LED Lights, are they worth it?

[Hemi]

Keep in mind the JL/JT headlights are 9 inch, not 7 inch. You can get brackets and still use the 7" headlights, but they are not the same size as the OEM headlights.

There are very few 9" lights in the market and I don't think that will change very much in the near future because (1) so many get the LED package from the factory and even more will now that the JL Sport S offers them as an option and (2) they can still sell the 7" headlights with the bracket to JL/JT owners

Also consider the LED replacement bulbs; you can just swap out the halogen bulb for LED without changing the unit

Sponsored

 

[billyjk7]

Aren't all the lights led? I mean the interior lights, licence plate , map, vanity mirrors etc?

 

[eternus]

Aren't all the lights led? I mean the interior lights, licence plate , map, vanity mirrors etc?

This. The LED package gets them everywhere there's a light. If you DIY then the cost for headlights + fogs + taillights will quickly hit that $1k price point (unless you do the LED bulb conversion some have mentioned.) Personally, I like the look of the Jeep factory LEDs more than any of the other LED options on the market.

 

[TennesseePA]

I live in TN so 364+ days a year snow is not a problem. BUT deer are a problem 365 days a year in TN. The animals are much easier to spot with the brightness and color of the LED package. My old Cherokee i usually have to hit a deer before I see it.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

Probably worth mentioning here what a lux is.

A lux is a metric unit of illumination which is equal to the number of lumens per square meter and is distance dependent as the light is being distributed in a wedge both horizontally and vertically. So saying it produced X lux is somewhat meaningless if we do not know the distance at which the meter is placed. Isolux charts like we may seen from hella do a great job of explaining the visual intensity and shape of a given beam.

1 lux is typically described as the moonshine cast by a full moon with black skies and no ambient light pollution or cloud. This is a surprising amount of light such that the other descriptor is enough light to read the New York Times at a reasonable and comfortable distance.

Illumination is the measured intensity in of light falling on a surface where as Luminance is the perceived visual intensity of the light source itself.

So “brightness” is a somewhat misleading term and concept used by marketeers to sell products. It’s like asking which type of music is louder.

Now as to are LED worth it? That’s up to you. I personally don’t like LED for normal driving as the single frequency light can cause interesting shadows and play games with color that can trick the eye. Since most LED are biased towards the blue end of the spectrum this does great things for not triggering our irises as you would in a normal light response which is what the really blue LED and HID feel so much more glaring. For auxiliary lighting I have no issues with LED because of the massive output and far looser constraints on beam shape. We could get into a long discussion about light color and perceived differences and advantages but we can save that for another time.

Just remember, if it sounds like something a sales guy would say it probably is. Do your homework and learn the details.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

I live in TN so 364+ days a year snow is not a problem. BUT deer are a problem 365 days a year in TN. The animals are much easier to spot with the brightness and color of the LED package. My old Cherokee i usually have to hit a deer before I see it.

The age old problem of trying to illuminate a brown deer against a brown road with a brown lamp.

Good color rendition index (cri) and normally 5400k light color helps make that deer look almost lifelike at the moment of contact.

Okay enough deer jokes.

That said, smooth distribution and well formed beams will allow even the most stone ages of light source perform well. I would prefer the OEM LED over aftermarket units for the reasons the video points out, doesn’t matter how many lumens the lamp can product or how many lumens get converted to useable lux if the beam shape is garbage. All that light and you still can’t see.

My JK only has(had) vertical aim adjustment screws from factory because the fmvss only specifies a height tolerance. I had to order the horizontal adjustment screws from an export model to actually aim the lamps when I converted to H4, is this still the case with the JL/JT? If so it might be worth adding the other screw and seeing what happens when they are fully aimed.

 

[Tacoman03]

LEDs 100%....had on last 2 Wranglers(JLUS & JLUR) and now on JT, no question as to good buy......

 

[DanOnTheCob]

Absolutley love them, feel bad for vehicles traveling the opposite direction though. Murica'

 

[Chance_P]

LEDs are def better than the halogens.

That being said, I'm waiting some take off halogens I bought to show up so I can stuff some d2s projectors in them.

 

[Reasons]

This. The LED package gets them everywhere there's a light. If you DIY then the cost for headlights + fogs + taillights will quickly hit that $1k price point (unless you do the LED bulb conversion some have mentioned.) Personally, I like the look of the Jeep factory LEDs more than any of the other LED options on the market.

I just priced out a complete list of LED replacement bulbs for our Jeeps at Headlight Revolution totaling $525.
- Supernova V4 headlights and foglights
- LED Tailights
- LED fender lights

OEM LED package on a Rubicon/Overland cost $887 invoice. 5% below invoice equates to $841.

Difference of $316.

 

[eternus]

I just priced out a complete list of LED replacement bulbs for our Jeeps at Headlight Revolution totaling $525.
- Supernova V4 headlights and foglights
- LED Tailights
- LED fender lights

OEM LED package on a Rubicon/Overland cost $887 invoice. 5% below invoice equates to $841.

Difference of $316.

Thanks for pricing it all out. As I said, doing that bulb replacement would be affordable whereas buying the LED headlight solutions are $300-500 (or more) just for headlight. This bulb solution is definitely a big win on pricing.

 

[Oilburner]

As I said, doing that bulb replacement would be affordable whereas buying the LED headlight solutions are $300-500 (or more) just for headlight. This bulb solution is definitely a big win on pricing.

As long as the aftermarket company stays in business long-term & they keep producing the same bulbs it is a good solution.

FYI I just spoke with HR and they confirmed they will sell a single replacement bulb if you have one go bad outside of the 2-year warranty. (they are only listed as pairs on their site)

 

[Gladiator Overland]

The only problem I see (haven't tested yet as it is still summer in Iowa) is that the factory LEDs don't have a heating element on the lens. This could be a problem in ice and snow where it will build up and restrict the light. There are some after-market LEDs with the heating elements, that is what I think I would prefer. I have an LE so we'll find out how bad that is next winter!

Honestly if this becomes an issue someone will make an aftermarket heating element. This is why personally I’ll go this route. Also there are lenses you can apply as well as hydrophobic treatments. IMHO this isn’t going to be a issue.

 

[Godfadr]

Since I did not have a chance to order my JT, I ended up with one without LED. Now I am searching down the rabbit's hole for what and how to convert to LEDs. Get them if you can.

 

[Sorbs]

Trying to decide if I am going to order factory installed LED lights when I order one. For those that already have them, are they really that much better and are they worth the price?

Thanks for all the responses....going LED!

Yes.

Sponsored