H4 Headlights

[89 MJ]

I am looking at upgrading my headlights to H4 housings and separate bulbs. I will also add a headlight relay. 

Do any of you have any recommendations for bulbs and housings? Also, would there be anything else that I would need to buy to make this all work? Thanks in advance. 

[scguy]

I've got the Autopal housings, but I'd probably go Hella if I did it over again. I like the E-code housings and I'm running Hella 100/80w H4s. Definitely make a relay harness for them. 

[89 MJ]

14 minutes ago, scguy said:

I've got the Autopal housings, but I'd probably go Hella if I did it over again. I like the E-code housings and I'm running Hella 100/80w H4s. Definitely make a relay harness for them. 

Thank you for the input. 

[Dzimm]

I've got the Rampage H4 kit in 2 of my Jeeps.  So much better than the stock halogens.  Relatively cheap too.

[Minuit]

I've got the Hellas in my 91. No complaints whatsoever. Great visibility. And nobody would ever notice they aren't stock unless you look right into them.

[schardein]

In my CJ7, I've ran Slyvania Xtravision (reg halogen headlights), Autopal H4 housings, and currently, Hella E-code housings.  All with headlight relays.  The Hella E-codes are my favorite so far.  

[89 MJ]

46 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

I've got the Rampage H4 kit in 2 of my Jeeps.  So much better than the stock halogens.  Relatively cheap too.

Ok. Is that the housings and the bulbs in the kit?

 

41 minutes ago, Minuit said:

I've got the Hellas in my 91. No complaints whatsoever. Great visibility. And nobody would ever notice they aren't stock unless you look right into them.

This last sentence is exactly why I want to go this route. I am trying to keep a retro look with my truck and I do not want LEDs even though they can be cheaper.

 

1 minute ago, schardein said:

In my CJ7, I've ran Slyvania Xtravision (reg halogen headlights), Autopal H4 housings, and currently, Hella E-code housings.  All with headlight relays.  The Hella E-codes are my favorite so far.  

Thanks! From what I am hearing, it sounds like the Hellas are the best.

[Dzimm]

9 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Ok. Is that the housings and the bulbs in the kit?

Yes comes with the bulbs.  Its a straight plug in and go setup.

[schardein]

5 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Ok. Is that the housings and the bulbs in the kit?

 

This last sentence is exactly why I want to go this route. I am trying to keep a retro look with my truck and I do not want LEDs even though they can be cheaper.

 

Thanks! From what I am hearing, it sounds like the Hellas are the best.

I've posted before in several places on social media, I don't care if they light up the backside of the moon, most LED headlights look... well, I was going to say 'hideous', but I'll tone that down and just say "out of place" on most vintage rigs.  Maybe I'm just getting old, because I also think todays styles of most aftermarket custom aluminum wheels are ugly as sin as well.

[89 MJ]

40 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

Yes comes with the bulbs.  Its a straight plug in and go setup.

Sweet! I'll look into it! Thanks.

 

40 minutes ago, schardein said:

I've posted before in several places on social media, I don't care if they light up the backside of the moon, most LED headlights look... well, I was going to say 'hideous', but I'll tone that down and just say "out of place" on most vintage rigs.  Maybe I'm just getting old, because I also think todays styles of most aftermarket custom aluminum wheels are ugly as sin as well.

I'll say hideous. They look hideous on older rigs. I'm young and I agree with you.

[Dzimm]

9 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

I'll say hideous. They look hideous on older rigs. I'm young and I agree with you.

 

51 minutes ago, schardein said:

I've posted before in several places on social media, I don't care if they light up the backside of the moon, most LED headlights look... well, I was going to say 'hideous', but I'll tone that down and just say "out of place" on most vintage rigs.  Maybe I'm just getting old, because I also think todays styles of most aftermarket custom aluminum wheels are ugly as sin as well.

You guys aren't the only ones.  Had some LED headlights for about a week thinking they would be better, they sucked and definitely looked weird.  Those stupid ebay crazy taillight housings look dumb too.  Don't get me started on the new trucks with tall fancy wheels and skinny tires...

[Minuit]

58 minutes ago, schardein said:

I've posted before in several places on social media, I don't care if they light up the backside of the moon, most LED headlights look... well, I was going to say 'hideous', but I'll tone that down and just say "out of place" on most vintage rigs.  Maybe I'm just getting old, because I also think todays styles of most aftermarket custom aluminum wheels are ugly as sin as well.

