Will i regret not getting LED's?

[ShadowsPapa]

I live in ND and have had everything from rain at 14* followed by snow to driving thru 2 blizzards this winter already and have had zero issues with buildup in headlights with factory LED package.

For years now we’ve not taken a vehicle without HID and now LED and have lived in ND,SD, CO, SD and finally back to ND again. Never issue with snow/ice buildup on sky if the vehicles and the safety aspect ALWAYS worth the extra money.

Odd because I sure have, and so have many others judging by the long multiple threads on the topic here and in other forums, Jeep and otherwise. I have even had to scrape ice of headlights of other vehicles because it does dim the light output which is bad in a storm. Maybe you've just never bothered to look and realize how much brighter they SHOULD be or would be? There's no way anyone can say that a thick later (a good 1/8" or so) of ice doesn't lower light output. Even aged headlights dim due to the lens not being clear but a bit cloudy - ice and snow have the same effect.
I guess some don't care if the lights aren't 100%

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...lights-are-dangerous-in-snow-ice-storm.26440/

Something like this absolutely lowers the light output - it's going to be measurable, too. But like I said - unless someone cares, they'll say "it doesn't happen". It does happen.
The thing is, it happens so very gradually you don't realize it until you clear one of them and compare.

(There's much worse pictures out there - and there's similar pictures of ice build-up on other vehicles so bad people stop and clean them off.
It's common around here.

Think about it - if the ice builds up on the windshield edges and corners where there's defrosting going on - it's not building up on the lights shaped like a cup and blocking light?

Still - LEDs are good because this is really the only major thing and it can be overcome. (or lived with)

(Mine were worse when I finally stopped to clear them but it's only happened a couple of times - when it was mostly freezing drizzle mixed with snow)

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[WILDHOBO]

The glaciers made gravel out of our rocks years ago and in some areas up north really flattened things. Not so much around me - it's crazy hilly from here south but not rocky.



That applies to any Jeep. I was looking into upgrades for a WJ I had and checked around and the WJ guys all said "BEWARE!" - there's a lot of cheap "this will fit" and yes they are LED -but.......
I never did the upgrade, loved the Gladiator so much I sold the WJ but do sort of wish I still had it now and then.

The cheap upgrades and bulbs are exactly that. Some are likely not even legal or safe.

Odd because I sure have, and so have many others judging by the long multiple threads on the topic here and in other forums, Jeep and otherwise. I have even had to scrape ice of headlights of other vehicles because it does dim the light output which is bad in a storm. Maybe you've just never bothered to look and realize how much brighter they SHOULD be or would be? There's no way anyone can say that a thick later (a good 1/8" or so) of ice doesn't lower light output. Even aged headlights dim due to the lens not being clear but a bit cloudy - ice and snow have the same effect.
I guess some don't care if the lights aren't 100%

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...lights-are-dangerous-in-snow-ice-storm.26440/

Something like this absolutely lowers the light output - it's going to be measurable, too. But like I said - unless someone cares, they'll say "it doesn't happen". It does happen.
The thing is, it happens so very gradually you don't realize it until you clear one of them and compare.

(There's much worse pictures out there - and there's similar pictures of ice build-up on other vehicles so bad people stop and clean them off.
It's common around here.

Think about it - if the ice builds up on the windshield edges and corners where there's defrosting going on - it's not building up on the lights shaped like a cup and blocking light?

Still - LEDs are good because this is really the only major thing and it can be overcome. (or lived with)

(Mine were worse when I finally stopped to clear them but it's only happened a couple of times - when it was mostly freezing drizzle mixed with snow)

of course it can happen, but really only with very wet snow or sleet. I think many of us are experiencing a much higher percentage of colder dry snow, where this issue really doesn’t occur.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

of course it can happen, but really only with very wet snow or sleet. I think many of us are experiencing a much higher percentage of colder dry snow, where this issue really doesn’t occur.

I wish our snow was cold and dry - it's a lot easier to plow. Our snow it back-breaking wet stuff and pretty much always with ice underneath meaning when you plow - you slide, too, once you get through the snow. I think there's times I'd trade our snow for deeper colder snow from other places.
The only vehicles I've not cleared the ice off of are the older vehicles with old-fashioned head lamps - like the round or rectangular. Halogens on those were pretty white and ran hot enough you wanted good connectors on the back. I've never had any issues with those. But I've stopped and removed the build-up off even our Grand Cherokees in past years.
Next time it happens to any of our vehicles, I'll try to remember to get a picture.
Cold dry fluffy stuff isn't a problem.
And a lot also depends on your road speed.

 

[Spartan1]

I you can afford them, get them.

 

[BowlofSoup]

Yep. I am starting to wonder if I will regret not getting the LED'S on my recently ordered JTRD. I had given consideration to getting the steel front bumper but also had to get the KED package as well. My thoughts at the time was that I was planning on getting the Oracle heated Oculus headlights along with the Oracle taillights, reverse lights and fog lights.

