JW Speaker 8700 Evolution 2 LED head lights

[MANUCHAO]

So, I have been looking at upgrading my headlights...
Im running a set of chinese LED, but these are not DOT compliant and the light pattern is not the best.

So, I been looking at getting something mo-better, and came across these headlights...
Yes, they are expensive, but I read lots of reviews and these seem to be the most comparable to HID's projectors wich are way mo-money, and not DOT approved ( I dont think any HID projectors are DOT approved at this time.)

The thing I REALLY like about these is that they are plug and play and are IP67 rated (water proof.)

Anybody has any experience with them.....

http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/headlights/#product=500463

I researched all the 7" round headlights like the Peterson, Phillips, Maxxima and I like the 8700 Evolution 2 the best.

 

[Trollhole]

I really like the trucklites led. http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wc...10001&storeId=10001&productId=92025&langId=-1

Also you could go with a set of h4 hella conversion 7" housings and install a set of lifetime LEDs in them. https://www.lifetimeledlights.com/led_lights/h4_70w_headlight They are super bright at 3600 lumens and best part they carry a lifetime warranty. I carry this line. They have a cheaper set of h4 bulbs but I don't think they can hold a candle to the new bulbs.

My biggest hangup with the jws is the way they look. I like the traditional look. Trucklites is pretty close.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm with Trollhole, I bought the Trucklites, but haven't wired them up yet. $338.00 to the door.

 

[kling-on]

I have the trucklites and the blow away my Hella h4 with 35 watt HiD. Wish I has done them years ago

 

[Tapage]

another vote for the Trucklite LED .. they are amazing and plug and play ..

 

[MANUCHAO]

Thanks for the replies guys...
Im already running the H4 hella conversion w/ a cheap chinese bulb.
These produce a lot of light/lumens but I dont like the glare that comes out of these headlights.
Also on rainy days i can see the lens filling up with some water and when dry i can see the water mark left behind.... not cool.

I hear yah on the JW.. you either hate the look or you love it......
I like them, but still hesitant and not committed to a set just yet.

I found several websites with reviews on different LED's and HID's.

Im only looking at the sealed housings and nothing else.

Here is one from Pirate 4x4 that i dont see when it was done, but the author gives a good explanation on the terms used and the conditions that these lights where rated under....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/usmcdoc/lights/index.php

If there are any more folks with their own personal preference please post up, as I like to see what others are running...
Pics would be great as well....

 

[kling-on]

that link is a good read ... dont agree with all of it but I did have different head lights with my HIDs

 

[sschruff]

Running the JW's on my 87 60 - absolutely love them. Bright, excellent cutoff, even ride on a OME 3" lift and haven't been flashed to date; personally am very pleased with the look of them on my 60; would buy again without hesitation.

 

[MANUCHAO]

@sschruff... are these plug and play?
Did you upgrade your head light harness?
Any pics?

 

[tclark]

Yes, we need pics please!

 

[sawmill guy]

Thanks for the replies guys...
Im already running the H4 hella conversion w/ a cheap chinese bulb.
These produce a lot of light/lumens but I dont like the glare that comes out of these headlights.
Also on rainy days i can see the lens filling up with some water and when dry i can see the water mark left behind.... not cool.

I hear yah on the JW.. you either hate the look or you love it......
I like them, but still hesitant and not committed to a set just yet.

I found several websites with reviews on different LED's and HID's.

Im only looking at the sealed housings and nothing else.

Here is one from Pirate 4x4 that i dont see when it was done, but the author gives a good explanation on the terms used and the conditions that these lights where rated under....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/usmcdoc/lights/index.php

If there are any more folks with their own personal preference please post up, as I like to see what others are running...
Pics would be great as well....

Hi, we're not talking apples to apples, because I have an HJ62 ... 2 pr of 4x6 headlights. However, I chose the JW speaker, despite the price tag. Excellent light distribution, and I get to leave my low beams on when the highs go on, so I can aim the highs farther up the road. THe installation was not 100% "plug and play" but close enough for me.

