Brightest farthest reaching Headlamps

[DHayden]

I see allot of threads about the sport conversion... which I have a sport so doing good so far. What is the Brightest, Farthest shining headlamp everyone has come across? I saw a few mention Sylvania 9004ST/9007. Are the 9004XV/9007XV significantly brighter than the ST? They say up to 20% but I would like to know if that makes a really noticeable difference with those who have tried them.



Any other bulbs out there that you have found to be better? I heard a while back about some kind of blue bulb, I don't like the ricer look and I'm not convinced that the blue is bright for practical purpose. Tell me of your best bulbs and what you have compared it with.

 

[Casey Ray]

I'm using Hella bulbs, very bright, put 'em in when I did the sport conversion. Had been using a xenon bulb, gave off a light blue light, the Hella bulbs are much brighter.



Casey

 

[JCastilleja]

I had the Sylvania Silverstars on mine. They are noticably brighter than stock and work very well. I paid around 20. 00 for each bulb. The problem I had with 'em was that they only lasted about 6 months, granted I run with my headlights on all the time, day/night. I do a lot of night driving and they were awesome. The light they give off was more of a pure white. I don't think they look blue at all. Hope this helps.

 

[Clinton]

I had the same experience with the Silverstars. They put out a lot of light, but didn't last like I thought they should. I bought them on a promotional offer and when the driver's side went out at about six months I couldn't see spending twice as much for half (or less) life. With your Sport lights you're looking at about $80 for four Silverstars.

 

[DHayden]

Clinton, what are you using now? Better, worse or the same as the silverstars?

 

[Clinton]

That's a fair question... I wish I could tell you for certain. Both Silverstars have died; that much I do know. Seems like I tried a Wagner bulb that was aimed at competing with the Silverstar that was a little less money and then just a regular Sylvania. I'm a fan of Hella stuff and will probably try a pair of their bulbs next.

 

[thmck]

Check out http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ or call him at 1-416-766-2327

 

[DHayden]

They also have the 9007LL which is the long life version. Supposed to be 3 times longer than normal. If 6months is normal... ... . Hmmm

 

[DHayden]

Thmck, thanks for the great link. Lots of good info, may take me a while to flip through it all but very informative.

 

[Casey Ray]

Hella Lights

--->THESE<---(click here) are the Hella lights from AutoBarn.

Very nice.



l8er,



Casey

 

[DHayden]

In my reading it says that coated bulbs like "Hella Optilux XP", NEVER increases light output and infact decreases useful visability and increases glare to other drivers.

That being said, I am still open to everyone's input. Do you precieve them to be brighter? Did you notice enhanced color in your vision at night or was it more light but not any better visability?

 

[Casey Ray]

I put these in when I did the sport headlight conversion, which has all 4 light bulbs on at low beam. That being said, these lights are awesome compared to the xenon bulbs I took out along with the oem light housings. Mine are white, I still need to get the housings aligned, they are a bit low right now. Just last night the wife commented on how nice the lights are, you can actually see down the road. Should be alot nicer once they are aligned.



Cul,



Casey

 

[Fishin Guide]

I ran the Hellas in my stock light fixtures for a while. Went through 6 bulbs in 2 months. The company did a good job of replaceing, but enough was enough. My next step was the Silverstars in the same fixtures. Greater quality and quantity of light, but the stock fixture sucked.



Then I swapped in the sport headlights. Made a huge difference even with the freebie bulbs already in the fixtures. After a few weeks to make sure everything was working as I liked, I swapped in the old Silverstars and another new set. All I can say is it's so much better than stock, I can throw a beam of light under a stock Dodge and help out the driver!



I drive quite a bit in the early morning (2-3 am) and in the evening for my guiding business. The sport headlights with the Silverstars is the absolute best thing I have ever done to my truck.



Dave

 

[THuebner]

Hi Dave,

In your reply you stated "Then I swapped in the sports headlights. "

To which brand/model fixtures are you refering?

Then you wrote "I swapped in the old Silverstars, and another new set. "

I infer that you installed aftermarket headlamp fixtures and put in used silverstar bulbs, then replaced the used Silverstars with new Silverstars.

Am I correct?

I drive a 1st gen. truck. Do you know if there is a similar upgrade for the '89-'93 trucks?



Thanks in advance.



Tom



'91 3/4 ton 4x4 standard cab, 3 speed auto, BHAF, Flowmaster exhaust, KDP dead, bed liner, Raider Vagabond topper, Lund steps

 

[Fishin Guide]

The brand/ style of the sport headlights is Depo. They are available at a bunch of places like SUV lights and the like. The Depo sport lamp is a copy of the original sport lamp on the factory truck. Essentially, a knock off/ replacement unit.



When I changed from the factory units (single bulb) to the sport style (dual bulb) I was able to use the previously upgraded bulbs out of my old set and also required another set, but a different part number to upgrade both bulbs in the housing.



Does that make sense? It hardly does and I read it a few times LOL.



I do not believe that they make an upgrade unit for the first gens. I have seen some guys go to real HIDs though, and they are very impressive. Expensive, but you have a design that there are a few very effecient reflector designs for.



Dave

 

[JoshPeters]

Well here's my . 02..... Get a spare set of headlights... . go to a junk yard that specializes in wrecked european cars. Find a BMW or Benz with the true Xenon lights. Not a hallogen with the xenon gas inside. Get the entire headlamp assembly. Inside there is a projector, and 2 control units. One jumps the 12v up to 120,000 to ignite the Xenon gas.



I cut the back of my headlights with a Dremmel tool, and slid the projectors inside. Once they were mounted I could use the factory aiming. They are head and shoulders above anything else I have ridden in. I have 100w "off road" lights... and they bairly get past my Xeon's... and where they do it's just a little spot WAY out there.



I have pics in my readers rigs... . I'll try to post a couple here for you to see the difference.



Josh

I think these lights are my best bomb.

 

[Scrappy]

I put silverstars in my truck and the have held out pretty good so far, the have about a year and a half on them and no burnouts yet. they are slightly tinted(they look like oily water)but the light seems whiter and crisper that the stockers. There are silverstars available in the 1st gen style bulbs also (I have them in my plow lights).

 

[THuebner]

Thanks for the info guys. It's obvious that here are better options than the stock lamps even for the 1st gen trucks. I'll just have to think about my wallet and time constraints. BTW Dave, what are HID's?



Thanks to all.



Tom

 

[JoshPeters]

High Intensity Discharge. They are the Xenon type lights.



Josh

 

[THuebner]

Thank you Josh.



Tom