LED lights...

[1957 Chief]

Looking to convert to LED headlights on the ole '86. So many different types/makes out there, so id like to hear from the folks that have them. Since my truck has the 4x6's, is it worth it to get the high beams as well in LED or just get the low beams.

Ive looked at JW Speaker, Dapper lighting, and some others....

Thanks,

Bubba

[sweetk30]

if you got 4 headlight and wana save a few bucks you can do 2 low beams . but the high beam reach WAY out there so its not as noticable with good led low beams .

i have a 4 headlight setup on my k30 and j.w. speaker 8800 series low and high beam . best money can by in my opinion . been running them for over 3 years now if i recall . they use to be in my work tow truck . then when i left there i took them and installed them in my k30 .

had 1 low beam wire go bad at the crimp and they warranty swapped the plug wire unit no problems .

when aimed right the CUT OFF line is good to not blind other drivers . the WIDE spread is so great . were i would see a deer on the side of the road before i now see the whole herd of deer waiting to cross the road .

i live up north so i got them with the heater grid for snow and ice . its all automatic no wires or switches thats nice to have.

if you wana try cheeper try and STAY away from the 3-4 row all led diode super cheep lights . they suck and just toss light out and no reguard for where it goes and who it blinds .

my 1 friend has a peterbilt he drives and also owns it . he liked mine so much he had me get a set for his truck since he does a lot of late night early morning driving . he swapped them and took out the 3 row cheepy ones that were in the truck when he purchased it and LOVES the better quality beam and more true white color of the j.w. speaker .

pic #1 = cheepy 3 row led light . brand new garage door all white no real dirt yet . both pics #1 and #2 . NOTICE the beam pattern is all over as a blob . above and below door panel joint.
pic #2 = low beam j.w. speaker . NOTICE the HARD cut off line at the door panel line of the good light . also a WIDER pattern .
pic #3 = my truck with 2 low and 2 high j.w. speaker.
pic #4 = missed my low beams so much plowing i swapped in 2 low beam units and LOVE it now .

[Southcity]

Below is a link to a 5 3/4 LED write up review I did that you may find helpful. I live in the mountains and am currently running LED for low beam, Halogen for high beam and have found that the light output from the LED low beams is so good that the high beams are rarely used.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755421

[1957 Chief]

Thanks gents! Ill look into both of these. Will def start out with just the low beams now.

I noticed that Southcity has the relays in his light setup, what about you SweetK30? are you direct, or do you have the relays in the system.

Bubba

[Southcity]

I've never done a comparison, for example:

1. LED headlights with relay harness
2. LED headlights without relay harness

But LED's have a much lower load on the electrical system and probably perform quite good without the relay harness. My relay harness was already in place to support some H4 style headlights prior to switching to LED. I personally prefer routing as much power to the headlights as possible but I think you'd be fine without when running LEDs. You will experience much improved headlight performance with LED's that's for certain. Keep us posted if you upgrade, curious to know which headlight you end up with and your feedback on them once installed. Stay safe!

[sweetk30]

if i recall my heated j.w. speaker units max draw is 3 amp . so i didnt do a relay kit and dont think i will even need one .

[1957 Chief]

Thanks fellas. I ordered the JW Speaker LEDs low beams without the heater. We don't need heaters where I am. Made sure and got the DOT ones. Anxious to see how they work out.

Bubba

[Big Moose]

If you're looking to save a few bucks on the JW Speakers, check out a heavy truck wrecker. that's where I got mine from and they were a third of the price compared to new.
I also have the ones without the heater element and so far I haven't had an issue.

[focusedontheprize]

Thanks for posting this Bubba and to everyone's responses. I have been wondering the same and am looking forward to hear how you like them too.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

thanks for posting this bubba and to everyone's responses. I have been wondering the same and am looking forward to hear how you like them too.

+1

[1957 Chief]

Ok folks first off, Happy Easter to everyone.

Sorry for the length of time to report on this. Been kinda busy around the ole house.

