Need opinion on which LED headlight upgrade is the best?

[77BroncoWag]

I have seen kits from $230 to $600 and not everyone list all the specs.

Some show
nothing
Lumens
Raw Lumens
Beam Distance
Color
or a mix of 2
nobody is consistent enough to compare online

 

[Shimmy]

what do you want out of it?
beam pattern important?
just super bright?
oem vintage look vs alien eyes?

 

[77BroncoWag]

I want better than OEM. Better road driving and off road. I do have other lights for off road but if there is something out there that can do both...
would rather have the whiter color vs halogen yellow. Beam pattern would be a normal DOT I guess

 

[Yeller]

I have these in my DD. Led Light

Huge improvement over stock, budget friendly, no complaints from others about being too bright on the road and bright enough I don’t feel the need for additional offroad lighting. They aren’t OEM in appearance but aren’t crazy alien eyes either.

 

[yakelys69]

thanks 77BroncoWag for the thread and input from Yeller, looks like something that will work for me.

 

[nvrstuk]

I have to repeat a Q already asked-

Budget
Stock look
Or both?

Really these two must be answered first then go from there. I did a write up on what several have agreed is the most stock looking, high quality LED headlight.

Then it's about money-huge spread there.



You can buy an LED bulb/light to put in your halogen housing but that doesn't mean it will be "brighter" and brighter has absolutely n o t h i n g to do with beam pattern and getting all that "brightness" to the road out in front of you so lumen output is extremely deceiving-hence posted numbers don'tmean much.

I haven't tested the KC or Holley because the KC led hdlt is 3X the cost of the Grotes and the Holley Retrofit is almost 2x the cost of the Grotes but I did compare the Grotes to 3 other LED headlights and my 2018 F150 & CRV. The Grotes had much better beam pattern and reached out farther. I posted pics showing the differences.

Grotes are one of the most stock looking 7" replacements that have an extremely good beam pattern & light output for almost 1/2 the price of Holley and 1/3 the price of the KC led replacement lights of you want a stock look. These are the top two looking lights that don't look like they belong on an alien spaceship.

I think the Holleys are going for $200 ea and I just paid $110 each for another pair of Grotes.

Money no object and stock look? I'd go:
1st -KC's
2nd- Holley Retrofit
3rd- Grotes

Personally, I don't like the look of some alien looking headlight on an EB. Same with 22" rims but that's a personally opinion from an old guy who has been daily driving Early Broncos since I bought mine in 1976.

Here's a good short thread here on CB
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/headlight-comparison-ipf-vs-holley-retrobright-led.316685/

 

[77BroncoWag]

First is a good beam pattern and brighter and distance. We have LED on a lot of our work equipment because it is very bright and we don't need to see 50 yards in front of us lite up a pair of those are under $75, but obviously on the road at 60 mph we do need way more than that.
$ isn't really a factor to me. Unless 2 lights are so good and hard to choose between I would go the cheaper route.
Looks are secondary.

 

[Shimmy]

the reason you don't see all specs listed for some of these lights is because they just aren't that impressive. if you want an affordable and bright option go for the grotes. if you want something better go on the The Retrofit Source site and check out the Holley, morimoto and other options there. IMO beam pattern is the most important. it doesn't do any good to have a super bright light that shines inconsistent or has a major hot spot that's useless

do yourself a favor and don't buy anything off amazon. quality is hit or miss and many of the vendors there are selling cheaper chinese stuff

 

[Yeller]

If looks and cost don’t matter JW Speaker is hard to beat.

 

[Shimmy]

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/buyer-guide-by-vehicle/1977+Ford+Bronco

 

[nvrstuk]

It looks like on the very last "page" that this site & source is the same company that has the top three choices for hdlts. Morimoto brand.

Doesn't seem very impartial but I know they are reputable.

 

[Shimmy]

they work very closely with morimoto yes. morimoto is one of the better aftermarket lighting companies in the retrofit scene. i believe holley teamed with them to make their retro headlights?

 

[yakelys69]

I have these in my DD. Led Light

Huge improvement over stock, budget friendly, no complaints from others about being too bright on the road and bright enough I don’t feel the need for additional offroad lighting. They aren’t OEM in appearance but aren’t crazy alien eyes either.

View attachment 888099

I was just checking up on this thread and realized the headlights in the pic don't look like the link. Also noticed the link has no reviews, can you confirm the link is correct?

 

[Yeller]

I was just checking up on this thread and realized the headlights in the pic don't look like the link. Also noticed the link has no reviews, can you confirm the link is correct?

I went through my history and dug up my actual purchase.
Original purchase

In the pic they have a lot of splashing from muddy water. Here’s a better pic. They look dark during the day instead of bright and when I’m use the top 1/2 lights up on low beam and both on high beam.

 

[SickWhips]

Just put these from HIDProjectors.com on my cruiser. Night and day difference. Would recommend

 

[Shimmy]

^ i looked at these too before getting my grotes. i've done a few retrofits myself so their DIY kit seemed like a slam dunk. i may still have to give these a try. i wish i could see a beam pattern comparison between these and holley

 

[yakelys69]

Yeller, thanks - mine arrived today, purchased from the 1st less expensive link and the numbers on what I received cross reference to your 2nd link you posted. Will be testing them soon but and certain it will be an improvement over my old ones.

 

[Yeller]

Yeller, thanks - mine arrived today, purchased from the 1st less expensive link and the numbers on what I received cross reference to your 2nd link you posted. Will be testing them soon but and certain it will be an improvement over my old ones.

Your welcome. Keep us posted, I hope your as happy as I am

 

[ssray]

In the pic they have a lot of splashing from muddy water. Here’s a better pic. They look dark during the day instead of bright and when I’m use the top 1/2 lights up on low beam and both on high beam.

Those look really similar to the Trucklites I put on my Rubi 7/8 years ago. Look dark and have the divider that splits the top and bottom like yours. They were steep when I got them and some places still have ridiculous prices on them but you can find them for 160 something. They‘ve been rock solid for me. They out do the two vehicles Mom has had an Enclave and an Edge. No. complaints from other drivers. They also have a more expensive version that’s heated in cold weather.

Scott

 

[helo-mech]

I have these from Wild Horses. Direct plug in replacement. It's amazing to be able to actually see at night. The 2nd shot is new on the driver and old halogen on the passenger side.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/17899/early-bronco-headlights