NEW Offering: LED Headlights for '65-'89 911's

[jaudette3]

I recently build of pair of LED headlamps for a customer in Alaska. He was concerned about driving in the Alaskan style darkness and with all of the critters roaming around. I am presently building another set for a customer in German who regularly drives on the Autobahn at night and needs maximum lighting capability. This is going well and I've decided to make LED headlamps a permanent offering.

Before I embarked on this I did a great deal of research and ended up selecting Truck-Lite 27270C LED headlights. They have received uniformly positive reviews, from Ferrari owners to Harley-Davidson owners to truck owners - and many others. They're well made, practically indestructible, yield very bright, clean and white light - and they're reasonably priced. It's possible to spend a lot more on enhanced headlights (one competitor sells their lights for $3,000+ a set) but the Truck-Lites hold their own against even the much more expensive options.

I build these using original Hella buckets, substituting the Truck-Lite LED's for the usual sealed beams. The build is similar to the restoration of SWB U.S. headlights: the refurbished buckets; chrome-plated brass trim rings, adjustment screws and mounting screws; and correct Hella lenses. Here's a picture of the LED headlamps I sent to Alaska:

both-2.JPG

These are straight-forward plug & play. They don't even require a relay kit due to their low draw. If you have sealed beams or H5's and drive at night you might consider having a pair of these to swap in for the night drives. You will find more information at my website: http://www.audettecollection.com/led-headlights/

The cost is $1,190.00. I build them to order and production takes 3-4 weeks. Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
John

[pss]

wow, once I get to make a R gruppe.........I will know where to find the right headlights

[nvr2mny]

John, any way to post a pic of them illuminated? Knowing the quality you put out I'm sure an order will be forthcoming. I think I'm addicted to acquiring lights, is there a support group for that? Thanks!

[jaudette3]

Hi Doug...

I'll have some pictures soon and will post them here. If there was a support group for lights addiction I would be a charter member.

Cheers,
John

[redrobin911]

can you get these in RHD as well? Or are the beams flat suit LHD or RHD?

[jaudette3]

These don't use asymmetrical fluted lenses and are suitable for either RHD or LHD and just need to be adjusted properly.

Cheers,
John

[jaudette3]

The Truck-Lites are DOT/SAE and TC approved and are therefore street legal in the U.S. and Canada. They do not have an ECE label for SAE approval as yet. I'm researching other options for Europe.

Thanks,
John

[jaudette3]

There's a lot of interest in LED headlights!

I have found a highly rated option that has both SAE and ECE approval, so legal in the U.S. and Europe: Pilot Nolden VP-3106B. I've ordered a set and will test these side by side with the Truck-Lites. These come in either chrome or black, here are a couple pictures of the chrome one:

image.jpgimage.jpg

Plug & Play, very low power draw, no relay kit required. They're somewhat more expensive than the Truck-, but not too bad. I estimate that I will be able to sell them for about $1,450.00.

I'll report back after I have tested these along with the Truck-Lites, stay tuned.

Cheers,
John

P.S. Specifications for fellow light nerds:

• Innovative design with the latest automotive approved Osram LED technology
• White road Illumination compatible with HID/Xenon
• One of the brightest LED High and low Beam 7“ Headlights available
• Lifetime > 30.000 hrs
• Low power consumption saving both fuel and energy
• Vibration and shock proof design
• Integrated electronic driver
• H4 connector for 'Plug & Play' installation
• Standard fixing as 7“ Sealed Beam Headlights (PAR56)
• UV resistent PC hard coated front lens
• Rigid Aluminium Housing
• Available in chrome, dark-chrom finish, black
• Voltage range 12-24V
• 480h salt spray tested and fully water proof to IP6K9K
• ECE homologation
• EMC tested and homologated
• Left hand drive and right hand available
• Development and Production according to ISO TS 16949
• Warranty: 3 years

[jaudette3]

I've learned from my research that it's required in Europe to have what is called a "position light" which is what we call a "city light", or the 4w bulb in the housing. The older Hella housings will work perfectly and I will be offering LED headlights with or without the city light.

BTW, LED headlights are great replacements for H5's on the "newer" cars.

Cheers,
John

[jaudette3]

I've been reading a lot of reviews of LED hradlights, from owners of Jeeps, Land Rovers, Ferraris and others. Here is a review by a fellow longhood owner that I found interesting. This was posted at Amazon in reference to the GE Nighthawk 7" LEDs which are rebranded Truck-Lites:

I have a 72 911. It is restored and mostly original. But it is not a show car and not a race car. It is one heck of a fun street car: light, powerful, turbo brakes and bigger rubber with SC flares.

The worst part of the car were the lights. I tried most of the various "high performance" options like brighter sealed beams and even brighter H4 systems. They were not as "fast" as the car was on country 2 lane roads. The car is most fun in those settings but I needed to see better at night to feel more comfortable.

I'd heard about HID. They are complicated systems. Then I stumbled on these LED lights. If I was going to make a leap of faith I would give LED and GE a try. LED is a MUCH simpler system and I figured if I had a problem GE would stand behind it. I knew LED would last forever but wasn't sure how bright the technology could be.

I can't believe the difference. On low beam they seem brighter than my old systems on bright. My old systems on low beam is about equal to driving with the new systems and wearing sunglasses.

AND I've had them 3 months and I haven't had one on-coming car flash their brights at me. Night time driving is now a whole new world to enjoy those few hours I have time to take the car out. It's funny: As I pass road side signs, they reflect back so clearly I almost NEED to wear sunglasses.

So my experience says if you have an older car and interested in seeing MUCH better at night, these lights are the solution. Maybe 5 min installation. They are slightly heavier but only maybe a couple of pounds. And "it is not a race car" anyway. They were an investment...with big payoffs.

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I'll post other informative reviews on my website as I find them.

John

Edit: More reviews:

• Jeep JK Wrangler Owner Review
• Ferrari Owner Review
• Miata Owner Review of GE Nighthawk (rebranded Truck-Lite)