Installed Truck-lite 27270C 7" LED headlights | FerrariChat
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Installed Truck-lite 27270C 7" LED headlights

Discussion in '308/328' started by GordonC, Apr 20, 2014.

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  1. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #1 GordonC, Apr 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This might be my first DIY post on this forum! A headlight change is one of the easiest DIY tasks and normally wouldn't be worthy of a dedicated thread, but this might be of interest because of the particular headlights.

    Background - I bought my 84 Euro 308GTS QV in July 2013, and have been doing a LOT of catch-up maintenance on it over the winter - and most of that work has only been possible thanks to the threads posted here, so thank you to the forum! I have to finish checking valve clearances, change the timing belts, and change the water pump, and it will be ready for the road.

    However, taking a break from those tasks, today I installed a pair of Truck-lite 27270C 7" round LED headlights (the identical lights are also sold by GE as the GE Nighthawk LED). These are not your ricer style LED bulbs stuffed in a halogen housing (definitely NOT recommended, that configuration gives terrible light output), but a properly engineered unit designed specifically for the LED source. These have been available for almost 2 years, and have become very popular with the Jeep community, where they have proved not only to have excellent output, but are rugged, durable, and long-lived. There was a brief discussion of them in this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/438260-headlight-relay-mod.html , where chris_columbia recommended them, but otherwise, my searching skills didn't turn up any other reference to them on Ferrarichat.

    My QV was already equipped with Cibie H4 7" lights, but not the "newer" pattern - they might well have been the original lights. The main reason I replaced these was for the lower electrical draw. Vintage Italian electrical systems are not the greatest, and it's common to find that the headlights are not getting full current and require additional relays providing power directly from the battery to get good light output. Rather than mess with the electrical system, I decided to install these LED lights which draw significantly less power than the halogen H4 lights, so won't be affected as much by the marginal electrics.

    The secondary reason was for the improved light output. The Truck-lite 27270C lights have received rave reviews from everyone who has tried them, so I was comfortable with ordering them. I bought them through Amazon.com, price varies depending on the supplier and the phase of the moon but these were around $350 for the pair.

    Here is a few side by side comparison photos of the Truck-lite 27270C and the Cibie H4:
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  2. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #2 GordonC, Apr 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The lights were as easy to install as any H4 7" round headlight - on the QV, there's no ability to raise the lights without having them illuminated, so I turned the lights on, then disconnected the ground connector under the hood.

    Removing the surround and loosening the trim ring, the old headlights are easily removed, and the new headlight plugs in directly to the same H4 connector.

    The 27270C has a flatter face than the Cibie, and it protrudes slightly more from the mounting surface, but there are no clearance issues at all.
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  3. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #3 GordonC, Apr 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The light has two separate compartments, with two separate LEDs - the top compartment has the low beam LED, and the bottom compartment has the high beam LED. This is what gives this light superior output to a regular H4 halogen light, and better than any H4 reflector with a HID or LED bulb substituted - the optics are designed specifically for the LED. On low beam, just the upper LED is powered, and on high beam, both the upper and lower LEDs are powered.

    I won't get them out on the road for a while, but from all other reports the light output is brighter, wider, and deeper than any halogen light, and also better than HID lights. If you're looking for a lighting upgrade that at the same time eases the load on the electrical system and doesn't require modifying the wiring harnesses with relays, check these out.

    Here's an Amazon listing for these units, priced per light (two required) at $182 each: Amazon.com: Truck-Lite 27270C 7" Round LED Headlamp **This is one lamp, price is per unit**: Automotive

    Here's another listing for a pair for $355: Amazon.com: Jeep Wrangler LED Headlamp Conversion Truck-Lite 27270C 7" Round **Price for Two Lamps**: Automotive
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  4. Sean308

    Sean308 Formula Junior

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    #4 Sean308, Apr 20, 2014
    Great thread Gordon, i will consider these when and if I update my headlights.
    Cheers
     
  5. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    #5 Todd308TR, Apr 20, 2014
    Very nice.
     
  6. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    #6 thecarreaper, Apr 20, 2014
    Very cool thread. Thank you for sharing.
     
  7. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #7 mike996, Apr 20, 2014
    Nice - I was looking at these bulbs for an old motorcycle (Norton Commando) but they protruded from the headlight shell in a very unattractive way so it was a no-go. On these cars it looks like it works great since there is clearance to open/close and since the lights are usually out of sight, any protrusion is of no consequence appearance-wise! Nice job/good info!
     
  8. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

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    #8 Crowndog, Apr 20, 2014
    Interesting option. Is the light glass or plastic up front? The back looks like plastic.


