LED Headlights - opinion

[SteveO_71]

Have not seen these before but was wondering if anyone else is familiar with them or have them installed. I like that they are direct plug in with no adapters to fit classic cars. Dont know if they are a new product or been around a while.
The price is kind of high but they will most likely last the lifetime of the car.

Thoughts?

https://www.holley.com/products/electrical/led_lighting/retrobright/parts/LFRB155

 

[Stanglover]

Interesting. I've not seen those ones before. Downside, they're friggin expensive @ $199 US each. The upside, easier to install than using Hella globes and separate LED bulbs, which of course are replaceable without having to replace the entire headlight.
I would still want to add relays based on my experience.

 

[Sheriff41]

Interesting. I've not seen those ones before. Downside, they're friggin expensive @ $199 US each. The upside, easier to install than using Hella globes and separate LED bulbs, which of course are replaceable without having to replace the entire headlight.
I would still want to add relays based on my experience.

What's the issue with the Hella lights? I was looking at them (on Amazon) as an option.

 

[Stanglover]

What's the issue with the Hella lights? I was looking at them (on Amazon) as an option.

No issue at all. These are what I put in. Fit was perfect. The bulbs have drivers before the plug, (blue arrow) so a little mor bulky I guess you could say. I would assume the drivers for the Holley ones are built in.

 

[Hemikiller]

There's $300 of convenience tax built into every pair of those Holley headlights.

I used the Cibie/Valeo 7" housings with off the shelf Hella H4 halogen bulbs. If a bulb burns out, I can stop by any parts store and pick up another. I did use a relay pack from Amazon, as even the standard sealed beam halogens were tripping the breaker in my headlight switch.

From everything I had read, the Cibie housings have a better light pattern than the Hellas. Unfortunately, the Cibies are out of production, but they can still be found. -- https://www.amazon.com/Cibie-82440-...94YP3M6W/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B094YP3M6W&th=1

or buy direct - https://classicgarage.com/82440.html

They also carry the Hella housings -- https://classicgarage.com/he-70477b.html

The relay pack I used - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085N87SR3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It took me maybe a half hour to install the relay pack. It simply plugs into your headlight socket, and has two grounds, and a power lead that you connect to the Battery (+) side of the starter solenoid. Just the relays make a huge difference in light output, as your headlights will see the voltage direct from the alternator, not after it travels through 30ft of 50 year old wiring and connectors.

If you go this route and choose an LED bulb, be careful to find a quality unit. Lots of cheap junk out there. The LEDs should be made specifically as a retrofit for the housing. You also need to be aware of color temp, which is why I went back to halogen. Many of the LEDs at the time were only 5000k or 6000k, which I hate.

 

[Stanglover]

There's $300 of convenience tax built into every pair of those Holley headlights.

I used the Cibie/Valeo 7" housings with off the shelf Hella H4 halogen bulbs. If a bulb burns out, I can stop by any parts store and pick up another. I did use a relay pack from Amazon, as even the standard sealed beam halogens were tripping the breaker in my headlight switch.

From everything I had read, the Cibie housings have a better light pattern than the Hellas. Unfortunately, the Cibies are out of production, but they can still be found. -- https://www.amazon.com/Cibie-82440-...94YP3M6W/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B094YP3M6W&th=1

or buy direct - https://classicgarage.com/82440.html

They also carry the Hella housings -- https://classicgarage.com/he-70477b.html

The relay pack I used - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085N87SR3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It took me maybe a half hour to install the relay pack. It simply plugs into your headlight socket, and has two grounds, and a power lead that you connect to the Battery (+) side of the starter solenoid. Just the relays make a huge difference in light output, as your headlights will see the voltage direct from the alternator, not after it travels through 30ft of 50 year old wiring and connectors.

If you go this route and choose an LED bulb, be careful to find a quality unit. Lots of cheap junk out there. The LEDs should be made specifically as a retrofit for the housing. You also need to be aware of color temp, which is why I went back to halogen. Many of the LEDs at the time were only 5000k or 6000k, which I hate.

