LED light suggestions

[bobm]

I'm sticking with the Round ones . Dey h a ve duh right amount of Luminaries when it get dark . Me scat of da dark .

 

[bobm]

Um add a 3rd one in da middle like a Tucker

 

[scrapdaddy]

One good thing about being old and half blind is you're not out after dark.

 

[Pigeaten]

Just buy the real deal and stay away from the Chinese knockoffs and you'll be happy.

LED Headlights - Model 8700 Evolution J2 Series - LED Headlights | Aftermarket & OEM Headlights | J.W. Speaker

Jeep Wrangler JK specific plug and play 7” round LED headlight that combines your high and low beam for widespread visibility down the road.

www.jwspeaker.com

LED Headlights - Model 8700 Evo 2 Dual Burn - LED Headlights | Aftermarket & OEM Headlights | J.W. Speaker

Get more light with your LED headlight upgrade by using Dual Burn® Technology from J.W. Speaker. Plug & play 7

www.jwspeaker.com

i have decided on JWspeakers for headlights, how about brakes, running, and turn signals? anybody got feedback

 

[Pigeaten]

seems i have a knack for stirring stuff up, maybe the wife is right?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Easy to do around here. I believe on all the rest of the lights you'll have to change out the bulbs and rewire for the LEDs. That's all I know about that.

 

[xtremeVA]

The question on LEDs is whether you want to retain a stock look or go with modern looking LEDs such as the model 8700 listed above.

Matt's system retains a stock look by replacing the old style sealed headlights with a housing that has a replaceable bulb. The housings Matt do not contain projectors to focus the light but rather Kioto glass housings designed for an H4 Halogen bulb. I bought a couple kits (housing with H4 halogen bulb, harness with relay) off ebay from a Toyota dealer for $68 to my doorstep. (sorry, out of stock at this time) Toyota headlight kit

With the classic housing and harness installed, the question what high quality LED bulb to replace the H4?

I'm know Matt has done his research and supplies a high quality LED bulb that is mega bright. However, the issue I have with Matt's system is the light is not focused as would be in a modern housing with a projector. Look back at Matt's pictures. On the low beam, he is illuminating the transformer on the top of the telephone pole in front of him which is 35 feet in the air as well the tree probably 10ft in the right of his vehicle. Matt, with all due respect that is the only issue I have with your system. You should consider reviewing the Morimoto 2 stroke V3.0 (H4 bulb) vs the bulb you currently supply. Yes, it's probably more expensive but may provide the brightness as well as the beam focus in a classic looking housing. Morimoto 2 stroke v3.0 review Just a suggestion for your ongoing research.

My recommended solution for a classic look + LED brightness: Kioto glass housings designed for H4 bulbs + a Toyota wiring harness upgrade + the Morimoto 2 stroke v3.0 bulb. Glass Housing + harness $129 on ebay + Morimoto 2stroke v3.0 H4 bulb $194 Total is $323 for the system if you want them today (If you wait and watch the housing and harness will come up on ebay as shown above).

 

[RUSH55]

Never had an issue with glass headlights on dirt roads. But I also hang way back because I strongly dislike eating dust while following anyone, so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[J Mack]

seems i have a knack for stirring stuff up, maybe the wife is right?

Everything @xtremeVA said above is true about putting an LED behind a defused lens and I don't believe anyone here is wanting to start stuff but just trying to answer your question the best we can and hopefully also learn from others along the way.

Things I like about the JW Speaker lights (driving at night)


Things I don't like about the JW Speaker lights (cost) and (they look stupid on an old classic like a pig)

If money and looks are important then something like the lights @ToyotaMatt sells cost a 1/3 and fit the look of an old Toyota, the system extremeVA is talking about also sounds nice but like Matt's system I believe you will sacrifice a little on light quality to retain to appropriate "OEM" look. It all comes down to personal preference they will all light your way at night and that's all that really matters for what most of us do with our pigs. When we decide to enter the Baja 1000 we might need to revisit this.

 

[ToyotaMatt]

Everything @xtremeVA said above is true about putting an LED behind a defused lens and I don't believe anyone here is wanting to start stuff but just trying to answer your question the best we can and hopefully also learn from others along the way.

Things I like about the JW Speaker lights (driving at night)


Things I don't like about the JW Speaker lights (cost) and (they look stupid on an old classic like a pig)

If money and looks are important then something like the lights @ToyotaMatt sells cost a 1/3 and fit the look of an old Toyota, the system extremeVA is talking about also sounds nice but like Matt's system I believe you will sacrifice a little on light quality to retain to appropriate "OEM" look. It all comes down to personal preference they will all light your way at night and that's all that really matters for what most of us do with our pigs. When we decide to enter the Baja 1000 we might need to revisit this.

i would like to point out 1 unique fact , and feature . in all my R&D time prior to full kit production , i NEVER ran into another

JIS all glass lenses , all were plastic , now the facts :

- KIOTO H4 Lenses are FLAT like a table or wall , i never saw this feature either ?

