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I had a bud send me this info and all I have to say is,,wrong I have a vid and pics that prove TruckLites can not handle snow like they seem to say..They need to come to AK and do testing before they say they have experience in the snow.. When I called them by the phone and told them I was in AK and what was happening, Literally was told "bummer" by the tech support guy. TrucK-lite admits they don't melt snow in the statement below..
__________________________________________________ _________________
Originally Posted by Truck-Lite on 2/18/2012
Hi everyone,
I'm glad to see the great response to the lights, and I'll try to answer some of the open questions here. The feedback is wonderful, and we discuss everything internally to try and help with any concerns or education.
SNOW: Snow build-up on the lens is something we have a lot of practice and experience with here in NY, as our office is located within a "snow belt". These lamps produce a great deal of heat, but it's pushed out to the back of the lamp, not toward the front at the lens. That means that the lens will not get warm enough to "melt" snow. Whereas traditional lenses create heat and melt falling snow, they also create moisture on the lamp surface, which collects more snow, and packs it on as it stays heated. With a lens surface that's cooler, it's much harder for snow to collect on the lamp. If a dusting were ever to collect, the white light cuts through it better, and it can be wiped off by hand. We've been very happy with the winter performance in our own experiences.
FLICKERING: The issue with PWM that we've heard about varies in intensity, and is something hard fix within the lamp itself. Any "in-line" resistors or regulators are likely going to be less-than-lifetime electronics, which have the potential to fail before the lamp ever would. We're looking to test a couple aftermarket harness options to suggest for those concerned, but we have to test them before offering them as a proven suggestion. If all vehicles were created the same, it might be easier to fix this. Even so, we're trying to find the best option available to offer those with issues.
INSTALLATION FIT: Installation is simple for 7" round retrofits. The lamp utilizes the same bucket and retaining rings of standard SAE-specified lamps.
LIGHT PATTERN: The pattern of this lamp is much smoother than the previous generation of Truck-Lite headlamps, and offers a smoother spread across the road. We'll try to post new shots as soon as the weather here permits, including installed lamps and images against a wall.
If there is anything else that I can help provide, let me know, and I'll see what we can get together. The feedback is great, and we really appreciate any concerns or questions.
Thanks everyone,
Jerry Lee
Here is where the info came from
I have no glue how this guy did his testing but he has no pic of them melting snow, just some handheld thermometer and yellow tape..no snow anywhere, so how can he say they melt snow? And look at post 15, hmmmm.. http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83292
I have pics and a vid, of no snow melting.. so I think my test is real world testing, not some yellow tape and handheld temp gun. Nor was I Truck-lite and just drove around for a sec and said yep they work in snow.
Yes Truck-lite is a good light, But not for extreme winter weather, Ive been proven that. No light was showing on my end. It was just as if I had 100w light bulb taped to the front of my jeep.
Did not show light down the street just up front around the jeep.
Originally Posted by djcherokee
I had the Trucklites in my old YJ. Built very well and installed great. I wanted to love them but I had a few gripes with them.
The "shadows" in the pattern bothered me during long drives. Everyone's eyes are different though so some won't mind it.
Didn't seem to project well in the rain. I'm guessing due to the whiter light being scattered more from the rain.
The snow issue. Didn't melt and had to pull over to clear the lenses.
I ended up selling them and getting Cibie housings with good bulbs and harness. I like them a ton better than the TLs. Sharper cutoff, smooth and even spread of light, and they melt snow no problem.
I know it might be a pain in the butt, or maybe just a Band-Aid fix, but I know there is a "Universal" windshield washer reservoir/pump/nozzle kit that is sold at auto parts stores.......................
One could mount the nozzles to spray onto the headlight lens with the push of a button...............
Maybe something like this................. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/an...FYlcMgodkUsAZQ
Might help to keep them clear while driving in heavy snow..........
In the interest of keeping the thread alive, and providing as much constructive criticism as I can, I got these today...
First off, I will say this: They are extremely well made. Just holding them in your hand feels good. They have a definite hefty feel, without being too heavy, if that makes sense...the fit and finish is very clean, they are designed well. The lenses are super clear, but in my opinion, could be a bit heftier. To me they would be better if they were made of glass, and from a manufacturing standpoint, that would be my only change, either a beefier poly lens, or a glass lens...I'm sure there's a reason behind it, and as previously stated, it's probably because of snow...I'm sure they have done extensive testing and chose what they did for a reason, but it is just my opinion, and not a show stopper by any means.
The reflectors inside are mirror-like. The thing I find cool about these lights is when you look at them they look black. That's because they're reflecting the black portions of the internal structure...cool factor.
