Upgrading the Jeep JK | KC 7″ Gravity LED Headlights & Fog lights

KC 7″ Gravity LED Headlights

After spending a week in Ouray, Colorado this summer and renting a Jeep, we ended up catching the Jeep bug. And immediately started looking into Jeep ownership. Once home, a brief online search revealed several used options nearby to choose from. A couple of test drives later and we opted for a 2008 Jeep (JK) Rubicon. This particular Jeep was owned by an old-timer that lived on a farm not too far from home. And although the price was acceptable, the vehicle did show a little cosmetic neglect. 12 years of midwest salt and use on dirt farm roads meant a thorough cleaning was in order. Once the dirt was removed and a coat of wax applied, we noticed that both the headlight and fog light lenses were oxidized beyond repair. So that became our first priority for this project vehicle.

“For over 50 years, the KC brand has been a symbol of outdoor freedom, adventure, quality, and performance. We take features engineered for off-road racing and design them into unique lighting and adventure products used by those who have a thirst for the paths less traveled. We stand for the outdoor enthusiasts – from off-roaders to hikers to mountain bikers and anyone in-between – because that’s who we are, and we make products to allow us all to adventure further.” ~kchilites.com

Nothing screams “Jeep” more than those iconic round KC Lights. This 50 year old company is still around for good reason. They continue to evolve with rapidly changing lighting technology and now produce some of the highest quality LED lighting options for off-road vehicles. After looking at the various options available, we zeroed-in on the DOT approved plug-and-play 7″ Gravity LED Headlights. And the 4″ Gravity LED G4 Fog Lights. These became the obvious choice to insure compliance with DOT standards as this Jeep will be used as a daily driver in addition to adventure travel. Additionally, these KC Lights are plug-and-play with the factory Jeep wiring harness. No wire splicing, adding of relays or switches are necessary. Just a direct replacement retaining all OEM functions.

KC Gravity LED Headlight / Fog Light Install on 2008 Jeep JK Rubicon

As expected, the installation of the Gravity LED Headlights went as easy as expected. Simply unclipping the grill and removing the headlight bezels with basic tools. Unplugging the OEM halogen headlights and replacing them with the new Gravity LED headlights. All in, the headlight swap took a maximum of 20 minutes. The fog lights however were a different story. The addition of these 4″ Gravity LED G4 Fog Lights required removal of the front bumper. Although not a difficult task on a Jeep Wrangler, this midwest Jeep took a little extra time breaking loose and removing the 8 nuts that secure it to the frame. Once off, the installation of the Gravity LED G4 Fog Lights was as simple as the headlights.

The quality of the headlights is apparent as soon as you pick them up. The robust die-cast aluminum housing is no comparison to the cheap lightweight plastic housing on the OEM headlights. Also of note is the crystal clear hard coated polycarbonate lens on the Gravity LED’s. Their nearly flat lenses appear much more contemporary than the factory “bug-eyed” lenses. The wiring harness and plug are of OEM quality mating perfectly to the factory harness.

Not only did the addition of the Gravity LED Headlights and G4 Fog Lights greatly update the look of the Jeep. It also provides a clean 5000k light that drastically improves safety. The difference in down-road visibility was staggering. Additionally, the 1260 / 3666 Lumen Low / High LED’s draw a mere 18 / 22 watts respectively. Compared to the original 60 / 55 watt halogen bulbs. Unfortunately, the comparison pictures don’t accurately portray the drastic improvement. I feel that the beam cut-off is much more defined, focusing more of the light where you need it. Additionally, the peripheral illumination was much improved as well. A nice feature when you live in an area where deer are present. And the high beams projected much further than the original halogen lights. Giving the driver advanced warning of hazards that lay ahead.

7″ Gravity LED Headlight Features

• 2 x 40W Gravity® LED 7″ Headlights
• Hard Coated Polycarbonate Lens
• Full Plug-n-Play for 07-18 Jeep JK Wrangler
• Precision Die-Cast Aluminum Housing
• KC Engineered Polished Reflector Optics
• DOT Compliant Low Beam and High Beam with On-board Day Running Lamp Support (Standard on 07-16 Canada Spec Jeep JK)
• Amazon: $639

Light Performance (Per Light)

• Raw Lumens: Low- 1,260 lm, High- 3,666 lm, DRL- 275 lm
• Compliance: DOT-Compliant
• Lux @ 10 Meters: Low- 415 lx, High- 775 lx
• Candela: Low- 41,500 cd, High- 77,500 cd
• Beam Distance: Low- 407m, High- 557m

Specs (Per Light)

• Wattage: Low- 18W, High- 22W
• LED Bulb: CREE XHP35 HI and Nichia
• Color Temperature: 5000K
• Amp Draw: 1.88A
• Voltage: 9V-18V
• IP Rating: IP68
• Product Dimensions: W – 6.96″ x D – 3.72″

“4” Gravity® LED Fog Lights are powered by KC’s patented Gravity® Reflective Diode (GRD) and optical reflectors to deliver an incredible 150 lx @10m using only .74A per light. KC’s patented Gravity® Reflective Diode system aims LEDs into precision reflectors, capturing all light to project it forward.” ~kchilites.com

4″ Gravity LED G4 Fog Light Features and Specs:

• 2 x 10W 4″ Gravity® LED Fog Lights
• Light Weight Magnesium Housing for Maximum Heat Dissipation
• Shatter Resistant Polycarbonate Lens
• 100% Bolt-On OE Mounting for 07-09 Jeep JKs
• Fog Beam Pattern (SAE & ECE Street Legal)
• Wattage: 10W
• LED Source: CREE High Power LED
• Amp Draw: .74A
• Voltage: 9V-32V
• IP Rating: IP68
• Product Dimensions: W – 3.94″ x H – 3.94″ x D – 2.97″
• Amazon: $345

With a long wishlist of upgrades already planned for this vehicle, starting with the headlights and fog lights made the most sense. As a daily driver, improving night time visibility became a priority. As we transition into winter’s inclement weather, these Gravity LED headlights and fog lights from KC will be much appreciated in the months ahead. Whether you drive a Jeep or Toyota, KC HiLites offers several options to upgrade your existing lights or add lights to your off-road vehicle. Take a look at KC’s comprehensive website and pick an iconic light to launch your rig to the next level.