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REVIEW: Quadratec LED Taillights

19K views 94 replies 25 participants last post by  basicxj 
#1 ·
Ladies and Gentlemen! So I picked up a set of Quadratec’s new LED taillights (https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/led-tail-lamps-07-17-jeep-wrangler-jk) and in an effort to help my fellow Jeepers I am posting a review of said lights.

First I want to point out that I only have the stock taillights to compare to. I wish I had a set of JW speakers since those really seem to be extremely popular replacements for the stock lights. I also wont waste any time with an install guide, its two screws and a wiring harness, couldn’t be easier.

The lights themselves: Wiring and connectors is top notch, all wiring is sealed with epoxy (see picture in the next post below). Connectors look to be nearly identical to the stock plugs. The lenses appear to be a different type of plastic vs the stock lights. The plastic seems to be cleaner and clearer (my jeep is a 2012 so I expect some of the stock light appearance is due to age and UV degradation). The Qtec lights do appear to be a thinner material, this is obviously not a destructive test so I cant say anything about durability at this point. I’ll make sure to post any long term results in the future if anyone is interested. Or feel free to PM me or respond here at any time and ill try to give an update. Overall I think the quality of the lenses and housing is maybe slightly under that of stock, and this is purely based on feel. I will consider a weight comparison if anyone is really interested.

Light Output: So this is the main reason I wanted them. I feel that ALL the stock lighting on the JK is substandard. These are SIGNIFICANTLY brighter than stock in terms of running lights, brake, and turn signal. I have a few pictures ill post below to try and illustrate the comparison. A lot of people are also wanting better reverse lights, which these deliver though with some caveats. The reverse lights are brighter than stock that is for sure, but I still think that they are not ideal for what Jeepers want. It may be asking too much to get a truly bright reverse light. I had auxillary lights on my stock taillights and I am thinking about how to keep them with the new taillights as well. Also, there is a strange beam pattern from the stock lights (see my photo below), basically there are horizontal shadows.

Aesthetics: I HUGELY prefer the stock look compared to say JW Speakers which is why I went with these lights. They look basically identical to stock lights except for the bank of LEDs which each light can be seen individually.

Overall: at $150 bucks I think these are priced right and if you like the stock look but want to add some extra safety and light output, you should absolutely consider these lights. I think I would give them 4 stars out of five with the loss of points from the horizontal shadows created by the lens when the reverse lights are on.

I don’t want to ramble too much more about what I THINK you guys/gals might want to hear, I would much rather you ask the questions and ill try and give you a good response.
 
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#4 ·
Ageee with your reviews. I also found the reverse lights not being great at all. Thought stock with LED bulbs did better. But overall lights are way better.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for taking a look at them.
The pricepoint is decent, they don't look Star Trekky, but they leave me wanting...
They look like a replacement but not an upgrade.

I'd want something more robust. The stockers are very vulnerable to trail damage.
I'd want more reverse light.

I'd want a better/legal version of a military light.
This isn't legal for street use. But this is the rabbit hole I'd like to dive down and make something functional and legal around:



I want a tail light I could hit with a baseball bat. One that will let me see where I'm going in reverse (separately switched extra light incorporated?).

This isn't legal either but it's down the same rabbit hole.
http://www.rockridge4wd.com/i-21251...-wrangler-jk-2007-2017-2-4-door-pan-5002.html
 
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#6 ·
Mine are JW knock offs but provide plenty of light to see when backing up. I still added some auxiliary lights to the rear for more lighting but I can see just fine with just the tail lights. They are brighter than the actual JWs and about 5 times brighter than stock.







They are brighter than any of the bulbs I have ran as well. Still not as bright as having aux lights in the rear though.
 
#7 ·
And Jamie is back! Wait, you have these better than JW lights for sale too, right?

How many accounts do you have registered now? Yes, your last name is in your photobucket quote and your in NC.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the review! Happy to see you are enjoying these lights!