The electronic portion of these lights is small, from what I can see, the exposed portion of the PCB the LED's are mounted on, is about 3/4" x 3/4"...I was in electronic manufacturing for the aerospace industry for 20+ years, and the majority of the components I can see are surface mounted, with two through-hole solder joints from the top PCB to the bottom PCB, and all of the solder joints I can see would pass NASA standards easily, I know a good solder joint when I see one, LOL...the wiring is a good heavy gauge, looks to be around 18 AWG, PTFE insulation, and the connector pins are well crimped with no exposed wire strands or stray nicks on the insulation.
One more thing I think is important to mention...I bought these used, and am actually the third owner of these lights, and they look brand spankin' new. Just thought that was worth mentioning...they seem to hold up well.
So all that said, this is just my aesthetic, out-of-the-box review...I won't have any actual usage reports until I'm done with the stroker swap. I will update with more pics and before/after opinions of the light output, cutoff, and so on. Will post up more as I have it...
First off, I will say this: They are extremely well made. Just holding them in your hand feels good. They have a definite hefty feel, without being too heavy, if that makes sense...the fit and finish is very clean, they are designed well. The lenses are super clear, but in my opinion, could be a bit heftier. To me they would be better if they were made of glass, and from a manufacturing standpoint, that would be my only change, either a beefier poly lens, or a glass lens...I'm sure there's a reason behind it, and as previously stated, it's probably because of snow...I'm sure they have done extensive testing and chose what they did for a reason, but it is just my opinion, and not a show stopper by any means.
The reflectors inside are mirror-like. The thing I find cool about these lights is when you look at them they look black. That's because they're reflecting the black portions of the internal structure...cool factor.
The electronic portion of these lights is small, from what I can see, the exposed portion of the PCB the LED's are mounted on, is about 3/4" x 3/4"...I was in electronic manufacturing for the aerospace industry for 20+ years, and the majority of the components I can see are surface mounted, with two through-hole solder joints from the top PCB to the bottom PCB, and all of the solder joints I can see would pass NASA standards easily, I know a good solder joint when I see one, LOL...the wiring is a good heavy gauge, looks to be around 18 AWG, PTFE insulation, and the connector pins are well crimped with no exposed wire strands or stray nicks on the insulation.
One more thing I think is important to mention...I bought these used, and am actually the third owner of these lights, and they look brand spankin' new. Just thought that was worth mentioning...they seem to hold up well.
So all that said, this is just my aesthetic, out-of-the-box review...I won't have any actual usage reports until I'm done with the stroker swap. I will update with more pics and before/after opinions of the light output, cutoff, and so on. Will post up more as I have it...
How did I miss this?? great first impression write up..Yes Roni please come back and give an update on how you like them and all that good stuff when you have them in..
How did I miss this?? great first impression write up..Yes Roni please come back and give an update on how you like them and all that good stuff when you have them in..
Will do sir. Hopefully not to far off...I'm just ITCHING to get my motor out, and the stroker in...after that, I'll be re-installing the old headlights, and then I'll take comparison shots. Should be just after the first of the year, work and life permitting, LOL
Had a wet snowstorm in Spokane yesterday and I noticed my TL's had completely covered up with about 1/4" of wet snow. Running Hella 500's also and they completely melted the snow. Wondering if a good dose of RainX will solve anything? Other than that problem I love these lights. I drive a long winding hill at night and these are worth the money.
Had a blizzard today with dry light snow and the trucklites didn't pack up and I drove for like an hour, it wasn't dark but I had them on so people could see me
Finally got around to installing my truckies. I had Sylvania Silverstars in there, so pretty much stock lights...installation is a non-issue, installs like any other lamp. I did notice it is a bit of a tighter fit, though, the old lamps had quite a bit of play in the bucket, not these. They do fit, but it's tight. I will say this about the trucklights...I am overly impressed with these lights. HUGE difference, in output, as well as less scatter, and a crisp, clean, cutoff line. In the pics below you can kinda see from my old light pics to the new ones, the new lights are much easier to aim, as you can see where the light goes, as opposed to being scattered. That said, here's my comparison pics...
Here's what the old lamps looked like.
One old, one new.
Both new, low beams...you can see how the aim was off on my old lights
Both new, high beams. Still not aimed yet.
After aiming them a little better.
In these pics my Jeep is about 30-35' away from the garage door. Right where the cutoff line is on the door is about waist high. Figured that was good for now, I will be using some family members cars (they all drive smaller cars for the most part) to make sure I'm not blinding anyone, LOL...so I'll have a bit more input after I actually do this, as well as driving with them. Fuel pump issues first, hopefully will be resolved this week. Stay tuned, more to come...
Great thread and write-up, Dumajones. It should be noted that Truck-Lite does make heated lenses but, thus far, only for their 7" round (Wrangler) lights.
