Brighter XLT Headlight Bulb Replacement?

[OFC Ranger]

Oh gee, how long is long enough for your approval?




When using a camera to try and "compare" light understand that your camera will be compensating for the average exposure of the scene (unless manually setting the exposure). As a result, the difference in scatter above a cutoff will be completely blown out by the main beam pattern below the cutoff. This is in part mostly due to the poor dynamic range of cameras vs the human eye (and when you have intense light angled downward, even 1/10 of that going into oncoming traffic is enough to daze/disorient).

Let's take a look at the argument.

On one side, we have forum users who want to get LEDs without spending money, and put chinese, no-name drop-ins for $20 (the alternative being replacement housings ranging from $500-200). On the other side of your "argument" you have industry experts. Which brings up another point - none of those drop-in LEDs are DOT certified.

Surely if the output profile of the drop-ins is equivalent to halogen it would be worth it to get certified (given the thousands of reviews). Where are the DOT approved drop-ins (and i'm not counting the no-name companies that just stamp "DOT approved")? Why haven't the big names in headlights gone through this little step and reaped massive profit? Swapping to the auxitos is illegal, so surely having the only legal option would pay off.

My biggest issue is you have people with no credentials arguing against the experts (and i don't proclaim to be one, but headlight experts have authored dozens of articles articulating this point better than I could), and Jim logs onto the forum and sees 40 pages of posts raving about how great those auxitos are.

In most states if not all modifying commonly modified parts of your vehicle is illegal. Exhaust engine how far your tires are from the fender etc etc

Not exactly a sound argument.

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[maxbottomtime]

In most states if not all modifying commonly modified parts of your vehicle is illegal. Exhaust engine how far your tires are from the fender etc etc

Not exactly a sound argument.

There are safety, nuisance, and emission standards. Headlights fall into the former category. Not sure I understand the argument here, as there is plenty you can do to your vehicle provided it doesn't violate those items. Why do you think CARB compliance is a huge selling point for performance modifications?

 

[Big Blue]

Can we put this on pause? I need to make some more popcorn!

 

[OFC Ranger]

There are safety, nuisance, and emission standards. Headlights fall into the former category. Not sure I understand the argument here, as there is plenty you can do to your vehicle provided it doesn't violate those items. Why do you think CARB compliance is a huge selling point for performance modifications?

I'm saying for all the arguments to be had, I'd avoid the legality one or you end up being a hypocrite less your truck is still in factory engineered spec.

Also, what is illegal in one state.... oh who am I kidding let me rephrase that, what is illegal in California may be completely legal in 49 other states. (a joke, but not a joke I guess)

Also from my understanding (which my be inaccurate) - there is no such thing as "DOT approved" or "DOT Certified"). The DOT does not approve or certify anything for consumer markets. The DOT provides specifications. So a more correct term would be "Built to DOT standards".

This is a common advertising misnomer used by companies far and wide, both by American companies no less foreign ones.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I'm saying for all the arguments to be had, I'd avoid the legality one or you end up being a hypocrite less your truck is still in factory engineered spec.

Also, what is illegal in one state.... oh who am I kidding let me rephrase that, what is illegal in California may be completely legal in 49 other states. (a joke, but not a joke I guess)

Nothing I've modified violates the EPA, lighting standards, etc. but appreciate the hypocrisy slinging as a defense.

Also from my understanding (which my be inaccurate) - there is no such thing as "DOT approved" or "DOT Certified"). The DOT does not approve or certify anything for consumer markets. The DOT provides specifications. So a more correct term would be "Built to DOT standards".

This is a common advertising misnomer used by companies far and wide, both by American companies no less foreign ones.

Fair point. You'll notice the reputable companies use third party testing and provide sheets with compliance testing results. So tell me why none of the big companies are selling drop-in LED headlights that verifiably meet those standards? Surely the companies doing complete aftermarket LED housings could use their knowledge of the process to have cheap drop-ins tested, and make a killing as the only player in the market.

Is this **big aftermarket LED housing** trying to keep the man down?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Nothing I've modified violates the EPA, lighting standards, etc. but appreciate the hypocrisy slinging as a defense.

I don't think you are understanding. There are federal regulations as well as state regulations regarding vehicles. Illegal is illegal right? Or is some illegal less illegal depending if its a national or state level legality?

Engine, Suspension, Lights, any plethora of things.

Technically in my state, me using my off-road lights on a government maintained road at 3AM in the morning is illegal even with no other vehicle in sight.

Also technically my truck probably breaks so many laws in California I wouldn't know where to begin.

Lets cut the crap. List your modifications and state of residence and we can clear out this feigned righteousness.

If you have none, then congrats? But no one is going to care is the bottom line, you are on a forum where a vast majority of the active users have made "illegal" modifications to their truck based on state laws.

Fair point. You'll notice the reputable companies use third party testing and provide sheets with compliance testing results. So tell me why none of the big companies are selling drop-in LED headlights that verifiably meet those standards? Surely the companies doing complete aftermarket LED housings could use their knowledge of the process to have cheap drop-ins tested, and make a killing as the only player in the market.

Is this **big aftermarket LED housing** trying to keep the man down?

My first guess would be something related to liability due to our society which has became rampant with tort laws rife with abuse and those courts that allow it. (we have an entire thread in off-topic about how stupid tort laws in America are). Remember kids, don't drink bleach, but if the company forgets to put a "do not drink" label on it, step right in, we will make you a millionaire. You get even more if they forget to slap the "in the state of california touching this product is known to cause cancer" label.