Output-wise the reverse lights have been measured as being brighter than stock. However, they cannot be too much brighter. The reason for this is due to FMVSS/DOT issues. Reverse lights on vehicles cannot be brighter than a specific rating, which I believe is:

300cd for a lamp used as part of a 2-lamp system
500cd for a lamp used singly

They are designed to be signal lights to others behind you - basically just to tell others that your vehicle is backing up, while providing nominal lighting for driver use. You can absolutely purchase some drop in LED clusters to make them brighter, they just won't technically be FMVSS compliant at that point.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks!

-Rick
 
#12 ·
You are correct, sir.

What I'd like to do is put a separately switched bright set of lights inside a housing. They wouldn't come on automatically in reverse; you'd have to throw the switch ---- but they couldn't come on unless you were in reverse.
Incorporating the auxiliary lights right into the brakelight kills two birds with one stone....
 
#20 ·
I highly recommend an aux. LED reverse light setup. We offer a few - one example:



https://www.quadratec.com/products/97061_01900.htm

Our LED tail lights use a factory style, Sylvania 3157 incandescent bulb. If you convert to an LED cluster "bulb", it will no longer be DOT/FMVSS approved. If one does this and something happens with the lighting/Jeep related to it, it would most likely not be covered under warranty.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

-Rick
 
#21 ·
I highly recommend an aux. LED reverse light setup. We offer a few - one example:







https://www.quadratec.com/products/97061_01900.htm



Our LED tail lights use a factory style, Sylvania 3157 incandescent bulb. If you convert to an LED cluster "bulb", it will no longer be DOT/FMVSS approved. If one does this and something happens with the lighting/Jeep related to it, it would most likely not be covered under warranty.



Hope this helps!



Thanks,



-Rick


So reverse is not LED? Just the other lights?
 
#32 ·
I read the description of these lights on the Quadratec website. It says nothing about the fact that they have incandescent bulbs for the reverse lights. To the contrary, it describes how superior their LED's life is compared to incandescent bulbs and clearly states that the lights have no filament to break. This description is misleading, to say the least-- and is they type of stuff that makes class action lawyers lots of money (also opens the door to Lanham Act claims-- Google that for more information).

I'm a big fan of Quadratec and their branded products but would be furious if I purchased these lights and discovered they were not full LED. Rick-- I suggest you talk to the powers that be and correct this ASAP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#33 ·
Agree, misleading and thats why the reverse lights are marginal. But very happy with mine overall. But Quadratech should correct their website and print catalogs asap as it false advertising.
 
#36 ·
Hey guys,

In my buddy's garage working on some friend's Jeeps. Just wanted to touch on this real quick:

We advertise these as "LED tail lamps." There is nowhere in the advertising that states the reverse lights are LED. With that said, I have contacted my web team to review specifically calling out that the reverse lights are not LED.

We do offer a 30 day return policy. If anyone purchases these and is not happy with them they can be returned for a refund, store credit, or exchange :) If this is the case with any of you feel free to PM me and we can get you into JW Speaker for $100 more.

Hope everyone is having a happy and safe Saturday! Keep the shiny side up.

-Rick
 
#37 ·
Hey guys,



In my buddy's garage working on some friend's Jeeps. Just wanted to touch on this real quick:



We advertise these as "LED tail lamps." There is nowhere in the advertising that states the reverse lights are LED. With that said, I have contacted my web team to review specifically calling out that the reverse lights are not LED.



We do offer a 30 day return policy. If anyone purchases these and is not happy with them they can be returned for a refund, store credit, or exchange :) If this is the case with any of you feel free to PM me and we can get you into JW Speaker for $100 more.



Hope everyone is having a happy and safe Saturday! Keep the shiny side up.



-Rick


Rick,

Thats a great offer for anyone not happy. Personally I am happy and going to keep mine and recommend these to anyone wanting an affordable and better looking aftermarket LED option.

