Hella vs. KC

loosvelt · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:13 pm

Hey guys,

I want to get some fog lights, and driving lights for my KJ. Trying to decide between Hella and KC brand. I know each company offers varying levels of lighting, but as a whole, who's the better bang/quality for my buck.

Nate

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:19 pm

loosvelt wrote:

Hey guys,

I want to get some fog lights, and driving lights for my KJ. Trying to decide between Hella and KC brand. I know each company offers varying levels of lighting, but as a whole, who's the better bang/quality for my buck.

Nate

In my opinion they are equal,I have both on my KJ and love both.On the other hand they both have strong points about each--Hella makes better driving lights,crappy high power/long range lights and KC has crappy driving lights and way better high power/long range lights.Both are very close $$$ wise last I checked,but KC does have a better warrenty.If you want the best offroad lighting look at LightForce lights,but bring a very deep pockets.

JHCRASH · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:20 pm

I have used both and my preference is hella. Their lights always seem to last longer.Just my oppinion. :twisted:

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:54 pm

Hit up eBay. I got some great Hellas cheap.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:50 am

I prefer Hella lights; I know the quality of light has gotten better but I still have the vision of seeing some rusted KC lights on my friend's dad old Bronco. But I would definitely give them a try. If you try eBay just make sure you stay away from those cheap imitation KC/Hella looking lights. I found a great deal on some new FF75s for around $50
I have to agree Light Force lights are probably one of the best lights out their in quality at least but they are very pricey.

Johnboy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:21 am

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... las#242130

from a while ago. I got Hella 500's. This company gets all of Hellas returns and defects, re-assemble kits with all good parts, and sell them $15-20 lower than others. I was happy. He gave me free shipping too.

riptricket · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:24 am

personally i'g go with Hella too.... I have the Hella FF75's for back-up lights, and Hella 500's for front aux. lights. they are awesome and not vy expensive... i got my 75's on ebay for about 25$ justhave to buy some bolts tt were not included, and the 500s i got off of amzon for free!!!

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:45 am

I tend to agree with tjkj2002, KC's long range lights (the 150 watters if you can find them ) are great. I had 6 sets of KC on my 95 xj and have a set on my KJ now. I prefer them, GREAT wiring harness and very powerful lights, and great warentee.

Never used Hella's outside of replacement main headlights for my xj. they were okay, not sure they were worth the price. KC's always seemed to do good for me so why change.

KC's still make ametal stone guard for their 6" lights. not that cheap plasttic stuff. I painted them black (only come in chrome and you know how i feal about chrome).

SethX9 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:19 pm

I'll cut the Gordian knot: PIAA

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:50 pm

Ya beat me to it SethX9! I concur - PIAA all the way! They'll cost a little more, but last a lifetime.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:40 pm

WoodysKJ wrote:

I tend to agree with tjkj2002, KC's long range lights (the 150 watters if you can find them ) are great. I had 6 sets of KC on my 95 xj and have a set on my KJ now. I prefer them, GREAT wiring harness and very powerful lights, and great warentee.

Never used Hella's outside of replacement main headlights for my xj. they were okay, not sure they were worth the price. KC's always seemed to do good for me so why change.

KC's still make ametal stone guard for their 6" lights. not that cheap plasttic stuff. I painted them black (only come in chrome and you know how i feal about chrome).

I love my KC 150s

Mudder · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:50 pm

I have Kc slimlights ( titiantium) on my wifes libby. 130 watts and a blue tint and they light up the whole darn road. Have them set up with the bright lights per Michigan law. I can see deer along the road. Oh, and they are the driving lights not the long range ones. Have 4 long range Kc's on the sand rail and have no problems with them and they are all 150 watt ones.

My choice are the KC's.

I also put a plastic coating on the lenses to keep them from being chipped by rocks and pebbles.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:30 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

loosvelt wrote:

Hey guys,

I want to get some fog lights, and driving lights for my KJ. Trying to decide between Hella and KC brand. I know each company offers varying levels of lighting, but as a whole, who's the better bang/quality for my buck.

