Please recommend a headlight upgrade

[DavidW]

What headlights are an upgrade from the Factory Five Roadster headlights that came in the kit. I'm looking for something brighter and the same perfect fit as the Factory Five headlights supplied in the kit. Plug and play if its possible, maybe LED.

[Kafka_Esquire]

I used a polycarbonate Jeep headlight. Super bright and a direct fit (I don’t recall even having to change the connector).

[steno]

Hella vision-plus reflectors with a high quality H-4 LED. Check Headlight Revolution on-line for TONS of info and sales. That’s what I’m running and love them!!

[Hoooper]

Any round 7" diameter headlight system fits. There are a ton on the market thanks to Jeeps

[Sdonnel]

Got these off Amazon. Let me know if you want the part numbers. New light is on the left and old on the right. Low beam setting.

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[cnutting]

I used Lucas repro PL700 tri-bar headlights. Brightness is good, not as bright as LED, but the lamps are replaceable so you can tweak this.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113875&d=1567873822

[Papa]

Pick your favorite 7" reflector. Like others have said, lots of discussions about these on the Jeep forums. I had a TJ Rubicon and swapped the sealed beams for a set of Hela E-Code reflectors with Sylvania Superstar Ultra H4 bulbs and really liked that combo. The issue is they are not DOT approved and I don't see them listed on the site that I got them from originally. Hela does have a DOT version now:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/hella-vision-plus-7-inch-round-H4-conversion-headlight-002395301

[nuhale]

I upgraded to the PL700 but ditched the halogens for LED. Used this setup. Required some minor rewiring and placement of the electronics but nothing too difficult. The LED light is super bright.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Tri-bar-Replica-Headlamps-54520293/dp/B01LFP2O0C/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pl700&qid=1611258120&sr=8-1

used these LED:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZD8CGNQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Hacksaw84]

There are a lot of 7"options out there. Both good and bad. See this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFLmu2MfTg


Most will not just be "plug and play" but will fit the hole/bucket. Some wiring and attachment mods may be required. There are a few companies who specifically sell kits for the cobra. Like Breeze (https://www.breezeautomotive.com/shop/led-exterior-lighting-kit/).

I ended up installing a set of Rigid Trucklite LEDs but I wanted a medium modern look.

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[Ray]

I bought these.....https://www.breezeautomotive.com/shop/led-exterior-lighting-kit/

Easy install and great lighting.

Ray

[mburger]

Ditto what Ray said. You won’t believe the improvement over the FFR lights.

[DavidW]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to get the Breeze upgrade!

[FLPBFoot]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to get the Breeze upgrade!

Same here with the Breeze upgrade. The LED turn, brake and tail lights make a huge difference!! Plug and play other than needing to change your flasher units on the fuse block.

[JIMOCO]

I tried a couple of options before I ended up with the Breeze LEDs (headlights only). The difference is amazing. Much brighter and peripheral lighting is much better. Good choice.

[richtersand]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful. I've been wondering what I'm going to do here and this thread answers it for me... Breeze all the way!

[pelzerd]

I recently bought this kit. Are both of the flasher modules in same place?

I’m not the original builder, but owned my MK2 for 15 yrs. Excited to do the entire upgrade.

[jrcuz]

I just saw an ad for Holley retrobright (sp) I may look into them for my Mk4.
JR

[Jim1855]

I've run the Hella 7" E-code (European spec) lights with the city lamp. Really like these. Then there's a choice of H4 bulbs of various flavors. And the lamps don't look out of place like some of the more modern LED lamps. The light output is excellent as is the beam shape. The low beam vertical cut-off is very sharp and can be adjusted parallel to ground rather than requiring aiming at a point on the ground in front of the car.

https://www.rallylights.com/hella-7-round-ece-headlamp-with-city-lamp-hl95146.html

With the latest changes in LED H4 bulbs I might consider these.

The Morimoto H4 LEDs are great but not cheap.
https://www.morimotohid.com/lighting/2stroke-and-led-bulbs/custitem_cat_facet_bulb_size/H4?order=commercecategory:asc

I've also run the Hella Black Magic driving lights. Did both changes at the same time. Wouldn't have added the Black Magic if I would have first tested the 7" lamps first. https://www.rallylights.com/hella-rallye-1000-black-magic-driving-kit.html

I really like the staff at Susquehanna Motor Sports. They have been excellent to work with and offer tech services and real-world knowledge. www.rallylights.com

Jim

[steno]

I saw the Retro bright lamp at SEMA last year. Very nice light and pattern.