But making a statement saying that Quadratech advertises these as LED tail lamps and for anyone not to assume "reverse lights are not LED is a bit absurd. When a consumer looks for LED Taillights or Regular, we/they assume that all bulbs are matching. At least me and I am sure many others. As the reverse lights are part of the tail lights and NOT a separate component.

Like having LED Headlights, but high beams are not LED.

Website and any print materials should have made this clear from day one.

Again great lights and happy. Also if someone desires, can can switch out bulbs to LED if they like as well. So no big deal if made clear at POS and marketing that they not FULL LED.
 
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#38 ·
Rick,
I have to agree with the sentiments above, when reading the marketing info the average person would believe that they were buying a led tail light, not a partial led tail light.

With that being said, what was the rationale behind designing a led tail light with out a led reverse light? Seems like a very strange design philosophy, that will be off putting to many.
 
#39 ·
I have sent an e-mail off to my web team and the VP of Marketing with this info. They are back in on Monday and will review this at that point. Again, if I can help in any other way just let me know.

Thanks guys!

-Rick
 
#42 ·
Hey all,

In speaking with the Product Design Team and the VP of Marketing I have some updates:

-The description will be updated on the web and in future catalogs that have not yet gone to print.
-The warranty will still be honored if you decide to purchase some LED drop in cluster bulbs. It will not be honored if say the LED drop in cluster bulbs burn/melt the housings of course.
-If purchasing LED drop in cluster bulbs, you may see a bulb out indicator when engaging the reverse lights, depending on the brand you purchase.

I have not test fit the following, but we do offer Rough Trail 3157 LED's:



https://www.quadratec.com/products/55208_0578.htm

Thanks,

-Rick
 
#44 ·
Hey all,



In speaking with the Product Design Team and the VP of Marketing I have some updates:



-The description will be updated on the web and in future catalogs that have not yet gone to print.

-The warranty will still be honored if you decide to purchase some LED drop in cluster bulbs. It will not be honored if say the LED drop in cluster bulbs burn/melt the housings of course.

-If purchasing LED drop in cluster bulbs, you may see a bulb out indicator when engaging the reverse lights, depending on the brand you purchase.



I have not test fit the following, but we do offer Rough Trail 3157 LED's:







https://www.quadratec.com/products/55208_0578.htm



Thanks,



-Rick


Awesome guys!! Thanks
 
#43 ·
^^ pretty classy

For the record, I would still be interested in a pair of these taillights knowing that a drop-in LED would make the whole light LED.

A disclaimer that the back up portion of the lights are incandescent would be all that is needed for "truth in advertising" in the product description. Honouring warranty on the product for consumers choosing to do a drop-in LED upgrade for the backup lights (barring things like the customer's preferred LEDs melting the housing) would be sufficient enough for me.

I'd be interested in hearing about anyone's experience after upgrading the back up portion to LED, and video would be good too.
 
#45 ·
I can see!! I installed the LED reverse bulbs I had in my stock lights that were awesome and allowed me to see behind me.

Installed them in the QTech lights today and wow, can really see even better. The lens is a bit clearer so the bulbs shine through really well, but are more visible. But now these lights are complete and way they should have been from day one.



Also install an Xprite LED 3rd light. The color is not the same red, but better than stock until I find a nicer one. At $20 cant complain.

 
#49 ·
Good as OEM. Mine fit perfect
 
#50 ·
Ladies and Gentlemen! So I picked up a set of Quadratec’s new LED taillights (https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/led-tail-lamps-07-17-jeep-wrangler-jk) and in an effort to help my fellow Jeepers I am posting a review of said lights.

First I want to point out that I only have the stock taillights to compare to. I wish I had a set of JW speakers since those really seem to be extremely popular replacements for the stock lights. I also wont waste any time with an install guide, its two screws and a wiring harness, couldn’t be easier.

