I feel stupid for asking this question, but here goes.

I have a 99 EB expy 4x4 and I want to change out the bulbs in my headlights and possibly foglights. I don't wan't to spend a lot of money, so I was looking in the store at replacement bulbs. I found some HID looking bulbs for about $20 a piece at Meijer. Are these even worth the money or am I going to have to spend some major money. I thought that maybe these replacement/upgrade bulbs would give me a little better fied of vision on the road at night. I have not been able to find fog lamp replacement bulbs.
Second question, is it difficult to replace bulbs in the headlights?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

If you are looking for just a bulb upgrade, the best looking bulbs I have seen, (and use), is the Silverstars. You can get them at Wal-Mart for $34.99pr.

 

I have Silverstars. I would recommend them, particularly as no-name bulbs may not be long-lasting.

 

here is another vote for SilverStars.

I dont have them in this truck, but have had them in other vehicles.

A definate upgrade worth the $$

 

JC Whitney has a complete offereing of bulbs and they have good prices too. I"ve tried the$$$ bulbs and the the JCW bulbs and can't tell the difference both last about the same and show the same.

 

Go witht the Silverstars! They are awesome. Great light output, bright white. I have Toucan industries Xenon bulbs in the Headlights and Silverstars in the fogs. As soon as the toucans burn out there will be silverstars there also! Don't get me wrong.... the Toucans are great also but they are not as nice as the Silverstars!

 

Re: your second question. Replacing headlight bulbs on the X is not hard.

Here's the design concept:The headlight assemblies slide out forward. They are retained in their current location by a set of ridged steel pins affixed in a horizontal position. The pins fit into teardrop-shaped holes that are punched into movable steel tabs located behind the headlight assemblies. Sliding the tabs upward causes the narrow part of the teardrop to move up and release the grip that the tabs have on the pins. You can then slide the headlight assembly forward, turn the light bulb retaining ring that holds the bulb, and remove the bulb from the headlight assembly. The bulb is still plugged into the wiring, and you have to slightly pry away a plastic clip (don't break it off!) to unlock the bulb from the wiring harness while unplugging the bulb.

Now in English:

1. Open the hood.

2. Behind each headlight assembly are two black steel metal strips that have an "L" shaped bend. Pull these up while tipping them slightly back (to release a lock). They should move up about 2". They will not come off (while the headlight assemblies are still in place) and don't need to come off.

3. Slide the headlight assemblies forward, remembering that the headlight wiring is still attached.

4. Twist the knurled plastic collar surrounding the bulb socket to release the light socket from the headlight assembly.

5. The bulb unplugs from the socket once you slightly pry away the plastic clip that locks the bulb to the socket. Don't be Superman during this process.

6. Plug new bulb in, clean with a clean lint-free rag lightly dampened in alcohol. The new bulb must be ultra-clean, even from the skin oil on your fingers.

Reassemble following directions 5 - 2 in reverse order.

 

It's actually alot easier than it sounds.

 

About 5 minutes per side, including cleaning the new bulb and reviewing Cliff's Notes on "Astrophysics for Dummies".

 

The4by4freak-

I saw that you have silverstars in your fog lights, what type do you have? It is my understanding that the 9145 bulb that is supposed to go in there have not been made by the company yet. I did some checking around and have found a lot of guys put the 9005 bulbs in their foglights. Just wanted to know what type of bulbs you put in those foglights. The silverstar headlights make a huge difference, I now want to make the final switch and make the fog lights better. Thanks.

 

It is a 9005 in the fogs. They are great! Hope you enjoy!

 

the 4by4freak-

Thanks for theinfo. I forgot to ask you, are they the 9005st bulbs? And did you have to make any alterations to the install or just plug them in. Also, going to the higher wattage, have you noticed any problems with them such as heat damamge, etc? thanks.

 

Silverstars are OK, but PIAA's are the real deal. I have always used the Extreme White bulbs in my headlight & foglights, and have never had a bad thing to say. The initial cost is more than the silverstars, but I have had my current bulbs for 3 years, and they haven't failed yet. PIAA's quality is very high, you will not be disappointed.

 

No problems with them at all?? From what I have been seeing, the stockers are 35 watts and the 9005's are 65 watts. No problem with the fuse or wiring??? Have you had them turned on for a while yet???

BigMan69

 

Plain 9005 here also. No problems at all! Ran them for 12 hrs straight all the way to MA. No overheat or wiring problems! I love em' as a matter of fact, when the toucans I have in the headlights burn out there will be silverstars replacing them!