Aftermarket black headlights - review and lots of pics

[benjamin247]

I'm back, with pictures of the new housings with LED strips:
<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/ScEAZ2L"><a href="//imgur.com/a/ScEAZ2L">LED Strip housings from AKKON</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

the turn signals are still the same as OEM for the most part (reflector assembly looks like the oem shape) but the "reflector" part is blacked out, not chrome, which isn't great. but the "diffuser" that is normally in front of the signal bulb is also removed.

I was surprised that they included bulbs, but the included bulbs are not good. one of the blinkers was frosted-looking out of the box, and the high/low bulbs are fairly dim-looking. I've already changed back to my other bulbs after cleaning seals.

I personally think that LED signal bulbs are essential in these, due to the reflector situation.

Besides that, the amber reflectors are only reflectors, no light passes through in a meaningful way.

The housings themselves fit better than my old pair, no more rubbing on part of the hood/fender, which I'm very happy about. Inspecting the seals before installing, and comparing to my other pair, these do seem better-sealed as well.

overall I like them so far, but I would prefer if something else was done with the turn signals. maybe also include an amber strip in the housing and do without the bulb socket altogether, or at least not black out that reflector/remove that diffuser.

Are the turn signals really that bad? Any recommendations for LED turn signal lights to replace the turn signal bulbs this came with?

 

[rokr1292]

Are the turn signals really that bad? Any recommendations for LED turn signal lights to replace the turn signal bulbs this came with?

I replaced mine with these more than a year ago, and they've lasted this long:

Amazon.com: AMAZENAR 2-Pack 1156 BA15S 1141 1073 7506 1003 Car Turn Signal Lights Bulbs - 12V-24V Extremely Bright Amber/Yellow 2835 33 SMD LED Light Bulb - Replacement for Tail Blinker LED Bulb Light: Automotive

the INCLUDED bulbs are hot trash. with the blackened reflector, and obstructed Line of Sight to the bulb from the sides of the car, I'd say something with additional brightness is a must.

although, switching to LED from conventional might lead to hyperflash (I fixed mine with a smarttap relay and an adapter)

 

[Kris9884]

So it seems like mostly negative reviews on these Amazon/eBay lights. Has anyone gone through and ran a fresh bead of sealant around the lens before installing with better results? Or, is the fogging coming from bad fitment with the bulbs?

 

[mysticz]

I wanted to contribute to this topic. I purchased a set of blacked out headlights on ebay as well. Item is HERE

ALBUM

It looks wonderful all blacked out and really changes the front end. I originally took apart my OEM headlights to paint them black but the housing has since been cracking and major hazing. I decided to give these a shot.

While I can't comment on the longevity of these, the light output is decent with a decent cut off (i'll try to get pictures), they seem pretty good for the money.

BE AWARE! Area circled in red in one of the pictures melted on the inner side. The amber turn signal/DRL bulb melted on the inside, breaking the bulb. I fixed this buy using a rotary tool to sand down the area's that where melted and touching the bulb. After doing so, I bought a new bulb and all is well.

Looks great, question? what kit did you used for you amber grill lights?

 

[rwelch53]

I wanted to contribute to this topic. I purchased a set of blacked out headlights on ebay as well. Item is HERE

ALBUM

It looks wonderful all blacked out and really changes the front end. I originally took apart my OEM headlights to paint them black but the housing has since been cracking and major hazing. I decided to give these a shot.

While I can't comment on the longevity of these, the light output is decent with a decent cut off (i'll try to get pictures), they seem pretty good for the money.

BE AWARE! Area circled in red in one of the pictures melted on the inner side. The amber turn signal/DRL bulb melted on the inside, breaking the bulb. I fixed this buy using a rotary tool to sand down the area's that where melted and touching the bulb. After doing so, I bought a new bulb and all is well.

So as much as I loved these DTMoto blacked out housing headlights when I got them, it took 8 months for the clear sealant they use on them to start peeling and look like crap (they said it was delamination lol) and one is letting moisture in now because of it. They said warranty is only 60 days, so now trying to figure out how to fix this without buying a new set. Kind of pissed about this because they looked so great!

