What’s the Latest on LED Headlight Conversion? Options

[horizontally-opposed]

@horizontally-opposed . In April I finally finished my 75 when I installed my GE Nighthawks this past April!

This is so cool to read, having driven your car for the first time so long ago—and it was great even back then!

[Montreal914]

I wonder if I can somehow get the back pad "just higher enough" between my headrests to conceal one of those ultra-thin LED strips so it is seen through the rear window.

I wanted the third light to be as high as possible (for big SUVs...). Also, the Targa bar line (side view) goes down, which helps in hiding the housing. And it is red plastic so it doesn't stand out much in my case (Bahia). The other thing I like is that if I turn my head and look up, I can see some red light indicating me that my brake lights are working (at least that one...). Finally, the price was right, $Ebay $12 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Cairo94507]

I agree that the 3rd brake light needs to mounted on the targa bar, as high as you can get it. For me, my goal is under the targa bar and back towards the trim, away from the window. I am looking for something about 12-18". Every time I take my car out I freak out when I see some asshat kid behind me with his phone in his hand as he is driving. Where I live there seems to be an abundance of those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[mepstein]

I agree that the 3rd brake light needs to mounted on the targa bar, as high as you can get it. For me, my goal is under the targa bar and back towards the trim, away from the window. I am looking for something about 12-18". Every time I take my car out I freak out when I see some asshat kid behind me with his phone in his hand as he is driving. Where I live there seems to be an abundance of those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

You are not alone. Yesterday I was at a red light and someone plowed into the back of the car next to me. I bet they were going 25-30. Must have been looking down at their phone. Everybody was ok but both cars were trashed.

[73-914]

^^ Good point. Modern Jeep is not standard size. The older Jeeps used standard sizes and that's where the confusion lies. But a Jeep 'spec' isn't what we are needing.

I put HID retrofit H4 bulbs in vintage Cibie Ecode housings and it's near perfect. But that is another Chinese rabbit hole for quality and in-spec bulbs.

I like my E-codes also but they are not DOT approved

[malcolm2]

https://vintagecarleds.com/

Great supporter of 914 world. Came to the last Okteenerfest and gave away a set. Not just gave away, but installed them as we all watched.

I also bought a set for my 72 VW Bus restoration.

I will admit that I had issues installing. For some reason I had a 75 headlight frame and a 73 frame. The Vintage LED did not want to go in the 75 frame. So I found another 73 frame and all is well. So if you have a 75 or 76, be prepared.

I did need to adjust them properly and that helped the fit too, but did not solve my problem, I had to get the early light frame. I will say Vintage was great with helping me get things figured out. Quick replies on my emails, etc...

Clark

[yellowporky]

So today i finally had a day off of work and was able to install the Vintage car leds.
Install was as easy as changing a light bulb since these were the simple plug and play H4 with the Hella lenses.
I did notice that the spades were thinner on the led bulb and i had to squeeze the female connector down to get a solid connection. I always cringe when doing this because the old connectors are so brittle.
I am very impressed with the output of the lights and the low beam cut off is very crisp compared to my old sylvania sealed bulbs.
Also when i had the headlights in the up position and the battery disconnected i had pushed the switch back in one position so the headlights were off but the parking lights would all be on when i put power back. watching my voltage gauge there was no movement at all when i pulled the switch out to turn on the headlights and also no movement going from low to high beams.
I would highly recommend this option
Chris

[bkrantz]

So today i finally had a day off of work and was able to install the Vintage car leds.
Install was as easy as changing a light bulb since these were the simple plug and play H4 with the Hella lenses.
I did notice that the spades were thinner on the led bulb and i had to squeeze the female connector down to get a solid connection. I always cringe when doing this because the old connectors are so brittle.
I am very impressed with the output of the lights and the low beam cut off is very crisp compared to my old sylvania sealed bulbs.
Also when i had the headlights in the up position and the battery disconnected i had pushed the switch back in one position so the headlights were off but the parking lights would all be on when i put power back. watching my voltage gauge there was no movement at all when i pulled the switch out to turn on the headlights and also no movement going from low to high beams.
I would highly recommend this option
Chris

Which Vintage kit or bulb did you use?

[yellowporky]

I went with the simple version from Vintage Led because i did not want the large heat sink or the added converter box
Maybe not the best performer but it has to be better than stock.
They arrive today so i hope to install soon.
https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vcm3...-headlight-kit/

[Jamie]

So today i finally had a day off of work and was able to install the Vintage car leds.
Install was as easy as changing a light bulb since these were the simple plug and play H4 with the Hella lenses.
I did notice that the spades were thinner on the led bulb and i had to squeeze the female connector down to get a solid connection. I always cringe when doing this because the old connectors are so brittle.
I am very impressed with the output of the lights and the low beam cut off is very crisp compared to my old sylvania sealed bulbs.
Also when i had the headlights in the up position and the battery disconnected i had pushed the switch back in one position so the headlights were off but the parking lights would all be on when i put power back. watching my voltage gauge there was no movement at all when i pulled the switch out to turn on the headlights and also no movement going from low to high beams.
I would highly recommend this option
Chris

I believe these were the same LED bulbs I installed shortly after the Okteenerfest demo, and I have been very pleased with the ease of installation, performance, and the price! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[BillJ]

@yellowporky do you have pictures of installed finished product? Do they protrude in housing?

[yellowporky]

These use Hella H4 housings so no

[BillJ]

Cool. Ordered.

[horizontally-opposed]

Just ordered, as well.

[bkrantz]

I went with the simple version from Vintage Led because i did not want the large heat sink or the added converter box
Maybe not the best performer but it has to be better than stock.
They arrive today so i hope to install soon.
https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vcm3...-headlight-kit/

Thanks! (sorry I missed the earlier post)

[Montreal914]

Install was as easy as changing a light bulb since these were the simple plug and play H4 with the Hella lenses.

I am very impressed with the output of the lights and the low beam cut off is very crisp compared to my old sylvania sealed bulbs.

Not sure I fully understand what you had before. Did you install the LED bulbs in your already installed Hella H4 housings, or your replaced your sealed beams by both the H4 housing and LED bulbs?

Very appealing option to keep the Hella housing as I personally like them. So, I understand the LEDs are much better than the sealed beams, but are they a lot better than the standard halogen 55W H4 bulbs?

Thank you for sharing the info! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[yellowporky]

I had a pair of sealed beam Sylvania bulbs from 1986. They were very yellow and not very bright. When you order from Vintage Led you can choose to upgrade to the Hella H4 lens over the basic included one. I imaging if you already have the lens you could simply install their led bulb in it.
When you ask if the Led is better that a 55 watt H4 i would have to say 100% yes due to the low draw for the same light output. I cringe at the thought of running high power through our old electrical systems

[yellowporky]

Finally got to drive the car tonight and the difference is significant. Used to be scary to drive at night on dark roads now like a normal car

[BillJ]

on dark roads i needed to use the pilot lights to get even moderate visibility compared to the stock headlights. From a safety point of view it is a must for me.

[76-914]

I can remember when one could tell by the approaching car's headlights whether it had a 6v or 12v electrical system. And a few years later if someone had a 12v generator or alternator if the headlights dimmed when they let off the gas. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slits.gif)