Headlight Upgrade...What are my options?

yurmom22 · 11-20-2003, 01:43 PM

Hello all! First off, I want to warn you...this might be a lame upgrade, but maybe it's my 'rice-rocket' history that wants me to do this. When I used to have a lowered Honda...(I know, I know...but those days are behind me...) I had upgraded headlight bulbs that made it look like I had HID (burns brighter through xenon gas) lights. The bulbs were completely street legal. I know with Jeeps, you can't simply change the bulb, the whole housing gets replaced. I'm just wondering if there are upgrades out there to have a brighter burning headlight to get that HID look. I know about the Sylvania SilverStar's...but those seem more white than the slight bluish tint of HID's. Your help/feedback is appreciated.

Also, I want to lower my Jeep about 6 inches from the stock suspension...and get 20" chrome wheels...where should I get that done?

Haha...just kidding...I recently bought my Dad's '98 TJ off of him as I could not afford a new one (he says now he's going to buy a Rubicon, but we'll see)...since then I got a RE 3.5" SuperFlex kit installed and after work today I get to pick up my brand new 33" MT/R's on Tech1 black steelies...

I have to say that JeepForum is awesome and I have learned a lot from this site!

AnotherRED · 11-20-2003, 01:55 PM

You'll get a few sugestions form the Silver Stars to Cibies. I'll recomend the cibies. Do some reading here http://lighting.mbz.org/ then give Danial Stern a call. He seems to be a real nice guy, and very helpful. The light is a much better color, and shines to the sides almost like fog lamps. I drive home 45min. every night and these headlights were a good improvement. They are a little brighter, but you can't expect too much with out going to a higher wattage bulb.

**BigWaylon** · 11-20-2003, 01:58 PM

you've got 3 main options, or at least that's what I've found in the one week I've had my TJ...

1. swap your sealed beam headlights for another (better) sealed beam, like Sylvania Silverstars...

2. swap to a conversion headlight assembly, much like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=2443071 596

...that way, you can put whatever blue, green, purple, etc. H4 bulbs in them you want...

3. swap in a true HID conversion kit (for about $500) if you can find one...they are still floating around out there, even though they're not supposed to be sold anymore...

I did #3 on my Dodge Ram ($990 for headlights and foglights) and they were amazing...

I started with #2 on my TJ, and pulled them out today in favor of #1 (put Silverstars in foglights and headlights)...

Greg

yurmom22 · 11-20-2003, 03:24 PM

Has anyone had any experience w/ installing the conversion kits? Is it difficult? What are your opinions on the results?

I don't want to spend money on getting a true HID conversion, so I'm leaning towards Cibie or the H4 conversion. Any comments to help me lean one way over the other? Where can I purchase Cibie headlight replacements? I tried Quadratec and PerformanceProducts, and had no luck. Your help is appreciated. THANKS

AnotherRED · 11-20-2003, 05:27 PM

The link I posted before has an Email address where you can get ahold of Danial Stern. When he replied back he gave a phone # and I called the order in. 2 H4 headlight assemblies will cost you about $100. Then you can get your own bulbs or order those also. Replacing the lights couldn't be much easier. Unplug the light from the engine bay, remove the chrome besel, then 4 screws holding the bulb/assembly in. Thats it, nothing to it unless you can't operate a screwdriver

There are other companies that make the H4 conversion but the Cibies where about the same price and I've heard good things about them.

**BigWaylon** · 11-20-2003, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yurmom22

Has anyone had any experience w/ installing the conversion kits? Is it difficult? What are your opinions on the results?

the results don't even compare...it's not even close to an "apples to apples" comparison...

but, the price isn't close either...

installing the HID kits are just a tad more involved than the H4 conversion kits, which are just a tad more involved than the sealed beam swap...none of them are very hard...

Greg

Bos · 11-20-2003, 06:44 PM

I went with the following:

IPF H4 conversion housings
IPF 110/170w H4 bulbs (from 930 series driving lights)
ARB H4 wiring harness (relays, upgraded wiring, connectors, etc)

The IPF housings are very solid and have a great beam cutoff, so when adjusted correctly you won't blind oncoming traffic. Needless to say, 110w low beams are VERY bright and very white. The whole install, including routing the harness etc. took all of 45 minutes with simple tools.

You can get the H4 housings and bulbs from Quadratec, and the harness from stagewest 4x4. HTH...

rmagers · 11-20-2003, 07:45 PM

One of my headlights decided to go out last night. Advance Auto has the Silverstars on sale, buy one get one half off. Just put them in tonight. I had a set of diamond cuts with H4's before this. So far the Silverstars aren't that great (not as bright). I like my H4's much better. The only part of the Silverstars I like is the high beams. Time to find a better H4 and go back to the diamond cuts.