 

[JONBOY345]

I'm back, with pictures of the new housings with LED strips: LED Strip housings from AKKON - Album on Imgur

<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/ScEAZ2L"><a href="//imgur.com/a/ScEAZ2L">LED Strip housings from AKKON</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A couple things of note:

The strips are SOLELY DRL as configured. not blinkers or hazards. it might be possible to rewire them that way, but I'm not willing to cut apart a brand new set.

the turn signals are still the same as OEM for the most part (reflector assembly looks like the oem shape) but the "reflector" part is blacked out, not chrome, which isn't great. but the "diffuser" that is normally in front of the signal bulb is also removed.

I was surprised that they included bulbs, but the included bulbs are not good. one of the blinkers was frosted-looking out of the box, and the high/low bulbs are fairly dim-looking. I've already changed back to my other bulbs after cleaning seals.

I personally think that LED signal bulbs are essential in these, due to the reflector situation.

Besides that, the amber reflectors are only reflectors, no light passes through in a meaningful way.

The housings themselves fit better than my old pair, no more rubbing on part of the hood/fender, which I'm very happy about. Inspecting the seals before installing, and comparing to my other pair, these do seem better-sealed as well.

overall I like them so far, but I would prefer if something else was done with the turn signals. maybe also include an amber strip in the housing and do without the bulb socket altogether, or at least not black out that reflector/remove that diffuser.

How is the light output of the projector and what's the cutoff line like?

My OEM housing are starting to leak and am considering picking up a set of these and doing a retrofit of some Morimoto Bixenon projectors depending on how the included projector is in these headlights.

 

[skossey]

I wanted to contribute to this topic. I purchased a set of blacked out headlights on ebay as well. Item is HERE

ALBUM

It looks wonderful all blacked out and really changes the front end. I originally took apart my OEM headlights to paint them black but the housing has since been cracking and major hazing. I decided to give these a shot.

While I can't comment on the longevity of these, the light output is decent with a decent cut off (i'll try to get pictures), they seem pretty good for the money.

BE AWARE! Area circled in red in one of the pictures melted on the inner side. The amber turn signal/DRL bulb melted on the inside, breaking the bulb. I fixed this buy using a rotary tool to sand down the area's that where melted and touching the bulb. After doing so, I bought a new bulb and all is well.

I am having the same issue with the melting in the blinker bulb socket. I purchased the Sypder headlights and it happened to both driver and passenger sides. Can you specially tell me what I need to shave down?

 

[FXFRunner]

So, is it safe to say that all of these aftermarket headlights let water/condensation in at some point?

 

[luke.]

I wanted to contribute to this topic. I purchased a set of blacked out headlights on ebay as well. Item is HERE

ALBUM

It looks wonderful all blacked out and really changes the front end. I originally took apart my OEM headlights to paint them black but the housing has since been cracking and major hazing. I decided to give these a shot.

While I can't comment on the longevity of these, the light output is decent with a decent cut off (i'll try to get pictures), they seem pretty good for the money.

BE AWARE! Area circled in red in one of the pictures melted on the inner side. The amber turn signal/DRL bulb melted on the inside, breaking the bulb. I fixed this buy using a rotary tool to sand down the area's that where melted and touching the bulb. After doing so, I bought a new bulb and all is well.

Hey man I was wondering if you could speak on how these have been the past few months you’ve had them. Any moisture issues?

 

[Too Stroked]

So, is it safe to say that all of these aftermarket headlights let water/condensation in at some point?

Unfortunately, yes. That's why they're so inexpensive.

 

[luke.]

Do you know of any that don’t have any problems? Really want the black out look

 

[Too Stroked]

Do you know of any that don’t have any problems? Really want the black out look

You will find some people that will tell you that they've had zero problems with their aftermarket lights. Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things, they're likely a disturbingly small percentage. (And I'd discount any reviews from people with lights that are less than 2-3 years old.)

As I said in my previous post, there's a reason the aftermarket lights are so cheap and OEM lights are so expensive. You truly do get what you pay for.

 

[montijo505]

Do you know of any that don’t have any problems? Really want the black out look

You could buy them and before install seal them up really good with an aftermarket sealant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[luke.]

Yeah that’s a good idea, any sealant recommendations?

 

[Shiftless Joe]

So, is it safe to say that all of these aftermarket headlights let water/condensation in at some point?

We've had over 50 inches of rain, temperatures from minus 36 to 100 above since I've installed the black LED's shown above and I have no moisture issues at all.

Just caulk the top and sides of the seam before installing.