Halogen to LED nightmare!

[aaggss]

Hi folks,

I recently bought a 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Sport with the Halogen lights, and you can probably know it, I can barely see at night!

I am desperately in need to change them and I am in the process of doing my homework (watching YouTube videos and reading through all available forums) in order to not only be happy with the outcome, but also only do 1 smart investment.

Putting LEDs bulbs in my halogen cases is not an option. (Thank you).

I've seen many people doing it the right way, buying the Mopar LED kit and taking it to a dealership for flashing later, and although I respect that, we all know that it ends up being ridiculously expensive compared to cheaper and functional options.

I want to opt for aftermarket options, but then I start reading about resistors, flickering lights, crazy flashes, etc. I am scared I buy something aftermarket and that it does not work for me, so I am looking for tips/suggestions on what lights I can buy that are REALLY plug and play with my halogen-set up Jeep.

A really cool dude in Facebook upgraded all his lights off his 2020 Rubicon and took them off before returning it to the dealer (apparently it as a lease). He's now selling everything for a really good price, and I am thinking about getting it all from him, (please see picture attached so that you can have brands and models, for your reference) but again, that fear of maybe them not working properly hits me again. I want to only do one thing and forget about it, pretty much.

What are your thoughts?

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[NewbJLUOwner]

Hey 2022 JLURD here
Fellow former halogen owner as well. Those factory halogen headlights & taillights are garbage. I couldn't see night time driving either
I replaced front, rear, and fog lights with similar brands you have listed, that your wanting to purchase. If they work, you will be very pleased
I'm guessing for front rear & fog lights i paid approximately $500 from Amazon, not exact brands listed
Absolutely love it, saved a ton and did the work myself. The rear are ridiculously easy to replace
Highly recommend

 

[aaggss]

And yours were literally plug and play? No need of extra harnesses? Flashing at dealerships and none of that?

 

[OminousSkitter]

Many of them are plug and play. Did the guy you’re considering buying them from say he needed the dealer to flash the changes or that they’re plug and play?

If you end up needing to flash at the dealer, I’d consider getting JSCAN instead. The OBD II reader, SGW/SGM bypass, and license is about 1.5x the cost of the dealer flash (depending on the dealership, it could be the same price), and then you have a programmer to also change tire size or other things.

Gotta ask, what’s the nightmare?

 

[DaltonGang]

Here is what I did. Since converting halogen to LED is both expensive and a PITA, I went the easy route. I stuck with Halogen bulbs, just high intensity ones. The beam pattern is the same, and no flickering like conversions to LED can be. Plus, it was very inexpensive. I've had mine in for several years, around 7. Zero issues. I've replaced them once, because one burned out, and well, it's cheap and easy. I think I paid $15 for a pair.

 

[HawkeyeJL]

I had a 2020 JT with halogens, I replaced everything with LED. Headlights, Tail Lights, Fogs, Turn Signals… the only thing I needed to flash for was the turn signals, and I just used my Tazer for that. It was super simple, and WAY better than the factory halogens

 

[aaggss]

Many of them are plug and play. Did the guy you’re considering buying them from say he needed the dealer to flash the changes or that they’re plug and play?

If you end up needing to flash at the dealer, I’d consider getting JSCAN instead. The OBD II reader, SGW/SGM bypass, and license is about 1.5x the cost of the dealer flash (depending on the dealership, it could be the same price), and then you have a programmer to also change tire size or other things.

Gotta ask, what’s the nightmare?

He says he didn't need anything, he installed everything and it worked flawlessly, but you know, I would also say if I wanted to get rid of everything, you know what I am saying? I don't know what can go wrong here, and that's the nightmare, I've spent a lot of time and talking to people about what to do, there just seems to be many different ways and I don't know for sure whether the real plug and play options are going to save me a trip to the dealer, or getting a tazer which is really not my wish. My jeep is under warranty so I want to make sure I don't mess anything up myself.

 

[aaggss]

Here is what I did. Since converting halogen to LED is both expensive and a PITA, I went the easy route. I stuck with Halogen bulbs, just high intensity ones. The beam pattern is the same, and no flickering like conversions to LED can be. Plus, it was very inexpensive. I've had mine in for several years, aroumd 7. Zero issues. I've replaced them once, because one burned out, and well, it's cheap and easy. I think I paid $15 for a pair.