All good info Hemikiller.
I know we've been over this before probably several times and I mentioned that the relay pack I happened to get (same as yours) was faulty. I opted to buy Bosch components from Bill at HiPoParts and make my own relays and harness. More expensive, but I have peace of mind.
The LED's were Sealight H4 9003/HB2 6000K and personally, I really like them.
The Hella housings are 002395801 Vision Plus halogen conversion kit (H4 ECE).
Back to the relay kit, because I returned them to Amazon.ca for a refund, I was offered a free replacement set from the manufacturer, which of course I took them up on. No idea if it works, not been tested yet.
My own choice, I'm staying with 6000K white headlights and love them.

 

[turtle5353]

 

[turtle5353]

I got these on eBay for under $100. They work great and they have driving lights and turn signals built in.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi to All,
Looking at the Holleys, i had mixed feelings. IMO there are pluses and minuses with them.

PLUSES.
7 inch shallow fit plug and play setup. Semi sealed so you can remove and refit other types of H4 bulbs of your choice. They offer up a powerful light output in energy saving leds. (low watt drain is 25 watt on low beam and 30 watt on high beam. That low watt draw can give you a choice of installing relays or not) Choice of different Kelvins. (warm white, daylight etc) These are sold as bright white 6500 kelvins,but you can buy warm whites at 3000kelvins.

Minuses.
Too expensive cost. Limited life polycarbonate lenses that will cloud over and yellow up in time. Glass lenses are forever in that regard. No option of a Halo led light around the perimeter of the headlight. These bulbs put put 2000 lumens on low beam, and 3000 lumens on high beam. That is equal to 125 watts on low beam, and 200 watts on high beam. In Australia, where i live, these led bulbs are illegal to drive around on public roads. Wherever you live around the world, you would have to check up with your local or State authorities to see if they are permissible or not.

For me, the minuses outweighed the pluses, so i gave the Holleys the slip. What i ended up doing, and i was very happy with the whole end result was, to buy a pair of semi sealed H4 7 inch lights, that came with stock Halogen bulbs, plus an Led white Halo light setup around the perimeters of both lights. I dealt with a great American company called Octane Lighting. They sell this setup as i just described. In my case, i wanted to run Led lights, so i easily swapped the Halogens out for a set of leds. My led bulbs are rated at 1000 lumens on low and 2000 lumens on high beam. (75 watt and 125 watts ) These are a touch over my State regs for watts power, but that is a risk i choose to run with. I run a 6500 Kelvin bright white bulb, but you can buy warm whites as well. The halos look great as well. I use them for the front parking lights. The cost of 2 lights was close to $59.90 US. The company makes a big selection of lights, so there a many to choose from. References. https://www.octanelighting.com/

https://www.octanelighting.com/kit7...dligh-pair-6700-6650-and-4185-60w-blue-4.html
Greg.

 

[Stanglover]

I got these on eBay for under $100. They work great and they have driving lights and turn signals built in.

I like the driving lights (DLR's) built in. Not sure of the need for "extra" turn signals, but a good option for someone with a different car.
I had thought about (and posted about) converting my Mach 1 grill lights to DLR's, but the wiring change is a bit above my pay grade.

 

[Stanglover]

Hi to All,
Looking at the Holleys, i had mixed feelings. IMO there are pluses and minuses with them.

PLUSES.
7 inch shallow fit plug and play setup. Semi sealed so you can remove and refit other types of H4 bulbs of your choice. They offer up a powerful light output in energy saving leds. (low watt drain is 25 watt on low beam and 30 watt on high beam. That low watt draw can give you a choice of installing relays or not) Choice of different Kelvins. (warm white, daylight etc) These are sold as bright white 6500 kelvins,but you can buy warm whites at 3000kelvins.

Minuses.
Too expensive cost. Limited life polycarbonate lenses that will cloud over and yellow up in time. Glass lenses are forever in that regard. No option of a Halo led light around the perimeter of the headlight. These bulbs put put 2000 lumens on low beam, and 3000 lumens on high beam. That is equal to 125 watts on low beam, and 200 watts on high beam. In Australia, where i live, these led bulbs are illegal to drive around on public roads. Wherever you live around the world, you would have to check up with your local or State authorities to see if they are permissible or not.

