There’s a specific kind of disappointment every new Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator owner with halogen headlights feels. You bring home this icon of rugged capability, a vehicle designed to conquer the wild, and then you drive it at night for the first time. The weak, yellowish glow from the stock halogens feels like a betrayal. I remember a late-night drive back from a trail on a moonless night in my own JL. The factory lights barely cut through the darkness, making it difficult to spot potholes on the backroad, let alone potential wildlife on the shoulder. I was constantly flicking on the high beams, only to be met with a slightly brighter version of the same inadequate puddle of light. This isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it’s a critical safety concern. Poor visibility reduces reaction time and transforms a confident drive into a tense, straining experience. Upgrading your headlights is one of the first and most impactful modifications any JL or JT owner should consider.
- AGGRESSIVE OFF-ROAD STYLE - Get ready to turn heads with these 9" LED headlights, featuring intense, Dual-Halo DRLs along with 6,000K Cold-White LED light output through projector lenses. Designed to...
- TRAIL TOUGH - How do you outfit a beast born for on- or off-road adventure? Choose equipment that lives for a challenge. With a lightweight and durable aluminum housing, scratch-resistant PC lens, and...
What to Consider Before Buying a Headlight Assembly Upgrade
A headlight assembly is more than just a bulb; it’s a key solution for enhancing safety, improving nighttime visibility, and defining the aesthetic character of your vehicle. For Jeep owners, a proper upgrade transforms the vehicle from a standard model into a modern, capable machine that’s as effective in the dark as it is in the daylight. The primary benefit is a massive increase in light output, replacing the dim, warm halogen glow with a bright, crisp white light that illuminates a wider and longer path. This not only makes driving safer but also reduces eye strain on long journeys. Furthermore, modern LED assemblies with features like halo Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) significantly update the look of your Jeep, giving it a premium appearance that stands out from the crowd.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT owner who is dissatisfied with the performance and look of their factory halogen lights. They are likely a hands-on individual, comfortable with basic automotive DIY projects, who is seeking a high-value upgrade that delivers performance comparable to expensive OEM options without the exorbitant price tag. This product might not be suitable for those who insist on using only Mopar-branded parts or for someone who is completely unwilling to perform minor mechanical work and adjustments on their vehicle. For those individuals, a dealership-installed OEM LED package might be a better, albeit far more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Fitment: This is non-negotiable for a vehicle-specific part. For the 2018-2025 Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT, you need a 9-inch round assembly. Look for a true bolt-on design that includes the necessary brackets and connectors, eliminating the need for cutting, splicing, or custom fabrication. A perfect fit ensures a clean, factory-like installation and proper sealing against the elements.
- Capacity/Performance: The most important metric is light output. Look for a high color temperature, like the 6,000K cold-white of these LEDs, which mimics daylight for superior clarity. It’s also critical that the assembly is DOT FMVSS 108 approved, ensuring the beam pattern is street legal and features a sharp cutoff to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. Features like built-in anti-flicker technology are essential for compatibility with modern vehicle electrical systems.
- Materials & Durability: Jeeps face harsh conditions, from trail debris to extreme weather. A durable, lightweight aluminum housing is ideal as it acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat from the LEDs, prolonging their life. The lens should be made from a scratch-resistant and impact-resistant material like polycarbonate (PC). Finally, an IP67 waterproof rating is a must-have, guaranteeing protection against dust and water immersion.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best aftermarket headlights offer a plug-and-play installation. This means the main headlight connector plugs directly into your Jeep’s factory harness. For features like DRLs, look for a simple solution like an included fuse-tap harness, which avoids complicated wiring. Once installed, a sealed-beam LED unit should be maintenance-free for tens of thousands of hours.
Keeping these factors in mind, the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Compatible With: 03-06 Avalanche 1500 / 03-06 Avalanche 2500 / 03-06 SIlverado 1500 / 03-06 SIlverado 1500 HD / 03-06 SIlverado 2500 HD / 03-06 SIlverado 3500 / 03-04 Silverado 2500 / 07 SIlverado...