Thank you for your suggestion but I simply hate the halogen housing and everything, it makes the jeep look crappy. Mines is a bit modified, it's got a lift and 37 inch tires, those lights definitely don't match up. They gotta go.

 

[aaggss]

I had a 2020 JT with halogens, I replaced everything with LED. Headlights, Tail Lights, Fogs, Turn Signals… the only thing I needed to flash for was the turn signals, and I just used my Tazer for that. It was super simple, and WAY better than the factory halogens

What brands did you use?

The guy said he took all that (items from the screenshot I uploaded) off his 2020 Rubicon.

I trust it, but IDK if there's anything different from that one and the my 2019 JL so I really can't be certain unless I get them and install them all. I may just do it for the sake of it!

 

[HawkeyeJL]

I used bulbs for the headlights that came 100% plug and play, I looked at some different complete replacements but didn’t like any of them, and bulbs in the fogs and tails, IIRC, all the bulbs were sealight, the side marker/DRL/turn signals I used quake slims

What brands did you use?

The guy said he took all that (items from the screenshot I uploaded) off his 2020 Rubicon.

I trust it, but IDK if there's anything different from that one and the my 2019 JL so I really can't be certain unless I get them and install them all. I may just do it for the sake of it!

 

[BillyToronto]

@aaggss

I don't understand your reluctance with just replacing the bulbs with the proper led bulbs. Please explain your reluctance.

I have a 2019 2 door sport with halogens, and was skeptical about led bulbs at first. Saw how cheap they were compared to proper LED lights which have to be flashed at the dealership for non-led jeeps or purchase a Jscan or similar and flash yourself.

I took the plunge on headlight led bulbs after doing my homework. Installed them, adjusted the beam and have never been flashed. No flickering, harnesses required, no problems with low beams, high beams and about 200-300% brighter.

I was really impressed with the outcome of the headlight upgrade, so i went ahead and bought the proper fog light bulbs, same thing, no flickering, no harness needed, no flashing required, just more brighter light.

Finally got around to replacing the reverse light bulbs, same story.

And a fyi, the bulbs are about $20.-$30 each, you do the math.

Billy

 

[aaggss]

I used bulbs for the headlights that came 100% plug and play, I looked at some different complete replacements but didn’t like any of them, and bulbs in the fogs and tails, the side marker/DRL/turn signals I used quake slims

I see... I don't really want to do bulbs. I want to change the whole thing. Actually, those Skyline Headlights are well known and mentioned by a lot of people because they look like the OEM LED.

 

[aaggss]

@aaggss

I don't understand your reluctance with just replacing the bulbs with the proper led bulbs. Please explain your reluctance.

I have a 2019 2 door sport with halogens, and was skeptical about led bulbs at first. Saw how cheap they were compared to proper LED lights which have to be flashed at the dealership for non-led jeeps or purchase a Jscan or similar and flash yourself.

I took the plunge on headlight led bulbs after doing my homework. Installed them, adjusted the beam and have never been flashed. No flickering, harnesses required, no problems with low beams, high beams and about 200-300% brighter.

I was really impressed with the outcome of the headlight upgrade, so i went ahead and bought the proper fog light bulbs, same thing, no flickering, no harness needed, no flashing required, just more brighter light.

Finally got around to replacing the reverse light bulbs, same story.

And a fyi, the bulbs are about $20.-$30 each, you do the math.

Billy

Thanks Billy.

I know, and it does make sense, cheaper over all but in terms of look?

As of right now, all I care is about really being able to see at night so light bulbs are not going to be my no-no. But eventually I'd like to change my headlights, and IDK if the same problem will happen with I add pods, do I have to have a LED set up to add pods? They're all LED.

 

[BillyToronto]

Pretty sure a LED headlight looks the same as a halogen headlight. Upon close scrutiny, i think there is a subtle reflector difference.

I can guarantee the used led lights your thinking about buying may or may not be plug and play, and may require flashing.

Adding additional led lights anywhere else is a whole new problem.

Good luck with whatever you decide...

Billy

 

[Jeep.The.Mitten]

If I were you, I’d be watching some YouTube videos that show the installation of whatever lights you’re interested in. you’ll see the entire process play out in front of your very eyes and know what you’re getting yourself into.

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