Nate

In my opinion they are equal,I have both on my KJ and love both.On the other hand they both have strong points about each--Hella makes better driving lights,crappy high power/long range lights and KC has crappy driving lights and way better high power/long range lights.Both are very close $$$ wise last I checked,but KC does have a better warrenty.If you want the best offroad lighting look at LightForce lights,but bring a very deep pockets.

I just wish LiteForce made a light small enough to fit in the holes of the TR or ARB bumpers. So what are my options there? PIAA it looks like....

wendell · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:00 pm

They are both good, but for bumper mount I perfere hella's. I guess it depends on which emblem you like better.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I agree with Alexander up there: PIAA is another really good lighting option.

wendell · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:48 pm

Maybe so, but Hella looks tougher written across the stone sheilds, PIAA dosen't look or sound mannly ha ha. KC's look good when mounted high, like on a roll bar or roof rack. I had KC dayliters on the roll bar of my 99 F-150 4x4, not only did they shine straight out, they also lit up to the sides. You could see really well on both sides as well to the front. I had Hells 500's mounted on the bumper of 02 wrangler, they were amber fog lights and also did an awesome job for the price. Some of these lights can get pretty pricey, but even the base systems like the Hella 500's or KC dayliters do a really great job for the money.

SethX9 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:32 pm

"but Hella looks tougher..."

Oh...I thought we were interested in the best functioning lights. :shock:

Well in that case I still say PIAA. I happen to think the front of my buggy is pure testosterone. Of course I'm a wee bit biased but you can be the judge for yourself.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:16 pm

I got PIAA's the first week after the set I salvaged from my blown Dakota wouldn't fit. After I get my armor and Super Skinks then I'll go to PIAA. They are pricey but you get what you pay for.

Fouros · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:39 pm

the lightforce 170's will fit

the 240's are just wayyy to big

i am looking to replace my lights with some Hella Rallye 4000 Compact's , the good thing is they come with a 100W h1 globe here not the standard 55w one :twisted:

The Rallye 4000 Compact is the standard to which all other lamps are compared. Used by most of the top Rally and Desert Racers. Now, due to technology improvements in reflector design and finishing, Hella introduces the Rallye 4000 Compact. Only 6.75" in diameter with no loss of performance over the larger Rallye 4000.

The mounting base measures about 2 inches wide and "cradles" the shell in a 5.4 " cup of Aluminum for the most stable mounting systems available in the industry today. The two knurled knobs are the adjustment lock knobs. Loosen these and you can rotate the shell up, down and side-to-side for a full range of adjustment. Tighten them and the shell is snugged into a rubber gasket between the shell and the mounting cup - that lamp isn't going anywhere!

The useful range of the Driving-beam is 2500 Feet

they are the same size as the lightforce 170's

http://www.lightforce.net.au/images/dl140170.pdf

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:38 pm

Fouros wrote:

the lightforce 170's will fit

the 240's are just wayyy to big

i am looking to replace my lights with some Hella Rallye 4000 Compact's , the good thing is they come with a 100W h1 globe here not the standard 55w one :twisted:

The Rallye 4000 Compact is the standard to which all other lamps are compared. Used by most of the top Rally and Desert Racers. Now, due to technology improvements in reflector design and finishing, Hella introduces the Rallye 4000 Compact. Only 6.75" in diameter with no loss of performance over the larger Rallye 4000.

The mounting base measures about 2 inches wide and "cradles" the shell in a 5.4 " cup of Aluminum for the most stable mounting systems available in the industry today. The two knurled knobs are the adjustment lock knobs. Loosen these and you can rotate the shell up, down and side-to-side for a full range of adjustment. Tighten them and the shell is snugged into a rubber gasket between the shell and the mounting cup - that lamp isn't going anywhere!

The useful range of the Driving-beam is 2500 Feet

they are the same size as the lightforce 170's

http://www.lightforce.net.au/images/dl140170.pdf

So if I read this right the lightforce 170's are the same size as the hella 4000 compacts? because I thought the LF 140's = 5.6 inches and the 170's = 6.6 inches. I want to put some lights in the front holes of my TrailReady bumper and they are saying the max is 4.5 inches????

Hella vs. KC

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