Headlight options??

[dlmcgehee1]

I'm working on a prototype bracket that would allow 80 owners to run 7 inch headlamps.
The one thing I like about jeeps is the availability of aftermarket parts. As most of you know, we, pretty much, have to make our own stuff.

Is this something that some of you would be interested in?
I can't find where it's being done. If someone does, feel free to chime in.

Thanks.

This thread got sideways real quick.
I'm not here to build a financial empire, I'm here to share a project I'm working on.
Those that are interested, and have constructive criticism about the project, feel free to share.

If you wanna come in here and just post negative comments, you're just wasting your breath.
If you're not interested in this thread, move on to one that does interest you.

 

[half k cruiser]

What do you mean by 7 inch headlamps ? Are you talking about round lights. If so I think that would look hideous. Plus it is difficult to beat $40, which is what it costs to throw HIR's in all four beam slots.

 

[MODist]

The factory lights in my 80 are one of the things the factory got right. First the enclosures are glass not plastic. Second they used separate high and low beam bulbs. The factory bulbs blow away my new F250 in terms of light output and placement. HID's with projectors would give a sharper cutoff but I can live without the electrical interference of the HID lights. After upgrading to the HIR bulbs I am completely happy on the light output. The one thing I would like to add is some nice low 55w fog/driving lamps to help illuminate the sides of the road while being legal on the road. Another nice thing about the stock lights and glass, they don't ice up when driving at night.

 

[IanB]

I think the stock headlight is only 5-6" tall, how do you plan on fitting a 7" round light in that space?

 

[jcardona1]

I'm working on a prototype bracket that would allow 80 owners to run 7 inch headlamps.
The one thing I like about jeeps is the availability of aftermarket parts. As most of you know, we, pretty much, have to make our own stuff.

Is this something that some of you would be interested in?
I can't find where it's being done. If someone does, feel free to chime in.

Thanks.

You referring to something like this? This is beautiful...somebody make it for me (60 headlights on an 80)!

The more options we have for the 80 the better. I'm all for more choices.

 

[Blondie]

I have no idea how you'll make this cost effective, but I'm envisioning what some of the Japanese guys do where they retro-mod an fj60 grill and light assembly onto an 80? I will say the Hella e-code 7'' reflector is phenomenal, for what it's worth.

 

[MODist]

You referring to something like this? This is beautiful...somebody make it for me (60 headlights on an 80)!

The more options we have for the 80 the better. I'm all for more choices.

I like the look but again it would most likely be a downgrade in light output/function. It's always nice to have options.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I like the look of round headlights. But this would be way down the list for me. I'd like to se what you come up with.

 

[dlmcgehee1]

The factory lights in my 80 are one of the things the factory got right. First the enclosures are glass not plastic. Second they used separate high and low beam bulbs. The factory bulbs blow away my new F250 in terms of light output and placement. HID's with projectors would give a sharper cutoff but I can live without the electrical interference of the HID lights. After upgrading to the HIR bulbs I am completely happy on the light output. The one thing I would like to add is some nice low 55w fog/driving lamps to help illuminate the sides of the road while being legal on the road. Another nice thing about the stock lights and glass, they don't ice up when driving at night.

ICE!

 

[VuickB6]

The factory lights in my 80 are one of the things the factory got right. First the enclosures are glass not plastic. Second they used separate high and low beam bulbs. The factory bulbs blow away my new F250 in terms of light output and placement. HID's with projectors would give a sharper cutoff but I can live without the electrical interference of the HID lights. After upgrading to the HIR bulbs I am completely happy on the light output. The one thing I would like to add is some nice low 55w fog/driving lamps to help illuminate the sides of the road while being legal on the road. Another nice thing about the stock lights and glass, they don't ice up when driving at night.

Interference is not a problem worth worrying about. It's easy to fix and is an issue on very few vehicles to begin with. And are you saying you've had problems with plastic lenses icing up? I've never ran in to that problem on anything but LED headlights, no matter what the lens is made out of.

I'm with jcardona, the more options the better.

 

[dlmcgehee1]

I think people will be surprised with the product when it's finished.
I plan on starting the project in the next day or so.
I have no issues with posting my progress here for folks to view.
I have an engineering background along with 20+ years of experience in the automotive restoration industry.
I'm building the prototype on my 3d printer. Once it's final, I'll send it to my machinist.

 

[Box Rocket]

If they are 7" LED or HID lights then light output would be better than stock.

I have LED bulb replacements in my factory headlights and light output is MUCH better than stock and I haven't had a problem with them icing up even with all the recent snow and cold temps.

 

[Blondie]

The factory lights in my 80 are one of the things the factory got right. First the enclosures are glass not plastic. Second they used separate high and low beam bulbs. The factory bulbs blow away my new F250 in terms of light output and placement. HID's with projectors would give a sharper cutoff but I can live without the electrical interference of the HID lights. After upgrading to the HIR bulbs I am completely happy on the light output. The one thing I would like to add is some nice low 55w fog/driving lamps to help illuminate the sides of the road while being legal on the road. Another nice thing about the stock lights and glass, they don't ice up when driving at night.

