Question about headlights

[michaelc80]

I tried to search and can't find where this may have been discussed before. On my 96 Jeep Cherokee with the square single headlights (high and low beam in one) I currently have Wagner headlights, and quite frankly they seem kind of wimpy. Are there any other headlight brands that are better? Some that might give a whiter light? I'd like to get as much bang for the buck, and I'm tempted to add additional lighting, since we live in the country and I want to make sure that my wife can see as well as possible.

I've checked voltages and everything is right where is should be, so it's simply a matter of output for this brand of headlights. So I'd like to try to find a brand that produces more whiter, brighter light.

 

[brianl703]

Have you had them aimed? The aim might be off and that can make a big difference.

If they're headlights with the three little pips sticking out, you cannot correctly aim them visually, you need a mechanical aimer (which costs about $300 so taking it to a shop is the only cost-effective way to aim them).

 

[ALS]

Try a set of Sylvania Silver Stars. They are a lot brighter than an average Halogen. Pricey at about $20 each but so much brighter and whiter light. Sylvania Automobile Lights

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

The E-code lights are the best way to go. They will be bright but will not blind other drivers since it has a very defined beam pattern. I'll try and find the website I was looking to buy from for my friend's TJ.

If you get time, google: sealed beam conversion headlights.... I would skip the diamond faced ones as those are not true Euros.

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

http://www.midnightmoose.com/housings.htm

This place sells Eagle Eye brand housings. They are similar to the Hella brand Euros but at a better price. If you order from them, I wouldn't use the "xenon" bulbs as they will actually reduce your visibility. Use Wagner BriteLite (or is it BriteWhite) bulbs. They are very good. The bulbs will be H4s... no modifications to the lighting harness are required. The H4 bulbs have the same plug-ins as the current sealed beams.

 

[SteveD2]

I just put a set of Sylvania Xtravision lights in my '96 Cherokee. Only cost me $24. HUGE difference in light output. I have clear lenses on my turn signals in front, and now I have to find some whiter bulbs for them because they look so yellow next to the Xtravisions. Xtravisions and Silverstars use the same bulb, it's just that silverstars have a blue coating. The blue coating makes the light whiter, but it also blocks the light and gives you LESS light for more money.

Also, you could rewire your headlights or buy a premade harness. My lights are only getting about 11.5v, while the alternator is putting out 13.7v. I'm going to rewire the headlights to get the full 13.7v, and when I'm done the lights will be aproximately 50% brighter.

 

[ALS]

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:

Also, you could rewire your headlights or buy a premade harness. My lights are only getting about 11.5v, while the alternator is putting out 13.7v. I'm going to rewire the headlights to get the full 13.7v, and when I'm done the lights will be aproximately 50% brighter.

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Here is a site with wiring tips to increase the voltage to your head lights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

 

[wulimaster]

I have a pair of the Hella Vision Plus rectangular lights with 55/100 H4's in them. Great low beam and high. When these bulbs burn out I will try the PIAA bulbs in 55/60w. Perhaps the Super Plasma GT-X. Anyone tried these bulbs yet?

 

[ChrisW]

quote:

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Originally posted by wulimaster:
I have a pair of the Hella Vision Plus rectangular lights with 55/100 H4's in them. Great low beam and high. When these bulbs burn out I will try the PIAA bulbs in 55/60w. Perhaps the Super Plasma GT-X. Anyone tried these bulbs yet?

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Any bulb with a coating on it, such as PIAA's or any of those hid/xenon wannabes even us sylvania silverstars, will reduce the output on the bulb, period. The more mediums the light has to travel through, the less light thats outputted.

Best bulbs out there are osram silverstars 50%+, or philips visionplus 50%+. These bulbs are "clear" bulbs, with no coating, for maximum output. These bulbs are found in europe, and select shops in the US that import them.

Next to ordering the european bulbs, the sylvania xtravison are great bulbs.

Its never a bad idea to buy a premade harness or make your own to get a true 13.8 volts to your headlight bulbs.

Sealed beam conversions to semi-sealed (usually H4 9003), are good, however, I would only reccomend getting the E-code (ECE) versions from Hella. The beam pattern on ECE housings are far superior to DOT.

The reason I reccomend the Hella brand is because Hella uses glass for the front and metal for the reflector, not chrome plated plastic like some other companies. I am not aware of other companies the do similar for their e-code sealdbeam conversions. They can be bought from Rally Lights aka Susquehanna Motorsports

 

[tom slick]

silverstars are supposed to be good. i also like GE high output lights. they add "HO" to the part number. another more costly way to go is using "e code" headlights with an H4 bulb.

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisW:


Sealed beam conversions to semi-sealed (usually H4 9003), are good, however, I would only reccomend getting the E-code (ECE) versions from Hella. The beam pattern on ECE housings are far superior to DOT.[/URL]

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The light output from them is nice, but I certainly wouldn't want H4 housings. Both of my headlights had rock chips in them, causing them to fog over and let all kinds of dirt onto the reflector, prior to installing my Xtravisions. No big deal for $10 throw away bulbs, but I certainly wouldn't want to be replacing ~$70 housings with ~$30 bulbs in them every few months.

 

[ChrisW]

Zmoz, theres this stuff called xpel, 3M makes stuff similar to it, it protects your lenses, either plastic or glass from chiping. You can buy it in sheets and cut it to size.

A pair of H4 sylvania xtravisions are about $18, less if on sale.

If you are worried about chipping the Hella H4 housings, then the xpel might be a good idea.