2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Sport Headlights - What filiments to burn?

[Cooker]

I am installing a set of sport headlights on my truck and I am wondering what filiments to light when.



I know on a 99+ Sport the low beam is only the 9007 low and the high beam is the 9004 and 9007 high but it seems we could make better use of these lights



I am debating running the 9004 and the 9007 low on low beams and running the 9004 and 9007 low and high on the high beams. I am worried that might be a bit too much heat so maybe I would pick the 9004 or 9007 low and both highs on high beam.



How did you wire your Sport lights? Any suggestions?



Thanks!

 

[SS]

Cooker,



Try them in the stock configuration to see how you like them first. Hold the high beam switch to see both momentarily. I did a quick test on a 9007 bulb a few years ago - burned both filaments for 4 hours on a bench with no airflow. The lamp housing melted and the glass on the bulb grew a big tumor on it. About 3 days later, the bulb spontaneously exploded sitting on a shelf (makes a mess inside a lamp). I remember talking to a retired test engineer about internal pressure on the bulb going from something like 7 atmospheres to 13 atmospheres with both filaments burning. I know there are guys that do it, but I don't recommend it. If I had to choose I would do the 9007 - the 9004 reflector probably is not designed for low beam and may give a poor pattern. And the 9007 is more centered in the lamp for heat concerns. My 2 cents.

 

[Thomas]

I was burning the 9004 and 9007 low filaments on low beam and all filaments on high beam until two months ago. After nearly a year, there was a slight discoloring of the reflectors near the bases of the 9004 bulbs, probably the result of too much heat. I have since removed the low-beam filaments of the 9004's from the mix and don't miss them. The fogs-on-with-high beams modification also helps. As DTW suggests, the lamp reflectors are not designed to use the 9004 low-beam filament.



The Brite Box uses all but the 9004 low-beam filaments on high beam.

 

[Chipstien]

Cooker, You can run the 9004 on low with the 9007 with no ill-effects. However I would not run all elements on high as this will be too much heat and can discolor the reflector and the lens along with drastically reducing bulb life. However when running the 9004 on low you may very well get flashed because the reflector was design to be high beam only so even with the low beam element you may be too bright. What I would do is throw a quick disconnect in the low side of the 9004 when you make your harness. That way if you find that all 4 bulbs is too bright then you disconnect the 9004 without modifying the harness. Plus, if you really have need of it you can plug it back in.

 

[Cooker]

Thanks for the suggestions.



It looks like I won't worry about the 9004 on low, but I do like the quick disconnect idea so I at least have the option.



Thomas,

Do you think it is possible that all 4 elements burning on high was the source of the discoloration? It sure seems like all four burning would generate a ton of heat vs. buring the two low beam elements in combination?



I guess I have to remember no matter what I do it will still be ton better than the original lenses/bulbs.



Thanks again.

 

[Thomas]

The slightly discolored area is minor, extending, at the most, a half inch from the base of the 9004 bulbs. I believe the cause was the burning of both of the filaments of the 9004 bulb at the same time and an inability to get rid of the heat at the reflector. I also believe the 9007 bulb had nothing to do with it. There is no discoloring of the reflector neaar the 9007 bulb. The problem revealed itself long after installing a relay box and harness. The logical fix was cutting the lead to the 9004 low beam filament. The 55 watt filaments on the 9007's plus the OEM fog lamps work well for me on low beams. On high beams I now burn six headlight filaments as well as the fog lamps, a total of 445 watts to the front.

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Harness'

First off

get a Harness upgrade.

I got mine from SUV light'.com

This greatly improves the brightness, by getting full voltage to the bulbs.

second

I run both low beams together on low and both high beams together on high.

I adjusted my lights accordingly and the high beam pattern is good.



SFB