New Headlight Bulbs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 103
Likes: 23
From: Orcutt CA
New Headlight Bulbs
I searched this forum and can not find an answer to my question. The headlight bulbs on my 98 are original and it is time to replace them. What I would like to know are the higher wattage bulbs really better? If I install them, do I have to make other changes to the wiring/ballast?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Chuck
Thanks in advance for your help.
Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 54
From: Chandler, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
To my knowledge, you can replace your headlight bulbs with stock bulbs, or a Sylvania Silverstar bulb which is direct fitment and a step brighter than stock, or you can use HID and you will need a kit with bulbs and ballast, these are the brightest and actually use less power. The key is how bright do you want to go? I think 4300k is equal to sunlight? I have 6000k and they are PERFECT.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 412
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Where did you find 80/100W bulbs? and what brand?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge LA
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...?87-Automotive
Take a look there. IMHO, to stay remotely DOT compliant with the stock housing best you can get are HIR bulbs. Higher wattage bulbs and HID in the stock housing aren't DOT compliant.
HID in a retrofitted projector housing is kind of a grey area.
I put HIR bulbs in the girlfriends car and they were a marked improvement over the older stock bulbs.
Take a look there. IMHO, to stay remotely DOT compliant with the stock housing best you can get are HIR bulbs. Higher wattage bulbs and HID in the stock housing aren't DOT compliant.
HID in a retrofitted projector housing is kind of a grey area.
I put HIR bulbs in the girlfriends car and they were a marked improvement over the older stock bulbs.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 169
From: Montgomery Texas
IMHO, the lenses & reflectors in the OEM headlamps are not all that brilliant ... no pun intended. Brighter bulbs are only marginally better, because the light is not focused in a helpful manner.
If you don't want to spend the big $'s on projectors, see if you can still find the export H4 assemblies. These do a much better job of focusing the light where you need it and there are a wide variety of H4 bulbs available in various wattages.
If you don't want to spend the big $'s on projectors, see if you can still find the export H4 assemblies. These do a much better job of focusing the light where you need it and there are a wide variety of H4 bulbs available in various wattages.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Kingsburg Ca
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22,135
Likes: 2
From: Ft Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I put silverstars in mine, they are better than stock. I also put in 855 fog light bulbs, they are 50 watts (stock are 37 watts).
If you are considering HIDs, consider putting them in your fog lights. The foglights are projectors with a sharp cutoff, when aimed properly (and with more light) they can be a great help.
If you are considering HIDs, consider putting them in your fog lights. The foglights are projectors with a sharp cutoff, when aimed properly (and with more light) they can be a great help.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Oct 29, 2012 at 07:51 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Did the same and the 885 fogs are much brighter
I put silverstars in mine, they are better than stock. I also put in 855 fog light bulbs, they are 50 watts (stock are 37 watts).
If you are considering HIDs, consider putting them in your fog lights. The foglights are projectors with a sharp cutoff, when aimed properly (and with more light) they can be a great help.
If you are considering HIDs, consider putting them in your fog lights. The foglights are projectors with a sharp cutoff, when aimed properly (and with more light) they can be a great help.
Quick and cheap way to get more light if not going to HID>