BRIGHT hi beams?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
BRIGHT hi beams?
I need to replace my headlights soon, and I am just wondering if anyone has used any bulb that has an ultra bright high beam and a bright low beam for regular driving.
I just don't like how my high beams now don't really help me much over my regular driving lights.
Thanks in advance for the help!
-Chase
I just don't like how my high beams now don't really help me much over my regular driving lights.
Thanks in advance for the help!
-Chase
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 4
From: Lubbock, Texas
I upgraded my headlights with OEM 05-07 headlights. However, the best improvement was adding the headlight relay to power the headlights. If you research the topic...the stock headlights run 12v power through the switch. By the time it reaches the headlights it's down to 10.5 volts. Running the relay puts 12V at the lights and made a huge improvement over stock. Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Incandescent bulbs dim over time, so even by replacing with the exact same brand, it will be brighter.
Pipeline's suggestion is also an excellent one.
With plastic housings and lenses, you have to exercise a little caution when going to higher wattage bulbs. Melting of connectors (and possibly housings) can happen. Especially with tiny terminals of the '05+ lights. With pre '05, you should have no issues using a bulb with 80 to 85 watt high beam. As an experiment (after adding relays, better connectors, and larger wires), I wired mine so I can leave low beam on with high beam. That is over 100 watts through connector, and so far, no melting. But I do keep the bulb and connector contacts very, very clean. As corrosion forms, resistance and heat generation go up. That will eventually lead to melted connectors.
Of course, any higher wattage bulb will have shorter life... That physics thing.
Do NOT waste your money on all that hyper white/blue/purple crap!
Pipeline's suggestion is also an excellent one.
With plastic housings and lenses, you have to exercise a little caution when going to higher wattage bulbs. Melting of connectors (and possibly housings) can happen. Especially with tiny terminals of the '05+ lights. With pre '05, you should have no issues using a bulb with 80 to 85 watt high beam. As an experiment (after adding relays, better connectors, and larger wires), I wired mine so I can leave low beam on with high beam. That is over 100 watts through connector, and so far, no melting. But I do keep the bulb and connector contacts very, very clean. As corrosion forms, resistance and heat generation go up. That will eventually lead to melted connectors.
Of course, any higher wattage bulb will have shorter life... That physics thing.
Do NOT waste your money on all that hyper white/blue/purple crap!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Try the Sylvania SilverStar Ultra's....
For my truck I did not want carpet due to the amount of outdoor play my family and I do so I built up and XL for my needs. One of the best things I did was keep the sealed beam lights. I was very close to upgrading due to the looks! Yes they are FUGLY...... but I do not have to worry about the plastic yellowing chipping or cracking.
I went with the Sylvania SilverStar but for the sealed beam application and boy oh boy is there a difference!!!!!
If they worked this well for me I can only assume thier other bulbs would rock as well.
For my truck I did not want carpet due to the amount of outdoor play my family and I do so I built up and XL for my needs. One of the best things I did was keep the sealed beam lights. I was very close to upgrading due to the looks! Yes they are FUGLY...... but I do not have to worry about the plastic yellowing chipping or cracking.
I went with the Sylvania SilverStar but for the sealed beam application and boy oh boy is there a difference!!!!!
If they worked this well for me I can only assume thier other bulbs would rock as well.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
I also use Silverstar Ultras, but will mention that I installed in 3 vehicles two years ago, and have had one burn out in each. Conclusion: they do have a much shorter life - and combined with high cost, they are notably more expensive to run. Some would say the slight improvement in brightness is not worth the cost. I like to see, so I am OK paying for them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 18
From: Millersburg, OH
It's a harness that taps power directly from the battery to power the headlights instead of relaying the power through the headlight switch. I bought a harness from DFUser.com a few years back but you could make one yourself pretty easily.
In the end I decided just to buy the harness because it wasn't all the much more than me buying all the parts and building it myself. Mine was also wired so both hi/low beams are on when the dimmer switch is off.
EDIT: WOW prices have really gone up since I bought mine.
In the end I decided just to buy the harness because it wasn't all the much more than me buying all the parts and building it myself. Mine was also wired so both hi/low beams are on when the dimmer switch is off.
EDIT: WOW prices have really gone up since I bought mine.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Needville, TX
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I put in Philips Xtreme H13 bulbs and added the Dfuser direct wiring harness to the battery. Big improvement over stock. Then I added some driving lights wired into the high beam circuit -- Euro beam (wide beam that throws a pretty good distance), KC Highlite 130 watt bulbs (you can go with 50 or 100 watt also). A lot better on dark country roads and you don't blind people on low beams.
Headlights don't make much difference with them and surprisingly I never get flashed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 7
From: OR and UT
Can you explain what you mean? You use 9005 fog light bulbs in your headlights or 9005 bulbs in your fog lights?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
boggerted
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Mar 21, 2012 02:05 PM
don77
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Dec 20, 2010 09:24 PM
