlight aiming procedure from the Jeep OEM Tech Authority Service Manual.

Seems dumb, especially with as soft as the stock springs are to suggest removing all cargo and passengers aside from the driver. My tools, recovery gear, and air compressor are always in the back of the Jeep. If I was still on stock springs and pulled everything out to aim the headlights they'd be at least a foot high at 25' when I put it all back in. I'd suggest aiming them in whatever you're usual driving condition is. What's worse, aiming empty and blinding people 99% of the time or having your headlights aimed too low on the off chance you clean everything out for some reason?

 

[roaniecowpony]

Seems dumb, especially with as soft as the stock springs are to suggest removing all cargo and passengers aside from the driver. My tools, recovery gear, and air compressor are always in the back of the Jeep. If I was still on stock springs and pulled everything out to aim the headlights they'd be at least a foot high at 25' when I put it all back in. I'd suggest aiming them in whatever you're usual driving condition is. What's worse, aiming empty and blinding people 99% of the time or having your headlights aimed too low on the off chance you clean everything out for some reason?

Agree. That's one reason I won't install any of the aftermarket headlights that don't have a readily accessible adjuster like the factory headlight. I want to be able to adjust the headlights after loading for a trip so I don't blind oncoming drivers for my entire trip. The idea that headlight adjusters require taking the grill off or any other disassembly tells me the designers are ignoring the utility of having easy adjustability and just did the least they could.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Agree. That's one reason I won't install any of the aftermarket headlights that don't have a readily accessible adjuster like the factory headlight. I want to be able to adjust the headlights after loading for a trip so I don't blind oncoming drivers for my entire trip. The idea that headlight adjusters require taking the grill off or any other disassembly tells me the designers are ignoring the utility of having easy adjustability and just did the least they could.

I'm not anal enough to adjust them for trips, but with the standard load out is good enough for me.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'm not anal enough to adjust them for trips, but with the standard load out is good enough for me.

There are times when my trip load was just too far out of the norm and I couldn't ignore it. That has been for my pickup and my jeep. Both have exceptionally high powered LED headlights and I'm always concerned about blinding oncoming traffic.

 

[Vegas Tracker]

Beamtech for the headlamps, and Alla Lighting for the fogs.

I used the exact same bulbs on my 2019 after reading a recommendation on these Forums. These bulbs blow away the dim halogens and are not obnoxiously bright. The light color is so much better than the stock halogen bulbs - and no flicker! Doing the DRLs next. Best upgrade yet!

 

[Save The Manuals!]

Huh. Never heard of this legal stuff. I put Lasfit LED bulbs on both my 2013 Bug and 2018 NINJA 650. No issues. My father-in-law painstakingly adjusted them properly. I'll probably upgrade the Jeep one of these days. I also added Denali LED auxiliary lights to both motorcycles; the 2023 NINJA 400 had LEDs stock. But I live in the country and the auxiliary lights are critical for lighting up the shoulders and ditches to see deer.
.

Just remembered I have a picture of Bug's Lasfits in the pouring rain at The Tail of the Dragon.

 

[Steampunk]

For those who criticize replacing the crappy halogen bulbs with LED bulbs - without replacing the halogen reflectors/units - I present this.

Many have stated that LEDs won’t work with the halogen reflectors, saying that there is no cutoff line, the light scatters badly, etc. The two photos below show that is not true with my Chinese-made, Amazon-purchased bulbs. Visibility is AWESOME, and I do not get flashed by oncoming drivers, in spite of my lift.

The two photos below are overexposed, making the light far brighter than they are, but it clearly shows the bulb patterns. One I took at-speed, low beams, on the road; the other is stationary in my driveway, low beams.

There is a very, very clear cutoff line, as you can see, and no excessive scatter at all.

Hello!

Are these elements a stright swap?...anu trouble codes from the lower resistance?, any software/flashing required?

Thanks!

SP.

 

[Heimkehr]

Are these elements a stright swap?...anu trouble codes from the lower resistance?, any software/flashing required?

I hope Jeff doesn't mind the line jump.

To date, I've tested two different brands of LED H13 bulbs in my Jeep's halogen reflectors. Yes, they're a plug-and-play swap. The installer just needs to ensure that the LED bulbs are clocked correctly, as should be described in the provided instructions.

I've not had any flickering or trouble codes occur after installation, nor have any software flashes been required. Note that flickering can usually be solved with anti-flicker harnesses, if that occurs and if the brand in question makes them available. From the pics I've seen, though, those particular harnesses are rather bulky and I'm not sure there's sufficient room inside the headlight shell assembly for them. Just something to remember.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Hello!

Are these elements a stright swap?...anu trouble codes from the lower resistance?, any software/flashing required?

Thanks!

SP.

Ric, to add onto what James said, I have installed Beamtech H13 bulbs in the halogen assemblies in three Jeeps - a Sport, a Sahara, and a Rubicon. Totally plug-and-play, zero flickering.

Sponsored