Headlight Suggestions

Remo · Oct 30, 2008

My headlights are seriously lacking.

I currently have the stock housings on my 2000 Ex fitted with some Eurodezigns 8500k bulbs in size 9007. They are basically halogen bulbs but are more white/blue than the typical yellow/white halogen bulbs.

Anyway, I like how they look in the housings when lit (color-wise), but they are lacking in output. There is also next to no difference between my low beams and highbeams. They are terrible on an unlit street at night, particularly in rain/snow. Having my windows tinted compounds this problem further.

What do you suggest? Pick one of the below options or make a new suggestion, please.

1) Replace the bulbs with different bulbs (ie: Sylvania Silverstar Ultras)

2) Upgrade headlights with an HID conversion kit (preferably using stock housings, but possibly in ebay halo/projectors)

3) Add additional driving lights (preferably behind grille, but possibly on a bullbar)

4) Other suggestion

Finally, I'm open to suggestions about brands/stores, etc. Thanks in advance!

ELVATO · Oct 30, 2008

If the 8500k bulbs are using the same wattage as the stock bulbs, that's probably the reason why the output looks weak. The "whiter" halogen bulbs, including the SS bulbs, have a blue tint to them. This acts as a filter, filtering out some of the output (mainly in the yellows, leaving mostly the cooler end of the spectrum.)

I'd get some HIDs. Your stocks aren't the clear, are they? I don't know if I'd get ebay projectors, but try to get something close to stock. Just make sure you aim them a little low.

Remo · Oct 30, 2008

Thanks for the feedback, Elvato.

I learned about the correlation between the number and output after I purchased the bulbs, unfortunately.

It seems that somethign in the range of 5000k to 6000k would be better for my needs.

As far as the housings go. I have the stock style housings on my 2000 Expedition. Basically, it is a single bulb (hi/lo) set up designed for a halogen 9007 bulb. The turn signals are in separate housings.

As far as HID goes. Do you think they would be okay in a stock housing? I'm worried about the notorious glare and about losing my hi-beams (for legal and practical reasons).

Finally, any recommendations for HID brands/stores?

And do you really think the SS bulbs are not worth it and won't be an improvement?

ELVATO · Oct 30, 2008

You can get a bi-xenon setup that lets you keep your high beams. Basically, it's a solenoid that moves the bulb either up and down or in and out.

Do you know if your bulbs you have in now are stock wattage? If they are, the SS's will probably make a difference.

Remo · Oct 31, 2008

I have seen those bi-xenon set ups. I was wondering if they were actually worth the money and worked well. I was a little skeptical, what are your thoughts/experience?

I have also heard of dual-bulb setups on a single socket, but I haven't been able to find them anywhere.

Also, the current bulbs are stock specs. They are really just a different color because of the xenon/krypton gas opposed to the halogen gas. They are the same wattage, though.

So, I guess I could try the SS bulbs first. They aren't that expensive. And if that doesn't work to my liking, maybe I'll try some bi-xenon HID kit.

Thanks again, Elvato.

And as always, I'm still open to everyone else's input/advice.

ELVATO · Oct 31, 2008

The F150 guys use bixenon setups without much hassle, it seems.

But yea, try the SS's out first, and see how much of an improvement they give you.

Remo · Nov 12, 2008

Update:

Attempted to re-aim the headlights, thinking that would help some....

Aiming the 97-02 headlights is a PITA! After an hour, they are aimed better but still not perfect.

During the process I realized that I only had one function light when I turned my high beams on.

So I replaced the bulbs with some regular halogens. Nothing special, just cheapest reputable replacement bulbs I had lying around the garage.

It's sad to say, but they are actually an improvement over the Eurodezigns bulbs. The output is same, but the Euro bulbs color was too blue for practical use, I suppose.

I think I'm going to take a chance an install a 5000k bi-xenon HID kit in the stock housings. I know this isn't recommended due to the glare issue, but I'll give it a shot. I think I will be going with a kit from retro-solutions.com. They seem to have a good reputation/warranty. I might even go with their higher output 55 watt kit.

Anyone have anything to say about HID's in the stock 97-02 housings? Or anything about the retro-solution.com's kits?

thereason21 · Dec 4, 2008

Remo, let me know how that goes. I aint been around for awhile i would have recommended the silverstars too. I have silverstars in the Headlights and the fogs. I have blackouts on the headlights which make that a little difficult to see but with the fogs on ... shiiiiiit they are better than most cars high beams on the road.

davesexplorer · Dec 4, 2008

I wouldn't trade my HID's for anything halogen ever again.

