OK, for you fence sitters here's the straight dope on the Trucklites for the Sa/Fb.

Originally designed as drop in OEM replacement for Jeep Wranglers/Hummers they are identical also to the GE Nighthawk LEDs which for some reason seem to be priced higher. Price quoted is often for only one headlight so beware!!!!

I got the pair for $334 off eBay from upstate NY and arrived in Toronto for just under $400 all sales taxes in.

They are significantly thicker in dimension when comparing my Bosch H4 glass lens and the Trucklites polycarbonate lens. You may need to grind down the upper lateral Headlight Aiming Pad (nipple) to clear bodywork when lowering/raising the headlights. But they will fit, just!

Performance? Outstanding. Much better lateral illumination especially with highbeams because the low beam led remains on whereas the H4 low beam filament is switched off. Still, not as good as a modern factory equipped Audi but close. And I do need to refine the headlight alignment.

Should last for centuries and current draw is 50% less than H4s, save your combination switch. I've already had to clean the contacts on mine and fear the day when it fails completely. It might mean it is no longer necessary to install the Black Dragon relay equipped headlight wiring harness which is an additional cost savings you can put towards the high purchase price.

 

I took the cheap route and put LED bulbs in my Hella H4's. Low beams are exquisite, high beams not so much. But it's still a big win as far as I'm concerned. The low beams are so good I don't see a reason to switch. Yet.

 

Nice review... Thanks for sharing!
I'm going to pick up a set.

 

Bumping this up so it doesn't get lost in all the new responses to other threads.

 

ive been eying some new headlights, but thats way more than im willing to spend. Does the LED have any advantage over say Hella ecodes, other than the power draw?

 

David,

I suspect my Bosch headlamps which are E code compliant probably work as well as the Hella E-Codes. If you look at the dispersal pattern of light, the Trucklites are better in every way, especially so in the high beam mode. Very significantly better.

So while Hella E-Codes are better than OEM sealed beam headlamps, if you spring for a pair plus the Black Dragon wiring harness upgrade and a pair of expensive halogen bulbs you are halfway to the price of the Trucklites.

 

What all is involved in this swap? Ballast resisters, wiring harnesses? What comes in the kit? Im so used to the xenons in the RX8 now that when I drive the SA I'm disappointed by the Silverstars.

 

Precisely part 2 of my point, there is nothing else involved, just a straight swap and you get illumination very nearly as good a modern HID's/xenons.

 

Is there any way you can show a pic of the part you had to grind down to make it fit? So essentially I could buy this kit and install with my stock wiring

 

That lighting is incredible. I'll definitely consider these when the time comes.

 

Here ya go!

You might have to grind off this nipple.

 

Glass or plastic?

 

It's a hard-coated polycarbonate lens, per eBay listing

I was eyeing these but never pulled the trigger, Jim thanks for sharing.

 

I dont know, I guess they are okay... wait whats this ? what the !






Great Work !!! Will be adding this to my build !

 

Hey Fc in West Viginia, appreciate that you REALLY lust after the headlamps. Just can't believe the mods allow you to post that cartoon!!!!!

 

They seem good quality. Just hope they dont yellow and fog like plastic lighting.

 

Lol, there are much worse things posted on the club but if its offensive to you or a distraction from the thread it can be removed without a fuss. I dont think I have the ability to but I dont have an issue with its removal.

On a serious note, I had went a foolish route buying some mediocre headlamp housings in hopes of cutting out the backs and installing retrofit HIDs in them. But since this discovery has been made, especially for the price, I think this is perhaps the best solution yet.

I did see that HotWaterLabs at some point are going to sell what I think is a flush mount kit, HOWEVER, they are $1000. Which I would never spend that much on a headlight upgrade.

Again, great work.

 

 

Sorry, a typo. Should have read 27270C!
Jim

 

This is something to really look into. The lights do look incredible Jim! The fact that they are nearly plug and play is a huge selling point as I would put them on my 85 and that is a car that I don't really want to alter much.

 

Alright, so I picked these up off of ebay for $70 each. They are direct replacements of Truck Lite's 27270C's. Are you sure this three prong connector or adapter they come with is a direct swap for my 84 GSL-SE?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Phase-7-Tru...72.m2749.l2649

 

 

Bluezone, So were the LED headlight plug in play with the adapter they provided?

I have been looking into converting my headlights into LED's as the next mod to my car.

Thanks,
Ernie

 

 

Nice, next mod that I will be doing for sure.

Thanks!