J.W. Speaker 8800 Headlight Install (Easy)

[robustbambi]

(High beam pictures on page 2)

I ordered these low beams earlier this week from ok4wd (http://ok4wd.com/shop-by-vendor/speaker-lighting/j-w-speaker-8800-led-headlights) to replace my Hella H4s that id been thinking about upgrading for a while. The Hellas weren't bad by any means, i just wanted a more "up to date" type of lighting.



Styling wise, you either love it or you hate it. Personally, i hate it haha. They look goofy as hell imo, but i got over it when i started doing research and seeing how these lights actually performed. And in your hand, they feel like a quality product, nice PC black aluminum housings and thick polycarbonate lenses... They feel like they can take some abuse, not like a "Made in China, Ebay LED" kit.







Ive read that theres a little confusion about the correct orientation of the 3 prongs to get these headlights to work with the the upgraded headlight harness from slcfj62.
Out of the box, 2 of the headlight prongs need to be swapped around or else the lights won't get power.

So here's the two minute fix... (and most of that time is spent looking for the tools)

Tools:
-Philips head screw driver
-Flathead screwdriver
-needle nose pliers

1. Remove the Bezel, Turn signals, and headlight retainers.
2. With the needle nose, pinch the prong retainer down on the side of each prong and pull it out of the black plastic holder.
3. Switch the black and yellow prongs around.
4. using the flathead screwdriver, carefully pry the prong retainer back into position so that the prongs dont slide back out of the black plastic holder.
5. Plug the head lights in.
6. reinstall the headlight retainers, bezels, turn signals, then aim the headlights so not to fry anyone's eyeballs.
7. Watch (in perfect white light ) as the panties drop while you cruise around town.

These pictures below show the correct headlight prong orientation to work with slcfj62's ultimate headlight harness.





Glamor shots.






















Night shots will be added tomorrow night. Don't have time tonight. And if I'm freaking blown away, ill probably get the high beams as well and add to this thread.

 

[Wallygator]

Whoa those are weird looking. Interested to see how bright they are at night and how they compare to the truck-lites. On a side note, what light bar is that on your ARB?

 

[robustbambi]

Heres a good comparison between a few different brands/types of headlights on pirate. (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/usmcdoc/lights/)

The JW's blew the trucklites away. That being said, the trucklites are way less expensive.
The light bar is some 22" curved bar off ebay.

 

[FishNinJay]

Thanks for just putting 1 in on each side. I like the comparison pic. Would love to see a night pic.
First impression.. me no likey.. But, it it's cranking out the light, that's a good thing?
THanks for posting this up. Good to know, in case (or when) my headlights are fading.

 

[Output Shaft]

Headlights are cool.
But more info on the light bar.
What does it add (except light obviously)?
Does it give you the much needed side view lighting when driving slow offroad in pitch black? (ie, trying to find a camp spot?) Or just add more light straight ahead?
Thanks

 

[MANUCHAO]

I got the round DOT version 2 of these..
the amount of peripheral light these give out it's crazy.
Where you really appreciate them is on long dark roads.. around the city they seem to have some dark spots..

 

[Big Cruiser Guy]

I think those are very cool looking.

 

[robustbambi]

Thanks for just putting 1 in on each side. I like the comparison pic. Would love to see a night pic.
First impression.. me no likey.. But, it it's cranking out the light, that's a good thing?
THanks for posting this up. Good to know, in case (or when) my headlights are fading.

Hahaha yes i only swapped the low beams for the comparison shots, not because i can't swing $1200 in headlights at this time hehe
And i understand your initial doubt. i had it too haha. Didn't think any headlight could possibly be worth the asking price of these.
Ill add some night shots tonight to show what they throw out.

Headlights are cool.
But more info on the light bar.
What does it add (except light obviously)?
Does it give you the much needed side view lighting when driving slow offroad in pitch black? (ie, trying to find a camp spot?) Or just add more light straight ahead?
Thanks

Thanks. I got the light bar here. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/20107766630...49.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&rmvSB=true)

For $100 its fine. Yes it adds a ton of light for off road. Its a spot/flood bar so more of an all arounder. You'd probably need a curved flood bar if you're looking for the widest possible peripheral beam to find a campsite.

I got the round DOT version 2 of these..
the amount of peripheral light these give out it's crazy.
Where you really appreciate them is on long dark roads.. around the city they seem to have some dark spots..

Haha yeah! The peripheral light is my favorite part! I used to pretty much just light the lane i was in, now its the whole damn street! Night and day difference. Haven't seen any dark spots yet (besides the small shadow where the ARb bumper gets in the way of the wide angle light beam), but ill keep my eyes peeled.

Thanks for weighing in!

I think those are very cool looking.

Thank you, i appreciate it greatly

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I like the upgrade P.

J

 

[robustbambi]

I like the upgrade P.

J

Thanks again, Jason


Borrowed the neighbors house to aim my headlights again tonight and take some shots.

From about 15ish feet away:


And with the light bar:


Sorry these are so blurry. They show the width of the beam pattern pretty well though.