[John4337]

I switched to the Breeze LED package, big improvement with a pretty traditional look.

https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/led-exterior-lighting-kit/

John

[Mike.Bray]

These are cool.

https://www.carid.com/1965-ford-gt-headlights/lumen-7-round-led-halo-projector-headlights-950696332.html?parentsubmodel[]=SUBMODEL|With+Factory+2-Headlight+System

[BrewCityCobra]

I just saw an ad for Holley retrobright (sp) I may look into them for my Mk4.
JR

I purchased a pair of Retrobrights about a month ago (still waiting as they are backordered), but I thought they looked promising. I'll be posting some photos once they come in (hopefully in the next few weeks).

[DavidWM]

Same here with the Breeze upgrade. The LED turn, brake and tail lights make a huge difference!! Plug and play other than needing to change your flasher units on the fuse block.

Still drinking from a firehose on the rebuild I inherited so bear with me, Gents.

Why do I have to change my 2 flasher units? Assuming to accommodate different voltage? I think mine are 20 amp?

Thanks so much,

David NY

[Jim Wehr]

I went with the Breeze option. Easy plug and play. Bet upgrade I have ever made.

[mrmustang]

I saw the Retro bright lamp at SEMA last year. Very nice light and pattern.

I have two sets of the Holley Retro Bright headlamps now installed, the vintage set on my 65 Sunbeam Tiger, and the modern white on my 2003 Caterham 7, will probably order a modern white set for the 289 FIA when I finish with other projects. Both sets are, no pun intended, night and day above the standard bright GE units......Night driving is 10x-15x over the standard units. Pricey, sure, but they are something I highly recommend.
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Bill S.

[Mike.Bray]

I installed Holley Retro Brights in my 68 Camaro and they are indeed very nice.

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[maginter]

Still drinking from a firehose on the rebuild I inherited so bear with me, Gents.

Why do I have to change my 2 flasher units? Assuming to accommodate different voltage? I think mine are 20 amp?

Thanks so much,

David NY

Hi David -

I would only worry about changing your Flasher Relays if you experience Hyper Flashing. If not, don't worry about it. I have only done the rear bulbs on my car, but I did not need to change the flasher.

Hope this helps...

Mark

[Ducky2009]

PL700 Tri-Bar Headlamps 54520293 - PAIR
AUXITO H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs 12,000LM Per Set 6500K Xenon White for High and Low Beam Hi/Lo Plug and Play, Pack of 2
Total cost approx $160 in 2023 (Amazon)

Plug and Play.... No additional parts needed. No modifications to the existing wiring.
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[FLPBFoot]

Still drinking from a firehose on the rebuild I inherited so bear with me, Gents.

Why do I have to change my 2 flasher units? Assuming to accommodate different voltage? I think mine are 20 amp?

Thanks so much,

David NY

If you go to LED on all 4 turn bulbs the original flasher cans will not work. You need the electronic ones to drive the LED turn bulbs.

[BrewCityCobra]

I installed Holley Retro Brights in my 68 Camaro and they are indeed very nice.

218169

X2, I have a pair of Holley RetroBrights on my cobra and they work great. Look stock but very bright. Easy install as well given they do not have any separate drivers and are a 1:1 replacement with the existing halogens.

[john42]

I upgraded to the PL700 but ditched the halogens for LED. Used this setup. Required some minor rewiring and placement of the electronics but nothing too difficult. The LED light is super bright.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Tri-bar-Replica-Headlamps-54520293/dp/B01LFP2O0C/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pl700&qid=1611258120&sr=8-1

used these LED:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZD8CGNQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1



This is what I did as well.

[DavidWM]

Hi David -

I would only worry about changing your Flasher Relays if you experience Hyper Flashing. If not, don't worry about it. I have only done the rear bulbs on my car, but I did not need to change the flasher.

Hope this helps...

Mark

Mark,

Yes this makes sense and thank you very much! I am going to try the Breeze and see how it goes :)

Best,

David