I found the factory low beams entirely unacceptable. Not trying to stir things up, just from my experiences I disagree. The separate high beams are nice, but with standard halogen or HID low beam bulbs the output and distribution was awful. Can't say what the HIR bulbs do in the factory housing but I can't imagine how it could be much better. If you have any pictures of your headlight output with the HIR I'd be curious to see them, something doesn't seem to be adding up to me, but I'm glad you're happy with them!

The Hella e-code 7" reflector low beams rival a 3.5'' HID projector, just not quite as wide, and the high beams are great too, so to me I could see this as a good option for those not wanting to do a full projector retrofit which, I can also say from experience, is a pain in the butt.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I found the factory low beams entirely unacceptable. Not trying to stir things up, just from my experiences I disagree. The separate high beams are nice, but with standard halogen or HID low beam bulbs the output and distribution was awful. Can't say what the HIR bulbs do in the factory housing but I can't imagine how it could be much better. If you have any pictures of your headlight output with the HIR I'd be curious to see them, something doesn't seem to be adding up to me, but I'm glad you're happy with them!

The Hella e-code 7" reflector low beams rival a 3.5'' HID projector, just not quite as wide, and the high beams are great too, so to me I could see this as a good option for those not wanting to do a full projector retrofit which, I can also say from experience, is a pain in the butt.

I run HIR high beams in both high and low beams with excellent sit of the pants results and the measured light output numbers support it.

Testing HIR lamps - What I found

@dlmcgehee1 Dont see myself changing but I do look forward to what you come up with.

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.”- Frank Zappa

 

[Kentex Rick]

HA! I love you guys! The regular high/low beam headlights in my 93 80 are far superior to anything I have ever seen in this era of vehicle and you guys still aren't satisfied! Keep it coming, MUD!

 

[dlmcgehee1]

HA! I love you guys! The regular high/low beam headlights in my 93 80 are far superior to anything I have ever seen in this era of vehicle and you guys still aren't satisfied! Keep it coming, MUD!

Why should we have to be satisfied with your opinion?

 

[Blondie]

Crazy.. well glad you all are happy hahaha. I already did my bixenon retrofit so I'm happy now too

 

[MODist]

ICE!

View attachment 1376994

It looks like you were sitting not driving. I'm talking about the buildup of ice on the lights while you are driving at night.

Interference is not a problem worth worrying about. It's easy to fix and is an issue on very few vehicles to begin with. And are you saying you've had problems with plastic lenses icing up? I've never ran in to that problem on anything but LED headlights, no matter what the lens is made out of.

I'm with jcardona, the more options the better.

Interference is a big deal with amateur radios. Several different aftermarket kits all behaved the same way. They all raised the noise floor by 2 s units which is significant. It is not a simple problem to resolve. I haven't found an aftermarket kit that didn't have this problem.
Did I say plastic lenses and ice in the same sentence? The lack of icing while driving is because of the heat from the bulb. LED bulbs don't put off the heat to prevent icing. I prefer glass over plastic because of optic quality. Over time plastics degrade and reduce the output of the lights. Also puts and scratches in the plastic disrupt the light output.

I found the factory low beams entirely unacceptable. Not trying to stir things up, just from my experiences I disagree. The separate high beams are nice, but with standard halogen or HID low beam bulbs the output and distribution was awful. Can't say what the HIR bulbs do in the factory housing but I can't imagine how it could be much better. If you have any pictures of your headlight output with the HIR I'd be curious to see them, something doesn't seem to be adding up to me, but I'm glad you're happy with them!

The Hella e-code 7" reflector low beams rival a 3.5'' HID projector, just not quite as wide, and the high beams are great too, so to me I could see this as a good option for those not wanting to do a full projector retrofit which, I can also say from experience, is a pain in the butt.

Are you lenses plastic or glass?

I spend a lot of my night driving on back winding roads where I use my high beams. The low beams are ok but when combined with high beams really lights up the back roads. Single bulb fixtures have to switch from the low filament to the high filament and don't actually put out much more light. Yes HID or LED could put out more light but run the risk of not being legal on the road and give oncoming drivers the big middle finger. One 35w HID puts out ~3000 Lumens while the stock low beams put out ~ 1400 Lumens. Add in the high beams and you get ~3000 Lumens on each side which is the same total light output as upgrading to single HID on each side. Anyone have the Lumen numbers for the HIR bulbs? I am running them and they do put out great light.

 

[dlmcgehee1]

Sounds like you have an answer for everything.
Mostly assumptions, but to each his own.

 

[half k cruiser]

Why should we have to be satisfied with your opinion?

Sounds like you have an answer for everything.
Mostly assumptions, but to each his own.

If your looking to design a product, then market it here on this forum as a vendor, saying things like this is probably not a good way to start off. Do keep in mind you came here, to a public forum, looking for opinions.