new Headlight opinions

[Chipw]

I was getting ready to do the relay upgrade on my CJ7 and also replace my old units with new H4 halogens from hela or a similar manufacturer. A buddy made the comment why not go with LED bulbs. Good question. from reading, it sounds like the lower power draw of the LED units might preclude having to do the relay upgrade at all.
I dont have any experience with LED or H4 halogen so im throwing the question out to the forum, is there an advantage to just replacing the headlights with led bulbs or is it better to do the relay upgrade and get H4 halogen units?

im not worried about cost as much as performance and reliability. thanks

 

[shum8]

I chose to go the relay option just cause I'm old school...... to me CJ's just don't look right with LED's. With that said, I'd probably do the upgrade even with the LED's just to take a load off the switch.

 

[007]

I went with the relays from Speedway and then bought the most expensive, brightest (shortest life) bulbs AutoZone had. I absolutely love how they turned out.

As you've stated, LED's are another good way to go. You lose a little OE look, but that's something that some care about and some do not. No right or wrong answer there.

 

[gr8dain]

Exactly. Personal preference and cost. Also make sure they are DOT approved (not just compliant) if you need to do state inspections (like I do).

You may already know that I went with H4s. I personally do not like the LED look on the CJ. Old school as said above.

I bought TJ housings from someone upgrading their TJ to LED. Then bought the bulbs off amazon. Love it. And I have the speedway harness. Plug and play. Put the same harness in my 67 impala because I was so happy with it.

 

[Chipw]

Thanks guys. I'm sticking to old school with the relay upgrade. Appreciate the comments


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[trudz516]

Imho Relays and H4 bulbs is the way to go. Visit Daniel Stern Lighting for some great advice and options. He's a terrific expert in lighting options. Not cheap but recommends top quality parts. He was invaluable in my headlight and driving light upgrades.


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[Chipw]

You guys coming of the alternator or directly off the pos battery terminal?


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[gr8dain]

You guys coming of the alternator or directly off the pos battery terminal?


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The speedway kit says to use the battery, so that is what I have done.

 

[trudz516]

Yes, connected to battery. I added sub panel with spade fuses from a 200 amp circuit breaker for extra protection. Although relay kit includes 30 amp breakers.


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[trudz516]

One other note. I initially installed a set of Cibie H4 lights directly to the old harness and almost burned up the light switch (and possibly my Jeep)! All Lights started flashing and switch became too hot to touch. Relays are the best route.


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[gr8dain]

One other note. I initially installed a set of Cibie H4 lights directly to the old harness and almost burned up the light switch (and possibly my Jeep)! All Lights started flashing and switch became too hot to touch. Relays are the best route.


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This is why I added the harness first on the old lights. Then got the H4s added later.

 

[007]

I also strongly recommend adding separate positive and ground blocks on your firewall. Makes adding ANYTHING so much easier and insures good current.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Soooo happy to find that I'm not stuck with crappy headlights. I like the sound of TJ housings and H4s or LEDs. I had LEDs in an F250 before and loved them, but H4s and a relays sound like the ticket to keep the old school look, and still see where you're going.

Would these housings work in a '79 CJ5 ?
https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-Replacement-Headlight-Assembly/dp/B0024NSMOM

Anybody have the Cibie headlights? I'm wondering if they are worth the coin.

 

[007]

Soooo happy to find that I'm not stuck with crappy headlights. I like the sound of TJ housings and H4s or LEDs. I had LEDs in an F250 before and loved them, but H4s and a relays sound like the ticket to keep the old school look, and still see where you're going.



Would these housings work in a '79 CJ5?

https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-Replacement-Headlight-Assembly/dp/B0024NSMOM



Anybody have the Cibie headlights? I'm wondering if they are worth the coin.

You'd be surprised at how well a high end H6024 bulb looks with the harness. Love it.


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[gr8dain]

Soooo happy to find that I'm not stuck with crappy headlights. I like the sound of TJ housings and H4s or LEDs. I had LEDs in an F250 before and loved them, but H4s and a relays sound like the ticket to keep the old school look, and still see where you're going.



Would these housings work in a '79 CJ5?

https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-Replacement-Headlight-Assembly/dp/B0024NSMOM



Anybody have the Cibie headlights? I'm wondering if they are worth the coin.

I am not sure about the lights you linked. But if they are 7 inch housings, I would think they would. But not sure.

As for the cibies, I just pit a set in our 67 impala. Very nice light pattern. Not DOT compliant as they are euro spec. But i will deal with that in august when I need to get it inspected.

 

[mdeluca]

Soooo happy to find that I'm not stuck with crappy headlights. I like the sound of TJ housings and H4s or LEDs. I had LEDs in an F250 before and loved them, but H4s and a relays sound like the ticket to keep the old school look, and still see where you're going.

Would these housings work in a '79 CJ5?
https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-Replacement-Headlight-Assembly/dp/B0024NSMOM

Anybody have the Cibie headlights? I'm wondering if they are worth the coin.

I eliminated Cibie headlights after reading reviews. The lights you link to above have plastic lenses which will fog over. I've decided on this Hella H4 set which have glass lenses and good reviews... also only about $70 for the pair; glass lenses, dust boots, and lamps.

Hella 002395801



I looked at the Auxbeam LEDs, but decided it just would look odd on the old Jeep.

This is why I added the harness first on the old lights. Then got the H4s added later.

After costing out multiple relays, fuse links, misc. parts, blocks, etc., and the gaggle of wires required, I decided to bite the bullet and get a prewired Cooper Bussmann relay/fuse box from a source on Ebay and a negative ground bus from BlueSea. I plan on adding an amplifier, heated seats, H4 headlights, and misc. USB charging points. That is five relays.

 

[hole]

Had the Cibie's on for a few years now, one of the best mods I've done!

 

[gr8dain]

The cibies on my impala are glass. I would not want plastic due to the fogging

 

[trudz516]

I eliminated Cibie headlights after reading reviews. The lights you link to above have plastic lenses which will fog over. I've decided on this Hella H4 set which have glass lenses and good reviews... also only about $70 for the pair; glass lenses, dust boots, and lamps.



Hella 002395801







I looked at the Auxbeam LEDs, but decided it just would look odd on the old Jeep.







After costing out multiple relays, fuse links, misc. parts, blocks, etc., and the gaggle of wires required, I decided to bite the bullet and get a prewired Cooper Bussmann relay/fuse box from a source on Ebay and a negative ground bus from BlueSea. I plan on adding an amplifier, heated seats, H4 headlights, and misc. USB charging points. That is five relays.

Wow. Those are really nice power blocks and relays all on one board. Nice. Bias man makes quality products. BlueSea have terrific marine worthy components.


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[gr8dain]

I have a BlueSea ground bus and usb and 12v outlets in the cab as well.