Ron

halfmoonclip · 11-20-2003, 08:03 PM

Given this answer before, but try Hella conversions (Susquehanna Motor Sports, $60 @ pair, plus shipping and bulbs)
I've upgraded to 60/100w bulbs; conventional wisdom is that you can go up to 100w w/o extra relays, assuming your connections are good otherwise.
Great beam pattern, great durability (the pair in my Cherokee are 20 years old and in their third vehicle), plenty of light. Avoid the weird color bulbs, IMHO.
Moon

MATT606 · 02-24-2004, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfmoonclip

Given this answer before, but try Hella conversions (Susquehanna Motor Sports, $60 @ pair, plus shipping and bulbs)
I've upgraded to 60/100w bulbs; conventional wisdom is that you can go up to 100w w/o extra relays, assuming your connections are good otherwise.
Great beam pattern, great durability (the pair in my Cherokee are 20 years old and in their third vehicle), plenty of light. Avoid the weird color bulbs, IMHO.
Moon

any idea of the part numbers for those as i am in australia and trying to do the same upgrade struggling to get part numbers so i can buy direct from hella rather than from a retailer.ya know

Bos · 02-24-2004, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATT606

any idea of the part numbers for those as i am in australia and trying to do the same upgrade struggling to get part numbers so i can buy direct from hella rather than from a retailer.ya know

Why don't you go with the IPF/ARB H4 conversion I did listed above? I would think it would be easy to get the parts being in Australia, and I know you won't be dissappointed with the light output.

halfmoonclip · 02-24-2004, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATT606

any idea of the part numbers for those as i am in australia and trying to do the same upgrade struggling to get part numbers so i can buy direct from hella rather than from a retailer.ya know

"Hella 7" round H-4" ought to do it; the box is marked "1A6 002 395-031"
Let me know how you make out.
Moon

Dakota · 02-24-2004, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATT606

any idea of the part numbers for those as i am in australia and trying to do the same upgrade struggling to get part numbers so i can buy direct from hella rather than from a retailer.ya know

I ordered these Hella e-code units from Susquehanna MotorSports. Cost WAAAAAAAY less than the ones Stern sells or the IPF lights, but are top notch performers. The web site gives you a selection of bulbs to choose from.

I've only had them installed for a few weeks, but I am very satisfied so far.

11-20-2003, 01:55 PM	#2
AnotherRED Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: central Wiscosin Posts: 148 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You'll get a few sugestions form the Silver Stars to Cibies. I'll recomend the cibies. Do some reading here http://lighting.mbz.org/ then give Danial Stern a call. He seems to be a real nice guy, and very helpful. The light is a much better color, and shines to the sides almost like fog lamps. I drive home 45min. every night and these headlights were a good improvement. They are a little brighter, but you can't expect too much with out going to a higher wattage bulb. Last edited by AnotherRED; 11-20-2003 at 01:59 PM..

11-20-2003, 01:58 PM	#3
BigWaylon tubework is cool... Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 7,646 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	you've got 3 main options, or at least that's what I've found in the one week I've had my TJ... 1. swap your sealed beam headlights for another (better) sealed beam, like Sylvania Silverstars... 2. swap to a conversion headlight assembly, much like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=2443071 596 ...that way, you can put whatever blue, green, purple, etc. H4 bulbs in them you want... 3. swap in a true HID conversion kit (for about $500) if you can find one...they are still floating around out there, even though they're not supposed to be sold anymore... I did #3 on my Dodge Ram ($990 for headlights and foglights) and they were amazing... I started with #2 on my TJ, and pulled them out today in favor of #1 (put Silverstars in foglights and headlights)... Greg __________________ 2001 TJ 60th Anniversary Edition (details in Profile) www.carolinarockshop.com All the pics I have...including a Table of Contents

11-20-2003, 03:24 PM	#4
yurmom22 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NorCal Posts: 283 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Has anyone had any experience w/ installing the conversion kits? Is it difficult? What are your opinions on the results? I don't want to spend money on getting a true HID conversion, so I'm leaning towards Cibie or the H4 conversion. Any comments to help me lean one way over the other? Where can I purchase Cibie headlight replacements? I tried Quadratec and PerformanceProducts, and had no luck. Your help is appreciated. THANKS

11-20-2003, 05:27 PM	#5
AnotherRED Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: central Wiscosin Posts: 148 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	The link I posted before has an Email address where you can get ahold of Danial Stern. When he replied back he gave a phone # and I called the order in. 2 H4 headlight assemblies will cost you about $100. Then you can get your own bulbs or order those also. Replacing the lights couldn't be much easier. Unplug the light from the engine bay, remove the chrome besel, then 4 screws holding the bulb/assembly in. Thats it, nothing to it unless you can't operate a screwdriver There are other companies that make the H4 conversion but the Cibies where about the same price and I've heard good things about them.

11-20-2003, 06:44 PM	#7
Bos Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: KY Posts: 95 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I went with the following: IPF H4 conversion housings IPF 110/170w H4 bulbs (from 930 series driving lights) ARB H4 wiring harness (relays, upgraded wiring, connectors, etc) The IPF housings are very solid and have a great beam cutoff, so when adjusted correctly you won't blind oncoming traffic. Needless to say, 110w low beams are VERY bright and very white. The whole install, including routing the harness etc. took all of 45 minutes with simple tools. You can get the H4 housings and bulbs from Quadratec, and the harness from stagewest 4x4. HTH...