There is also a whole nother' rabbit hole to get into in regards to how the US is so far behind in car regulations than other places on the globe to boot. Ever wonder why you don't see sequential lights used commonly on factory spec vehicles? Because of age old laws that are hold overs from a begone era of auto manufacturing. Some companies on certain models have gotten around this by manipulating how the sequential function works so they can skirt these draconian laws, but the point remains - there is a lot of crap on the books that was created before the invention of newer technologies.

All that to say this, and I'll be blunt; if you want to argue anything, safety to other drivers, courtesy to other drivers, etc etc fine - OK by me. However arguing from a point of legality of modifications on a car forum is like going to a pot forum and preaching the legality of smoking pot.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I don't think you are understanding. There are federal regulations as well as state regulations regarding vehicles. Illegal is illegal right? Or is some illegal less illegal depending if its a national or state level legality?

Engine, Suspension, Lights, any plethora of things.

Technically in my state, me using my off-road lights on a government maintained road at 3AM in the morning is illegal even with no other vehicle in sight.

Also technically my truck probably breaks so many laws in California I wouldn't know where to begin.

Lets cut the crap. List your modifications and state of residence and we can clear out this feigned righteousness.

If you have none, then congrats? But no one is going to care is the bottom line, you are on a forum where a vast majority of the active users have made "illegal" modifications to their truck based on state laws.



My first guess would be something related to liability due to our society which has became rampant with tort laws rife with abuse and those courts that allow it. (we have an entire thread in off-topic about how stupid tort laws in America are). Remember kids, don't drink bleach, but if the company forgets to put a "do not drink" label on it, step right in, we will make you a millionaire. You get even more if they forget to slap the "in the state of california touching this product is known to cause cancer" label.

There is also a whole nother' rabbit hole to get into in regards to how the US is so far behind in car regulations than other places on the globe to boot. Ever wonder why you don't see sequential lights used commonly on factory spec vehicles? Because of age old laws that are hold overs from a begone era of auto manufacturing. Some companies on certain models have gotten around this by manipulating how the sequential function works so they can skirt these draconian laws, but the point remains - there is a lot of crap on the books that was created before the invention of newer technologies.

All that to say this, and I'll be blunt; if you want to argue anything, safety to other drivers, courtesy to other drivers, etc etc fine - OK by me. However arguing from a point of legality of modifications on a car forum is like going to a pot forum and preaching the legality of smoking pot.

I think you're missing the point I, and others, have repeatedly said they are not safe, blind oncoming drivers, etc. I was merely mentioning the DOT certification because these drop-ins wouldn't qualify, and if they would, someone would have surely done it.

At the end of the day, when you have lighting & industry experts saying they are not safe, and you want to just plug your ears and talk over them...

Sorry my truck isn't modded as you would prefer. enjoy.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I think you're missing the point I, and others, have repeatedly said they are not safe, blind oncoming drivers, etc. I was merely mentioning the DOT certification because these drop-ins wouldn't qualify, and if they would, someone would have surely done it.

At the end of the day, when you have lighting & industry experts saying they are not safe, and you want to just plug your ears and talk over them...

Sorry my truck isn't modded as you would prefer. enjoy.

ok

 

[Superspirit]

What a shit show this thread turned into. Best ended with an ignore button for the god of lighting and legalities. Mister perfect satan is calling. You should have been a Normal person.

 

[TXRangerTim]

What a shit show this thread turned into. Best ended with an ignore button for the god of lighting and legalities. Mister perfect satan is calling. You should have been a Normal person.

Haven't you noticed yet that most threads on oil changes, bed height and lights devolves quickly? Get some popcorn.

 

[HDA]

Haven't you noticed yet that most threads on oil changes, bed height and lights devolves quickly? Get some popcorn.

And after market gas tank threads.

We can't even agree that the tail dampener is the greatest thing to happen to the ranger truck line, even though it is obviously the greatest thing to come out for these trucks.

?

 

[Big Blue]

Glad I made a double batch of popcorn! ? This could go on forever.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Glad I made a double batch of popcorn! ? This could go on forever.

I just open a bag of this.

 

[ArchitectThom]

You just love fear mongering don't you?

I tried asking that a while back, but it does no good.

 

[NvrFinished]

As much as I would like to have the benefits of LED lights, I've come to the conclusion that it's not going to happen unless I purchase a proper LED light housing. I'm going to go with a stronger H11 bulb instead. I've learned from a few thousand hours of piloting airplanes at night and the years I spent racing dirt bikes in Baja at night that the lighting experts know what they are talking about. Just because a light is bright, it does not mean it's going to provide better vision. I've learned that eye vision at night can deceive you.

If it makes people happy to use an LED bulb in halogen reflector-style housings, then that's great. It's their choice and I don't have a problem with that.

However, I don't understand why people want to dismissively waive off with an attitude all of the third-party information and research that has been performed and written on the subject of why using LED bulbs in halogen reflector housings is not recommended. Only the manufacturers and vendors of LED bulbs support it. You can't find third-party information and research that supports why it is better. If that was the case, automotive manufacturers would be using them instead of providing the proper LED projection housings.

You can find third-party information on why LED bulbs are recommended over halogen bulbs in projector-style housings, but that is it.

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