The lights themselves: Wiring and connectors is top notch, all wiring is sealed with epoxy (see picture in the next post below). Connectors look to be nearly identical to the stock plugs. The lenses appear to be a different type of plastic vs the stock lights. The plastic seems to be cleaner and clearer (my jeep is a 2012 so I expect some of the stock light appearance is due to age and UV degradation). The Qtec lights do appear to be a thinner material, this is obviously not a destructive test so I cant say anything about durability at this point. I’ll make sure to post any long term results in the future if anyone is interested. Or feel free to PM me or respond here at any time and ill try to give an update. Overall I think the quality of the lenses and housing is maybe slightly under that of stock, and this is purely based on feel. I will consider a weight comparison if anyone is really interested.

Light Output: So this is the main reason I wanted them. I feel that ALL the stock lighting on the JK is substandard. These are SIGNIFICANTLY brighter than stock in terms of running lights, brake, and turn signal. I have a few pictures ill post below to try and illustrate the comparison. A lot of people are also wanting better reverse lights, which these deliver though with some caveats. The reverse lights are brighter than stock that is for sure, but I still think that they are not ideal for what Jeepers want. It may be asking too much to get a truly bright reverse light. I had auxillary lights on my stock taillights and I am thinking about how to keep them with the new taillights as well. Also, there is a strange beam pattern from the stock lights (see my photo below), basically there are horizontal shadows.

Aesthetics: I HUGELY prefer the stock look compared to say JW Speakers which is why I went with these lights. They look basically identical to stock lights except for the bank of LEDs which each light can be seen individually.

Overall: at $150 bucks I think these are priced right and if you like the stock look but want to add some extra safety and light output, you should absolutely consider these lights. I think I would give them 4 stars out of five with the loss of points from the horizontal shadows created by the lens when the reverse lights are on.

I don’t want to ramble too much more about what I THINK you guys/gals might want to hear, I would much rather you ask the questions and ill try and give you a good response.
Nice writeup, they look awesome on your Jeep!!

Thanks for taking a look at them.
The pricepoint is decent, they don't look Star Trekky, but they leave me wanting...
They look like a replacement but not an upgrade.

I'd want something more robust. The stockers are very vulnerable to trail damage.
I'd want more reverse light.

I'd want a better/legal version of a military light.
This isn't legal for street use. But this is the rabbit hole I'd like to dive down and make something functional and legal around:



I want a tail light I could hit with a baseball bat. One that will let me see where I'm going in reverse (separately switched extra light incorporated?).

This isn't legal either but it's down the same rabbit hole.
http://www.rockridge4wd.com/i-21251...-wrangler-jk-2007-2017-2-4-door-pan-5002.html
I'd love to have those military lights on my JK. They do look killer!!!

Hey guys,

In my buddy's garage working on some friend's Jeeps. Just wanted to touch on this real quick:

We advertise these as "LED tail lamps." There is nowhere in the advertising that states the reverse lights are LED. With that said, I have contacted my web team to review specifically calling out that the reverse lights are not LED.

We do offer a 30 day return policy. If anyone purchases these and is not happy with them they can be returned for a refund, store credit, or exchange :) If this is the case with any of you feel free to PM me and we can get you into JW Speaker for $100 more.

Hope everyone is having a happy and safe Saturday! Keep the shiny side up.

-Rick
It never ceases to amaze me, that the party doing all the bitching, doesn't even have the lights!
Our country is in huge trouble with these new generations!
 
#51 ·
I've had these for about a month and I've been pleased so far. Not happy about the reverse not being LED. I thought something was up with the reverse! Has anyone noticed that there seems to be dust in the round areas where the LEDs light up? It isn't noticeable when they are off, but where they are on it bugs me.
 
#55 ·
No, $18 on amazon or ebay and the lights ate worth it!
 
#61 ·
Reverse lights on. Yeah I can see now!


Now go away Jamie!
 
#64 ·
#65 ·
#67 ·


Here are mine in action. Not as string as @Pressurized bulbs, but good. Will try his soon. I did not need resistors. Not needed on stock housing either.
 
#70 ·
I'd say it's somewhat hard to tell, because you have a lot more ambient light in your photo than I did. They don't look bad at all.
 
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