ELVATO · Dec 5, 2008

Originally posted by davesexplorer
I wouldn't trade my HID's for anything halogen ever again.

X2

MaverikDS · Jan 28, 2009

Remo, did you and if so how did the HID conversion go? I was thinking about doing an HID kit also and someone said to be carefull of the bi xenon kits because the actuators can be sub-par. I still am thinking about it and want something brighter also. I have seen so many kits around but don't know which one is the best or know any feedback on them.

I replaced my headlights with silverstar bulbs that are a little better, but I'm still wanting xenon's in there. I really like them on my other car and with the height of the expo it seems as if they would just light up everything very nicely.

Remo · Jan 29, 2009

No, I'm still running the stock halogens. They are doing okay for now, I guess. I just don't have the time/money right now to upgrade and I still haven't really decided what would be the best upgrade for me.

tallsville · Nov 8, 2009

i had the euordezigns lights also. i put in hid 8500k but still have my eurodezigns hi and fog lights. my hid are way brighter and worth every penny.

z168 · Nov 10, 2009

tallsville said:
i had the euordezigns lights also. i put in hid 8500k but still have my eurodezigns hi and fog lights. my hid are way brighter and worth every penny.

thread is more than a year ago but worth to resurrect.

+1 on the HIDs. I have 6000K on Harley clear lamps

Remo · Nov 10, 2009

Yeah, this thread is really old...but I STILL haven't solved my problem.

I just haven't been willing to take a chance with my time and money to only be unsatisfied.

It would be a HUGE help if you guys could post some pictures of your trucks at night with the headlights/foglights on--preferably pointing at a bare wall from 20 to 50 feet. Also, say what you have for headlight housings/bulbs.

Then, I could get an idea of what kind of output/cutoff to expect. Thanks in advance if you put up some pictures!

tallsville · Nov 11, 2009

will try and post pics by next week. im away from expy right now but will take pics hopefully this weekend.

z168 · Nov 12, 2009

Remo said:
Yeah, this thread is really old...but I STILL haven't solved my problem.

I just haven't been willing to take a chance with my time and money to only be unsatisfied.

It would be a HUGE help if you guys could post some pictures of your trucks at night with the headlights/foglights on--preferably pointing at a bare wall from 20 to 50 feet. Also, say what you have for headlight housings/bulbs.

Then, I could get an idea of what kind of output/cutoff to expect. Thanks in advance if you put up some pictures!

I have a crappy camera, but I will see how it goes.

Unfortunately I didnt try the HIDs with the stock lamps. I put in the clear lamps when I put in HIDs. Noticed there are blackspots on the road and there is a bit of upward glare.

I adddressed that by tipping the headlights down a bit by adjusting the lower screws mounts.

Get HIDs - difference is night and day

seeker · Nov 13, 2009

Thought i would throw in my two cents here. First of all the police in my area will pull you over for hids that are non oem. The oem hid lights have an auto leveling function that helps keep the glare down for on coming traffic. The police refer to them as high income devices. My 2002 has the 9007 style bulb. I also run a pair of 55watt driving lights mounted low and center (considered legal here) that come on when i turn on the headlights. This works well for me.
I have been looking around on the net for better options for my situation. Ran into this that may help you search as well.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=231144
http://store.candlepower.com/bfcopo90hbpo1.html

tallsville · Nov 15, 2009

hid

here are pics of my hid as well as with my eurodezign high beams. as for what seeker says. they are illegal if they are not oem. here in LA the cops usually wont pull you over for the lights alone but if they pull you over they tend to write you up for most of the illegal stuff in/on truck.

the pics are 1st hids 2nd pic of front of truck with hid and fogs fogs are eurodezign high beam bulbs 3rd is hids and highs 4th is highs alone

97_edition · Mar 10, 2010

tallsville said:
here are pics of my hid as well as with my eurodezign high beams. as for what seeker says. they are illegal if they are not oem. here in LA the cops usually wont pull you over for the lights alone but if they pull you over they tend to write you up for most of the illegal stuff in/on truck.

the pics are 1st hids 2nd pic of front of truck with hid and fogs fogs are eurodezign high beam bulbs 3rd is hids and highs 4th is highs alone

Sorry to update an older thread but I have some questions regarding headlights and fogs. I posted a question in the Stereo and Electronics section about my switch concerns.

Tallsville, How are you able to run hids and highs "3rd is hids and highs"? Can you specify your setup? I am looking into installing HIDs and Fog lights neither are OEM. My main issue is that I still need my high beams for the deer that travel the roads here in PA and haven't seen too may bi-xenon setups that were that bright.

I want to get it right the first time and your setup looks great.
Thanks,

Headlight Suggestions

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