- the flat jis glass if cast or crafted with many vertical flutes or lines in it designed to direct LUMENS down and to center of the

vehicle when properly adjusted to factory spec's fsm style


- some quick google , this is called a LIGHT HOUSE lens

- just like a natucal one on a shoal or point out at sea maritime

- well and behold , KOITO makes and has been making MARINE nautical lamps and lenses since wwII

-
see my example pics below , this is state of the art design modern features with a Timeless old vinatge look perfect for a FJ55
in my opinion

 

[scrapdaddy]

Just an thought here, but wouldn't the other manufactures who make LED headlights use the same fluted lens if it worked for the best for LED lights? I can't understand why they wouldn't after so much research and testing.

 

[ToyotaMatt]

well..........

history will be the judge here

why not clear glass then ?

one word

CHEAP !

 

[xtremeVA]

Matt, not sure why you are debating the Koito housing. I have them and they are very high quality. Quite frankly I don't like the flat lenses because original sealed beam Koito headlights had a rounded surface but I still think they are the best for the vintage look. You haven't addressed the issue your LED bulbs in the H4 housing projecting light too high and blinding oncoming traffic. Testing this feature would only require a professional headlight aiming meter like shown below. Again, all the components in your kit are super high quality, no debate there, but I suggest that the Koito housing with the Morimoto 2 stroke H4 bulbs would be "better" than your "best" because they offer a superior beam shaping and projection. We are on the same side here...just offering a potential suggestion on new bulb technology that may improve your already fantastic lighting system . For everyone reading this thread, everything I have purchased from Matt has been absolutely fantastic stuff. He does spent a ton of time finding rare parts and developing great solutions. Matt has a true passion for vintage Toyota parts and great customer service. Don't hesitate to order from him!

 

[ToyotaMatt]

Matt, not sure why you are debating the Koito housing. I have them and they are very high quality. Quite frankly I don't like the flat lenses because original sealed beam Koito headlights had a rounded surface but I still think they are the best for the vintage look. You haven't addressed the issue your LED bulbs in the H4 housing projecting light too high and blinding oncoming traffic. Testing this feature would only require a professional headlight aiming meter like shown below. Again, all the components in your kit are super high quality, no debate there, but I suggest that the Koito housing with the Morimoto 2 stroke H4 bulbs would be "better" than your "best" because they offer a superior beam shaping and projection. We are on the same side here...just offering a potential suggestion on new bulb technology that may improve your already fantastic lighting system . For everyone reading this thread, everything I have purchased from Matt has been absolutely fantastic stuff. He does spent a ton of time finding rare parts and developing great solutions. Matt has a true passion for vintage Toyota parts and great customer service. Don't hesitate to order from him!


View attachment 2637241 View attachment 2637223

not debating

educating

i dug hard into this topic , and this is what i learned ....

 

[scrapdaddy]

or everyone reading this thread, everything I have purchased from Matt has been absolutely fantastic stuff. He does spent a ton of time finding rare parts and developing great solutions. Matt has a true passion for vintage Toyota parts and great customer service. Don't hesitate to order from him!

No question on that, he offers a lot of stuff for the Land Cruiser community and I'm sure everyone is grateful for those parts. For me personally, I've learned a great deal from reading the back and forth on this subject. The best way to learn is to ask questions.

 

[Pigeaten]

your all welcome, headlights yes,but the rest of pig will stay stock

 

[wngrog]

I tried to run LED bulbs in my Koito housings. They scatter light like hell.

I just use the stock bulbs now that Toyota sends with their $45 kit and the low beam is good, not great but they don’t blind people like the LEDs I tried in them and in other housings.

High beam is nice and crisp and projects nicely.

 

[OGBeno]

Automotive engineer? That's funny stuff.

 

[PabloCruise]

Wow, looks like I missed a lot of fun in here!!!

I definitely appreciate glass lenses after you see how terrible plastic gets after a few years...

A few observations, from my limited perspective. I am trying to retrofit some HID lights into a vehicle that originally came w/ halogen bulbs:

• Lens is somewhat important, I think you want a clear lens for HID/LED
• Projector shape is very important in terms of getting the light where you want vs just shotgun scatter all over the place
• ~3800k is a "nice" color that won't make driving in fog and rain difficult for everyone.

Just saw these in another post, note the clear lens and projector design for LED. I would be reluctant to just take an LED replacement for my "bulb" and swap it into a non-LED designed housing.