New Headlight Bulbs (Please help)

[bluduk15]

New Headlight Bulbs (UPDATE: got the HIR bulbs)

I have close to 100k miles on my 2003 4WD Ltd. One of my headlights is out and I need replacement bulbs. So here are my questions:

1. What is the best bulb replacement that meets OEM voltages?

2. I also want to replace the driving lights (small circular lights in the bumper) with yellow fog light bulbs. What are the best bulbs for this that don't exceed OEM voltages?

I know there are lots of threads on lights, which I've read a long time ago. I would appreciate the advice as I need to order the bulbs today (Monday 25th) so I don't get caught without headlights.

I don't time to pick through a bunch of threads at work, so any help will be appreciated.



UPDATE:

I ordered the HIR low and high beam bulbs from Max Lumens at finemotoring.com. Very smooth transaction.

They were pretty easy to install. There is a small modification to the tabs on the body of the bulb connector. Basically, you have to grind or cut away a very small amount of one of the tabs so the bulb fits into the socket. It took less than 5 minutes, and I was taking it very slow cleaning the connections and making sure didn't touch the bulb.

During the installation, I compared one side with the new HIR and the stock 2003 halogen bulbs. The difference wasn't startling, but noticeable. What I was really looking for was newer, better bulbs that weren't fake blue and annoying to oncoming drivers. The color temperature of these bulbs was similar to the OEM halogen.

The biggest difference I noticed was actually driving. The low beams were noticeably better and the high beams were a whole lot brighter than OEM.

Overall, I'm very happy with the result and value of the bulbs.

If anyone is thinking of doing this upgrade I would highly recommend it.

NEXT UP: Fog lights. I still haven't found a replacement yellow bulb. There is some info on film to change the color, but that doesn't seem like the best tact. I really miss the fog lights on my ES300. They were very good and added a lot in foggy weather, so much so that I relied on them.

 

[Casper]

best headlights are going to be Sylvania Silverstar Ultras.....

as for the driving/fog lights, im not 100% sure as to who makes a yellow bulb fitment but any should be fine.

 

[bluduk15]

best headlights are going to be Sylvania Silverstar Ultras.....

as for the driving/fog lights, im not 100% sure as to who makes a yellow bulb fitment but any should be fine.

Are these going to be too bright for oncoming traffic? I hate the ultra modded cars with annoying headlights...but, those are usually installed incorrectly.

 

[Gromulus]

Blue Bulb Hype

Before you shop for replacement bulbs, do some homework.

Here is one of many good resources re. lighting and the science behind it:


http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

 

[bluduk15]

Re: Blue Bulb Hype

Before you shop for replacement bulbs, do some homework.

Here is one of many good resources re. lighting and the science behind it:


http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

Thanks, I've read this before and will again. What bulbs meet the non-blue tint parameters? So the Silver Stars? I hate those crappy Pepboy specials that just blind you.

I'll do the research eventually, but if anyone knows now, it will save me some time.

 

[Gromulus]

Re: Re: Blue Bulb Hype

Thanks, I've read this before and will again. What bulbs meet the non-blue tint parameters? So the Silver Stars? I hate those crappy Pepboy specials that just blind you.

I'll do the research eventually, but if anyone knows now, it will save me some time.

From the quoted website:

"OK, So These Extra-White Bulbs Aren't The Best Choice For Maximizing My Headlamps' Performance. What Should I Get Instead?

For those who want the best possible performance from their headlamps and are more concerned with their ability to see rather than the appearance of their headlamps, the major bulb companies offer optimized bulbs without the light-stealing blue glass. Narva RangePower+50 and RangePower+30, GE Night Hawk, and Philips Vision Plus, and Osram Silver Star are the ones to get.

Wait a Minute, Earlier You Said Silver Star Bulbs Have Blue Glass!

It's a name game: Osram, the well-established German lampmaker, sells a line of automotive bulbs they call "Silver Star". These are Osram's top-of-the-range headlamp bulbs, equivalent to Narva RangePower+50, GE Night Hawk, Philips VisionPlus, and Tungsram Megalight Premium. They produce the maximum legal amount of light while staying within legal power consumption limits. They have colorless clear glass.

Osram bought the well-established American lampmaker Sylvania in the early 1990s, so Osram is now Sylvania's parent company. Sylvania also sells a line of automotive bulbs they call "Silver Star", but it's not the same product. The Sylvania Silver Stars have blue glass. Light output is of legal levels, but as with all blue-filtered bulbs, you do not get more light from them. The Sylvania SilverStar bulbs have a very short lifetime, because the filament is overdriven to get a legal amount of light despite the blue glass.

To get the best possible seeing performance at night, don't choose extra-white bulbs."

Daniel Stern Lighting (Daniel J. Stern, Proprietor)

Personally, I have been running the same set of GE Nighthawks for the past two years and am very pleased with their performance. There are other good choices including PIAA, Osram Silverstars, etc.

 

[bowhunter53]

H.I.R bulbs period. If you dont want to see anything at night in the rain then get the silverstars. I have had silverstars, silverstar ultras, both crap. The H.I.R. bulb is the way to go, a little pricier, but worth it.

Go to ebay and do a search for HIR bulbs. You wont regret it.

 

[Gromulus]

H.I.R. Questions

H.I.R bulbs period. If you dont want to see anything at night in the rain then get the silverstars. I have had silverstars, silverstar ultras, both crap. The H.I.R. bulb is the way to go, a little pricier, but worth it.

Go to ebay and do a search for HIR bulbs. You wont regret it.

I have seen the seller (only one on ebay?) that you are referring to. I assume you have them on your rig.

A few questions:

1) How long have you had them installed? Do you have low and high beams installed?

2) Estimated or actual longevity data? (actual data from other users)

3) Any trimming necessary?

4) Any hassles from passing motorists or law enforcement?

5) Any negative effects?


Thanks!

 

[ran]

I will order the film protection for the headlites soon and also YELLOW film for the fog lites. I really do not use the fogs much, but I bet it will look good.











_________________
'07 SE Titanium V6 4x4

 

[magnumfan]

get the HIR Bulbs

H.I.R bulbs period. If you dont want to see anything at night in the rain then get the silverstars. I have had silverstars, silverstar ultras, both crap. The H.I.R. bulb is the way to go, a little pricier, but worth it.

Go to ebay and do a search for HIR bulbs. You wont regret it.

I couldnt agree more with my colleague above, Mr Bowhunter.

If you want to spend a ton of money you can upgrade your low beams to HID for about $400 - I have seen a few T4R with this kit, it works well.

I have the HIRs installed in mine, it took me mabe 5 minutes to mod the first bulb base and 60 seconds to do the second, all you need is a small file and some common sense. I paid $25 each for my HIR lights and I love them. I have HID on my SAAB, they are better than the HIRs, but at $25 versus $400. no contest :bigok:

 

[Greenrancher]

Another vote for HIR.

I've had them installed in low beam only for about two months. Modification was easy with a Dremel. Took about a minute for each bulb.

No negative effects or hassles.

 

[00328]

I have the Silver Star Ultras and they are nice, BUT you can't see shit at night when it rains and they only last about a year.
I will be getting a set of HIRs to try out, have read some really good things about them.

 

[bowhunter53]

take a look at supreme power parts. I bought their SPP 80W yellow fog bulbs. I installed Hi-Temp sockets at the advice of many people here to prevent the OEM sockets from melting. They are NOTICEABLY brighter and I really like the yellow color.

http://www.supremepowerparts.com/