 

[wardharris]

Another vote for the Trucklites. Clean, almost-OEM look and awesome light, color, pattern. Great gear, decent price.

 

[MANUCHAO]

THe installation was not 100% "plug and play" but close enough for me.

@sawmill guy
Not a plug n play because you had to wire the headlights to suit your needs, or cause ??????
Do tell....

Any pics or night shots?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Well, I learned these headlights are NOT plug n play, and there is little grinding to be done for these to sit flat.

 

[sschruff]

Well, I learned these headlights are NOT plug n play, and there is little grinding to be done for these to sit flat.

The above isn't true. . .or at least not for the FJ60. I purchased a headlight harness and the JW's. Installed the harness. Removed the stock headlights, installed the JW's. Worked perfect. No modification necessary.

FYI - I'm a task oriented freak. This is especially true of lighting. Case in point, I spent upwards of about 2K on a set of custom full OEM Acura HID housings for my previous STi. Also spent a pretty penny to convert my 2012 Sierra Z71 to full OEM Acura HID housings.

The point regarding the JW's - even with my willingness to go overboard, I'm extremely happy with their output/throw/pattern and have no desire to add and/or change from what they provide.

Hope this helps.

If I remember, I'll grab a few pics Monday when I go to the shop to work on her.

ps - you can find pics of the JW's in my "New guy with first few projects underway" thread.

Thanks-

shane

 

[sschruff]

Here's a link to the thread I referenced above:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/new-guy-intro-with-first-few-projects-underway.792308/page-4

I think it's post #67.

Let me know if you need add'l pictures.

shane

 

[MANUCHAO]

Shane, what harness did you purchased, and where?

Thanks for the link...

 

[sschruff]

Shane, what harness did you purchased, and where?

Thanks for the link...

There's a member on here, @slcfj62 - he made my wiring harness; incredible work & customer service; probably some of the best electrical work I've ever seen.

Here's a link to one of his threads:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/auxiliary-relay-panel-give-away.818128/

 

[MANUCHAO]

Shane, thanks for all the info provided... much appreciated eh....

Re: fitment of these headlights...
I decided to go with JW Evo2.
Mine fit, but did not sit flush into the headlight bucket.
I had to do some minor grinding for these to sit flat.
I got an 06/1985 fj60, so it could be that the buckets are a bit different from an '85 production to that of an '87, I don't know.

I'm just sharing what my experience with this lights going into my rig has been like so far.
It is such a minor detail, but still worth mentioning.

They do look bad ASS on an all blacked out grill...!!!!

Now to order a harness from slcfj62 and see what fuzz is all about with this LED's......

Area needed to be grinded off

QA

 

[sschruff]

Shane, thanks for all the info provided... much appreciated eh....

Re: fitment of these headlights...
I decided to go with JW Evo2.
Mine fit, but did not sit flush into the headlight bucket.
I had to do some minor grinding for these to sit flat.
I got an 06/1985 fj60, so it could be that the buckets are a bit different from an '85 production to that of an '87, I don't know.

I'm just sharing what my experience with this lights going into my rig has been like so far.
It is such a minor detail, but still worth mentioning.

They do look bad ASS on an all blacked out grill...!!!!

Now to order a harness from slcfj62 and see what fuzz is all about with this LED's......

Area needed to be grinded off

QA

[Hiding my face in shame] Your pictures are the ones I should've taken, lol. Great attention to detail and IMO - I find threads like yours extremely informative. And your truck looks bad arse - especially love picture #7. Great install and wait until you get the harness installed. Be sure to send SLCfj62 detailed pictures of your headlight connectors and a description of the headlights (pointing out that they are LED's) - there's a small difference with the JW's. . .not sure if it's b/c they're LED's or if it was specific to the connector.

Shane