For me, the minuses outweighed the pluses, so i gave the Holleys the slip. What i ended up doing, and i was very happy with the whole end result was, to buy a pair of semi sealed H4 7 inch lights, that came with stock Halogen bulbs, plus an Led white Halo light setup around the perimeters of both lights. I dealt with a great American company called Octane Lighting. They sell this setup as i just described. In my case, i wanted to run Led lights, so i easily swapped the Halogens out for a set of leds. My led bulbs are rated at 1000 lumens on low and 2000 lumens on high beam. (75 watt and 125 watts ) These are a touch over my State regs for watts power, but that is a risk i choose to run with. I run a 6500 Kelin bright white bulb, but you can buy warm whites as well. The halos look great as well. I use them for the front parking lights. The cost of 2 lights was close to $59.90 US. The company makes a big selection of lights, so there a many to choose from. References. https://www.octanelighting.com/

https://www.octanelighting.com/kit7...dligh-pair-6700-6650-and-4185-60w-blue-4.html
Greg.

Greg, that's a good write up with your opinion oh the Holley lights.
However personally I do not like the look of the Halo rings. A friend has these lights on his Z28 Camaro and I think they look gaudy even on a Camaro!!
The lights I have made a huge difference, but apparently way too bright for you in Australia.
These are the Sealight 6000k on low beam.

 

[Austin Vert]

Greg, that's a good write up with your opinion oh the Holley lights.
However personally I do not like the look of the Halo rings. A friend has these lights on his Z28 Camaro and I think they look gaudy even on a Camaro!!
The lights I have made a huge difference, but apparently way too bright for you in Australia.
These are the Sealight 6000k on low beam.

Hi Geoff,
Thanks. Regards the Halos - point taken and all good. Halos are a personal choice thing with people i guess. Some love them, some don't like them. It all comes down to personal preference i think. Regards our Aussie road laws, legal for us in relation to brightness or power output is a Halogen 55 watt low beam and 60 watt high beam. Lumens measurement is the new kid on the block to measure brightness/power instead of the traditional watts measurement. Color temperature is measured in Kelvins or K. A color temp of around 4300k and over is considered illegal. Your Sealight 6000K lights would be considered illegal here in Oz. Bottom line is a lot of Aussie drivers are pushing the road laws and installing brighter headlights with higher color temps and taking the risks of getting fined. In my opinion, 55/60watt halogens don't really put out enough power when it's all said and done. American/ Canada/ other World countries road rules are probably different and vary in this regard, i don't know. Reference. https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/blog/2017/10/which-bulbs-are-road-legal

Greg.

 

[Stanglover]

Hi Geoff,
Thanks. Regards the Halos - point taken and all good. Halos are a personal choice thing with people i guess. Some love them, some don't like them. It all comes down to personal preference i think. Regards our Aussie road laws, legal for us in relation to brightness or power output is a Halogen 55 watt low beam and 60 watt high beam. Lumens measurement is the new kid on the block to measure brightness/power instead of the traditional watts measurement. Color temperature is measured in Kelvins or K. A color temp of around 4300k and over is considered illegal. Your Sealight 6000K lights would be considered illegal here in Oz. Bottom line is a lot of Aussie drivers are pushing the road laws and installing brighter headlights with higher color temps and taking the risks of getting fined. In my opinion, 55/60watt halogens don't really put out enough power when it's all said and done. American/ Canada/ other World countries road rules are probably different and vary in this regard, i don't know. Reference. https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/blog/2017/10/which-bulbs-are-road-legal

Greg.

Hi Greg,
Actually, I think it is good that alternative lights are available for those who want to customize their rides. As you say, some like 'em, some don't and yes, a personal choice.
To be honest, over here, I think some headlights are way too bright, especially when they're higher up as on SUV's and pickup trucks, they blind this old guys eyes way too easily.
For me, I do very little night driving in the Mustang, but when I do have to, seeing where I'm going is kinda important and why I decided to add the LED headlights to all the rest of the LED lights on my car.
A question; is it that in OZ, headlights can only be so bright as not to blind the Kangaroos in the road?!!
Just kiddin'
Enjoy your new lights.