Life After Dark: LED Lights

Whether the purpose is for show or better vision while on the go, you’ll want to outfit your 4×4 with products that are nothing short of the best.

LED lights and their technology has made it possible to maximize the high-output capabilities of these bulbs, while minimizing the energy draw required to power so many of them. Better yet, the wiring and care of these new-generation light bars and auxiliary lighting is as user-friendly as it gets. Blazing new trails has never been easier or looked so damn good. But with all the positives that go along with purchasing a new lighting setup for your Jeep, there’s one major problem that can and will present itself: deciding which specific lighting option is best for you.

The selection of quality products available to you in the aftermarket is vast and exciting to sort through, but we understand that not everybody has the time. So, we went ahead and did you a solid by conducting some of the
research for you.

Besides, it’s our pleasure to provide you with the inside scoop; so here it is—our detailed guide to the brightest collection of lighting goods we could find. Some of it you’re going to like, some you’re gonna love, and the rest you don’t have to buy.

WARN WL SERIES 10-INCH LIGHT BAR

Warn’s WL series LED light bars are a prime example of putting a new twist on an already proven technology. The cutting-edge Warn Refratec optical design provides the lumens and candela (luminous intensity) you need while drawing less power from the electrical system. To appeal to the end user’s specific needs, Warn offers their new light bars in either spot or flood patterns. The spot beam is in a spectacular 10-degree full-width beam, which allows for a nice beam spread while still maintaining high candela. The wide flood beam produces a smooth 30-degree flood without the use of a diffuser for increased efficiency. Light-bar housings are available in 6, 10, and 20-inch sizes.
MSRP: $480

VISION X OPTIMUS HALO LED LIGHTS

Introducing the Optimus Halo from Vision X—style and performance wrapped up in a single package. Utilizing Vision X’s proprietary IRIS Reflector Technology, the Optimus series provides the ultimate focus for long-range lighting by producing 693 feet of usable light from a single 3.5-inch tall, 10W LED bulb. Compared to a standard 55W low-beam headlight that has a reach of 88 feet, and a standard 65W high beam that reaches 153 feet, the Optimus has both beat—no contest. Vision X’s Prime Drive technology is featured in the design, as it helps with integrated thermal management and dimming capabilities. The Halo integration allows for daytime running light (DRL) function or a slick little lighting trick for nighttime driving.
MSRP: $280

NOVA TECHNOLOGY HI/LO BEAM HEADLIGHT

Looking to replace your Jeep’s headlights? Well, if you’re going for something completely different, check out Nova Technology’s new hi/low beam headlight. The black appearance will add a devilish demeanor to the front-end of your Jeep, as well as produce daylight-like vision at night. A new optic design supports a stronger output while minimizing the draw from the power system. And as a bonus, Nova has worked on an angel-eye light ring for added style and visibility. You just can’t lose with this sinister-looking headlight.
MSRP: $60

PRO COMP EXPLORER S4 LIGHTS

There are many advantages to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for off-road use, from the white light to the ease of fitment, to the ability to withstand vibration and harsh terrain. Pro Comp’s Explorer S4 LED lights offer all
of these benefits and more at a price that can work within any truck owner’s budget. Four 3W, high-output Cree LED bulbs are used in each of the S4 housings, and each also feature a tuned chrome reflector that not only maximizes light output, but also focuses the light exactly where it’s needed most. The S4 housing is completely waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, and provides over 50,000 hours of LED life.