Stupid. Ugly. Cheap. Bulbous. Anachronistic. As if someone ripped the eyes out of the truck and replaced them with alien implants. That begins to explain how I feel about how most LED headlights on old cars look, but doesn't really paint the full picture.

 

Much more important than my feelings on their looks is safety: most of the cheaper ones have optics that are beyond terrible too, so they'll be wasting light blinding other people instead of lighting up the road.

[89 MJ]

49 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

 

You guys aren't the only ones.  Had some LED headlights for about a week thinking they would be better, they sucked and definitely looked weird.  Those stupid ebay crazy taillight housings look dumb too.  Don't get me started on the new trucks with tall fancy wheels and skinny tires...

I hate those trucks. Congratulations, you (probably your bank) bought a new truck, stuck a stupid lift on it that doesn't flex, tow, or ride well and then put on wheels that cost more than my truck. And my 31 year old truck costs 1/2 has much, turns more heads, and I can still use it. And squatted trucks are even dumber.

50 minutes ago, Minuit said:

Stupid. Ugly. Cheap. Bulbous. Anachronistic. As if someone ripped the eyes out of the truck and replaced them with alien implants. That begins to explain how I feel about how most LED headlights on old cars look, but doesn't really paint the full picture.

 

Much more important than my feelings on their looks is safety: most of the cheaper ones have optics that are beyond terrible too, so they'll be wasting light blinding other people instead of lighting up the road.

Yes, lets take all of our anger out on LEDs on old trucks and the skateboard tire trend.

[A-man930]

The only LED headlamps I would consider are the Truck-Lite ones, though it looks like they've changed them.  Problem is that they COST too much.  

Good to know about the Hella H4s

 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Just now, A-man930 said:

The only LED headlamps I would consider are the Truck-Lite ones, though it looks like they've changed them.  Problem is that they COST too much.  

Good to know about the Hella H4s

 

 

 

Those would be the only LED I would consider too, and I would maybe get some if my truck had a more modern look to it.

[derf]

I'm running Quadratec heated LEDs in my XJ.  They don't look like a traditional headlight.  But they aren't as bad as some of the cheap lights on the market.  They are very good headlights though and that's why I run them.  I will probably put a set into my MJ when the time comes.  Mostly for technical reasons as appearance is less important to me personally.

 

I do get why people like traditional style headlights on their old Jeeps.  They just look like they should be there while LED lights look "weird".

 

[89 MJ]

7 minutes ago, derf said:

I'm running Quadratec heated LEDs in my XJ.  They don't look like a traditional headlight.  But they aren't as bad as some of the cheap lights on the market.  They are very good headlights though and that's why I run them.  I will probably put a set into my MJ when the time comes.  Mostly for technical reasons as appearance is less important to me personally.

 

I do get why people like traditional style headlights on their old Jeeps.  They just look like they should be there while LED lights look "weird".

 

Those don't look too bad in there. I think if I were building a truck that didn't look as 80s, then LEDs would probably be considered.

[A-man930]

Are these the Hellas we should be looking at?

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427291-190x132mm-Conversion-Headlamp/dp/B0002M9QRE?th=1

 

[PCO6]

I have Grote LED's on my MJ & XJ and really like the white light and the "sort of" period look.   They're not heated though so I'll hold my comment on how they are in the winter.

 

I have KC HiLite H4 halogen lights on my LJ.   It's a nice light and period look too but not as bright. 

 

   

[schardein]

14 minutes ago, A-man930 said:

Are these the Hellas we should be looking at?

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427291-190x132mm-Conversion-Headlamp/dp/B0002M9QRE?th=1

 

No, those are the DOT compliant ones.  You want the E-code (European) (ECE) versions.

 

EDIT:

These https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427811-132mm-High-Headlamp/dp/B001G72VIK/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=hella+h4+ece&qid=1605805128&sr=8-4

 

Notice the pattern in the lens, these provide a very sharp cutoff.  Lots of light on the road where you need it, and doesn't blind oncoming drivers.  Shop around, you can occasionally find these quite a bit cheaper.  I always check between Amazon, eBay, and some of the standard catalog websites like Quadratec, Summit, Jegs, etc.