- 【Compatible With】2007-2013 Silverado 1500 / 2007-2014 Silverado 2500 HD, 3500; Does NOT Fit 2007 (Old Body) Classic Models; Fits Models with Halogen Headlights Only
- 【VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY】Headlights Assembly Compatible with 07-13 Chevy Silverado 1500, 12-14 Chevy Silverado 2500, 07-14 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, 2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Classic, 12-13 Chevy...
First Impressions: Unboxing a Serious Upgrade
The TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT arrived in a sturdy, well-packaged box, with each headlight nestled securely in custom foam inserts. Right away, this inspires confidence. Pulling the first unit out, the immediate impression is one of substance. Compared to the featherlight, all-plastic OEM halogen units I’d be replacing, these headlights have a satisfying heft, largely thanks to their die-cast aluminum housings. This isn’t just dead weight; it’s a functional heat sink crucial for LED longevity. The black finish is clean and uniform, and the projector lenses behind the clear polycarbonate give the lights an aggressive, modern look that closely mimics the much more expensive factory LED options. The dual halo rings are distinct and look sharp even when unlit. Included in the box was all the necessary wiring, including the separate plug-and-play DRL harness with a fuse tap—a thoughtful addition that promises a simpler installation than many competitors. It was clear from the unboxing that this was a serious, well-thought-out piece of kit designed for its specific purpose.
What We Like
- Incredibly bright 6,000K light output is a massive upgrade over stock halogens
- Truly simple plug-and-play installation for the main headlights
- Modern, aggressive styling that closely resembles premium OEM LED headlights
- Durable construction with an aluminum housing and IP67 waterproof rating
- Includes an easy-to-use fuse-tap harness for DRLs, no wire splicing required
What We Didn’t Like
- The aiming/adjustment process is frustrating and requires removing the headlight
- Included instructions are minimal and lack detail, especially regarding adjustment
Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Testing
An aftermarket headlight is judged on more than just its looks. It has to be easy to install, perform flawlessly in the dark, and withstand the rigors of daily driving and off-road adventures. We put the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT through its paces, from the garage installation to late-night backroad testing, to see if the performance lives up to the promise.
Installation: A True Plug-and-Play Experience?
For many Jeep owners, the thought of electrical work can be intimidating. TRUE MODS aims to eliminate that fear with a plug-and-play design, and for the most part, they succeed brilliantly. The entire installation process, from start to finish, took us just under an hour, confirming reports from many users who completed it in 30-60 minutes. The process is straightforward: pop the plastic rivets to remove the Jeep’s grille, unbolt the three fasteners holding each factory headlight, unplug the old unit, and reverse the process with the new one. The main H13 connector on the TRUE MODS headlight clicked perfectly into the factory harness with no fuss. No errors, no flickering—it just worked.
The real star of the installation is the DRL harness. Many aftermarket lights require you to splice into existing wires, a process that can be messy and void warranties. TRUE MODS includes a harness with a fuse tap. This clever device allows you to simply remove a fuse from your fuse box (a quick online search confirmed F52 is the correct one for accessory power), plug the tap in its place, and re-insert the original fuse into the tap. It’s a clean, simple, and completely reversible solution. One user specifically praised this “jump fuse,” noting a previous “janky” install on another vehicle required wrapping wires around a fuse. This system is leagues better. The only minor hiccup we encountered, which was also noted by another user, was ensuring the wire leaving the fuse box wasn’t pinched by the cover. A little careful routing solved this easily. For its core installation, this kit is about as beginner-friendly as it gets.
Light Output and Beam Pattern: Banishing the Darkness
This is where the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT truly shines—pun intended. The difference between the stock halogens and these LEDs isn’t just an improvement; it’s a complete transformation. To quote one user, the difference is “literally night and day.” We couldn’t agree more. The pathetic, yellow-orange glow of the factory lights was replaced by an intensely bright, 6,000K cool-white beam that floods the road ahead with light that mimics daylight. The field of vision is immediately wider and deeper. On a dark country road, we could clearly see the edges of the pavement, street signs far in the distance, and potential hazards on the shoulder that would have been invisible before.