However since I have placed my order I have started reading up a little more on the forum about their products and the issues they have had. I had mainly not wanted the factory package due to no heated headlight. So now I am thinking I may regret my decision here.

LED's we're a must for after driving a TJ and jk without them. I absolutely love them, but I wouldn't fret, you can always get aftermarket

 

[ecidiego]

LED's we're a must for after driving a TJ and jk without them. I absolutely love them, but I wouldn't fret, you can always get aftermarket

You can always get OEM. From the factory isn't the only way to get OEM LEDs on the JT. People seem to miss this.

 

[MASS_JT]

Unless you have a long commute every day in an area that gets constant snow, the snow build up on the LEDs is an overblown problem. I live in New England and this is my second winter with my Jeep, last year I had the stock halogens in. This winter I have the non-heated Oracle Oculus. You should know the halogens are completely drivable. People that say they are a safety issue need their eyes checked. With that said, the Oculus has been a nice upgrade but definitely not necessary. The regular non heated oracles have a good track record. As far as the heating element goes; if it’s snowing heavy enough that it’s going to block the light, regardless of halogen, led, or heating element, the headlight bucket will need to be cleared no matter what. I wouldn’t sweat the heated element option. If you really want it just keep the halogens until Oracle revises the issue with the heated model, or wait until another reputable brand offers some.

 

[Dakota Kid]

Odd because I sure have, and so have many others judging by the long multiple threads on the topic here and in other forums, Jeep and otherwise. I have even had to scrape ice of headlights of other vehicles because it does dim the light output which is bad in a storm. Maybe you've just never bothered to look and realize how much brighter they SHOULD be or would be? There's no way anyone can say that a thick later (a good 1/8" or so) of ice doesn't lower light output. Even aged headlights dim due to the lens not being clear but a bit cloudy - ice and snow have the same effect.
I guess some don't care if the lights aren't 100%

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...lights-are-dangerous-in-snow-ice-storm.26440/

Something like this absolutely lowers the light output - it's going to be measurable, too. But like I said - unless someone cares, they'll say "it doesn't happen". It does happen.
The thing is, it happens so very gradually you don't realize it until you clear one of them and compare.

(There's much worse pictures out there - and there's similar pictures of ice build-up on other vehicles so bad people stop and clean them off.
It's common around here.

Think about it - if the ice builds up on the windshield edges and corners where there's defrosting going on - it's not building up on the lights shaped like a cup and blocking light?

Still - LEDs are good because this is really the only major thing and it can be overcome. (or lived with)

(Mine were worse when I finally stopped to clear them but it's only happened a couple of times - when it was mostly freezing drizzle mixed with snow)

I am very cognizant of diminished light output as I pay for the brightness, and expect it. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t pay the premium. My only major issue is from slush and dirty water off the vehicles in front of me, which does build up and cause me to physically wipe headlights and fog lights clean.

When I say snow/blizzards I mean snow….not sleet. In ND there isn’t much sleet, the temps are so low that it’s usually “just” snow.

Last week it was drizzling at only 14*, but has been unseasonably warm overnight (30ish) and the drizzle was turning to snow quickly as cold front moved in. We don’t usually go from high of 5* one day and 35* the next, but have the last week (and will this coming week apparently)…so I don’t have a snow sticking to water issue on my headlights.

I get what’s pictured below…. Just snow.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Just to add on the snow/sleet comments. Some people will still tailgate when it's sleeting and get a lot of slush thrown up at them.
Also, in ND they don't use salt, so it's mostly just snow on the roads. In MN they use salt, and if you drive too close to people you will get a ton of slush/gunk thrown up at you. Keep your distance and you will be fine with LED. Sure there will be that one time a year when everything is perfect and you'll end up having to clean your headlights, but it won't be often if you keep a nice safe distance.

Move forward with LED. It makes the truck look much better, tailights are much more attractive, and as others have said, much better lighting on the roads (==safer)

 

[AJ-MJ]

I love mine and very glad I got them. I consider them good value!

 

[MoparDave]

The LEDS were a must have and well worth the money.
Every light is an LED on the truck if you check that option.

 

[Davekayc]

I gladly paid for it to come with. I dont like the look of after market looks like you cheaped out and most look cheesy . I dont want to be the guy with the flickering lights or one not working .

 

[RS3]

Well now that it is too late to do anything about it I will just have to start piecing it all together if I can find any take-offs. Should have just done that in the first place. Live & Learn.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Well now that it is too late to do anything about it I will just have to start piecing it all together if I can find any take-offs. Should have just done that in the first place. Live & Learn.

You’ll still love that thing. Welcome to the fold.

 

[ecidiego]

Well now that it is too late to do anything about it I will just have to start piecing it all together if I can find any take-offs. Should have just done that in the first place. Live & Learn.

It's really not a big deal and easy to do. Don't let the sky is falling people in this thread worry you.

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