Headlamp bulbs

[KcoleKennyc]

I just saw some high wattage halogen bulbs in a J C Whitney catalog. Wonder if anyone has tried them and if the stock switch and wiring will handle them safely. Would like to try brighter ones but don't want to burn up something. Need all the help I can get-can't see as good as I once could. Probably linked to age or something.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I just installed a new set of the Sylvanias. I think they are called Xenon Star. They are WHITE! I was going to do the sport light setup and still may somewhere down the road but I needed some lights quick. These are the 65/45 so they are the same wattage but they are a really bright white (not blue). The difference is unbelievable. Bad news is, they were about $48. Ouch. The Cool Blues by Sylvania were $28 but the hype from Sylvania and their distance charts comparing the OEM, Cool Blues and these forced me to these. I really like them.

 

[TboneMan]

I once tried some of these headlights (high wattage and "blue") in my previous truck (Ram 1500 gasser). They tended to burn out quickly. I theorized that the filiments were not strong enogh to withstand the vibrations of a PU truck.



I ended up using set of normal wattage heavy duty bulbs and had no problems with premature burn-outs.



Given that the CTD vibrates even more I'd be worried about longevity.



Now if someone made a high wattage HD bulb, I would gladly change.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Good point TBoneMan. That's why I stayed with the 65/45 standard wattage bulbs. The only difference is the color.

 

[dezeldog]

Bulbs

Bought the Sylvania Super Star from Murrarys and got the life time warranty. They did make some what of a difference.





Jim

 

[lschultz]

Silverstar

I think thats Sylvania Silverstar what they call them. Unless they have come out with something new. I put them in my 00 and they are brighter than the cool blues. About 25 each at Advanced Auto Parts.

 

[dezeldog]

Bulbs

ISchultz those are the ones that I have and they are better than OEM





Jim

 

[mbaston]

PIAA

I have the PIAAs and so far so good. They are rated at the standard wattage but they claim to put out the light of a much higher wattage lamp and it is whiter. I do notice a difference.



If you really want light, some Hellas or KCs or the like is really want you want. Stay clear of the high wattage bulbs. I know several who have lost their wiring and lamp sockets.

 

[Alan Reagan]

You guys are right. Silver Star.

 

[JWaters]

I have been running the hyper blues 65/100 watt ones for a year now and I have never had a problem. They have a lifetime warrenty also.

 

[yogibear]

Auto Zone has the Silver Star's for 19. 95ea. w/$10. 00 mail in rebate good til 1/22/03, I think. Just installed them yesterday, they are definately brighter. My 03 had Sylvania 9007GL, and Phillips 9006 in fog lights. I'm going to try the 9006ST's in the fog's also.



Larry

 

[lschultz]

So your saying that the 03 have Sylvania 9007GL in them. What does the GL mean?And they have Silverstars out now in 9007. Back when I had my 00 the highest they went at Auto Zone here was 9004. Very interesting

 

[msimmons]

The '03's have Sylvania 9007 "Q"L bulbs, not GL. The QL stands for Quantum Life which is a longer life bulb than the standard 9007. Amen to the poster who recommended the Xenon Star bulbs by Sylvania. They are quite good, but pricey! Not sure how they will stand up to the vibes of the Cummins though.



Mike

 

[lmills]

I just put in the new Sylvania's, I really like them.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

ordered hella 80/100w from autozone yesterday for $23. All of the ones in JC Whitney blow out on me in 3 months.

 

[lmills]

yeah, I bought a set of the plasma blues on ebay from a wholesaler. Needless to say they were nice while they lasted, but that wasn't long. I saved my old bulbs and put them back in till I got the new Sylvania's

 

[mgonske]

I've been in headlight BOMBing mode lately. I put a set of the Sylvania Silverstars in the '03 as soon as I got it. They seem a little "whiter", but also a little dimmer at the same time.



I put a set of the PIAA super whites (I think that was what they were called--don't remember for sure) in my '98 when I first got it, and don't remember being able to see any noticeable difference.



I also just recently got a set of 7" round replacements for the TJ, that take H4 bulbs. I don't remember the brand on them, but they have European fluting patterns that provide a pretty sharp beam cutoff, with an angled higher cutoff to the right--I really like the beam pattern they throw. They came with "xenon blue" H4 bulbs, and I was disappointed to find they actually reflect noticeably blue in the reflector even when turned off. Although the light is *very* white from the driver's seat, and also when looking (briefly) into them from out in front, they have that annoying characteristic when looking at them from the *edge* of the light pattern of looking very blue--I hate encountering cars with these things. Also, the stock connectors didn't fit very tightly on these bulbs. So I ordered a set of 130/80 H4 bulbs from JC Whitney--they came Thursday, but I haven't installed them yet. On the other hand, I drove the Jeep last night, and found the "whiteness" of the xenon blue bulbs remarkable. I guess I'll still be in experimenting mode for a while.



Mark

 

[Chipstien]

I have a Piaa in one side and the Sylvania silverstar in the other. Guess which is brighter... ... . Silverstar and noticably. And I have not heard of the Xenon Star bulbs, only the Silverstar.

 

[Alan Reagan]

My Silverstars are whiter and briter. I like them. For the first time since I've had this truck I feel like I'm irritating people when I stop behind them at night because the lights are so white.

 

[scliny65]

Originally posted by kcole

I just saw some high wattage halogen bulbs in a J C Whitney catalog. Wonder if anyone has tried them and if the stock switch and wiring will handle them safely. Would like to try brighter ones but don't want to burn up something. Need all the help I can get-can't see as good as I once could. Probably linked to age or something.

All I can say is: "Don't bother with the lights from JCW. "

I purchased a set of the high wattage (100/80) all-weather (yellow beam) lights 2 years ago. When they got here. . Surprise!... . they were Sylvanias. Oo. They lasted until 2 months ago, despite some rather rough off-roading.



So when I found I needed a new set, I re-ordered.

Except this time they were not Sylvanias!

(I can't even find these bulbs on Sylvania's site, so I guess they're not making them anymore )

They were CEC (?) brand, who I never heard of. I just know they have 'Made in Korea' on them.



The verdict: I can give you one because the qulity control

is non-existent on these things. The diameter of the o-ring channel is too large, so that the bulbs will not fit into the housing.



Bottom line: I will have to order the Sylvania Super White's I guess.



PS: I have had 100/80 bulbs in the truck for 2 1/2 years.

To date, no signs of any harness or housing meltdown, or anything abnormal.



Disclaimer:

Just my experience. Your results may vary.