Just as important as brightness is the beam pattern. Poorly designed LED headlights scatter light everywhere, blinding oncoming traffic and creating a dangerous glare. We were incredibly impressed with the clean, sharp horizontal cutoff of these lights. When properly aimed, the bright part of the beam stays low, illuminating the road surface and staying out of the eyes of other drivers. One user confirmed this, stating they “work great, very bright, but are not blinding oncoming traffic.” This DOT-approved beam pattern gives you all the benefits of high-performance lighting without being an irresponsible road user. The high beams are equally impressive, throwing a powerful, focused beam of light far down the road, perfect for those moments when you need maximum visibility on an empty stretch.
Design, Durability, and The Dazzling DRLs
Aesthetics matter, and these headlights deliver a massive visual upgrade. Many owners, myself included, covet the look of the factory LED package but balk at the thousand-dollar-plus price tag. As one user noted, “I got these because they are the closest looking to the factory leds without spending a grand.” The combination of the blacked-out housing, the central projector, and the dual halo rings gives the front end of the Jeep a modern, aggressive, and premium look. When activated, the white halo DRLs are exceptionally bright and crisp, making the vehicle much more visible to other drivers during the day and adding a signature look that sets it apart.
Beyond looks, the build quality inspires long-term confidence. The die-cast aluminum housing feels substantially more robust than the plastic it replaces, and it effectively draws heat away from the LED chips. After a long drive, the housings were warm but not hot to the touch, indicating good thermal management. The polycarbonate lens is designed to resist yellowing from UV exposure and impacts from road debris. With a full IP67 waterproof rating, we had no concerns about water crossings, torrential rain, or high-pressure car washes causing fogging or failure. This is a tough-as-nails setup built to match the go-anywhere ethos of the Jeep itself, and a significant step up from simply putting LED bulbs into a halogen housing.
The Achilles’ Heel: The Adjustment Process
No product is perfect, and we discovered the single biggest flaw of this kit during the final step: aiming the headlights. This was a point of frustration for nearly every user who mentioned it, and our experience was no different. The stock Jeep headlights have easily accessible adjustment screws that can be turned while the lights are installed. Inexplicably, the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT do not. The three adjustment screws are on the back of the housing and are completely inaccessible once the light is bolted into the Jeep.
This leads to a tedious and frustrating process. You have to install the light, check the aim against a wall, then remove the grille, unbolt the headlight, make a blind adjustment to the screws, and then reinstall everything to check your work. We had to repeat this process three times to get the alignment just right. As one user bluntly put it, “the only headache is the adjustment having to take them out for it.” Another called it “kinda dumb.” While some lucky users found the factory alignment was close enough, we highly recommend preparing for this process. Our tip: before you remove the original lights, park your Jeep 25 feet from a garage door or wall and mark the top of the low-beam cutoff with tape. This gives you a clear target to aim for, which can help reduce the number of installation/removal cycles. This design flaw is a significant oversight in an otherwise well-engineered and user-friendly product.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from other owners is overwhelmingly positive, with a consistent caveat. Users repeatedly express how “very impressed” they are with the final result. One owner, who stated they rarely write reviews, was so happy they “wanted more people to know how good these headlights are,” especially as a cost-effective alternative to expensive Mopar LEDs. Phrases like “super bright,” “look absolutely amazing,” and “way better than my OEM lights” are common threads. The ease of the initial plug-and-play installation and the quality feel of the components are frequently praised.
However, the praise is almost always followed by a warning about the adjustment process. One user gave the product four stars instead of five “only because no instructions on how to adjust.” Another states, “My biggest problems with the lights is in my 24 JT they do not adjust up high enough at all so they are way low.” This specific feedback is crucial for owners of the very latest models, as it suggests a potential fitment or adjustment range limitation that may not affect earlier years. This feedback confirms our own findings: the performance is fantastic, but you must be prepared to wrestle with the aiming process.
