Looking for LED Headlight Upgrade Suggestions

[2terpsjeep]

I have a 2021 Mojave with halogen headlights that I'm thinking of upgrading to LEDs. I've already swapped out my stock bumper for the Mopar stubby Rubicon bumper with LED fogs, and have a Tazer to recognize the switch from halogens to LED. So that shouldn't be an issue when I go to do the same for the headlights themselves.

I'm looking for a simple (and hopefully not too pricey) plug and play option - no halo/DRL's, no integrated turn signals, or anything that changes into 20 different colors. I'd prefer a direct replacement for the entire headlight, as opposed to just dropping an LED bulb into the halogen housing. I'm basically just looking to upgrade to a whiter and brighter light than the stock halogens, without anything extra/too crazy.

Anybody have any suggestions or recommendations that might fit the bill? I'd also be open to getting headlights that do have halo DRLs and not tapping into my fuse box for the halo component, but the ring for the halo would have to be pretty thin around the edge. Has anyone gone that route, and if so, what're your thoughts?

Thanks!

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[Gatorac]

The OEM LED headlights are really good. I upgraded my 2020 Sport S with them several years ago. A bit more money, but OEM reliability and better resale when you're done with them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

OEM LED.
Anything else will be less than second best because the housing is different as well, not just the "bulb".

If you go cheap you get cheap.
I know people say "it's just fine" but they aren't the ones approaching from the other direction and so on.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

OEM LED.
Anything else will be less than second best because the housing is different as well, not just the "bulb".

If you go cheap you get cheap.
I know people say "it's just fine" but they aren't the ones approaching from the other direction and so on.

Not everyone has the thousand dollars needed for OEM/LED headlight pod replacements though. But need better lighting. I have used LED in my last truck, a 2019 Colorado with halogen lights, but two separate bulbs for low an high beams, that when both are replaced made a huge difference illuminating the darkest or streetlight brighter roads and highways, the lows were aimed intentionally low to prevent oncoming glare, but the high beams made up a huge difference. That’s the only reason I’m hesitating to replace the one hi/lo bulb in the Gladiator. I am about to try a brand brand that has a design similar to the halogen bulb size wise and how it plugs in without any wires added. That I’m sure will add lots of extra illumination over the halogen. I will take before and after pictures of a low cost led changeover.

 

[DrewsJT]

I love mine
https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/gen-ii-led-headlights-jeep-wrangler-jl

 

[Idlethunder]

I’m running Diode Dynamics Elite LEDs. They are expensive but if you wait until one of their many sales it helps. Mine were 20% off during a Black Friday sale a couple years ago and worth every penny

 

[2terpsjeep]

Not everyone has the thousand dollars needed for OEM/LED headlight pod replacements though. But need better lighting. I have used LED in my last truck, a 2019 Colorado with halogen lights, but two separate bulbs for low an high beams, that when both are replaced made a huge difference illuminating the darkest or streetlight brighter roads and highways, the lows were aimed intentionally low to prevent oncoming glare, but the high beams made up a huge difference. That’s the only reason I’m hesitating to replace the one hi/lo bulb in the Gladiator. I am about to try a brand brand that has a design similar to the halogen bulb size wise and how it plugs in without any wires added. That I’m sure will add lots of extra illumination over the halogen. I will take before and after pictures of a low cost led changeover.

Interested to see what you come up with, thanks! You're exactly right, I was trying to come up with a solution that doesn't cost $1k. There are plenty of aftermarket solutions out there, that people seem to really like, but I wanted something simpler - no halos, no DRLs, which I believe even the OEMs have.

 

[2terpsjeep]

I love mine
https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/gen-ii-led-headlights-jeep-wrangler-jl

Are these 7" lights with an adapter to make them for the 9" opening?

 

[2terpsjeep]

I’m running Diode Dynamics Elite LEDs. They are expensive but if you wait until one of their many sales it helps. Mine were 20% off during a Black Friday sale a couple years ago and worth every penny

Definitely something to consider, thanks! I'm in the process of also swapping out my grille (to matte black, not angry eyes!) and was hoping to do it all at once. Maybe it makes sense to finish my grille and come back later to change the headlights when I can find a decent option at a discount. Appreciate you helping me talk this through.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Definitely something to consider, thanks! I'm in the process of also swapping out my grille (to matte black, not angry eyes!) and was hoping to do it all at once. Maybe it makes sense to finish my grille and come back later to change the headlights when I can find a decent option at a discount. Appreciate you helping me talk this through.

The grill takes minutes - won't make a lot of difference, IMO.

 

[mac68]

I just installed these led bulbs in my headlights and fog lights and I am very impressed with how much light I got out of them, and less than 100.00 bucks for them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And others on the road want to shoot them out.

It's not just a matter of bulbs - there's a reason LEDs have a sharp cut off.
There's a reason the whole housing is different.
Aiming them down isn't a fix because there's still glare from the light coming out of the top.
Ya really think if it was a matter of different bulbs, that cheap Stellantis would spend any money on different housings and engineering to make them right?

there's a reason there's so many memes about LED headlights and glare, and the NHTSA has been doing a study on LEDs and we may end up moving to a system like some in Europe use - and you ain't gonna like it.

Cheap-ass replacements may trick you into thinking better - but trust me, others won't be so pleased.
It's those who know and have studied it (go read some Daniel Stern stuff) vs. those who want cheap, fast and who cares about science.

Little on the road burns me more than people tossing in cheap Chinese crap, having no care or understanding of what they do to others on the road, and not really caring.
Yeah, I wish it was legal to shoot out such lights.

 

[Chasm]

Are these 7" lights with an adapter to make them for the 9" opening?

It definitely looks like it.
Check out the customer pic. You can see a lot of black ring around it. You can also see him taking the picture!

 

[DrewsJT]

I love mine
https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/gen-ii-led-headlights-jeep-wrangler-jl

Very happy

Are these 7" lights with an adapter to make them for the 9" opening?

Yes but they look good

 

[yoda13]

I have these, and I love them so far…

https://www.amazon.com/LED-Headlights-Replacement-Unlimited-Accessories/dp/B0CT3RLH61

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