[donkie]

So in my quest for better lighting I have tried new silverstar headlight bulbs (which after using them for a week I can say they are a waste and garbage) and now HIR bulbs. I got them from these guys, you can read more about them here http://www.hirheadlights.com/ Some patented bulb GE made when trying to develop a better bulb that offered 75% of HID performance for near halogen cost. They are now standard equipment on some new cars.

I installed them tonight while watching the Florida / OSU game, here are some pics and thoughts while Florida is cruising to a win...hopefully!

My lab pup checking out the shipping container:

Ironically, those boxes are the same exact size and type as used for a case of 7.62x39 I picked up the other day.

Tools needed for installation, last one is optional but highly suggested:


These bulbs are 9011 and 9012 base, similar to the standard 9005 and 9006 but they are not available in an XS or straight base version. I was not sure they would fit, but they worked just fine as they said they would. You have to trim one of the tabs, but they already mark this for you with white paint. Piece of cake.

Side by side with the fake hid silverstar junk:


I noticed this time that my factory reflector housing is damaged. The chrome is discolored just over the bulb, I assume from heat. After first blaming the silverstars, I looked at a pic from the day I got it and they were already like that. I wonder if they will warranty this:


Here they are installed. To put them in, you have to remove that trim ring by removing the 3 torx screws, connect the harness and screw down the ring. I first thought it would not work, be at a bad angle, etc but it's almost like it was designed to work. 1/10th of an inch more either direction and it would not fit at all. There is no stress on the base or the connector.


Popped the lights back in and fired them up. They are about two steps brighter than my OEM bulbs. They focus better in the housings for some reason, no more glare spiders just a nice bright beam. Still need to adjust them, but after seeing them in use I'm keeping these. The high beams are daylighters in output.

This is a quickly taken unaimed low beam bad picture:


The bulbs cost $25 or so each, and I can see just fine now. Only way to make it better would be to retrofit HID projectors, I might try that sometime soon...now I can concentrate on some real upgrades. 2 or 4 inches...that is the question Go Gators!

[MSU.WJ]

I'll add my .02 on this one, as I just installed toshiba HIR's, too. At first I didn't notice a huge difference, but when driving at night the HIR's really do make a pretty large difference in being able to actually see the road.

Nice writeup.

[Arkansas_WJ]

so does it get Donkies seal of approval?

Thanks again, great work!

[Texas ZJ1]

I thought the job of annoying talking animal was already taken?



Hunter

[Katesdad]

Im glad you found some bulbs that work well!

[donkie]

Yep, I'm keeping these. Adjusted them tonight, they were a foot low after changing them just like before. My tank was empty so I put them a hair low, I can see everything now. No problems seeing the deer that are currently eating on the shoulder of hwy 99, no cars flashing me either. The high beams are intense. Once it's not below freezing I will ditch the silverstar fog lamp bulbs...and try my old 9005's in there since they will fit according to www.wjjeeps.com

Now I need to figure out what to do about this:

Used a flash to exaggerate the spot. Is that normal?

[H3RESQ]

is that a burn/melt mark on the back of the housing? That must put out some serious heat. If it is that can't be good.

[capeennui]

I put these into my high beam sockets a few months ago. Got mine at rallylights.com if anyone wants to do a price comparison. I like them. I put the silverstars that I had down into the driving lights.

[donkie]

Originally Posted by H3RESQ

is that a burn/melt mark on the back of the housing? That must put out some serious heat. If it is that can't be good.

Yes, I think that is what it is...heat damaged the reflector. It came like that with just over 42,000 miles and stock oem bulbs, I just never noticed it. When I look at the pics from the day I got it I can see it now, I think it's part of the problem I was having seeing at night. I even went to get an eye checkup since I had not had one in years...still have better than 20/20 vision on my 31 year old eyes.

I wish I could blame the silverstars for damaging the housing, that would be fun. I called the dealer and it sounds like they will warranty the housings for me. He said sometimes the exit delay cooks them when it's set to long, I am not sure what the previous owner had it set as.