I find it interesting that they claim to have no problems with snow build-up performance yet have gone through the trouble of adding a heated lens to their line-up. Maybe the heated lens is just for fun
Had a wet snowstorm in Spokane yesterday and I noticed my TL's had completely covered up with about 1/4" of wet snow. Running Hella 500's also and they completely melted the snow. Wondering if a good dose of RainX will solve anything? Other than that problem I love these lights. I drive a long winding hill at night and these are worth the money.
Yep, not to good in wet heavy snow. But I do agree these lights are worth it. I really like truck-lite, great headlight good color K temp. And no I did try the RainX
Originally Posted by triplets_red_xj
Had a blizzard today with dry light snow and the trucklites didn't pack up and I drove for like an hour, it wasn't dark but I had them on so people could see me
Yes they did good for me in real cold dry snow. But once it started to snow wet thick heavy cold snow, boom covered(read what Putttn said). Light did show through them, but it was like driving with a 100w light taped to the bumper. Zero throw of light down the street.
Originally Posted by roninofako
Okay, thread revival time!
Finally got around to installing my truckies. I had Sylvania Silverstars in there, so pretty much stock lights...installation is a non-issue, installs like any other lamp. I did notice it is a bit of a tighter fit, though, the old lamps had quite a bit of play in the bucket, not these. They do fit, but it's tight. I will say this about the trucklights...I am overly impressed with these lights. HUGE difference, in output, as well as less scatter, and a crisp, clean, cutoff line. In the pics below you can kinda see from my old light pics to the new ones, the new lights are much easier to aim, as you can see where the light goes, as opposed to being scattered. That said, here's my comparison pics...
Here's what the old lamps looked like.
One old, one new.
Both new, low beams...you can see how the aim was off on my old lights
Both new, high beams. Still not aimed yet.
After aiming them a little better.
In these pics my Jeep is about 30-35' away from the garage door. Right where the cutoff line is on the door is about waist high. Figured that was good for now, I will be using some family members cars (they all drive smaller cars for the most part) to make sure I'm not blinding anyone, LOL...so I'll have a bit more input after I actually do this, as well as driving with them. Fuel pump issues first, hopefully will be resolved this week. Stay tuned, more to come...
Those look great Roni..good cutoff line, you can really see the difference.
Originally Posted by F1Addict
Great thread and write-up, Dumajones. It should be noted that Truck-Lite does make heated lenses but, thus far, only for their 7" round (Wrangler) lights.
I find it interesting that they claim to have no problems with snow build-up performance yet have gone through the trouble of adding a heated lens to their line-up. Maybe the heated lens is just for fun
Thanks, and cool on the updated info about the round heated ones.
In these pics my Jeep is about 30-35' away from the garage door. Right where the cutoff line is on the door is about waist high. Figured that was good for now, I will be using some family members cars (they all drive smaller cars for the most part) to make sure I'm not blinding anyone, LOL...so I'll have a bit more input after I actually do this, as well as driving with them. Fuel pump issues first, hopefully will be resolved this week. Stay tuned, more to come...
That's about the best cutoff I've seen with TLs.
At 35' waist high seems a bit high unless your around 5'6"
My cutoff is 38.5" (3.5" lift on 33s) @ a wall so the correct drop at 25' is 2" which put the cutoff near waist level on me @ 25' and I'm 5'10".
Last edited by XJmike0122; 03-21-2015 at 06:33 AM.
Okay, got the jeep running boobies now, so had a chance to get it out at night. There isn't much for reference in these pics, but there is a small rock on the right hand side down field, you can kinda gauge it off that.
Low beams:
High beams:
I will say this, if you live in a climate that sees no to little snow, and are looking for a great lighting upgrade, don't hesitate to pull the trigger on these. I am thoroughly impressed with these things so far. There is a little getting used to the pattern that they throw, but it's not a deal breaker by any means. Best cutoff of any lights I've seen. The color temperature is fantastic...crisp, clean white light. Not that blueish hue you can get with some other light options out there. Installation is plug and play, so no issues there. The price is a bit steep if buying brand new, but if you think about it, it isn't too bad when compared to a properly done HID/projector setup, and you can find them used, as I did. Thanks Duma! LOL...Plus, I just think they make your jeep look killer...angry eyes, eat your heart out, LOL
Hi there.
Newbie to the forum but not to the XJ. My first car was a 1993 Cherokee Sport that I've regretted trading in since 1998.
I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a 95 Cherokee Sport. I'd like to keep it as close to stock for the time being but would like to upgrade the lighting.
Whats the easiest to install without going crazy. I like the TL's but I prefer the look of H4's. Any suggestions on detailed installation threads will be greatly appreciated as would your opinions.
12-10-2014, 05:53 PM
