headlight wiring

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Sep 19, 2005 | 08:03 PM

#31

RobertH

Tuned

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 451

Likes: 5

From: Raleigh, NC.

I felt the same way with mine, but after reading about it for a while and others ensuring that it was not a problem, I figured I could always reverse it. So far, after over a year, no problems and love those bright lights used nearly every night. Just got home moments ago and that spread and brightness shows me earlier when animals run out in front giving me more time to avoid them.
Absolutely much safer and I don't see any reason to hold back on this mod!

Sep 19, 2005 | 08:38 PM

#32

blueeyes2478

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 549

Likes: 0

From: Connecticut

what happens when u pull back on the lever,with the relay in there.Any problems with that.

Sep 19, 2005 | 09:01 PM

#33

ryaneverk2

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 4,221

Likes: 3

What a great sequence of headlight mods: upgraded headlight harness so they'll be brighter, then Steve Racer mod so the fogs stay on with highs, then the diode mod (which is even cheaper than the instructions BlueZack posted - I had encountered those previously, but never the cheap diode mod), so you'll have fogs, highs, and lows all on together, and the highs/lows will have more light already from the upgraded harness.

Sep 20, 2005 | 04:52 PM

#34

blueeyes2478

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 549

Likes: 0

From: Connecticut

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertH

Ill try it,i just didnt want to burn nothing out.

Sep 20, 2005 | 06:39 PM

#35

ryaneverk2

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 4,221

Likes: 3

I think the only risk you run by doing this mod to keep lows on with highs is if you're running aftermarket (Sylvannia, etc.) bulbs, because some have found they draw too much heat when both are on, and can melt the plastic housing, etc.

Sep 21, 2005 | 04:59 PM

#36

blueeyes2478

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 549

Likes: 0

From: Connecticut

ok thanks for the info.

Sep 21, 2005 | 07:02 PM

#37

RobertH

Tuned

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 451

Likes: 5

From: Raleigh, NC.

No problem when pulling back on the lever. Both come on the same as they do before the mod.
No overheating has been found. Using Silverstar's for over a year now.

Sep 21, 2005 | 07:30 PM

#38

dmp437

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 645

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryaneverk2

If you really want to scorch the vehicle in front of you, after all the above mods, change your fog lamp bulbs to a Sylvania SilverStar 9005ST. The 9005ST bulbs are another10-12 watts each and the same pure white to match the SilverStars in your headlamps.

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Sep 22, 2005 | 02:12 AM

#39

Beachbumcook

Got Diesel?

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 4,345

Likes: 21

Great thread.. but I am confused.

I have a stock 2003 Excursion Ltd and have the stock headlights. To get better/brighter lights do all I need is the Sylvania Silver Stars (headlights and fog) bulbs as an OEM replacements?

Am I correct that these are not HID bulbs, but I do not want to hassle with different harnesses and wattage and the like. I just want the brightest light I can get with my stock set-up and not worry about melting anything.

So with that said... what bulbs do I buy... Silverstars???

Have I made the correct assumption? They warranty them for 1 year... do they not last longer... or do they burn out sooner due to higher wattage and type of bulb?

Thanks,

Jeff

Sep 22, 2005 | 04:43 AM

#40

dmp437

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 645

Likes: 2

To get better lighting, get the SilverStars. As far as higher wattage, the fog lamps are by almost 25% higher, the headlights wattage is the same or slightly higher. The SilverStars have better color (pure white vs. yellow for stock) and a slightly higher lumen output due to the gas inside the bulb. They are not HID bulbs that require ballasts and the wattage is close to stock in order to be DOT approved. As far as expected life, the one year warranty is to cover manufacturing defects. It's rare for any electrical componet on a vehicle to have a warranty longer than two years. The cheapest place I've found them is ChinaMart (WalMart). An alternative is General Electric's "NightHawk" series of headlight bulbs.

Sep 22, 2005 | 06:40 AM

#41

nhancock

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 207

Likes: 0

The Silverstars alone only make a slight difference. When I first switched to them, I could tell they were a little whiter and slightly brighter. But the bulbs alone are not going to make a dramatic improvement in my opinion.

I've had my Silverstars for ~2 years, but my truck is not my daily driver anymore. The harness was a really easy and inexpensive upgrade.( I think I paid around $40 for the harness) Even if you don't do the low/high beam mod, it makes a noticeable difference in the light output. And if you do the low/high mod, you'll be very pleased on the backroads.