Headlight replacements for family van

lingpau · #1 03-28-2005, 04:57 PM

One of my headlights is out and I want to replace it. Manufactures recommend replacing both. I went to Walmart to get replacements. Do I buy the cheapies- 2 for $10.88 or the Blue lights for $17.88 or the 20% extra brites for $17.88 or the Super duper top of the line clearest and sharpest for $37.88(pair)? Anyone with any experience with all the choices. I want to have good night visability esp on those dark rainey nights when the road disapears into black nothingness. Whats your choice? Any insight would be a big help!

ACMarina · #2 03-28-2005, 05:51 PM

Sylvania XTraVisions are what I've gone with for the most part. Those "Ultra White" lights are just normal bulbs with a blue coating to make it look whiter, and coatings as a whole on bulbs like this reduce output.

Ctechlite · #3 03-28-2005, 05:58 PM

Hello, I bought a pair of Sylvania's for my wife's car because she complained of limited visibility after driving a newer car. I think they were called Silver stars, she really likes them and has commented several times about their brighter output and ability to see farther at night.
They were about $32 off of ebay, I think that was with shipping too.

iddibhai · #4 03-29-2005, 12:06 AM

best bet are sylvania xtravision (pink and black packaging i think) or napa britelite if you cant find the XV. (both are similar)

PhotonBoy · #5 03-29-2005, 12:21 AM

Incredible as it may seem, I have a 1996 Plymouth Voyager van and I've *never* replaced the headlights.... they just keep on truckin'. I've got 196,000 km. (or 122,000 miles) on the van. I've replaced the daytime running lights multiple times, which I think are overdriven, but the headlights are still fine. The transparent covers in front of the headlights are now fogged due to age, UV exposure and moisture -- it's damp here in Nova Scotia.

BatteryCharger · #6 03-29-2005, 01:53 AM

Here's another vote for the Xtravisions. They made a HUGE difference on my truck. Cheaper than the Silverstars and put out more light...

lingpau · #7 03-29-2005, 05:37 AM

Thanks to all! Great hearing from everyone who replyed. I think I am going to go with the Sylvania etravisions. I hate the blue lights and the Silverstars seem to be very expensive. Maybe some day LEDs will be bright enough to replace headlights so they will never burn out! PhotonBoy must have all the luck! 9 years on the factory lights- WOW!

lingpau · #8 03-29-2005, 05:37 AM

Thanks to all! Great hearing from everyone who replyed. I think I am going to go with the Sylvania etravisions. I hate the blue lights and the Silverstars seem to be very expensive. Maybe some day LEDs will be bright enough to replace headlights so they will never burn out! PhotonBoy must have all the luck! 9 years on the factory lights- WOW!

PlayboyJoeShmoe · #9 03-31-2005, 08:18 PM

I with a bit of Dremmaling was able to put a 5 or 10 watt stronger bulb in my messed up left headlight.

The Ford trucks from '87 to '91 have always had very nice headlights too.

I was too cheap for Silverstars, and ended up with Sylvanias of some sort (I forget).

Paul_in_Maryland · #10 04-12-2005, 07:54 PM

Go with Sylvania, but don't get their "whitest, brightest" model. They make a model (name?) whose beam is extra wide; that's the one you want. My commute exposes me to miles of unlit roads where a deer can jump out at any moment. The Sylvania's extra spill favors the right side, letting me see a deer before it jumps into the road.