Improving 9004 bulbs.

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T-Keith

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My Park Avenue is stuck with the odd (for GM) 9004 bulb style. While the beam is a little better then my Lesabre's(9006 but smaller reflectors) they are a very weak light. Fine when your all alone, but another car comes by and I can barely tell they are on.

I'm wondering if there is a way of improving them, or replacing them with a better bulb. HID retrofits are pricey and I've heard not ideal with this style bulb. HIR bulbs are not available.

One interesting thing about them is that Buick chose to use them like a 9006/9005 setup and have two separate bulbs for high and low. In other words they only use one filament per bulb. I've already considered modifying the bulbs and/or sockets to use the 65 watt portion.

What do you guys think?
 
I know there is a way to modify the socket in order to use a 9007 bulb. Many owners of '95-'99 Nissan Maxima's have done this. The 9007 is a better design and puts out more power. You can also install a harness that is fed directly from the battery which will also make your bulbs brighter.
 
My Legend uses those feeble 9004 bulbs. I know what you're saying about the poor lighting. The high beams work great, but I think it's more a function of the lens than bulb output. Does your Buick have fluted lenses or clear lenses with faceted reflectors?

I have read that the problem with fitting 9007's in place of the 9004's is the position and orientation of the filament with respect to the reflector/lens. Using the 9007 in place of the 9004 could make the situation worse.

Running the 65W filaments might work. Thinking of swapping the wires within the bulb connector?
 
I had a 1993 400E that used 9004s. I modified an H4 bulb to fit but found that bulb unsatisfactory. I surmised that the difference in the distance of the the filament from the reflector caused the H4's pattern to be too dispersed. I found some high powered 9004s; I think they were 90/130. They were almost too bright on low beam plus they quickly melted the MB headlight plug. I ended up with new plugs spliced on and the original 9004s. I complained about those headlights for the 13 years I drove that car.
 
I would try these: PhilipsVisionPlus
They are Philips VisionPlus rated at +50% over a stock 9004 bulb. I've just installed Philips Xtreme +80% 9007 bulbs in my truck and they are a nice improvement.
 
Originally Posted By: paulo57509
My Legend uses those feeble 9004 bulbs. I know what you're saying about the poor lighting. The high beams work great, but I think it's more a function of the lens than bulb output. Does your Buick have fluted lenses or clear lenses with faceted reflectors?

I have read that the problem with fitting 9007's in place of the 9004's is the position and orientation of the filament with respect to the reflector/lens. Using the 9007 in place of the 9004 could make the situation worse.

Running the 65W filaments might work. Thinking of swapping the wires within the bulb connector?


9007's has a axial filament which has different lighting properties than the transverse filament of the 9004.

Plus, the mounting slots are different from each other preventing 9007's being installed.

... the best way to make things a little better is by installing auxiliary lighting, ie, Fog lights.
 
Happened to a bulb burn out yesterday, I was able to swap out the high and low beams and have working bulbs, kind of nice. I tested the voltage and it was 12.5 volts with the engine running. I'm thinking of doing the rewiring and trying to run the high beam portion.

Brighter bulbs seem promising, but does anyone have any real tests to back it up?

-T
 
I did the 9007 conversion on my 9004 equipped '97 Maxima. You would need to get new sockets for the 9004/9007, along with two old 9004 bulbs to take apart. A little wiring, hot glue, and cutting a new "key slot" in your new 9007 bulbs is the basics of it. What I learned is this: not worth it in a '97 Maxima. The 9007 bulbs filaments point straight ahead of the car. The 9004 filaments are horizontal. Apparently, this makes a huge difference with respect to the headlights reflector surfaces. The 9007's were not able to be properly aimed. The 9007's were brighter on low beam, but more likely because they are 55 watt compared to the 9004 being 45 watt. High beam for both is 65 watt.
I'm still looking for better lighting for my Maxima. I have factory fogs, which help on country roads around here. I would like to find some 55/65 watt 9004's, but have been unsuccessful so far.
A heavy duty wire harness may help depending on your voltage drop. I followed the instructions I found online for checking mine, and didn't have a signifcant voltage drop. I may make a new harness just to check.

Hope this helps.

Dave
 
Ya know, the Ebay HID kits (2 bulbs and 2 ballasts) are only about 65 dollars with the super slim ballast. These types tend to work really well and are more reliable than you might guess. Far more reliable than the older style kits that fail regularly.

I purchased a H1 kit for my Jag in 5000K, however, 4300K is even brighter without being yellow. Remember that the higher the "K" color temp, the less light they actually produce. They have them in "low beam only" 9004's.

They are also available as a dual style with an HID and halogen combo in one bulb(these are not worth getting).

In addition, they are also available in a high/low setup that moves the bulb to simulate Hi/Lo. I've never actually tried these.
 
Have the same problem on my Rodeo with using the 9004 bulbs.

Started using Silver Stars a year ago with great results...but, found what works better...so I can actually SEE at night and is the greatest improvement ever....

Rodeo003.jpg


Have the lense covers on...but a set of JC whitney fog lights has made a world of difference, I actually LIKE driving at night again.
 
Silverstar style bulbs aren't going to help you see any better as they don't put out anymore lumens than stock. I'd buy a relay harness for more voltage to the lights, and get a good set of 80/100 watt bulbs from ebay or whoever can get you them with no stupid blue tinting. Remember you want actual 80/100 watt rated bulbs, not PIAAs gimic of saying they equal that of a 80/100 watt bulb. Automod sells good 80/100 watt bulbs

That or go to http://www.ddmtuning.com Buy some 9004 HIDs in 4300 or 5K (anything over that is too blue and has poor unfair climate performance) with a lifetime warranty for under $100. Aim them down, and call it a day. They'll cost more if you want one that still retains the low/hi function.


or for $20 just add a set of fog/driving lights...

my RMS had 9004s. hated driving it at night. I found a killer set of fog lights from optilux that had a driving light and fog light in the same housing (2 bulbs per housing). I lost maybe 20% of the light due to them being behind my grille, but I ended up with a 100w h3 as the fog light, and a 130w h3 as the driving light. Needless to say I had no issues seeing at night when they were on.

I eventually ditched those and had my friend make me a custom set of headlights that use the Hella 90mm modules that take the H9 bulb.

The 9004, H4, and 9007 suck because they put out no light compared to other bulbs. The h4 is the best of the three putting out 1500 lumens on high. But as a comparison my H9 bulbs put out 2500 lumens rated at highway voltae(14+v)
 
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Silver stars helped me see a LOT better then stock bulbs...perhaps all of your wiring is going bad. There's a HUGE difference from one stock bulb versus one silver star bulb within the same truck.
 
not sure the HIDs in the 9004 with the lo/hi function. Most operate the bulb up and down at an angle, and you'll have useless highs. Just get a single function HID bulb unless you need to pass inspection.

The other lo/hi systems with more than one bulb are gimmick garbage..
 
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