Better headlights

[hubs97xj]

Does the Autopal dude on eBay not actually ever sell the lights for less than the "buy it now", even though he puts the "make offer" on the listing? I've sent in 3 "make offers" and every single one has expired without him even responding... just wondering if he's also gonna not respond if I actually buy them.

I think I made 4 different offers, he rejected 3, ignored the 4th, and I finally just paid list price. I'm still fine with what I paid for them, and I'd buy them again without worrying, but yeah, the "make offer" option is a waste of time and completely pointless.

 

[cruiser54]

I see your point. Send him a message stating that. He coulda lost a sale because of that stupid option.

 

[hubs97xj]

If you're only searching ebay for items being auctioned, or buy it now, or make offer, you will still find his stuff in a search. It's just another way to make sure people find your listings; like including year and model in the descriptions for them, even though they fit hundreds of different cars. I was really slow to figure that out.

 

[bugout]

:new: I know this is an old thread, I've been doing well lately bringing them back to life. Does anybody have a part number for the Silverstar Ultras???? I'm going to order the Putco harness also. Is this an entirely plug and play opperation going with the Silverstar Ultras and Putco harness??? I don't do well with electricity but you guys make it sound easy!!!:huh:

 

[katuah]

Can't tell you about the Silverstars cos I used the Autopals, but with the Autopals and the Putco harness, yes, it was 100% plug & play. Super quick, super easy, one of the best updates I've ever done. I would recommend buying a few extra zip ties for running the harness, but that's just me being picky.

 

[cruiser54]

Originally Posted by xjsnake http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/headlights-151196/index2/ - post2069179

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/headlights-151196/index2/ - post2069179
Upgraded headlights the legal (ish) way...

1) Get a new headlight harness.

You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm

Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx

The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.

You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.

There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.

2) Upgrade to H4 housings

There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.

DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm

Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/

Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.

3) Get good bulbs

Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.

4) Aim your headlights properly!

I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017

5) On HID Lights

I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.


Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.

When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.

If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/hea...9/#post1391556

There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.

For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)


For installation of the harness and housings see this excellent write up: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/my-h4-upgrade-114440/

Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...

 

[xjsnake]

:new: I know this is an old thread, I've been doing well lately bringing them back to life. Does anybody have a part number for the Silverstar Ultras???? I'm going to order the Putco harness also. Is this an entirely plug and play opperation going with the Silverstar Ultras and Putco harness??? I don't do well with electricity but you guys make it sound easy!!!:huh:

The silverstar sealed beams are H6054's

 

[GregGA]

http://www.rallylights.com/hl281-transition-upgrade-headlamp-harness.html


This is a very well made harness. I am very happy with mine. I had an extra
$90 laying around, and they helped me with a couple of questions. The wire
comes from PA and they make these in house. Good people.

I converted to H4's at the same time, and it was the first time since I had the Jeep that I felt safe at night using just the headlights (Not having to use headlights and the PIAA 80's)

 

[boncrshr]

Upgraded headlights the legal (ish) way...

1) Get a new headlight harness.

You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm

Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx

The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.

You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.

There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.

2) Upgrade to H4 housings

There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.

DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm

Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/

Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.

3) Get good bulbs

Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.

4) Aim your headlights properly!

I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017

5) On HID Lights

I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.


Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.

When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.

If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined

There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.

For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)

Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...

Thank you for this post. I completed this project this weekend and I am very happy with the results. I made my own harness with the link provided, and went with Autopal E-codes and Hella 55/100 watt bulbs. And then I used the aiming link to get them perfect. This was one of the best bang for the buck modifications I have done, period.

 

[cruiser54]

Thank you for this post. I completed this project this weekend and I am very happy with the results. I made my own harness with the link provided, and went with Autopal E-codes and Hella 55/100 watt bulbs. And then I used the aiming link to get them perfect. This was one of the best bang for the buck modifications I have done, period.

You're welcome and I am not surprised at the results and your satisfaction. Thanks for posting back.