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Jk Headlight Upgrade

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by termin8ed, Nov 6, 2016.

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  1. Nov 6, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Got a set of free jk headlights and they install just the same and line up just like the original sealed beams. The plastic housing even has the 3 same "tabs" that index the light in the right location.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Need to use the original cj5 chrome ring to hold the lense on. The jk chrome ring isnt deep enough. You could always put a longer screw and some washers with the new one
    [​IMG]
    Took same amount of time to swap this out as a normal sealed beam. I just need to get a new pigtail and connector to plug into the H13 bulb. Ill play around and see if a 90* connector works or if i need to find a bulb with the 90 built in to clear the back of the light housing. Other option is to drill a hole big enough in the back of the housing to get the bulb in and out easier without having to remove the whole lens each time
    [​IMG]
     
    termin8ed, Nov 6, 2016
    #1
  2. Nov 6, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Thats really cool. I was going to do this sort of thing, but my H4 sealed beams are pretty bright.
     
    47v6, Nov 6, 2016
    #2
  3. Nov 6, 2016
    piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    Medford, OR
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    When you get the details for the back let us know,


    This is soo cool, I been wondering about this for some time now.
     
    piffey263, Nov 6, 2016
    #3
  4. Nov 6, 2016
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Good stuff. Thanks for sharing this. I would like to see a picture of the front of the jeep, in the day light, from 15-20 feet away. Curious how the modern lights look in the old JEEP.
     
    wheelie, Nov 6, 2016
    #4
  5. Nov 6, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Ive got some extra bulbs and connectors at work. Hopefully ill find something that works. Ill see if i can get a pic of one of each on the jeep to see how much brighter they are.
     
    termin8ed, Nov 6, 2016
    #5
  6. Nov 6, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    :whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle: :D:D
     
    Twin2, Nov 6, 2016
    #6
  7. Nov 6, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I get the "free" thing. But what's the advantage of the JK bulbs over replacement H4s? Apparently it introduces a problem with interference between the H13 connector and the factory bulb bucket.

    JMO - unless you are given the JK parts, the H4 replacements seem like a better solution.
     
    timgr, Nov 6, 2016
    #7
  8. Nov 6, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Lots of JK owners upgrade to led lights and such so I could see this as a fairly cheap/free upgrade assuming the wiring isn't an issue.
    Plus, this site is frequently about bringing forth new ideas for simple upgrades. Down the road when JK's start becoming common in salvage yards could be a very cheap upgrade.
    Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
    I like the info that the housing bolts right in but need to use the original CJ retainer ring.
     
    nickmil, Nov 6, 2016
    #8
    DanStew likes this.
  9. Nov 7, 2016
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    txtoller, Nov 7, 2016
    #9
  10. Nov 7, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    PeteL, Nov 7, 2016
    #10
  11. Nov 7, 2016
    CJ Joe

    CJ Joe Truckhaven Tough!

    Pinon Hills, CA
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    How do these halogen bulbs hold up to the common headlight mod of energizing both elements when high-beam is selected? I imagine they would be producing a lot of concentrated heat.
     
    CJ Joe, Nov 7, 2016
    #11
  12. Nov 7, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Depends on local laws. Member Patrick puts blue lights on the front of his vehicles. Big no-no here but legal where he is at.
     
    nickmil, Nov 7, 2016
    #12
  13. Nov 7, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    I didnt have any headlight connectors at work but ill work on finding something next couple days. If i use a bulb that has a 90 i think it will fit in the stock housing without cutting anything.

    I have some nice aftermarket lenses for the dauntless 69 but these are going in the plow jeep. If i bought aftermarket lenses for it i would double the value of the jeep:D
    Like nick said, i hear alot of jk owners upgrading their lights. This is an improvement over the stock lights. There is enough room in the back of the stock housing. Think its just a matter of do you want to leave the housing alone so you need to pull the lens any time the bulb needs to be changed, or drill a hole in the back of it so you can access the bulb like a modern car.
    I dont think heat would be an issue either with highbeams since they would be on just the same as a jk.
    Didnt even think about doing relays on it. Ill go one at a time and compare old to new and new with no relay and new with relay
     
    termin8ed, Nov 7, 2016
    #13
  14. Nov 7, 2016
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Headlight buckets aren't hard to find. I'd get a spare set and drill them for the bulb replacement. And, if I ever wanted to go back to original, I'd have the originals in a box somewhere.
     
    wheelie, Nov 7, 2016
    #14
  15. Nov 7, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Relays will protect your headlight and high beam switches ...

    Parts Express has them for cheap.
    "12 VDC Waterproof 5-Pin Bosch Style Relay SPDT 30/40A with Metal Bracket" from www.parts-express.com!
    "12 VDC 5-Pin Relay Socket For Bosch Type Relay" from www.parts-express.com!

    Two SPST relays would be sufficient, if you are pinching pennies:
    "Emitter 12 VDC 4-Pin Relay SPST 40A" from www.parts-express.com!

    30A is ca 480 watts. Add up the bulb wattage and stay below the relay current.

    If 40A is not enough ...
    "NTE R51-1D70-12F 70A 12 VDC SPST Automotive Relay" from www.parts-express.com!
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2016
    timgr, Nov 7, 2016
    #15
    47v6 likes this.
  16. Nov 7, 2016
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Yep.

    The green halo is only on as my parking lights.
     
    txtoller, Nov 7, 2016
    #16
    47v6 likes this.
  17. Nov 8, 2016
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
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    The reason JK owners upgrade the lights in them is because the factory ones are terrible..... I'm curious to see how you like them.
     
    jeepermc, Nov 8, 2016
    #17
  18. Nov 8, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Lights on my 2002 F-350 are way worse than my old '88 YJ. I had to add driving lights, just to see at night.

    Baffles me how designers so often can make things worse, after a century of practical automotive development. Darn CAD-monkeys need to get out in the real world.
     
    PeteL, Nov 8, 2016
    #18
  19. Nov 11, 2016
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
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    I literally lol'd when our new engineer had something that didn't fit like it was supposed to and he exclaimed "it worked in CAD, there's no reason it shouldn't fit!".. Nice kid, but it takes him 45 minutes to drill one hole. What kills me the most is that if he doesn't know something, he still won't ask questions or how to do it. It's caused me a few headaches already.

    And I agree...The headlights on those early Super Duty's are terrible and they only get worse with age. The later clear headlights are better.
     
    jeepermc, Nov 11, 2016
    #19
  20. Nov 14, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Well the stock connector looks to be straight so i gotta do some looking around. Problem is most of the stuff i see in the shop has seperate high and low bulbs.
     
    termin8ed, Nov 14, 2016
    #20
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