MSRP: $119

ENGO USA QUAD LUX MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT BAR

Any product out there that can serve dual purposes is always a surefire bet to gaining loads of positive attention. Engo USA’s Quad Lux light bars actually serve more than a couple of purposes. The bar provides both amber and white, solid illumination, as well as three different strobe settings. Engo constructs the Quad Lux housing from lightweight, die-cast aluminum with heat-sink extrusion and a bulletproof polycarbonate lens. The light can be used as a combination spot (center) and flood (corners) pattern to increase productivity and better safety while driving at night. The kit includes all necessary mounting hardware, so rip open the box and get to wiring this baby up.
MSRP: $356

ARB INTENSITY LED LIGHT

Capitalizing on the success of the AR32 Intensity LED driving lights, ARB has developed a new compact model that has a 5.25-inch outer diameter and stands 8.25 inches tall. This AR21 Intensity driving light is available in either spot or flood-beam configuration and comes equipped with 21 LEDs.The unique molded rubber seal between the polycarbonate lens and pressure-cast aluminum body, in conjunction with a Gore breather and sealed Deutsch electrical connector, ensures a waterproof rating of IP68 (withstanding submersion up to 10 feet). The aluminum housing is finished in a textured powder coat that will fight off corrosive contaminants. Light covers are available to provide a splash of color while protecting the lighted surface from potential damage.
MSRP: $511

WARN INDUSTRIES WL POD LIGHT

In addition to the WL Series light bars, Warn Industries has also incorporated the same technologies into pod-light form. Utilizing a cutting-edge optical design, Warn Refractec optics provides more overall effective
lumens and candela, with less power draw. The spot beam comes in a spectacular 10-degree, full-width beam, allowing a nice beam spread while still maintaining high candela. The wide flood beam produces a smooth 30-degree flood without a diffuser for the ultimate in wide-beam efficiency. The LED bulbs will reach, if not surpass, their listed 50,000+ hour lifespan. Meanwhile, the lens is UV-protected and scratch resistant—Warn built these light pods to stand tall against the elements.
MSRP: $360

DELTA TECH HOOD LIGHT BAR

This light bar was specifically developed for ’97 to ’11 Jeep Wrangler JK and TJ models. Made by Delta to complement their hugely popular SkyBar, this hood-mounted bar requires no drilling, as it mounts to existing factory bolt holes. Constructed of a steel cross bar and machined billet aluminum mounting arms, the bar also offers a vertical swivel for precision aiming, and comes with three pre-terminated Xenon 55W driving lights, producing an impressive beam for all nighttime adventures. (The beam draws a total of 13.75 amps). The bar also comes equipped with hard-plastic light covers, OEM harness, relay, switch and fuse—everything you need to get the party started.
MSRP: $633

ARB IPF DUAL-BEAM AUXILIARY LIGHT

IPF has taken their very successful 7-inch round headlamp and cleverly built it into a bolt-on body. The 900DB auxiliary light kit brings together a European-type beam pattern with a powerful 80-watt low beam and a 100-watt high-beam, dual filament H4 bulb. The ability to select a high or low beam comes in handy in poor visibility situations, such as heavy rain or thick fog. Users can expect up to a 50% increase in low-beam output, and up to a 50% increase in high-beam range over most factory headlamp systems.
MSRP: $299

GROTE OFF-ROAD LIGHT BARS

For vehicles designed for off-road use, proper lighting is absolutely essential. Bright lighting not only illuminates the path ahead but also increases your visibility to others. When out in the wild, the last thing you need is to encounter the unexpected; with Grote’s bulletproof light bars, you can bank on them doing their job so you can blaze the darkest trails with reckless abandon. Extreme temperatures, wet conditions and low-visibility situations are no match for these lights. Light bars are available in 10, 20, and 30-inch lengths with a range as far as 600 meters for the 30-inch models.
MSRP: $220

HELLA LUMINATOR COMPACT LED

Off-roaders will rejoice over Hella’s Luminator compact LED housings. These 100% auxiliary lights consume 75% less energy compared to xenon technology. A high-beam flasher emits light instantly with no delay, and the high-performance LED shoots a steady pattern of light over long distances. Computer-calculated, double-reflector technology is responsible for complete illumination of the trails and roadway. Integrated electronics and fins have also been designed for passive cooling—no fans required. The light housings can be mounted upright or suspended, depending on where you need light the most.
MSRP: $392