How Does the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT Compare to Alternatives?
While these TRUE MODS headlights are a specialized fit for modern Jeeps, it’s helpful to see how they stack up in the broader market of headlight assemblies against offerings for other popular trucks. This provides context on features, branding, and design philosophy in the aftermarket lighting space.
1. DNA MOTORING Chrome Amber Headlights 11-16 F-250/350/450/550
- [*Fitment] - Compatible With 11-16 F-250 / F-350 / F-450 / F-550 Super Duty
- [*Bulb Model] - H13 High / Low Beam (Bulbs Not Included)
This assembly from DNA MOTORING is designed for the Ford Super Duty platform. Unlike the TRUE MODS’ modern, blacked-out LED aesthetic, this product maintains a more traditional look with chrome housing and an amber reflector, serving as an OEM-style replacement rather than a dramatic visual upgrade. It is designed for halogen bulbs, not an integrated LED system. A Ford owner might choose this if they are looking for a simple, cost-effective replacement for a damaged or hazy factory headlight and wish to maintain the original look of their truck, rather than upgrading to high-performance LED technology.
2. BICYACO 4×6 Inch LED Headlights
- DOT Approved 60W 4x6 LED Headlights: The DOT-compliant headlights compatible with Kenworth w900 guarantee your lights are compliant with the United States Department of Transportation for use in the...
- Waterproof IP67 On This 4x6 Headlights: After high-intensity testing, even in the cold winter, there is no case where the lights are not lit because of the cold weather. Efficient waterproof for all...
The BICYACO headlights represent a different category altogether. These are universal-fit 4×6 rectangular sealed-beam LEDs, designed for a wide range of older vehicles, including classic cars, semi-trucks like Peterbilt and Kenworth, and some older SUVs. Whereas the TRUE MODS light is a bespoke solution for a specific vehicle generation, these are a versatile retrofit. A buyer would choose the BICYACO lights to modernize the lighting on a classic vehicle or commercial truck that uses this standard size, benefiting from the brightness and longevity of LEDs in a form factor that fits their older application.
3. DNA MOTORING Chrome Amber Headlights 04-08 F150
- [*Fitment] - Compatible With 04-08 F150 / 06-08 Mark LT
- [*Bulb Model] - H13 High / Low Beam (Bulbs Not Included)
Similar to the Super Duty model, this DNA MOTORING assembly is a direct, OEM-style replacement for the hugely popular 2004-2008 Ford F-150. It retains the factory chrome look and is designed to accept stock halogen bulbs. The primary customer for this product is an F-150 owner dealing with faded, cracked, or leaking original headlights who needs a functional and affordable solution to restore their truck’s appearance and safety. The choice here is about restoration and value, contrasting sharply with the TRUE MODS, which is focused on performance and aesthetic enhancement for the Jeep platform.
Our Final Verdict: A Brilliant Upgrade With One Frustrating Flaw
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT are a fantastic investment for any owner still suffering with stock halogens. The leap in nighttime visibility is staggering, making driving safer and more enjoyable. The build quality is solid, the aesthetics are a perfect match for the Jeep’s rugged style, and the plug-and-play installation is genuinely simple for even a novice DIYer. It delivers the premium look and performance of the OEM LED package at a fraction of the cost.
However, the product is held back from perfection by its poorly designed adjustment mechanism. The need to repeatedly remove and reinstall the units to aim them is a significant annoyance. Despite this, we still highly recommend them. The frustration of the adjustment process is a one-time event, while the benefits of the incredible light output and stellar looks are enjoyed every single night you drive. If you have a little patience and are willing to work through the aiming process, you will be rewarded with one of the best value-for-money upgrades you can make to your Jeep.
If you’ve decided the TRUE MODS 9 Inch LED Headlights for Jeep Wrangler JL JLU Gladiator JT is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API