'03 Buick Century headlights

I've got a buddy that has a recently acquired '03 Century, and I'm trying to give him some advice on how to best improve his headlights. It's a pretty typical mid '00s GM setup, separate low/highs with 9006/9005. I've already recommended the 9011 swap for the highbeams, but I want check to see that a 9012 swap is safe before I recommend it. Otherwise I'll recommend the XtremeVision 9006.

He currently lives out of the state, but next time he's in town I'll break out the meter and see if a relay harness is in order (knowing GM, probably). Fortunately, the car was garaged so the lenses look to be in decent shape, and the DRLs are the turn signal type so it doesn't have 16 years of the DRLs roasting the reflectors.

You'd want the blacktopped HIR2 bulbs -- those headlamps have a cap style bulb shield, but it has slots or louvers cut out of it, so stray light would shine through. Check with Dan Stern about them.

How "decent" do the lenses look? If it's anywhere short of "like new", it's not decent enough.

Relays, probably not needed (unless you want to have the low beams stay on with the highs, which many GM 9005-9006 systems don't). GM's voltage levels tend to be higher than everyone else's across the whole system, so even with some drop in the headlamp circuit you're still seeing at or over 12.8v to the bulbs.

Of course, a careful and correct aim job is paramount.

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Image should be fixed now.

Bummer about the louvers, I have a pair of Volsa 9012 +30 sitting around. I'll send him Stern's way then.

BTW, thanks for all the time you spend answering questions here. I think this is about the only place on the internet where this kind of real advice about automotive lighting exists.

That headlamp looks like it's in good condition, and it's an OE part (some of the last Carello-branded lamps ever made).

And you're welcome! Thanks for the kind words!