KC HILITES FLEX LED QUAD

It’s hard not to think of KC HiLites’ new Flex Quad lighting system as being a little like Legos, but its utilitarian design does show its inspiration. When most people purchase a new vehicle and decide to add to their lighting system, they usually toss their existing lights aside and invest in a whole new setup. But custom lighting isn’t exactly cheap, which is why KC has developed the Flex Quad to be linkable and stackable. The 40W FLEX Quad LED light is modular and expandable, and the four cores come together to form a combo beam pattern. The housings are available as a standalone unit or as a pair, and come equipped with all the necessary components. The patented Power Bar system allows lights be linked or stacked together to create single and multiple-row LED light systems.
MSRP: $484

PRO COMP EXPLORER 7-INCH DRIVING LIGHTS

When you need to see further and wider down the road (or trail), Pro Comp’s Explorer 7-inch HID driving lights are the solution. The 35W blubs are 300% brighter and last 500% longer than a conventional 55W halogen blub. The corrosion and impact-resistant ABS housing features a unique compound-curve aluminum reflector that focuses and projects light where it’s needed most. The 6,000K-color temperature produces a cool white light that is optimal for nighttime visibility. Better yet, these units feature a 90-degree mounting system and interlocking splines that help prevent loosening due to vibration. To keep the lights looking their best, Pro Comp even includes lens shields to protect lights when they aren’t in use.
MSRP: $102

PLASMAGLOW THUNDERGRILLE LED GRILLE KIT

Lighting accessories don’t all have to be overly technical, and these ThunderGrille LED strips prove that. The ultra-thin strips mount onto any grille; the included hardware allows for multiple mounting methods, also offering a wide assortment of colors. The ThunderGrille kit can be wired to a switch or into your running lights so it turns on with your vehicle. And don’t worry about having to mess with complicated relays or a nest of wiring, this kit works on a simple 2-wire hookup that anyone can handle with the detailed instructions included in the box. The basic ThunderGrille kit comes with two, 10-inch strips, but a 4-piece kit is also available for larger vehicle applications. LED housings are 100% waterproof.
MSRP: $40

RUGGED RIDGE LED FOG LIGHTS

These LED light mounting brackets allow you to update your factory fog lights to brighter and more energy efficient LED lights. Featuring either square or round holes that allow proper mounting of LED lights into factory or Rugged Ridge bumper systems (XHD and All-Terrain), you now have the ultimate in nighttime illumination while on the trails.
MSRP: $129

RUGGED RIDGE HOOD LIGHT BAR KIT

Starting to run out of places to mount LED lights? Well, worry no more. Rugged Ridge has developed a hood light kit for ’07 to ’15 Jeep Wrangler (JK) models, which mounts to the top of the hood using existing OE hardware and four mounting locations. The bar itself is constructed of heavy-duty coated black steel, and the LED light housings that attach to it are available in either three or five cube versions.
MSRP: $355

KC HILITES CARBON POD LED LIGHTS

This product utilizes KC’s all-new Gravity LED G7 optical insert and puts them to use in the all-new, racer-tested, Dupont Zytel-reinforced Carbon POD light housing, which is four times tougher than the previous design. Other key features include Cree LED bulbs for ultimate longevity and reliability, and a new spot pattern that gives drivers incredible distance and side lighting. Unlike most forward-facing LED products, KC’s Gravity LEDs are up to two to three times more efficient, pumping out the maximum amount of light at very low wattages. The Carbon Pod housings are equipped with a Rally Ring system, which allows them to be adjusted to the driver’s preference. These lights are pretty much indestructible and will see you through the darkest of nights without hesitation.
MSRP: $1,256

GROTE 5X7 LED SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHT

Grote’s 2B1 headlight system is DOT approved and legal for all 5×7 applications. These lamps have been designed to improve the driving experience by decreasing eye fatigue and providing better overall field of vision to help reduce the risk of accidents. The die-cast aluminum housing is built to last, and the hard-coated, UV-protected, high-impact-resistant polycarbonate lens will resist cracking and yellowing. This lamp can be used on 12V and 24V electrical systems and utilizes a 3-pin, H4 connector.
MSRP: $186

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2015 print issue of Tread Magazine.