Im was so happy with these I ordered the high beams today!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Thanks again, Jason


Borrowed the neighbors house to aim my headlights again tonight and take some shots.

From about 15ish feet away:


And with the light bar:


Sorry these are so blurry. They show the width of the beam pattern pretty well though.




Im was so happy with these I ordered the high beams today!

ME LIKEY!!

J

 

[pandasfj]

WOW...those are very nice..can't wait to see the hi beams.

 

[TLC Norway]

Sweet! The looks of the lights throws me a bit off... But I like the output!
Do they make enough heat to melt snow?

 

[robustbambi]

WOW...those are very nice..can't wait to see the hi beams.

me either!

Sweet! The looks of the lights throws me a bit off... But I like the output!
Do they make enough heat to melt snow?

Yeah the output is AWESOME!!!!!!!
Im not sure if they burn hot enough to melt snow. Im in Georgia so that not really an issue haha. I know JWs are a pretty common swap for JK's, so maybe they'll have more information on snowy climates on a jeep forum? that or ask the company.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I wanna see the round..

J

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

Cool. Ive heard the JW Speaker (weird name) stuff is good quality and the light output looks great. Truck is looking sweet man.

Small word of caution: Apparently they don't get very hot which is just fine unless you have snow/ice buildup. A guy here ran them in the winter and ran into problems when the ice built up on the lenses. Prob not a problem in the ATL though.

 

[Elbert]

what are options to replace the single large round housing on the FJ60? (high low).... I have some of the "round eyes" right now but I find the angle between the low beam and high beam to be too much of a difference...if set it where the low beam work right...the high beam is too high...if I get the high beams on target...the low beam angle is too low (not much you can do about that to the extent I know with a single large housing) that has both high and low beam. I'm looking for options that fit the stock FJ60 single large round housing/opening...?

 

[MANUCHAO]

I'm looking for options that fit the stock FJ60 single large round housing/opening...?

I wanna see the round..
J

Back in December I posted on the round version of these.... on the Lighting forum....

Elbert, these were not plug n play n some bit of grinding had to be done... not a big deal, but a must... with that said these round sealed n DOT legal beams rock...!!!

I don't know or can't say if these would solve the high/low issue as I hardly use the high beams n like Robustbambi I use a light bar on the front of my ARB as it is a spot beam....

 

[darwink1]

I really dont like the alien bug eye thing they have going on..... Both the square and round speakers look plain wierd, little better in black but not much. The price is astronomical as well. They do have the best light output of all the led replacement lights i hear so thats a bonus if youre looking for pure function.

I went with the new round trucklites for my 40 project after taking a rip in my buddies xj with a set of square ones stalled. Had a hard time forkin out the measly 266/ light for those lol but i was back a couple months later to grab another set of the 60...

If youre after the best light on the market the speakers are prolly the way to go but most either love or hate the look of them. But really, ive found that just about any led light upgrade puts regular sealed beams and h4s to shame. I was running cibbie housings with osram bulbs from stern with an upgraded slc harness and the light was still yellow and weak. The led's are literally day and night.

D

 

[robustbambi]

Cool. Ive heard the JW Speaker (weird name) stuff is good quality and the light output looks great. Truck is looking sweet man.

Small word of caution: Apparently they don't get very hot which is just fine unless you have snow/ice buildup. A guy here ran them in the winter and ran into problems when the ice built up on the lenses. Prob not a problem in the ATL though.

Thanks slowandsteady! That answers the icing over question

what are options to replace the single large round housing on the FJ60? (high low).... I have some of the "round eyes" right now but I find the angle between the low beam and high beam to be too much of a difference...if set it where the low beam work right...the high beam is too high...if I get the high beams on target...the low beam angle is too low (not much you can do about that to the extent I know with a single large housing) that has both high and low beam. I'm looking for options that fit the stock FJ60 single large round housing/opening...?

Not really sure. Manuchao posted some really good pictures in his install thread of the round evolution 2's. Those would be what i chose if i had round the rounds.

Back in December I posted on the round version of these.... on the Lighting forum....

Elbert, these were not plug n play n some bit of grinding had to be done... not a big deal, but a must... with that said these round sealed n DOT legal beams rock...!!!

I don't know or can't say if these would solve the high/low issue as I hardly use the high beams n like Robustbambi I use a light bar on the front of my ARB as it is a spot beam....

Thanks for the link. 60's looking awesome!

I really dont like the alien bug eye thing they have going on..... Both the square and round speakers look plain wierd, little better in black but not much. The price is astronomical as well. They do have the best light output of all the led replacement lights i hear so thats a bonus if youre looking for pure function.

I went with the new round trucklites for my 40 project after taking a rip in my buddies xj with a set of square ones stalled. Had a hard time forkin out the measly 266/ light for those lol but i was back a couple months later to grab another set of the 60...

If youre after the best light on the market the speakers are prolly the way to go but most either love or hate the look of them. But really, ive found that just about any led light upgrade puts regular sealed beams and h4s to shame. I was running cibbie housings with osram bulbs from stern with an upgraded slc harness and the light was still yellow and weak. The led's are literally day and night.

D

yep after running them for a little while now, I'm starting to like the way they look haha.