LED Headlights revisited Options

[rjames]

I know that there are already a bunch of threads on recommendations for replacement headlights for our cars, but as I am currently wading through all of it I can find in search of a quality LED replacement that isn't just 'brighter' than stock, but also emits an effective and safe light beam pattern, I thought I'd share where I'm at so far.

One of the other threads I found here suggested contacting lighting expert Daniel Stern of https://www.danielsternlighting.com/ for a recommendation. I contacted him and he recommended the Philips H6024 LEDs. These looked great on the car, but unfortunately the lens stuck out farther than stock and the headlight buckets wouldn't close without rubbing against the 'eyebrows'.

I circled back with Daniel and he then recommended the JW Speaker 0554941 lights instead.
Not cheap, and definitely further away from the stock look. I'm still considering options, but wanted to share all of this, plus an interview that Jalopnik did with Daniel Stern that provides some good information on LED headlights for others that might be interested in some expert info on this topic.

[technicalninja]

Why mix and match instead of a tested and delivered solution? Just curious.

Because I believe their kit has the exact same housings I found on Amazon.

The H4 replacement LED bulbs are the thing that is being upgraded to match the housings, not the other way round.
If your housing has a DOT designator on it, it was designed for halogen bulbs (at the current date).
If you have a H4 housing, even an old one, the LED bulbs should fit.
The biggest problem I see with housings is the reflective surfaces dull or disintegrate over time. I hate plastic housings.

I've used Daniel Stern for my lighting solutions since the early 90s.

I still have a bunch of the 3 prong pigtails he supplied years ago.

They have heavier gauge wiring in them than you could get from anyone else.

This was well before HID or LED were even available. 

Initially I'll probably just use the Osram Nightbreaker H4s with the normal Bosch relay upgrade to be 100% legal.
I will upgrade the 50-year-old charging system anyway.
I will have 2+ times the available power over stock.

Down the road I'll change to LEDs.

LEDs are still in their "debug" phase and improving with each generation hence even Vintage LEDs has three options.

This cycle is most pronounced in vehicles. I advise my customers to buy the last year in a series. First year will have over 1000 TSBs and the last year (after getting fully debugged) will have less than 50. After a model change that last year version will be "the best bang for the buck" as it will be substantially less expensive because it is not "the new hotness".

In defense of the VC5000 bulbs...
Right now, they look like the best option with the limited research I've done.
Low power consumption, extremely low heat generation, excellent light production.
Should last 5x longer than a halogen, especially a hot halogen like the Nightbreakers.
They have a lifetime warrantee.
They're here in Texas.

Negatives- not DOT compliant. This is not currently an issue in Texas, but it might be in other states.

I do not intentionally piss off the Police.
In a worst-case scenario, your car will end up getting towed as the Police will not allow you to drive it off with illegal lights.
If you're visiting and are 1000k away from your home this might end badly...
It all depends on the individual officer.

The Hella housings and the Nightbreakers should cost appox $130 and the $300 savings will buy my 160-amp alternator.

If money was not a factor, I'd probably just buy the full kit from VintageCar.
I'd do the alternator upgrade anyways and keep a pair of Nightbreakers in the glove box for that worst case scenario.

Due to the legality issues, I would not use a dedicated LED housing that looked like something from Star Wars. Those a dead giveaway to LEOs.

I have a bunch of LEOs as customers. Most are pretty sharp.