I Hate my Stock Jeep CJ5 Headlights! It is time for an upgrade.
Zeppe807
Jeeper
I Hate my Stock Jeep CJ5 Headlights! It is time for an upgrade.
I drive my Jeep quite a bit, including at night, and early morning, and since the days are getting shorter; I have wanted to upgrade these stock headlights. I have been looking into upgraded H4 sealed beams (both DOT and non DOT), I have looked at the Conversion headlights that allow the halogen bulbs to be changed, the LED conversions (both types: bulbs and complete units), and then the projector style headlights. Each option has its advantages, and disadvantages.
The Sealed Beam glass bulbs ( H6024 ) advantage is that it is a direct replacement for the stock bulbs, and they look good right for my old non bling Jeep CJ5 . The disadvantage is that they are not great for usable light. The newer ones that I have experienced are better than my old ones, but with it lifted a little I don’t think they will be what I need.
The conversion ones that allow an H4 Bulb to be inserted into the back of a glass enclosure are nice options that I am leaning towards heavily. I like that you can put in a different bulb and increase the wattage of the headlights, but then they are Not DOT Approved with the higher wattage bulbs. They would be legal with the standard bulbs though, but I want more light out of these old style lights. Another disadvantage that I have with this old Jeep that other vehicles may not is that my alternator already has a hard time with the loads I put on it: bigger heater blower motor, KC Daylighters, Warn Winch, HAM radio, etc. Another advantage is that it keeps the classic look to the Jeep, which is important to me.
With both of the halogen options above I keep reading that I will need to upgrade the wiring harness and relays in order for the lights to work to their fullest potential, and in order so I don’t burn up any of the old harness. I can buy a harness from ebay, or from painless, or I could build one myself too.
The next evolution in lighting that we cannot deny is the LED lights. They come in different forms; Replacement bulbs, Projectors, and Sealed units. There are many, many, cheap options but most are not DOT Approved. Then there are better options that are DOT Approved, and from what I found they were the sealed types of either the LEDs or the LED Projectors. I like the reviews I’ve seen on the output of these, and I like the low amp draw these require. As far as appearance goes; I am not a fan of the bug eyed LED lights, but there are some that do not take away from the classic/vintage look of my old Jeep. I also like that most of these can be bought with the H4 plug so it is literally a plug and play operation to upgrade to a better light and better technology.
I have read a bunch of reviews of people doing upgrades to their JKs and JKUs, and TJs… but I would rather hear it from you guys in the CJ forums on stuff that you have tried and liked.
Any Ideas? I want to hear it!
Thanks,
Joe Zeppe
I drive my Jeep quite a bit, including at night, and early morning, and since the days are getting shorter; I have wanted to upgrade these stock headlights. I have been looking into upgraded H4 sealed beams (both DOT and non DOT), I have looked at the Conversion headlights that allow the halogen bulbs to be changed, the LED conversions (both types: bulbs and complete units), and then the projector style headlights. Each option has its advantages, and disadvantages.
The Sealed Beam glass bulbs ( H6024 ) advantage is that it is a direct replacement for the stock bulbs, and they look good right for my old non bling Jeep CJ5 . The disadvantage is that they are not great for usable light. The newer ones that I have experienced are better than my old ones, but with it lifted a little I don’t think they will be what I need.
The conversion ones that allow an H4 Bulb to be inserted into the back of a glass enclosure are nice options that I am leaning towards heavily. I like that you can put in a different bulb and increase the wattage of the headlights, but then they are Not DOT Approved with the higher wattage bulbs. They would be legal with the standard bulbs though, but I want more light out of these old style lights. Another disadvantage that I have with this old Jeep that other vehicles may not is that my alternator already has a hard time with the loads I put on it: bigger heater blower motor, KC Daylighters, Warn Winch, HAM radio, etc. Another advantage is that it keeps the classic look to the Jeep, which is important to me.
With both of the halogen options above I keep reading that I will need to upgrade the wiring harness and relays in order for the lights to work to their fullest potential, and in order so I don’t burn up any of the old harness. I can buy a harness from ebay, or from painless, or I could build one myself too.
The next evolution in lighting that we cannot deny is the LED lights. They come in different forms; Replacement bulbs, Projectors, and Sealed units. There are many, many, cheap options but most are not DOT Approved. Then there are better options that are DOT Approved, and from what I found they were the sealed types of either the LEDs or the LED Projectors. I like the reviews I’ve seen on the output of these, and I like the low amp draw these require. As far as appearance goes; I am not a fan of the bug eyed LED lights, but there are some that do not take away from the classic/vintage look of my old Jeep. I also like that most of these can be bought with the H4 plug so it is literally a plug and play operation to upgrade to a better light and better technology.
I have read a bunch of reviews of people doing upgrades to their JKs and JKUs, and TJs… but I would rather hear it from you guys in the CJ forums on stuff that you have tried and liked.
Any Ideas? I want to hear it!
Thanks,
Joe Zeppe
