Automotive Headlight Stuff...

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

My "BEAST" (8000# + 1990 F350 Crew) desperatly needs a new driver side headlight bucket. It got wet inside and is ugly.

That said, with a standard Wagner 9004 in the other side and a GE Super Blue in the bad side, the light output is similar.

Changing the Spuer Blue to the other side and putting a Sylvania Cool Blue in the bad side, the Super Blue SLAUGHTERS it!

Tonight I went to Walmart intending to buy Silver Star bulbs. The only 9004 package had been opened and taped up. NO WAY.

Down the aisle a bit were APC 'Ultra White' bulbs that look remarkably similar to Silver Stars but cost a LOT less. So I grabbed a pair (carefully selecting the package with the staightest looking bulbs in it!). Putting one of those in the bad side helps.

Now I have them adjusted so the left side gets the near me and the right gets the farther away. It is a remarkable difference over what I've been used to!

I will have Silver Stars to compare these APC bulbs to. Then I'll know more.

I can say this: The GE Super Blues or the Sylvania Cool Blues are a decent step up from the standard halogen bulbs.

The APC bulbs are a step (decent or not I can't really say) up from CB or SB.

On a side note: At my local parts emporium I saw Silver Star T bulbs, 1157 3157 and some others. I sorta plan to get a T3 for my rechargable lantern, and would like to try 1157s in my incandescent tail lights. Of course I also have a set of LED tail lights back there as well as LED side markers. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Anyway this whole experience has been eye opening! I had no idea such gains could be made in headlight output! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

Anyone else had such an experience to share? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif[/img]

[JML]

I replaced standard H4 (9003) bulbs with PIAA, sticking with the 55/65 wattage, and was quite impressed. But after 14 months, one low beam filament blew. I replaced the very expensive PIAA ($80 for a pair) with the Sylvania Silver Star, for half the price (still double the standard bulb price). They're brighter than the PIAA, and even whiter than what I had before. The pattern of the two bulbs doesn't match exactly (it might be a function of the metal bulb shield inside my headlights, or perhaps sample-to-sample variations in the bulbs, or both), but these are definitely great bulbs. The Sylvania prompt no flashes from other drivers who think I'm running highs all the time (the PIAA did). The swath of light is more pronounced, with better cut-off and better overall distribution.

Re-aiming is critical. Each bulb is different, and it seems that the pattern each throws is also a bit different. Some reports of unhappiness after changing bulbs are due to a failure to re-aim the headlight -- and the owner not realizing the different beam pattern.

One other note -- you have to be careful to not exceed the wattage of your stock bulbs, or you risk melting the wire harness and mount from the increased heat output. The 55/65 watt rating is the standard US rating for 9003 and 9004 headlight bulbs, but these Sylvanias are brighter and whiter (but supposedly not any hotter).

[rycen]

I have the Silver Stars in my SHO and they are great.Also I got mine for 30 for the pair when they was a 10 dollar mail in rebate.

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Wow! Tonight I grabbed one 9007 Cool Blue because to my eyes there was no reason it wouldn't fit. The 9007 has axial filaments as opposed to cross.

As it happens, I had to do some Dremel modding to make it work.

It makes the ugly side WAY brighter. I guess what isn't nasty on the reflector catches way more light. The beam pattern is different as well. With some careful dark street aiming, I now have pretty darn good headlight coverage!

I drove around a bit to see if anyone would flash me, and so far so good.

YIPPEE!

Silverstars are nearly 40 a pair, so I don't see them in the near future! Besides, this is nice!

Edit: There is an APC Ultra White in the other side, and at this moment I don't see getting a new headlight assly very soon either!

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Further update:

I have a 9004 Cool Blue in the passenger side, and a 9007 Cool Blue in the drivers side.

The way they are adjusted, the drivers side light gets the area closer to me, also handling center stripe nicely. The passenger side covers farther out, and really shows overhead and right side signage well.

No one has flashed me so far.

This is so much better than I had for a loong time!!!

Check out the Cool Blues for a cheaper alternative to Silver Stars....