LED Headlights?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
LED Headlights?
Anyone heard of, or bought LED headlight bulbs, or complete units, that actually work good?
I know there are a couple for bigger trucks now, but haven't seen any for pickups.
I don't like the hassle of HID's, most of them are just dims anyways.
I also don't care for the "projector" style aftermarket headlights, every truck I've been in with them has crap light output compared to stock.
I'm talking LED replacement complete fixtures, or LED bulbs that actually put out as much or more light as the stock 65w bulbs.
Anyone?
I know there are a couple for bigger trucks now, but haven't seen any for pickups.
I don't like the hassle of HID's, most of them are just dims anyways.
I also don't care for the "projector" style aftermarket headlights, every truck I've been in with them has crap light output compared to stock.
I'm talking LED replacement complete fixtures, or LED bulbs that actually put out as much or more light as the stock 65w bulbs.
Anyone?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 20
From: prince george, bc canada
I recently installed an LED bulb kit in my stock housings. Light output is close to double on the low beam but only a slight increase on high beam. They have a small ballast with them that plugs right in as easy as changing the stock bulbs. You do have to "index" them when you put them in. The bulbs have to be oriented so that they sit the same way in each of the housings. I paid $130 Canadian for a kit and think it is a worthy upgrade. There is no issues with blinding oncoming drivers.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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I recently installed an LED bulb kit in my stock housings. Light output is close to double on the low beam but only a slight increase on high beam. They have a small ballast with them that plugs right in as easy as changing the stock bulbs. You do have to "index" them when you put them in. The bulbs have to be oriented so that they sit the same way in each of the housings. I paid $130 Canadian for a kit and think it is a worthy upgrade. There is no issues with blinding oncoming drivers.
I also pay in CAD$
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: steeler nation western pa
I recently put 6000k led bulbs in my fog lights. They were a pretty blue but the light output was crap. I put stock ones back. Was a waste of 15 bucks not sure i want to try this again and throw more money down the drain. I have a 2012 also. Now i have a bad taste about it even though i want more light i dont think i need to spend 40bucks or more to get better light and i dont want hids.. Not sure if im gonna bother now
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
You obviously have not been in a vehicle with true projectors or you would not be asking about led's. You are only referring to aftermarket projector style replacement headlights.
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Lead Driver
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I just want sweet headlights that have awesome light output, and don't need new bulbs every year, because I hate changing bulbs.
I put brighter bulbs in, but theres not much difference, and they burn out quick.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
Well I don't know headlights good enough to know the difference, if that clears that up.
I just want sweet headlights that have awesome light output, and don't need new bulbs every year, because I hate changing bulbs.
I put brighter bulbs in, but theres not much difference, and they burn out quick.
I just want sweet headlights that have awesome light output, and don't need new bulbs every year, because I hate changing bulbs.
I put brighter bulbs in, but theres not much difference, and they burn out quick.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
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Likes: 5
Check out Blackbird Lighting Solutions - look at the F-series lights then send Brian an email with all your questions. No, I'm not a rep, just a happy customer. Worth every penny spent. You want awesome - here you go.
I emailed them thank you!
We'll see what they got to say.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
Well I don't know headlights good enough to know the difference, if that clears that up.
I just want sweet headlights that have awesome light output, and don't need new bulbs every year, because I hate changing bulbs.
I put brighter bulbs in, but theres not much difference, and they burn out quick.
I just want sweet headlights that have awesome light output, and don't need new bulbs every year, because I hate changing bulbs.
I put brighter bulbs in, but theres not much difference, and they burn out quick.
Just about any replacement lamp whether LED or HID is not going to be street legal / DOT rated as different light sources require different reflector designs to meet proper standards for beam cutoff angles and whatnot. Complete replacement units might be legal / DOT rated, but I suspect there are a lot of units out there with phony DOT claims.
Ultimately I'd really only consider if you can find an vehicle OEM headlight assembly you like that you could retrofit, which would be a fair amout of work, but would get you an assembly you can trust has a real DOT rating.
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Well, my truck is going on 6 years on the original lamps, so if you are changing every year you have a problem of some sort. If it's just the brighter lamps that burn out quick that's probably either low quality, or simply the fact that higher watage halogen lamps have shorter life spans.
Just about any replacement lamp whether LED or HID is not going to be street legal / DOT rated as different light sources require different reflector designs to meet proper standards for beam cutoff angles and whatnot. Complete replacement units might be legal / DOT rated, but I suspect there are a lot of units out there with phony DOT claims.
Ultimately I'd really only consider if you can find an vehicle OEM headlight assembly you like that you could retrofit, which would be a fair amout of work, but would get you an assembly you can trust has a real DOT rating.
Just about any replacement lamp whether LED or HID is not going to be street legal / DOT rated as different light sources require different reflector designs to meet proper standards for beam cutoff angles and whatnot. Complete replacement units might be legal / DOT rated, but I suspect there are a lot of units out there with phony DOT claims.
Ultimately I'd really only consider if you can find an vehicle OEM headlight assembly you like that you could retrofit, which would be a fair amout of work, but would get you an assembly you can trust has a real DOT rating.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
Well, my truck is going on 6 years on the original lamps, so if you are changing every year you have a problem of some sort. If it's just the brighter lamps that burn out quick that's probably either low quality, or simply the fact that higher watage halogen lamps have shorter life spans.
Just about any replacement lamp whether LED or HID is not going to be street legal / DOT rated as different light sources require different reflector designs to meet proper standards for beam cutoff angles and whatnot. Complete replacement units might be legal / DOT rated, but I suspect there are a lot of units out there with phony DOT claims.
Ultimately I'd really only consider if you can find an vehicle OEM headlight assembly you like that you could retrofit, which would be a fair amout of work, but would get you an assembly you can trust has a real DOT rating.
Just about any replacement lamp whether LED or HID is not going to be street legal / DOT rated as different light sources require different reflector designs to meet proper standards for beam cutoff angles and whatnot. Complete replacement units might be legal / DOT rated, but I suspect there are a lot of units out there with phony DOT claims.
Ultimately I'd really only consider if you can find an vehicle OEM headlight assembly you like that you could retrofit, which would be a fair amout of work, but would get you an assembly you can trust has a real DOT rating.