Retrofitting FSJ headlights

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v8vendetta
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Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by v8vendetta »

So I've been researching projector retrofits. This could be done on either the round 7" or the square 5"x7". How much of a demand would there be for something like this? I will post reference pictures below of what a projector looks like in housing and what the beam pattern would come out like.

Note that these pictures are not mine and not my work, but only a representation of what they could look like

7" round retrofit: Image

5"x7" square retrofit: Image

What a projector beam pattern looks like vs halogen: Image
1976 Jeep J-20
401 V8 w/ CRT HEI conversion
Blown TH-400
--------------------------------------
1989 Grand Wagoneer
360 V8
727
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Cecil14
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by Cecil14 »

I would certainly be interested, depending on cost and quality. I've seen some pretty horribly built projectors, and I definitely don't want that for my rig.

I love the lighting pattern of projectors, though. I've been looking for some for our stuff for quite a while and haven't found anything that's not either stupid expensive or super cheap. I was just planning to go with LEDs at this point instead.


aa
1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank
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HeavyMetalThunder_81
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by HeavyMetalThunder_81 »

I just wish they didn't look so sci-fi futuristic. That really takes away from the vintage look of these Jeeps. Even a lot of the LED options are real gaudy. Is a modern headlight design in a normal looking package too much to ask for?
-Jonny B.
1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
7" lift, 35x12.5x15
AMC 401 - Pro-FLo 4 FI
NV4500/NWFBB/NP205 - Triple Stick'd
F D44 - 4.10, Eaton E-Locker
R M23 - 4.10, Detroit Locker

1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
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KJ Ryu
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by KJ Ryu »

I agree. They'd look a lot better if the glass was more like the original, instead of perfectly smooth.
Ron

2005 KJ, Hit-n-Run, 2am 6-17-2012, Totaled. :mad:
1977 SJ J10, 4v360, T18, D20, 37x14s, SOA & SF on tons, still ugly.
1978 SJ Wagoneer, 4v360, QT, 33x12.5s, lift by Sawzall :-bd NOT Running :(
1977 SJ J10, SniperEFI 401, QT, D44s, 31X10.5s :fsj:
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kansasboy001
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by kansasboy001 »

Yeah a patterned glass that would help to hide the look of the projector would be nice
1983 Cherokee Laredo. 360/ 727/ np228/ Junkyard 7427 TBI/ Msd ignition

Topic author
v8vendetta
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by v8vendetta »

With projectors the glass can't be patterned, it would warp the light output

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1976 Jeep J-20
401 V8 w/ CRT HEI conversion
Blown TH-400
--------------------------------------
1989 Grand Wagoneer
360 V8
727
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merrill77
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by merrill77 »

FWIW, I'm only interested in upgrading to something that maintains the stock look of the car.
77 Wagoneer and 97 TJ.

FSJ Guy
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by FSJ Guy »

Projector beams are nice, but they don't look right on an old vehicle unless it's a custom rod rod, IMHO.

The H4 conversions still look "period" correct and offer a sharper cutoff beam.
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j10jim
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by j10jim »

i would be interested depending on price and quality.
1980 J10/20
Rusty's 4" lift, 2" body lift, old Cliffhanger front bumper, 35" tires, 65 dash w Speedhut gauges.
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Stuka
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by Stuka »

The issue with these is then tend to be extremely cheaply made unless you pay big bucks, and very few of them are DOT approved unless you pay big money.

But adapting them should not be hard if you have round lights. These are made for GM's of the same year.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

letank
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by letank »

FSJ Guy wrote:Projector beams are nice, but they don't look right on an old vehicle unless it's a custom rod rod, IMHO.

The H4 conversions still look "period" correct and offer a sharper cutoff beam.
X2, I installed the hella brand H4, with relays, it is perfect, the cut off with the upside angle on the right side is the best $ spent, about $50 per light.
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

Topic author
v8vendetta
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by v8vendetta »

letank wrote:
FSJ Guy wrote:Projector beams are nice, but they don't look right on an old vehicle unless it's a custom rod rod, IMHO.

The H4 conversions still look "period" correct and offer a sharper cutoff beam.
X2, I installed the hella brand H4, with relays, it is perfect, the cut off with the upside angle on the right side is the best $ spent, about $50 per light.
I personally love the look of projectors on any car. I would use equipment from theretrofitsource.com to do them
1976 Jeep J-20
401 V8 w/ CRT HEI conversion
Blown TH-400
--------------------------------------
1989 Grand Wagoneer
360 V8
727

Bigbadjeep
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by Bigbadjeep »

Vintage Car LED Makes a Rectangular Replacement, They look just like a stock housing, with wrinkle glass. But are fitted with LEDs The ones I ordered for my 66 bug were perfect. Check em out!
1984 J10
360, 727, Amc20, 44 Up front
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Topic author
v8vendetta
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Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 2:09 pm
Location: Gillette, WY

Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by v8vendetta »

v8vendetta wrote:
letank wrote:
FSJ Guy wrote:Projector beams are nice, but they don't look right on an old vehicle unless it's a custom rod rod, IMHO.

The H4 conversions still look "period" correct and offer a sharper cutoff beam.
X2, I installed the hella brand H4, with relays, it is perfect, the cut off with the upside angle on the right side is the best $ spent, about $50 per light.
I personally love the look of projectors on any car. I would use equipment from theretrofitsource.com to do them
My thoughts exactly
1976 Jeep J-20
401 V8 w/ CRT HEI conversion
Blown TH-400
--------------------------------------
1989 Grand Wagoneer
360 V8
727

Adventure_Wagon88
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by Adventure_Wagon88 »

Bigbadjeep wrote:Vintage Car LED Makes a Rectangular Replacement, They look just like a stock housing, with wrinkle glass. But are fitted with LEDs The ones I ordered for my 66 bug were perfect. Check em out!
Yeah those look awesome aren't bad priced. http://www.vintagecarleds.com

will e
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by will e »

Vintage car LED's look interesting. I would assume the light pattern isn't as good as the purpose built units. Anyone try the round ones?
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Cecil14
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by Cecil14 »

They're not projectors, at least not from what I can tell. They look like any standard halogen housing with an LED bulb in it, albeit hopefully a bulb designed for said housing. I wouldn't expect anything special out of them, except possibly a bit less power draw and longer bulb life. Maybe.


aa
1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank
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wimsurf
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Re: Retrofitting FSJ headlights

Post by wimsurf »

I have been trying better lights, high power halogen basically draws too much power from stock '80's electronics. I bought some Philips h4 LED bulbs and they are amazing, they are bright, a bit spotty though, but they draw less power so for now no need to upgrade my electronics.

LED is a lifesaver in my case (I live In the Netherlands, so in the winter months it is dark by 4;30 pm..)
1984 grand wagoneer
  • topaz gold | deep night blue,
  • AMC 360 v8 | 2019 5.7 hemi,
  • TF727 auto 3 speed | 8hp70 8 speed
  • nutmeg interior | sand or almond interior to be decided
it's a project now:
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... 35#p197535
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