LED headlights

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Pete Murray

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Looking to install LED headlights in my 83. Wondering if there is anything special I need to do. The ones I found on Amazon look to just plug into current wiring. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Charlie

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Frankenchevy

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Some do, some don’t.

Powering them from relays triggered by your stock wiring is the way to go for power.

Which lights did you decide on? I went back and forth on LED headlights, but couldn’t find a legit DOT light that didn’t look like it was from a spaceship.
 
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Welcome aboard.

I always recommend a relay harness as your first lighting upgrade. It will pull current from the battery instead of through the switch. That eliminates voltage drops which will give your LEDs a longer life span since they are more sensitive to voltage fluctuation.

As for the Amazon lights, your results may vary. Some are pretty bright, some arent. Just try and return as needed. Hopefully you're a prime member.

@Frankenchevy beat me by a few lol
 
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LED's don't draw as much current, you might consider a relay anyways. I am a slow typist.
 
omillan99

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I'm planning an update to the headlights also let me know how yours go. I got a set meant for motorcycles that actually have a "cutoff" to how high the lights shine so I don't blind other drivers.
 
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Pete Murray said:
Looking to install LED headlights in my 83. Wondering if there is anything special I need to do. The ones I found on Amazon look to just plug into current wiring. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

this leads to a general search for LED headlights.. the search resulted in replacement led bulbs for non sealed lights, this would require you to purchase housings and bulbs. doing this will provide better lighting at the cost of blinding other drivers both oncoming and those in front of you as the LEDs emit light from a different location than halogen bulbs and essentially you will be driving with your high beams on all the time blinding everyone else. The correct way is to purchase a housing designed for LEDs that provides the correct cut off so you dont blind everyone. A correct DOT approved light will not blind everyone, here is a example of a light that is designed for LEDs. Anything that is advertised as off road is probably not DOT approved and will blind others.
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The88

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Amazon buy. They worked great and just a little wiring job.

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Jrgunn5150

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Frankenchevy said:
I went back and forth on LED headlights, but couldn’t find a legit DOT light that didn’t look like it was from a spaceship.
Click to expand...


This is what stops me from upgrading as well. The lights in the Wrangler Sahara are fairly sedate, I need to find out if they are a 7" housing still.
 
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Pete Murray

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4WDKC said:
this leads to a general search for LED headlights.. the search resulted in replacement led bulbs for non sealed lights, this would require you to purchase housings and bulbs. doing this will provide better lighting at the cost of blinding other drivers both oncoming and those in front of you as the LEDs emit light from a different location than halogen bulbs and essentially you will be driving with your high beams on all the time blinding everyone else. The correct way is to purchase a housing designed for LEDs that provides the correct cut off so you dont blind everyone. A correct DOT approved light will not blind everyone, here is a example of a light that is designed for LEDs. Anything that is advertised as off road is probably not DOT approved and will blind others.
You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...
These look like the ones I found on Amazon. Four lights for my 83 for $79.00. They plug in just like the picture. I didn't check to see if DOT approved. Thanks.
 
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Pete Murray

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The88 said:
Amazon buy. They worked great and just a little wiring job.

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Click to expand...
They look like the one's I'm looking at. What wiring did you have to do. They look good.
 
KilgoreTrout

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Frankenchevy said:
Some do, some don’t.

Powering them from relays triggered by your stock wiring is the way to go for power.

Which lights did you decide on? I went back and forth on LED headlights, but couldn’t find a legit DOT light that didn’t look like it was from a spaceship.
Click to expand...
Yes. Lol.... This. Frickin spaceship lights.
I'm pretty far off from looking to upgrade my headlights to led (hell, I just got the stock ones all working and replaced), but I already have the feeling it won't be enough light.
I think Sylvania makes a Silver Star sealed beam, don't they? That might be worth looking at.
 
Frankenchevy

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KilgoreTrout said:
Yes. Lol.... This. Frickin spaceship lights.
I'm pretty far off from looking to upgrade my headlights to led (hell, I just got the stock ones all working and replaced), but I already have the feeling it won't be enough light.
I think Sylvania makes a Silver Star sealed beam, don't they? That might be worth looking at.
Click to expand...
I have the sylvania silver stars on relays. Good for me. I’m going to try the Hella E-codes or whatever their current DOT equivalent is now, when the sylvanias die.

The nice thing about sealed beam is getting new glass every time. The Hella housings use standard h4 bulbs and I think are still decent glass.
 
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Pete Murray

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I went to NAPA for some parts and looked at their LED stock. The 1157 bulb said it needed to have a piece added to slow down the blinking as the LED's go to fast. They also have had people come in who have installed seal beams and they didn't work till they installed a voltage reducer. Any one out there that has any knowledge of this.
 
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