LED headlights and police

Interleukin6 · August 20, 2020

Hi, I am new to this forum. Just wandering... before ordering some LED low/high beam bulbs for 2019 WT. Has anyone had a ticket or any problem with police because "LED lights" are "too bright"? Is there any DOT approved LED light bulbs out there? I live in MA but am unable to find an answer regarding this. Thank you.

Jav_eee · August 20, 2020

They’re not “too bright”, they’re not properly positioned in the reflector bowl and give off annoying, blinding glare.

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aseibel · August 20, 2020

7 minutes ago, Jav_eee said:

They’re not “too bright”, they’re not properly positioned in the reflector bowl and give off annoying, blinding glare.

Isn't that the definition of "too bright"?

I see lots of people driving around with modified headlights, so I'm guessing the cops don't pull them over.

I wish they did though.

If you modify your lights, please make sure they are aimed properly or have the cutoff below horizontal. Oncoming drivers do not appreciate your LED lights burning their retinas.

loud_pipes · August 20, 2020

Lifted trucks can be a problem when installers do not adjust the headlights or inform the owners that they need to be adjusted. I’ve now lifted 4 of my last 4 vehicles between 2.5”-4.0” and had to lower headlight trajectory every time.

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Jav_eee · August 20, 2020

Isn't that the definition of "too bright"?

I see lots of people driving around with modified headlights, so I'm guessing the cops don't pull them over.
I wish they did though.

If you modify your lights, please make sure they are aimed properly or have the cutoff below horizontal. Oncoming drivers do not appreciate your LED lights burning their retinas.

I consider “bright” to be a measurement of lumens, not the fact that they’re not aimed correctly and thus being shone in your eyes.

A regular halogen light would have the same effect if pointed at your eyes.

I agree with you on the use of aftermarket lights in housings not designed for them AND also agree that people who lift their trucks and don’t adjust their headlights are asshats. “But no one has flashed me so that must mean I’m not blinding anyone”. No, that’s just a result of almost everyone else blinding them so they write it off as a “lost cause”.

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Wiggums · August 20, 2020

Xenon or HID headlights have stronger cut-offs to avoid blinding oncoming vehicles.

Halogen headlights don't need stronger cut-offs.

Faux HID lights can be as bright as xenons and putting that in cars not made for xenons.. ugh, it blinds everybody instead!

I suppose bright LEDs are the same as faux HID lights. I see that in rice cars a lot and.. no.. it makes you look stupid. Very stupid, in fact.

Edit: I used to live in England where headlights point on the left and pissed off a lot of people in France when I realized I forgot to put the covers on my headlights. Europeans seem to be a lot more "sensitive" to bright lights than Americans though. I also recall Lincoln's 1993 Mark 8's poorly done HID lights as well!

Edited August 20, 2020 by Wiggums

Interleukin6 · August 20, 2020

I plan to buy Lasfit low and high beam light bulbs and simply plug them in and go. Do I still need to adjust the reflect bowl or I don't need to. If I change the low beams only to LED, will they interfere with the rest of OME halogen bulbs (e.g. when I use the high beams) or should I change all (low, high, front turn signals and front side markers) at once?

Er1cB · August 20, 2020

This is the kit I bought. Plugged in, did nothing else and haven't had anyone flash at me. The buckets seem to be adjusted just fine.

Sealight kit

Dunn · August 20, 2020

38 minutes ago, Eric Russell said:

This is the kit I bought. Plugged in, did nothing else and haven't had anyone flash at me. The buckets seem to be adjusted just fine.

Sealight kit

i bought a sealight kit as well......no issues

reardiff · August 20, 2020

1 hour ago, loud_pipes said:

Lifted trucks can be a problem when installers do not adjust the headlights or inform the owners that they need to be adjusted. I’ve now lifted 4 of my last 4 vehicles between 2.5”-4.0” and had to lower headlight trajectory every time.

How do you know if your headlights need adjusted? I just went up to a 33 inch tire and 1.5 level, would this be enough to have to adjust?

It's Tim · August 20, 2020

1 hour ago, aseibel said:

I see lots of people driving around with modified headlights, so I'm guessing the cops don't pull them over.

I wish they did though.

If the cop happens to be looking for a reason...

It's Tim · August 20, 2020

1 hour ago, Interleukin6 said:

Hi, I am new to this forum. Just wandering... before ordering some LED low/high beam bulbs for 2019 WT. Has anyone had a ticket or any problem with police because "LED lights" are "too bright"? Is there any DOT approved LED light bulbs out there? I live in MA but am unable to find an answer regarding this. Thank you.

If you're riding dirty and looking for some type of guarantee you won't be stopped, there isn't one.

loud_pipes · August 20, 2020

How do you know if your headlights need adjusted? I just went up to a 33 inch tire and 1.5 level, would this be enough to have to adjust?

I do a before lift light height check against my garage door, use painters tape to mark the height of the beam, then I do an after and dial my light level down to the original beam height. It’s not a perfect method, but I do not get lights flashed at me for being too bright after that adjustment.

Since you already have the level on and no reference for the “before” height, if you are not getting flashed by people and you have good visibility at night with your current adjustment, you might be okay. But honestly, since I did not really take any measurements and just worked visually with a reference line, I am not sure how much adjustment your setup might create. The other factor is how level your driveway is and how close you are to the garage door. Closer you are, the less the adjustment appears just because of proximity to the light. Same premise as sighting something in - a quarter inch off at the sight might be 6” off at 25 feet.

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Dunn · August 20, 2020

test it out with a buddy.......get in his car and have him drive the truck ( or vice versa) and pass each other at night on the street and see what your lights look like.....

this would be good way to check....

Edited August 20, 2020 by Dunn

It's Tim · August 20, 2020

1 hour ago, Dunn said:

test it out with a buddy.......get in his car and have him drive the truck ( or vice versa) and pass each other at night on the street and see what your lights look like.....

this would be good way to check....

It's 2020, plenty of how-to videos on youtube.