HID/better lighting in 1st Gen

[Clayboy]

I would like to speak with anyone who has had experience upgrading their headlights. On my previous 91. 5 I bought some upgraded headlights, but never installed because it would require me to modify the housing since the new headlight were deeper than the housing opening could accommodate (Yes, I was told by the seller it was "plug and play" - buyer beware). Just looking for a straightforward way to upgrade my headlights. Thank you!

Clayboy

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

When I put my headlights on relays I also decided to change to H4 bulbs and new lenses. I bought plastic lenses but could not get satisfactory driving adjustments with them. I bought a set of glass rectangular lights that used H4 bulbs and they worked quite well. I had to cut and bend the Dodge housings slightly so they would fit. The next problem I had was with the H4 (US made in China) bulbs which would only last about 6 months. To solve that problem I switched to Bosch bulbs which have been in for a couple of years.



If you are interested it would take some digging but I think I could come up with the info on my change over. The setup is better than the original but not HID.



Bob

 

[Clayboy]

Bob,
Thank you very much. It is not necessary I go to HD, but it would be nice. Other options I am considering is to just upgrade to Silverstar factory lights and put on a separate relay to increase the brightness. Also, if anyone has come across another bulb manufacturer who might have a better light, it is appreciated. Like most, I am looking for something straightforward, reliable, and would not outstrip the limits of my public education mind.
Clayboy

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I checked the glass lenses and they are Hella. It would be nice to know what kind of luck others have had with the Silverstar head lights as it is related to the life of Silverstars when used with increased voltage that relays provide. With my experience with "US" made lights and the Bosch H4s proved to be a money saver 3 times over.



Bob

 

[DVolk]

Im toying of the idea of the new LED lights from Petersen , they claim there is no modifications needed to the headlight buckets

 

[RWherley]

I put in a set of Hella lights with the replace able bulbs in my truck, they do require a little trimming of the light bucket to fit but I love them, they are much better then the halogen lights I had before.

 

[Clayboy]

Bob,
Thank you. The glass lenses with H4's were what I tried to do originally and if they would have fit the stock bucket, I would have - I might still go back to it, it is just I did not want to have to do a lot of modification. I have a garage full of tools, just nothing to easily modify the buckets.
I have had good luck with the stock replacement in Silverstar (6054), but on the other for my 05 3500 (9007), spotty at best. I used to love to use Silverstar Ultra's - very good light, but not very long life. I recall once I blew a bulb after 3 months (I don't do a lot of night driving). I always kept my receipts from these bulbs, and to Slyvania's credit, I wrote a letter stating their bulbs should last longer than 3 months, and they sent me a new pair. I had a Golf TDI that I think used H3's, I used Bosch. They blew pretty quickly as well.

 

[Clayboy]

Im toying of the idea of the new LED lights from Petersen , they claim there is no modifications needed to the headlight buckets

I checked their website, but I only found high/low beam combo lights for a four headlight set-up. Do you have a model number? I too would be interested if they were an exact fit and the lumens were better than OE bulbs.

 

[Clayboy]

Do you have a model number for the Hella's?

 

[Clayboy]

Do you have the model number for the Hella lights?

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Clayboy



I will find the number and let you know - might be Tuesday but I will get it for you.



Bob

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Clayboy



I bought mine from J. C. Whitney. The best P/N was MFG # CWC-7005 just put it into their search feature.



Bob

 

[RSchwarzli]

I also run a Hella H4 glass light. I run the off road 65/120 (or is that 60/120???) bulb. Fantastic low and high beam. I did have to put a relay in for the bulbs and a wire harness to reverse the pattern. But on high beam at night I see a good 3/4 mile.

Now for the crew, I will likely do a slight bit brighter as you can never have enough light when you drive for 2 hours and don't pass another car! But I will also do under body 4000 series Hellas as well I suspect.

 

[DVolk]

I dont have the part # for the LEDs there is more than one manufacture for them and from what seen they have bulbs for the large single set ups as well

 

[Clayboy]

Thank you! I will check it out.

 

[Clayboy]

Roger that, I am trying to avoid hitting Bambi on my long commutes.

 

[RWherley]

The Hella number for the lights I got is 72 207(Hella Vision Plus Halogen Conversion Headlamp. )