Headlight options?

[79BIG10]

I didn't want to hijack another thread here so I'm starting a new one.

I've got the factory style headlights and want some options that are out there. What are the pro's, con's and prices for each option. I do some night driving and would love a new setup to be able to see better at night. Right now my brights are even dimmer than the regular lights other people have on their cars for normal driving.

[apstguy]

There are Silverstar 6 1/2" replacement lights, composite conversion lights that use H4 or 9003 bulbs, or I have even seen a Sylvania HID conversion kit. Prices are: $45, $120 (a relay harness is required too, another $30), and $700 respectively.

[jimfulco]

Hella H-4 conversions (European-style 7" round lights) should work well. They'll set you back $80 or so. Wouldn't hurt to add relays, but they're not absolutely necessary unless you opt for some high-wattage bulbs.

[79BIG10]

What size wattage bulbs could I use with stock wiring?

[boxrodz]

For a sealed beam, you could go with Silverstars or other 'high performance' headlamps offered by Sylvania. You can review the details on the Osram Sylvania web site. Silverstars produce a truer white light, but have a shorter life span (~1 yr). They're a bit expensive for a sealed beam but have good light output. Along the same lines, GE makes the Night Hawk and Phillips makes the Vision Plus headlamps. I don't know about these headlamps.

You could also go with a H4s which seems to be a popular conversion. You would have a greater choice in the wattage ratings as well as with lenses and reflectors. The Tri-bars look cool if that's your style.

If I remember correctly, the HID$$$ conversions are all illegal and are 'for offroad use only'.

Sticking with your stock wiring, you can run any headlamp that's rated at the stock 60/55 watts (High/Low beam) rating... like the Silverstars and the like as well as some H4s. But, as Zoomad75 pointed out in the other thread, upgrading the stock wiring will increase the lighting output.

[79BIG10]

Thanks boxrodz. I'm thinking after reading that to upgrade to a new harness but will try to make my own. If you can put any input on the other thread where I posted would be great

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by 79BIG10

What size wattage bulbs could I use with stock wiring?

With the h4 conversion, 55/60 watt bulbs are normal. Looking on ebay, you can get 95/100 watt h4 bulbs. One word of caution, 95/100 watt bulbs are techically illegal due to the higher light output. It will be a cop magnet if you drive at night a lot. People will be flashing their highbeams at you when you have just your lown beams on. (I run pretty close to that right now with just 55/60watt H4s and the relay upgrade)

The other issue is current draw. 100 watt bulbs are going to pull a crapload of current. More than stock wiring can handle, probably moreso than fresh 14 gauge wire can handle for long periods with the lights on. Even with the relay mod. this would require higher amp rated relays, fuses and wiring.

Considering the huge increase in night vision you get with just changing to H4's with 55/60 watt bulbs and the relay mod, higher wattage bulbs just are not worth the BS to make the addtional upgrade for the hassel.

Trust me I can light up a dead straight road twice if not three times the distance of my stock setup. A big bang for your buck couple of mods if you ask me..

[jimfulco]

The European lights generally have a better pattern than U.S. ones. They have a sharper upper cutoff on the low beams so they won't dazzle oncoming drivers. I had Cibies with 80w/100w bulbs, and had no problems with being flashed unless I had the high beams on. You can also get 55w/100w H-4's.