    When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife
     
  9. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

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    #9 Crowndog, Apr 20, 2014
    Sorry, just read the Amazon description - polycarbonate.


    When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife
     
  10. nullspace

    nullspace Karting

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    #10 nullspace, Apr 20, 2014
    This looks like a great idea - functional, stealthy, and a big safety improvement.
     
  11. TacElf

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    #11 TacElf, Apr 20, 2014
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2014
    Front appears to be a thick polycarbonate (non-yellowing, Mil-spec according to the spec sheet), whereas the back is die-cast aluminum coated black. The whole unit feels solid and well designed. No toys here. The light-quality is excellent though there's a bit of a X pattern in the center of each lamp's output. Makes it easy to aim ;). Light color is much more white than the original yellowish sealed beams our poor US-spec cars are saddled with, so it takes a bit of getting used to.

    Low beams are bright, with a distinct upper cutoff. The high-beams are extremely bright -- more so than even my Lexus (HID + separate high-beam bulbs).
     
  12. Renato

    Renato Formula Junior

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    #12 Renato, Apr 21, 2014
    Great post Gordon! I did this upgrade last summer and am very happy with the results. I sill maintain that the output is better than the HIDs in my Audi Q7 HIDs and my wife's 996.2 litronics.
     
  13. JohnnyTS

    JohnnyTS Formula Junior

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    #13 JohnnyTS, Apr 22, 2014
    Very nice, I've seen this before, those light unit looks very modern, I've replaced my headlight globes with Osram Nightbreaker Plus and cleaned all the contact at the same time including the relay contacts for the lights.

    I've got close to Xenon light intensity and 100% better than the old halogen globes. (H4 type) the high beam are also fantastic, very far reflection and more white.
     
  14. hanknum

    hanknum Formula 3

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    #14 hanknum, Apr 22, 2014
    This is a win/win...better light output and lower current draw.

    I've been thinking about this, but waiting for the price to come down some.

    Nice job.
     
  15. 308gtsqv

    308gtsqv Formula Junior

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    #15 308gtsqv, Apr 22, 2014
    This is why I love this Forum. I've been looking at these for months now wondering how it'll look. Only reason I haven't done it yet was because it was winter and no sense in spending the money when I wouldn't even be using them till now. I hate driving the car at night because of how bad the lights are. Can't wait to get these.

    Thanks for write up!
     
  16. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    #16 Todd308TR, Apr 23, 2014
    Have you used them at night yet?
     
  17. Renato

    Renato Formula Junior

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    #17 Renato, Apr 23, 2014
  18. TacElf

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    #18 TacElf, Apr 23, 2014
    Yes. Properly aimed, these completely change the nighttime driving experience. The original sealed beams are like candle lanterns compared to the LED headlamps.
     
  19. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    #19 Todd308TR, Apr 23, 2014
    Thanks, I'll send some to Wade to install on mine!
     
  20. LI2782

    LI2782 Formula Junior

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    #20 LI2782, Apr 23, 2014
    ha! I have these on my Jeep and they're great.

    I'm going to post some other 7" round headlight options:

    JW Speaker - supposed to be 'brighter' than Truck Lites, but nearly double the price 8700 Evolution - Other - J.W. Speaker Corporation

    KC HiLites - Similar to Truck Lites, but reported to have a more 'even' spead. Expensive, but can be had for about $450 on amazon
    7" LED Headlight Set - 07-14 Jeep JK - H4 DOT - KC #42321 (Spread Beam)

    HID Projectors - for those who want Xenons, not LEDs. These are made in the guy's garage and it's apparently in the build quality. Many have used them trouble free, but some have moisture issues. Great output and personalization options, but get very expensive very fast.
    ©2012-2013 HID Projectors
     
  21. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 BigTex, Apr 23, 2014
    Gordon,

    Can I have your old sealed beams??
    :D :D :D

    I like the new lenses though.....that's COOL!!!
     
  22. chris_columbia

    chris_columbia Formula Junior
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    #22 chris_columbia, Apr 23, 2014
    Glad you beat me to it Gordon. Now no risk on my part. There is no such thing as non-yellowing Polycarbonate under UV light. However, since our lights are out of the sun, I think we are safe.

    Don't forget, the biggest reason for this upgrade is that these bulbs tolerate a really low voltage, which is important for us, because if you measure voltage at the headlights without the relay upgrade, you will see something like 9V.
     
  23. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    #23 Todd308TR, Apr 23, 2014
    Ordered mine, sent to Wade, 308Nut.
     
  24. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
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    #24 JCR, Apr 23, 2014
  25. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3
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    #25 Jeff328, Apr 26, 2014
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