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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: 95yjman on March 01, 2008, 11:14:30 AM

Title: Headlight upgrade
Post by: 95yjman on March 01, 2008, 11:14:30 AM
One of my headlights went out on me so I see it as a time to upgrade them.  What does everybody suggest that would be good?  I'm looking at something like these: http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=166  What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: Jeffy on March 01, 2008, 02:32:24 PM
If you're looking at getting sealbeams then I'd go with Sylvania.  There are several different types for every budget.  Otherwise, you can switch to Halogen's and Xenon's.  The best would be HID's but they are expensive.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: Jesse-James on March 01, 2008, 03:50:06 PM
Silverstars. Best bang for the buck if you ask me.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: 95yjman on March 01, 2008, 07:24:56 PM
Might be a silly question but are head lights hard to replace on a YJ?
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: Jeffy on March 01, 2008, 07:33:28 PM
Might be a silly question but are head lights hard to replace on a YJ?

I believe it's 4 screws for the bezel then something like 1 for the retainer.  Unplug form the backside and swap.  Don't futz with the adjustment screws.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: 95yjman on March 01, 2008, 07:35:02 PM
Cool, it looked pretty easy but just wanted to make sure ;)
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: st.chevrolet on March 01, 2008, 08:15:18 PM
I have used tons of different types and brands and from what I have seen short of going to HID's the H4 housing with some good quality bulbs is your best choice for headlights. I used the Hella H4 housings with Piaa Xtreme White bulbs, the combo is so good I find I rarely use my driving lights. If you go this route you my want to use a less costly bulb though the piaa's are not cheep, but well worth the cost I have found. There are some bulbs that will give the the same white light (I hate the yellow stock light) and are almost as good as as the piaa's for considerably less.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: jcsanders79 on March 01, 2008, 08:54:36 PM
I'm looking to get a set of these in the next few weeks.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_300.htm
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: st.chevrolet on March 01, 2008, 09:14:37 PM
Those look like a good set of lights.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: 95yjman on March 01, 2008, 09:17:37 PM
I don't know if I could afford those being a poor college student.  I just need to browse quadra tech and find something I like.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: st.chevrolet on March 01, 2008, 09:47:42 PM
i did buy a pair off ebay that for the money worked pretty good the bulbs that came with them weren't the greatest but you could upgrade them heres a link for a similar set.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/8X5-SQUARE-PROJECTOR-HEADLIGHTS-CONVERSION-KIT-H6054-H4_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQihZ001QQitemZ110228580372QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: oldjeep on March 02, 2008, 06:18:42 AM
Just make sure you get them aimed correctly.  Mis aimed stock headlights on a lifted jeep are bad enough, but people in front of you will want you shot if you have high powered lights aimed too high.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: Jeffy on March 02, 2008, 12:37:07 PM
Just make sure you get them aimed correctly.  Mis aimed stock headlights on a lifted jeep are bad enough, but people in front of you will want you shot if you have high powered lights aimed too high.

That's actually one of the problems with aftermarket HID's.  They use halogen housings which don't have the same light pattern so they end up being too bight.  The other problem is when you start lifting a vehicle, you'll want to lower the headlights so they aren't projecting as far out.  Otherwise, you'll have a very dim pattern that's too far out.
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: jfrabat on March 02, 2008, 04:35:24 PM
I have a set of Delta Tech Xenon Rectangular H4 Headlight  (http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_120.htm) , and they are much better than the stock lights.  They are much whiter too.

Just make sure you get them aimed correctly.  Mis aimed stock headlights on a lifted jeep are bad enough, but people in front of you will want you shot if you have high powered lights aimed too high.

But I do have the problem that I cannot adjust them down any more, so I drive with the KC Slimlights fog lights on (these iluminate close to the Jeep, and the Deltas focus a little farther out).  I get a some drivers turning their bright lights on, but ussually turning on MY brights (which incidentally also turn on the KC Daylighters on the windshield frame) takes care of that.  I do wish I could adjust them correctly, but the current setup does work nicely (for me at least; I am sure the other drivers feel a bit differently!).
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: Mozman68 on March 03, 2008, 07:10:57 AM
I noticed that as well when I installed my upgrades....had to really adjust them down to make them the same level as the stock ones....not sure if they can point down any further. :puzzled:
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: jcsanders79 on March 03, 2008, 07:44:41 AM
I started doing some research on the Delta Lights and they come in Halogen and Xenon.  Which are brighter, whiter and better?
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: jfrabat on March 03, 2008, 08:39:03 AM
I have the Xenon, and the light is very white; but the buld does have some blue tint to it, which is brobably filtering the red part of the light to create this, which means that the light is not as bright as it could be...
Title: Re: Headlight upgrade
Post by: chrisfranklin on March 05, 2008, 04:11:05 PM
Anybody ever try this guy:  www.danielsternlighting.com (http://www.danielsternlighting.com)  He's in Canada where lighting needs may be a bit more demanding. 

Apparently imports all this European-Spec stuff you can't get in the States (according to one guy who bought a new setup from the site).   And there's no shopping-carts or anything.  You tell him what ride you have and what kind of lighting performance you're looking for and he tells you what's the best way to go.

Its kind of got me a little interested; maybe when the next time a headlight goes I'll place an order.