Budget Lighting Upgrade

[Irishguy]

It appears that my "new to me" TJ has all the original lighting from 1997 and it all works, however after driving at night I want to upgrade. I want to keep everything as stock as possible and keep the stock look as possible and try to avoid cutting any wiring. I can do that, I just want to avoid it. This doesn't have to be the end all be all of lighting upgrades, I just want something better than I have now. So here's what I am considering:

Headlights...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G72SKQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Fog lights...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002E2WMVW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Back-up lights...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017386GLS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[T Crawford]

there is a thread here on lighting that might help. Your not far the cheapie led headlights on the front end something else to consider would be the headlight relay upgrade

 

[gg1]

Here is a couple of threads and a ton of info. I am going to upgrade and undecided at this time.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/jeep-wrangler-tj-led-headlight-upgrade-options.538/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/replaced-headlights-with-truck-lite-knockoffs.6239/

 

[Stockli]

The knock offs are mega bright. If I had the $$ I’d do the real thing though.

I put the knock offs on about two months ago and love them

 

[Chris]

Check this thread out:
Jeep Wrangler TJ LED Headlight Upgrade Options

The better option than those headlights would be these ones:

Truck-Lite (27270C) LED Headlights (Chinese Knockoff Version)

There's a whole thread about them here: Replaced Headlights w/Truck-Lite Knockoffs

@CodaMan and @Jerry Bransford among many others are running them. For the price point, they put out a ton of usable light (more than those halogens will even), they're cheap, and they look just like the Truck Lites as well.

That would be what I would get if I was looking for some headlights on a budget.

 

[Rob5589]

The H4 conversion is a great upgrade. I run the Rampage but the Hella and others are good to go as well. The nice thing is the H4 is available at any auto parts store in case one burns out. Really though, anything is an upgrade.

 

[Irishguy]

Check this thread out:
Jeep Wrangler TJ LED Headlight Upgrade Options

The better option than those headlights would be these ones:

Truck-Lite (27270C) LED Headlights (Chinese Knockoff Version)

There's a whole thread about them here: Replaced Headlights w/Truck-Lite Knockoffs

@CodaMan and @Jerry Bransford among many others are running them. For the price point, they put out a ton of usable light (more than those halogens will even), they're cheap, and they look just like the Truck Lites as well.

That would be what I would get if I was looking for some headlights on a budget.

I added these to my cart, but I got to thinking... "What if one of these lights goes out and I'm off somewhere on vacation or on an adventure? How do I get a replacement?"

 

[gg1]

@CodaMan and @Jerry Bransford among many others are running them. For the price point, they put out a ton of usable light (more than those halogens will even), they're cheap, and they look just like the Truck Lites as well.

That would be what I would get if I was looking for some headlights on a budget.

I have been reading about lights on here myself and I noticed that Jerry hasn't chimed back in about his lights and no one seems to really give their long term review. Maybe they are just okay, but not great? I do love the price point and hope to upgrade soon.

Also people seem to always post Amazon's, but aren't the Ebay's a batter deal, not to mentions shipping time on the Ebay deal is much faster?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=262208229912

 

[Chris]

I added these to my cart, but I got to thinking... "What if one of these lights goes out and I'm off somewhere on vacation or on an adventure? How do I get a replacement?"

Haven't heard of it happening yet. It's your ride, so you can do what you want. But the majority of us run LED headlights with no such issue at all. The chances of an LED going out are much slimmer than a halogen going out.

 

[Chris]

Also people seem to always post Amazon's, but aren't the Ebay's a batter deal, not to mentions shipping time on the Ebay deal is much faster?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=262208229912

They have cheaper versions on Amazon as well. I was only linking to those specific ones since they are the exact ones everyone on here seems to be buying. But yes, Amazon and eBay are littered with the same ones for cheaper.

 

[RussTJ]

I've thought of upgrading the headlights but when I checked out the Amazon link this caught my eye.

"Lamps are ece compliant and legal for on-road use only in Canada"

I doubt it would be an issue but thought I'd mention it.

 

[Duke-TJ]

After upgrading to Quadratec LED headlights a few years ago, I was driving to work in the dark and was following another TJ.
When I parked, he circled around and asked what lights I was running. He told me when I was behind him he could see better in front of him with my lights than his.
They're aimed correctly, which is obviously important, and I have never been flashed by oncoming traffic.
Night and day difference from stock, if you'll pardon the pun.

 

[Chris]

I've thought of upgrading the headlights but when I checked out the Amazon link this caught my eye.

"Lamps are ece compliant and legal for on-road use only in Canada"

I doubt it would be an issue but thought I'd mention it.

It wouldn’t be an issue at all. There is no such thing as DOT approved headlights as some would have you believe. The DOT does not approve or disapprove anything aftermarket.

I would say probably 9 out of 10 Wrangler owners are running aftermarket headlights without any issue. Aim them correctly and you’ll never have a problem.

The DOT approved b.s. is some sort of Internet myth / rumor that started over a decade ago. Somewhere I have a good post about all of it.

 

[Andy5150]

Hella Vision Plus, and relay harness worked for me. The harness even made the stock lights brighter.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

The H4 conversion is a great upgrade. I run the Rampage but the Hella and others are good to go as well. The nice thing is the H4 is available at any auto parts store in case one burns out. Really though, anything is an upgrade.

I agree....2 small birthday cake candles on the hood is an upgrade from the original

I'm running LED side and main light upgrades...and they simply plugged into the existing sockets on my stock lights...did the same with my rears.(they look like a stock lamp but have an LED inside instead of the usual filament)..Great for Jeepers on a budget..I will upgrade to Trucklites eventually.

 

[gg1]

Nice bit of info here.

 

[gg1]

Geez, I just missed these lights on CL near me. I seem to always be late on things. https://youngstown.craigslist.org/pts/d/led-headlights-jeep-tj-jk/6560092808.html

Seller said they were JW Speaker. WTC.

 

[Irishguy]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far. I was looking around some more and I am honestly confused by all the different types of LED lights (Which is kind of why I wanted to stick with something like the Hella or Cibie.) I have those Trucklite copies in my Amazon cart... At least I think they are...

Do these look like what I need?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716RX6VK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[cjaama]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far. I was looking around some more and I am honestly confused by all the different types of LED lights (Which is kind of why I wanted to stick with something like the Hella or Cibie.) I have those Trucklite copies in my Amazon cart... At least I think they are...

Do these look like what I need?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716RX6VK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Yes, and that's about what I paid on ebay. It's a great upgrade for the price.

 

[woody367]

How are the LED's in the winter with snow? They do not generate the heat to help melt snow off them?