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I Hate my Stock Jeep CJ5 Headlights! It is time for an upgrade.

I Hate my Stock Jeep CJ5 Headlights! It is time for an upgrade.

Zeppe807

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Northern CA
Vehicle(s)
1981 CJ-5 - 258 I6 - 4 Speed
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
 
Well, I can tell you what I have and am in the works on.... I have a stock replacement Delco 10SI alternator which I have planned on buying the higher output version that came in a Cadillac limo I think. I also have a Warn winch and KC day lighters. I am wanting to get the H4 with the glass lens to keep the stock appearance, I also do not care for the bug eye looking stuff and I would prefer to keep glass headlights over plastic. I am starting to go back and re look up the relay wire harness as the member here is apparently no longer making them. Have you looked into the Euro spec bulbs I was reading that they have a slightly higher wattage. I bet you will be happy with the difference the H4s with a relay harness makes. :chug:
 
If you go with LED and live in an area that gets snow, you need to go with the heated units so that the snow and ice on the lenses melts.

I did mine in phases. I upgraded the harness with the relays. It was a big improvement just because the light output did not fluctuate with the throttle as it did before.

Then I went with H4 lights. I got some stock lights from a TJ as a friend was upgrading to LEDs. These keep the appearance of the old school CJ pretty well. The lenses are DOT approved as well since they are factory.

I did go above the normal wattage with some Fatboy IPF halogen bulbs. But wow, what a difference. I feel so much better using my CJ as my DD now. I can actually see what is in front of me.

And no modification was needed to run the TJ units. They fit right in.
 
Here is what they look like. A little flatter than the original. But that does not bother me at all.

6913048daa37383169203cb548c723b1.jpg

e607bb0614a1eee10b106e12ca1d0812.jpg
 
New headlights......another upgrade that I didn't realize I needed!!!! At least I can sell this to the wife as a safety issue. Ha
 
New headlights......another upgrade that I didn't realize I needed!!!! At least I can sell this to the wife as a safety issue. Ha

Ya hanging around this forum gets expensive :chug:
 
New headlights......another upgrade that I didn't realize I needed!!!! At least I can sell this to the wife as a safety issue. Ha



Ya hanging around this forum gets expensive :chug:



This upgrade is well worth it. And not too much $$$.

I think the harness was $50 and the The lights AND ipf bulbs were under $200. Well worth it for the better lighting.

Don't do it without the harness though. Get that before or at least at the same time. You will melt the wires and maybe the switch.
 
This upgrade is well worth it. And not too much $$$.

I think the harness was $50 and the TH lights AND ipf bulbs were under $200. Well worth it for the better lighting.

Don't do it without the harness though. Get that before or at least at the same time. You will melt the wires and maybe the switch.

Oh for sure im doing this upgrade, was going to get it from a forum member here once I sat down and measured everything but it looks like im to late on 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.

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/i-...-headlights-time-upgrade-26644/#ixzz4J6ImoVk3


You don't run all these accessories at once so I would not be concerned about this. i went with the Warn H4 conversion housing because I found them at a swap meet for $10. I put the stock type Sylvania bulbs in them and it is amazing compared to the sealed beams. I did have to modify the light bucket to make them work but this was a worth while mod for better light output. being they are the same wattage they do not pull more amps than my crusty old sealed beam either. You should do it.
 
Good ideas. The harnesses available are like $60 off Ebay, or $200 for the painless.

If I upgrade the bulbs and glass, it sounds like I HAVE to do the wiring upgrade too.

I found the new KC Gravity LED headlights, and they reduced the cost recently too. They look good and from what I read they have a great output. And no wiring or alternator upgrades.

Not sure yet.

Joe
 
Are the LEDs heated? Do you get ice and snow in northern CA?

I don't get snow in my area, but I like to bring it to the snow to play. Is that a huge problem in snow areas? What do new cars do for this issue?

Here's my Jeep at the top of Ellis Peak near Tahoe, and the end of the Rubicon trail in the valley below.

20160708_142738_zps1vb02px7.webp

Joe Zeppe
 
Not sure about other new cars, but our audi has LED accent lights but xenon headlights that do provide heat to the covers. I know that early converts in the northern VA area (where I am) have had problems with the first generation of Truck Lites because they froze over and severely lowered the light output. They added a heating element to the newer versions to solve this issue. Just something to consider when you are shopping for replacement LED lights.
 
Ummm-No pictures. :confused:
LG
 
Joe-Still 'no-joy' for me at least. :(
LG
 

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