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> LED Headlights revisited
rjames
post Oct 19 2023, 11:19 AM
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I know that there are already a bunch of threads on recommendations for replacement headlights for our cars, but as I am currently wading through all of it I can find in search of a quality LED replacement that isn't just 'brighter' than stock, but also emits an effective and safe light beam pattern, I thought I'd share where I'm at so far.

One of the other threads I found here suggested contacting lighting expert Daniel Stern of https://www.danielsternlighting.com/ for a recommendation. I contacted him and he recommended the Philips H6024 LEDs. These looked great on the car, but unfortunately the lens stuck out farther than stock and the headlight buckets wouldn't close without rubbing against the 'eyebrows'.

I circled back with Daniel and he then recommended the JW Speaker 0554941 lights instead.
Not cheap, and definitely further away from the stock look. I'm still considering options, but wanted to share all of this, plus an interview that Jalopnik did with Daniel Stern that provides some good information on LED headlights for others that might be interested in some expert info on this topic.
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Cairo94507
post Oct 19 2023, 11:35 AM
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Hi Robert - I went through this too. I ended up going with Vintage Car LED's and I love them. I have never been "flashed" and the light is great. I opted for the flat lens look; it is a little bit more. Great product, plug 'n play.
https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vc50...ate-7-inch-kit/
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rjames
post Oct 19 2023, 11:38 AM
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I've been looking at those, too. The article I linked to above made me question if 'they look brighter and no one flashes me' is really a good indicator of a quality headlight.
Still keeping those on my list of possibilities, though. Thanks!
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brant
post Oct 19 2023, 12:08 PM
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I too went with the vintage LED
We parked my car next to a friends with the vintage LED
Much brighter

Plus my car was running The Bosch 100w bulbs
Still the LED was brighter

As a benefit they also draw much less power and the charging system now can keep up. But with the 100W I was loosing the charging battle and had to limit how far I could drive at night before the battery would run down
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StarBear
post Oct 19 2023, 01:06 PM
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QUOTE(Cairo94507 @ Oct 19 2023, 01:35 PM) *

Hi Robert - I went through this too. I ended up going with Vintage Car LED's and I love them. I have never been "flashed" and the light is great. I opted for the flat lens look; it is a little bit more. Great product, plug 'n play.
https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vc50...ate-7-inch-kit/

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) That’s what I went with; looks like stock and great pattern. Fine customer support, too.
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Geezer914
post Oct 19 2023, 01:16 PM
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I went with a pair of Truck-Lites 27270C. They received a good rating on you tube. There is a good you tube video showing the different LED headlights and patterns.
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rjames
post Oct 19 2023, 01:35 PM
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Daniel mentions the Truck-Lite headlights as one of the few worth buying.

I highly encourage people to read the article I linked to in my original post. In my email conversation with Daniel, he relayed pretty strongly that there were very few worthy options out there.

In the end I went with the JW Speaker 0554941 headlight based on his recommendation even though they don't come close to looking stock. Since my car is black, they still might look decent despite not looking stock. Besides, who's going to see them at night anyway?
I'll follow up with info on how they fit after they arrive.
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BillJ
post Oct 19 2023, 01:39 PM
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Vintage LEDs are awesome. Just get them
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Morrie
post Oct 19 2023, 03:18 PM
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QUOTE(rjames @ Oct 19 2023, 02:35 PM) *

Daniel mentions the Truck-Lite headlights as one of the few worth buying.

I highly encourage people to read the article I linked to. In my email conversation with Daniel, he relayed pretty strongly that there were very few worthy options out there.

In the end I went with the JW Speaker 0554941 headlight based on his recommendation even though they don't come close to looking stock. Since my car is black, they still might look decent despite not looking stock. Besides, who's going to see them at night anyway?
I'll follow up with info on how they fit after they arrive.


If folks are brave enough to try a low cost alternative, I tried more than one and ended up with these. They fit okay and put out an amazing amount of light. They have been on the car for about 2 years now and have confirmed with other P-car friends driving with me at night they don't blind them.

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Compatibl...c0-4513d670b6bc
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Olympic 914
post Oct 19 2023, 04:17 PM
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I have the Trucklites in now.

Very bright, especially high beams.

Low beam has a sharp top cutoff, and they have to be aimed slightly up to see any distance. Maybe on a Jeep or motorcycle where the light is mounted higher off the road this would not be necessary.
Not on high beams though. They light up everything.

There is also a weird pattern in the middle of the lighted area. Think of the Star Trek emblem, kind of like that.

Not really a negative, just different.

I will be soon installing the Vintage LEDs.

I think the lens on the Vintage lights may diffuse the light better than the clear lens of the Trucklites.

Maybe I will take pictures against the garage door or something.
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Geezer914
post Oct 19 2023, 04:34 PM
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I had to add a 6ohm 50w led resistor when I installed the Truck -Lites.
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gereed75
post Oct 19 2023, 07:36 PM
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What BillJ said. Got ‘em, Classic look, great light. All good
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johnhora
post Oct 19 2023, 09:04 PM
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Has anyone ever used the VintageCarLED H4 bulbs only in their old Cibie 7" headlamps....they have three types of just led bulbs.
like these https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/bulbs-only/vcm3-bulbs-only/
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rjames
post Oct 19 2023, 09:13 PM
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QUOTE(johnhora @ Oct 19 2023, 08:04 PM) *

Has anyone ever used the VintageCarLED H4 bulbs only in their old Cibie 7" headlamps....they have three types of just led bulbs.
like these https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/bulbs-only/vcm3-bulbs-only/



Everything I've read so far says that LEDs should only be used in housings that were specifically designed for them.
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johnhora
post Oct 20 2023, 12:19 PM
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Thanks Bob...
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technicalninja
post Oct 20 2023, 05:02 PM
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From what I got from the Vintage site is that their LEDs are designed to fit into standard H4 housings. The housings they offer are readily available from many sources.

Their bulbs not so much.

Now, after doing a bunch of internet surfing the LED bulbs (even the Vintage ones) are not DOT legal in the United States.

All of the H4 housings have DOT certification on them so the head light assemblies appear to be DOT legal upon inspection...

All of the decent LED bulbs that are designed as replacements for H4 halogen bulbs are more than $200 per pair.

I like these housings and will be buying a pair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FKIUR...RGRON&psc=1

Hellas with glass lenses.

I'm leaning towards the Vintage VC5000 bulbs right now but saw enough differences that I want to do a bit more research before pulling the trigger.
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BillJ
post Oct 20 2023, 07:15 PM
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Why mix and match instead of a tested and delivered solution? Just curious.
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rjames
post Oct 20 2023, 10:50 PM
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QUOTE(BillJ @ Oct 20 2023, 06:15 PM) *

Why mix and match instead of a tested and delivered solution? Just curious.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

The article I linked to in my original post talks specifically about this.
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Stratfink
post Oct 21 2023, 02:03 AM
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For the guys running vintage car LEDs, which version did you install VC3500 vs VC5000?
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BillJ
post Oct 21 2023, 05:49 AM
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I went with the VC5000 i believe. They are great lights.
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