Anyways I got the JW Speaker LED lights last Tuesday and boy are they sharp. I ordered them from Discount Fleet Supply outta Georgia. They were $183 bucks a piece and that made them eligible for free shipping. I ordered part number JWS0551371.

I took my meter and checked the voltage at the headlight plug with the old lights on and it was 10.1 volts. Battery voltage at the alternator was 12.5. After switching them out to the new LED bulbs I again checked the voltage and it was 11.7 at the plug. I guess the voltage draw for these things is like 1.7 volts. Huge difference versus the old school sealed beams and I do not have a relay system for the lights either.

After installing them I attempted to adjust the lights. At that point I realized that the POS adjuster screws stripped out the plastic base. So I went ahead and installed nuts with washers on the back, simple fix. I parked the truck 10ft from the garage door and measure the height of the light, and evened up the beam pattern with that height. Then took it for a spin and WOW the difference. Crisp clear light pattern and it was a total improvement from the old style. Its like I was driving my wife's new SUV.

Anyways Im sold on the LED lights. Yes its a significant hit in the back pocket, but well worth it when you consider the safety aspect of it. They were plug and play. I didn't have to wire a thing ,

I like them so much that I ordered a pair for my 1949 truck, and it has the halogen bulb/relay system already installed.

Bubba

[Southcity]

Great success story and write up! I think they look good, thanks for keeping us in the loop on your upgrade.

[farmall]

Are those low beam only?

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by farmall

Are those low beam only?

Yes sir, I only got the low beams.

Bubba

[Hart_Rod]

Same ones? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jws-0551371

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Same ones? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jws-0551371

Yes, but cheaper here:

http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/jws0551371.html

Bubba

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Same ones? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jws-0551371

those are high beam note tingle big lens in center . and there black back ground not chrome .

glad you liked them i knew you would .

[Bloodhound]

So obviously need a dual headlight setup for these? No combo low/hi beam lights?

[sweetk30]

yes there is . different part # for 2 headlight . and there is round options also .

j.w. speaker has TONS of options for stock replacment to all out aftermarket . they even have part#'s for locomotives

[rodstored-72]

does anybody have an idea of what the longevity (durability) of these lights would be for daily use? I am curious that they would not last as long as "normal" incandescent lights??

they do look really nice!!

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

does anybody have an idea of what the longevity (durability) of these lights would be for daily use? I am curious that they would not last as long as "normal" incandescent lights??

they do look really nice!!

Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. And they are not just about looks, they out-perform standard lighting in multiple ways. The lighting performance on a low beam LED is so good that you will rarely ever need to use your high beams but, most LED vendors sell both along with adapter pigtails if needed etc.

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Southcity

Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. And they are not just about looks, they out-perform standard lighting in multiple ways. The lighting performance on a low beam LED is so good that you will rarely ever need to use your high beams but, most LED vendors sell both along with adapter pigtails if needed etc.

Agreed

Bubba

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

yes there is . different part # for 2 headlight . and there is round options also .

j.w. speaker has TONS of options for stock replacment to all out aftermarket . they even have part#'s for locomotives

Hmmm all the ones I'm finding are either low beam or high beam only.

[sweetk30]

look for 5x7 size . there the combo of high/low .

in the 4x6 size there low or high only . no combo's .

---------------------------------

life span i use to run mine in the tow truck rollback i use to drive or over a year . then now in my personal truck after i removed them and took them with me . had 1 bad wire crimp was it . fixed it my self in 5 min . otherwise winter and summer all work great and no problems . my buddy has my 2nd set i didnt use yet from a project in his 01 peterbilt long nose and there doing just fine at 1+ year point now .

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by Southcity

Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. And they are not just about looks, they out-perform standard lighting in multiple ways. The lighting performance on a low beam LED is so good that you will rarely ever need to use your high beams but, most LED vendors sell both along with adapter pigtails if needed etc.

thanks for the reply. I will look into these for my '86 ls swap

I may even look for factory replacement led's for my daughter's car...
thanks again,