School me about lightbulbs.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
School me about lightbulbs.
I'm not very happy about the lighting coming out of my F-350's headlights.
I don't want to do a complete changeout but was wondering if products like the Sylvania Ultra Stars are worth trying.
What do you guys recommend? Is there anything else better out there?
Thanks.
I don't want to do a complete changeout but was wondering if products like the Sylvania Ultra Stars are worth trying.
What do you guys recommend? Is there anything else better out there?
Thanks.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
1. Bulbs dim over time
2. Alternators go bad
Check voltage on your alternator first. Second, stand back and look if your bulbs are just dim and yellow. Compare to another truck with stock looking bulbs or fog lights if you have them. Brand new OEM type bulbs arent very yellow when looked at. Consider new OEM bulbs for cheap.
Upgraded stock fitment bulbs, such as the silverstars, are improvements. Not quite what they say on the packages, but an improvement nonetheless. Note, that the bulb life of these bulbs is decreased.
Aim is the most important thing. I knew my aim was off but never bothered. Then I started commuting at night along a long straight 2 lane highway. I decided to aim my headlights and WOW!
2. Alternators go bad
Check voltage on your alternator first. Second, stand back and look if your bulbs are just dim and yellow. Compare to another truck with stock looking bulbs or fog lights if you have them. Brand new OEM type bulbs arent very yellow when looked at. Consider new OEM bulbs for cheap.
Upgraded stock fitment bulbs, such as the silverstars, are improvements. Not quite what they say on the packages, but an improvement nonetheless. Note, that the bulb life of these bulbs is decreased.
Aim is the most important thing. I knew my aim was off but never bothered. Then I started commuting at night along a long straight 2 lane highway. I decided to aim my headlights and WOW!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
The other way with going to HID is. Start with a new set of plugs and then some relays so that
the lamp power is coming directly from the battery with a 12 Gage wire. You use the truck side
wiring to control the relays and the power for the lights come from the battery. You also should
have some fuses in the circuit to prevent a fire if there is a short. The factory harness uses smaller
wire and the voltage drop is more than it should be. Then also make sure that the lamps are aimed and
the lens are clear and not yellowed or crazed. Both the yellowing and the crazing will lower the light
reaching the road.
Sean
the lamp power is coming directly from the battery with a 12 Gage wire. You use the truck side
wiring to control the relays and the power for the lights come from the battery. You also should
have some fuses in the circuit to prevent a fire if there is a short. The factory harness uses smaller
wire and the voltage drop is more than it should be. Then also make sure that the lamps are aimed and
the lens are clear and not yellowed or crazed. Both the yellowing and the crazing will lower the light
reaching the road.
Sean
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
Thanks guys.
I have checked the headlight aim against the wall of my shop so I am reasonably sure they're OK.
The plastic cover of the headlights are not cloudy or crazed as I keep the truck garaged when not driving it (it is not my daily driver).
Since the truck is coming up on 7 years old it is possible that the bulbs have dimmed over time and it's just time to upgrade.
Of course it could also be that I'm gettin' older too!
I have checked the headlight aim against the wall of my shop so I am reasonably sure they're OK.
The plastic cover of the headlights are not cloudy or crazed as I keep the truck garaged when not driving it (it is not my daily driver).
Since the truck is coming up on 7 years old it is possible that the bulbs have dimmed over time and it's just time to upgrade.
Of course it could also be that I'm gettin' older too!
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
as others have said, the silverstars are an improvement over stock. i've been using them for a number of years now and have been reasonably happy except for their longevity.
for the average user, they last one year. so figure that into your plan. and when one goes out, go buy two replacements and put them in post-haste. (wife was late to work one day because both headlights went out before i could get to the store to buy replacements.)
sylvania does not openly advertise that they don't last as long, but if you go digging, they are at least honest about it and do say that they are designed to be brighter, but only last a year.
other than that, it's probably an HID conversion. there are some threads on here about which ones are better than others.
good luck!
for the average user, they last one year. so figure that into your plan. and when one goes out, go buy two replacements and put them in post-haste. (wife was late to work one day because both headlights went out before i could get to the store to buy replacements.)
sylvania does not openly advertise that they don't last as long, but if you go digging, they are at least honest about it and do say that they are designed to be brighter, but only last a year.
other than that, it's probably an HID conversion. there are some threads on here about which ones are better than others.
good luck!
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Silverstars are just tinted bulbs with ashorter lifespan. I would recommend xtravision if you need something local or pick up so.e Phillips extremepower online.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I definitely agree. I thought for years it was just the poor lighting on my truck. It made a world of a difference to aim them a bit lower for me. I did finally go with Hid's though.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
Our lights just plain suck. I am in the process of converting mine over to retrofit HID projectors. The cost for DIY projector kit using your existing headlights is around $330.00. You can get a pair of headlights from ebay for around $130.00 and install the kit into those (which is what i'm doing). Projectors are really the only answer for good lighting.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Our lights just plain suck. I am in the process of converting mine over to retrofit HID projectors. The cost for DIY projector kit using your existing headlights is around $330.00. You can get a pair of headlights from ebay for around $130.00 and install the kit into those (which is what i'm doing). Projectors are really the only answer for good lighting.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
It's definitely blinding to others.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
Our lights just plain suck. I am in the process of converting mine over to retrofit HID projectors. The cost for DIY projector kit using your existing headlights is around $330.00. You can get a pair of headlights from ebay for around $130.00 and install the kit into those (which is what i'm doing). Projectors are really the only answer for good lighting.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
HID's bulbs in stock housings are a no-no for oncoming cars.
Why don't you take some pictures and do a little write up so us poor SOB's can figure it out
?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 398
Likes: 7
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
I have Silverstars, I don't have any issues with the light they give.
I actually put them in the 250 from another car I had that used the same bulb, and they had made a huge different in that car...
I actually put them in the 250 from another car I had that used the same bulb, and they had made a huge different in that car...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
I installed Silverstar Ultra's in my '06. They are better than the stock bulbs, but the difference was not dramatic.
If the bulbs need replacing, go with the Ultra's. Otherwise try adjusting the headlights slightly to aim the light beam further ahead of your truck. Note that if you carry a load in the bed, the lights will be high enough to annoy other folk who are coming your way.
Lou Braun
If the bulbs need replacing, go with the Ultra's. Otherwise try adjusting the headlights slightly to aim the light beam further ahead of your truck. Note that if you carry a load in the bed, the lights will be high enough to annoy other folk who are coming your way.
Lou Braun