[A-man930]

4 minutes ago, schardein said:

No, those are the DOT compliant ones.  You want the E-code (European) (ECE) versions.

 

So... they're not actually legal for me to use on the road... why do I want these vs. the DOT ones?

 

I actually ran across the ECE ones first and it looks like nobody stocks them right now.  

[schardein]

Just now, A-man930 said:

 

So... they're not actually legal for me to use on the road... why do I want these vs. the DOT ones?

 

I actually ran across the ECE ones first and it looks like nobody stocks them right now.  

If vehicle safety inspections affect you, that is consideration.  The odd thing, is that these are better than DOT compliant ones, in that they put light where you need it, and don't blind oncoming drivers.  When I lived in a state with inspections, I had to change my headlights out to pass inspection.  My current state has inspections, but they don't check the headlights for the "DOT" mark, they just care if they work.  

[A-man930]

2 minutes ago, schardein said:

If vehicle safety inspections affect you, that is consideration.  The odd thing, is that these are better than DOT compliant ones, in that they put light where you need it, and don't blind oncoming drivers.  When I lived in a state with inspections, I had to change my headlights out to pass inspection.  My current state has inspections, but they don't check the headlights for the "DOT" mark, they just care if they work.  

 

Inspections are mainly the same way for us here. 

What isn't as good about the DOT ones?  

[gogmorgo]

I’m going to throw my two cents in and say that after two years of trying to make e-codes work for me on my ZJ, they’re going away. Going back to stock housings. The e-codes are no good at all for where I’m driving.

The problem is the cutoff on the low beams. Unless you live somewhere with tons of light pollution you can’t see anything outside the cutoffs. I don’t even catch eye shine outside the beams which is a pretty big problem. There’s a big bright spot on the road ahead of you but it’s not far enough ahead to be useful and it just destroys any semblance of night vision.

The high beams are actually quite good, they put a lot of light out a long way down the road, but that makes the low-beam issue worse. Not only do you need to dim them much earlier for oncoming traffic, get driving in snow, fog, even rain from the right direction, and now you can’t run the high beams at all because of the reflection back at your face, and now you’re stuck with low beams that don’t illuminate enough of the road to see. It’s even worse if you add in dips, hills, and corners, because now you need light going up to see the road on the hill, and there just isn’t any.

I can definitely tell they reduce glare for oncoming traffic or if I’m following someone, which is nice enough I guess, but not being able to see where I’m going is a pretty high price to pay.

 

The DOT is a less focussed light that scatters more. They’re definitely dimmer, and glare is worse for oncoming traffic (aim them properly and it’s less of an issue), but they at least put out light where you need it. I’d much prefer to dimly see where I need to than very clearly see where I don’t.

[89 MJ]

10 minutes ago, gogmorgo said:

I’m going to throw my two cents in and say that after two years of trying to make e-codes work for me on my ZJ, they’re going away. Going back to stock housings. The e-codes are no good at all for where I’m driving.

The problem is the cutoff on the low beams. Unless you live somewhere with tons of light pollution you can’t see anything outside the cutoffs. I don’t even catch eye shine outside the beams which is a pretty big problem. There’s a big bright spot on the road ahead of you but it’s not far enough ahead to be useful and it just destroys any semblance of night vision.

The high beams are actually quite good, they put a lot of light out a long way down the road, but that makes the low-beam issue worse. Not only do you need to dim them much earlier for oncoming traffic, get driving in snow, fog, even rain from the right direction, and now you can’t run the high beams at all because of the reflection back at your face, and now you’re stuck with low beams that don’t illuminate enough of the road to see. It’s even worse if you add in dips, hills, and corners, because now you need light going up to see the road on the hill, and there just isn’t any.

I can definitely tell they reduce glare for oncoming traffic or if I’m following someone, which is nice enough I guess, but not being able to see where I’m going is a pretty high price to pay.

 

The DOT is a less focussed light that scatters more. They’re definitely dimmer, and glare is worse for oncoming traffic (aim them properly and it’s less of an issue), but they at least put out light where you need it. I’d much prefer to dimly see where I need to than very clearly see where I don’t.

Interesting, thank you for the differing opinion. That makes sense what you are saying.