LED Headlights for 70 Series

[nickolai]

Hi there,

It's winter here in NZ and every winter I ask myself the same question - "why am I putting up with these pathetic headlights?"

Ususally, I swap in new bulbs, like osram night breakers or something similar. Having done this a few times I should probably be given some shares in these companies.

So, does anyone have experience and recommendations with LED headlamps (i.e. the whole assembly, not some dodgy chinesuim bulbs?). I have a high beam solution in the works, so just interested in best performance on low beam.

Note this is for my KZJ78, so would be the 'square' style, 6x4 i believe.

Cheers

 

[Nas90tdi]

Touch base with JimmyPrado. He has LEDS. I think they are the whole housing style. He might can give his thought on his.

 

[Jim from Idaho]

So, does anyone have experience and recommendations with LED headlamps (i.e. the whole assembly, not some dodgy chinesuim bulbs?). I have a high beam solution in the works, so just interested in best performance on low beam.

Note this is for my KZJ78, so would be the 'square' style, 6x4 i believe.

I am very happy with the Trucklite LEDs. Expensive, but worth it. The only drawback is the amp draw is so low that your high beam indicator will not turn on when using the high beam. I believe they are widely available, with a wide range in price.

Complex Reflector, 5"x7" LED Rectangular, 2 Diodes Headlight, Polycarbonate Lens, E-Coat Aluminum, 12-24V | Truck-Lite

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I went with an LED H4 bulb replacement. They're not too bad. My main complaint is they do not get the housing hot enough to melt snow. So they are no good in winter.

 

[nickolai]

I am very happy with the Trucklite LEDs. Expensive, but worth it. The only drawback is the amp draw is so low that your high beam indicator will not turn on when using the high beam. I believe they are widely available, with a wide range in price.

Complex Reflector, 5"x7" LED Rectangular, 2 Diodes Headlight, Polycarbonate Lens, E-Coat Aluminum, 12-24V | Truck-Lite

Yeah I've seen these - they look great. Can't find a NZ supplier so would have to be through Ebay.

I went with an LED H4 bulb replacement. They're not too bad. My main complaint is they do not get the housing hot enough to melt snow. So they are no good in winter.

Did you go with a brand name or a no-name etc?
I've seen some Philips LED's which look like a good option for this. No snow here.

I guess in terms of 'experimental' costs then the H4 swap is cheapest.

Might have to do some Independently Verified Testing - i.e swap them in and see if my wife notices a difference!

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Yeah I've seen these - they look great. Can't find a NZ supplier so would have to be through Ebay.



Did you go with a brand name or a no-name etc?
I've seen some Philips LED's which look like a good option for this. No snow here.

I guess in terms of 'experimental' costs then the H4 swap is cheapest.

Might have to do some Independently Verified Testing - i.e swap them in and see if my wife notices a difference!

I went with a no name ebay brand that was a knock off of the Philips ones. It's important you get one that has the led's in exactly the same location as where the filament would be on a real H4, otherwise you'll have a terrible projection pattern.

I can't find the link to the ones I bought, but when I did my research I had read these ones were pretty good: CREE Headlight Conversion Kit 6000K Bulbs 8000LM H4 H7 H11 H13 9007 9006 H1 H10 | eBay

 

[nickolai]

Going to try these out (I have their lightbars and they're not bad)

Copper Head H4 LED Head Light Conversion Kit

Will report back my findings - including what the CFO thinks

 

[Josh NZ]

@nickolai

Are you using the truck as a daily?

NZ lighting regs prohibit the use of LED replacement bulbs, you have to change the whole unit for an LED replacement for it to be legal. Some garages won’t care, some cops won’t care either but you’d hate to get pinged for it!

I’m looking at trucklites for my BJ71 when I win the lotto!

Where are you based? I’m in chch.

Cheers

 

[nickolai]

@nickolai

Are you using the truck as a daily?

NZ lighting regs prohibit the use of LED replacement bulbs, you have to change the whole unit for an LED replacement for it to be legal. Some garages won’t care, some cops won’t care either but you’d hate to get pinged for it!

I’m looking at trucklites for my BJ71 when I win the lotto!

Where are you based? I’m in chch.

Cheers

Hi Josh, Yeah it's effectively a daily - though I only drive a couple of days a week and in the weekend - Auckland traffic!

Yeah i know some WOF people won't be too happy, and I' ve decided to save up for some trucklites, instead of the Stedi's - so it right first time and all of that! Given that my lift is bordeline for needing Cert I probably shouldn't draw too much attention to the truck - plus I'd be a deadman if my wife got pinged for them!