Jeep Wrangler PCM and module repair and replacement

Truck-Lite knockoff long term feedback

L

LD68

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Nov 21, 2018
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52
Location
Arno, TN
I have read threads about many of you using the truck-lite knockoffs from Amazon and am interested in hearing some more feedback before I purchase. How long have you ran them, do they last, did they crap out after a season....
If they will last a few years I can justify the investment but if they are going to crap out after a season I would rather pony up the $ for a better set of lights up front. Got to do something about these crappy stock headlights.
 
I have truck lites and don't know all that much about the others. However, from what I do know after reading a lot about leds is the cheaper ones will likely not crap out on you. The drawback of the cheaper ones are the quality of the light they put out. They are likely just as bright, but the light is scattered. There isn't a break off point on the sides. The high beams don't illuminate where they are supposed to. It's those issues that make them not as good as the better brands.

It was not easy paying so much for headlights. However it is one upgrade I do not regret. The difference compared to halogen is amazing.

I feel if you will be keeping your Jeep for a while it's a worthy investment.

Buy once cry once.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
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LD68 said:
I have read threads about many of you using the truck-lite knockoffs from Amazon and am interested in hearing some more feedback before I purchase. How long have you ran them, do they last, did they crap out after a season....
If they will last a few years I can justify the investment but if they are going to crap out after a season I would rather pony up the $ for a better set of lights up front. Got to do something about these crappy stock headlights.
Click to expand...
Are your stock headlights sealed or halogen? Does it get cold/snow/rainy in your area of Tennessee?

I'd suggest looking into a K Suspension H4 Upgraded Headlight Harness Kit. I installed one a couple weeks ago and the difference between before and after is night and day with my K2 halogens. Best $25 I've spent so far this year. Coming from experience, if you're in a part of Tennessee that sees snow or heavy rains I would not recommend LED's unless they have the built in heater.
 
Red Dog said:
Are your stock headlights sealed or halogen? Does it get cold/snow/rainy in your area of Tennessee?

I'd suggest looking into a K Suspension H4 Upgraded Headlight Harness Kit. I installed one a couple weeks ago and the difference between before and after is night and day with my K2 halogens. Best $25 I've spent so far this year. Coming from experience, if you're in a part of Tennessee that sees snow or heavy rains I would not recommend LED's unless they have the built in heater.
Click to expand...

My stock lights are sealed beam. We may get an inch or so of snow every few years but it usually melts within 24 to 48 hours (if it sticks).
 
LD68 said:
My stock lights are sealed beam. We may get an inch or so of snow every few years but it usually melts within 24 to 48 hours (if it sticks).
Click to expand...
I envy that snowfall behavior, especially as I watch the current 1-2" falling as I type this (another round is predicted on Tuesday).

You should be g2g with LED's then. I brought it up because I've noticed over the years that some people forget to take into consideration their LED's aren't producing the heat tradition headlights do and snow will collect on them, blocking off their lights unless they stop to clean them off every so often. First winter that my unit had LED's on our semi's revealed a number of issues Uncle Sam apparently hadn't considered for driving in snowy conditions.
 
Although I haven't had them for a very long time, my I have been super happy with my Truck-Lite knockoffs. There are a huge difference from the stock candles and have performed exceptionally well. Knock on wood...
 
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dmr22 said:
Although I haven't had them for a very long time, my I have been super happy with my Truck-Lite knockoffs. There are a huge difference from the stock candles and have performed exceptionally well. Knock on wood...
Click to expand...

I bet they really light up the white squirrels in Olney. I grew up in West TN, a town close by (Kenton) also had lots of white squirrels.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
My Trucklite knock-offs are still doing fine after several years. No interference to any of my radios either.
Click to expand...
Would "any of my radios" include a CB? I rarely listen to music radio but do have an old peaked and tuned Cobra 29 I plan to install if I can find a good mounting location.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
My Trucklite knock-offs are still doing fine after several years. No interference to any of my radios either.
Click to expand...
If you have a strong signal, it may not be an issue. I frequently travel in the mountains 50+ miles from the radio stations. With the lights off, decent radio. Turn them on, static. Might not affect people in a city.
 
LD68 said:
Would "any of my radios" include a CB? I rarely listen to music radio but do have an old peaked and tuned Cobra 29 I plan to install if I can find a good mounting location.
Click to expand...
Yes that included my CB.

Wire4money said:
If you have a strong signal, it may not be an issue. I frequently travel in the mountains 50+ miles from the radio stations. With the lights off, decent radio. Turn them on, static. Might not affect people in a city.
Click to expand...
Nope, my rig is typically out in the boondocks/deserts/mountains well away from all radio stations. It doesn't bother my CB radio either which is also AM. I'm a radio/electronics guy & see no reason why decent quality properly installed LED headlights should cause interference with an AM or CB radio. No interference with my 2m ham radio either. I can see potential problems on a JK where its headlights are run from a databus, which is curable with an adapter (filter), but not on a TJ.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Yes that included my CB.

Nope, my rig is typically out in the boondocks/deserts/mountains well away from all radio stations. It doesn't bother my CB radio either which is also AM. I'm a radio/electronics guy & see no reason why decent quality properly installed LED headlights should cause interference with an AM or CB radio. No interference with my 2m ham radio either. I can see potential problems on a JK where its headlights are run from a databus, which is curable with an adapter (filter), but not on a TJ.
Click to expand...
My Harley is CANBUS. In your opinion, could I run one of these headlights on the Harley without throwing a code if I install a resistor in parallel to simulate a load?
 
LD68 said:
My Harley is CANBUS. In your opinion, could I run one of these headlights on the Harley without throwing a code if I install a resistor in parallel to simulate a load?
Click to expand...
With a CANBUS you'd need an adapter like is used with JKs. It provides an additional load so it can be detected by the CANBUS as well as additional filtration (a capacitor) to eliminate headlight flicker. There are some LED products made for Harleys that operate on the CANBUS system. I'd get on the Harley forums to see what they're running on CANBUS equipped HDs.

Here's an interesting article on the problem with CANBUS and headlights.... https://jdmastarblog.com/tag/canbus-leds/
 
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