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LED headlights: worth the cost?

CGT80

CGT80

1/2 ton status
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I have a 79 C20 with the 7" round headlights. One of them is burned out again. They are sylvania and I think they are the silverstars which are $25 bucks each, but they don't have them in the store anymore. The lower grade light is the xtravision for $17 bucks each. The current lights are better than stock halogen, but they suck compared to new trucks.

I saw some GE LED fixtures for our trucks. Great reviews and they are one piece and have the right cut off to not blind people. They are plug and play, but the price is really up there.

$276 each, with a $100 off coupon to make it $176 each. I would have to get a family member to buy a second one as it is a limit of one coupon per person.

$350+ for a pair of killer headlights.

http://www.amazon.com/GE-NIGHTHAWK-...sr=1-12&ymm=1979:chevrolet:c20#productDetails


I could order as set of silverstar lights for $50+

I don't drive at night nearly as much as I used to, but I still like good headlights. I am not sure it is worth the money, but I was curious to see if anyone has had experience with these.
 
Sounds badass, but not sure anyone has used them before.

That being said, you could be into some good bulbs, new lenses, and a relay upgrade for significantly less than $350.

So, if you just want good light, probably not the way to go. If you are willing to spend some money, and give it a shot to do something really cool and be different, let us know how they work!
 
Yes.....and......no......


In terms of performance YES!

For me, in terms of practicality, no. So i went with Silverstar, which is pretty good although not as good as an L.E.D.

Will the price drop?
 
I have driven an older car with led conversions. IMHO worth every freaking penny. I don't think though it's the best bang for the buck but they are awesome light s
 
The Hella kit cost me $95 when I installed it back in the day. Can't think of another upgrade or mod that drastically improved driveability for under one hundy, therefore the "bang for the buck" comment.......
 
I hardly drive at night now,unless I'm forced too--those LED's on new cars really blind us old farts with lens implants..:eek1:..

I can turn on my plow lights along with the regular headlamps on my '82 GMC--that really improves vision a lot,it has the quad headlamps stock,add the 2 6054 sealed beam plow lights on high beam, and you can see 3 times as far...but it also blinds others instantly if you dont shut them off fast enough..

I notice most stores dont even have sealed beams on the shelf any more!.:doah:

Most of the old square bodies around here have at least 4 K-C Daylighters on the roof,2 more on the front bumper,and a pair of driving lamps or fog lamps too--one that drives by my house often at night turns the darkness into daylight when it goes by...those "blue" headlamps are popular here too..

My Ford Contour's headlamps were so cloudy you could barely drive the thing after dark--I polished the yellow haze off the lenses often,but it only helped a little..I think old fashioned sealed beams were better than halogens hidden behind "cataract" lenses...
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

On the Hella conversion, did you guys use the DOT lights or the ECE lights?
This is the DOT version: http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-0023953.../ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/176-9393218-7268442
It has great reviews and is only $40 per light.

I thought about the relay upgrade for the headlights in the past, but my dad talked me out of it. I rewired much of the truck last summer and it seems the headlight switch handles all the current. I have a fuse box right next to the driver's side battery that I could tie to. This would eliminate using any old wiring and headlight or dimmer switch for the current and they would just act as a signal for the relays. The original wiring isn't impressive, especially after 35 years.

Did the relay upgrade make a big difference, when using the same lamps both before and after?

The hella upgrade would save me $250 or better. I agree it would be the best bang for the buck. The LED is sure tempting, but I could hold out and upgrade down the road, if the price becomes more reasonable.

Of course my K5 has the 4 rectangular headlights, so I can't just use one of those until I decide and order.

 
I believe that both of the Hella headlight sets the I bought are DOT legal. I would buy them again before going to led. Mainly due to the cost, but I also have be concerned with the problem of snow building up on them. Led lights don't make heat and I have had halogens get almost half covered by snow. Probably not a concern for you though. The guy that I talked to from Truck- lite told me that they have put grid heaters in the military version of their lights, not in the civilian ones yet.
 
Mine were DOT. If you go this route, be sure to install some clear adhesive rock guard on the headlight assemblies. The first set I bought got blasted by gravel driving in winter conditions were cracked within 2 months. I got them replaced no-charge, installed the protective wrap, and the new ones were good to go until I sold the truck 4 years later.....
 
CGT80 said:
Did the relay upgrade make a big difference, when using the same lamps both before and after?
Click to expand...

Yes it does.

Note I did it on a '74, so the wiring had four decades of corrosion and heat damage and god knows what. If your truck is newer and/or has always lived in a dry cool climate, maybe your wiring is in better shape.

But, even new, IMO that wiring is a bit small to handle the current, especially if you're using high-power halogens. (The ground side also has to be heavier if you do the mod where the low beams come on with the highs, as opposed to just the highs alone as original.)

You can search for my thread where I did the measurements, but IIRC I was seeing 15-25% more power at the bulb with new wires and the relays, same bulbs. I would say that, for the relatively low cost, that's a worthwhile project.

-- A
 
Truck lites and JW Speaker both offer excellent LED headlights as well. Almost every single semi runs them up here now. Very good output and excellent light patterns.
 
It usually rings true that bang for your bucks and the best are rarely the same.

One of the reasons I have for switching to a 73 front clip on my dually is a very common headlight. 7" round get whatever you want.
 
I ordered the Hella DOT conversions and will do the relay mod for them. Maybe the LED's will come down in price and be more affordable later on. I agree that the best isn't always the best financial choice. At least this should beat the xtravision or silver star sealed halogens that I have now.
 
One funny side effect of LED headlights is that they have such low heat dissipation off the front of the lens that they won't melt ice and snow....

It's an interesting down-side to an otherwise awesome new technology. Not that you SoCal boys care much about snow and ice. :)

-G
 
Greg72 said:
One funny side effect of LED headlights is that they have such low heat dissipation off the front of the lens that they won't melt ice and snow....

It's an interesting down-side to an otherwise awesome new technology. Not that you SoCal boys care much about snow and ice. :)

-G
Click to expand...

We like our ice just fine in our sodas. :rolleyes:

-- A
 
Depends on the LED. The JW speaker squares keep snow and ice off. They are a high wattage they make some heat.
 
DEMON44 said:
Depends on the LED. The JW speaker squares keep snow and ice off. They are a high wattage they make some heat.
Click to expand...


A buddy of mine out the JW Speaker 7" rounds on his 2014 Rubicon.

They most certainly do not melt any ice or snow. Makes for "artsy" photos though.... :D


-G
 
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