cnugent
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
You guys are my XJ brothas, but do ya wanna maybe take this debate to a thread of its own so we can stay on topic? :kissyou:
Recommend a headlight upgrade? '98 XJ
- Thread starter cnugent
- Start date
iwannadie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gilbert, Az
Reccomended light upgrades seems like on topic to me?
I'm not here to argue either position... but I've often wanted to upgrade the Halogen H4's in my Cibie E-Code housings to either HID or LED due to the brighter light and also the fact that my Halogen H4 bulbs fail at an alarming rate due to the fact I run the 80/100 Watt bulbs. I also have upgraded wiring, upgraded Alternator and upgraded headlight wiring harness on my '01 XJ. I've got all the upgrades covered... 
What makes my Cibie E-Code housings better than the IPF non E-Code housings they replaced? I know the light cut-off is much better and the quality of the lenses and housings are very good... but why does the E-Code housing have a sharper cut-off than those of the non E-Code housings. One would 'think' that using a quality E-Code housing would also focus the light output of HID's or LED's better w/the sharper cut-off. Hence, not blinding oncoming driver. I've not tried it myself as I hate to 'waste' $$. If I were to do it all over again, I'd just get the JW Speaker or Trucklites from the get-go and probably come out ahead on $$ or about the same.
What makes my Cibie E-Code housings better than the IPF non E-Code housings they replaced? I know the light cut-off is much better and the quality of the lenses and housings are very good... but why does the E-Code housing have a sharper cut-off than those of the non E-Code housings. One would 'think' that using a quality E-Code housing would also focus the light output of HID's or LED's better w/the sharper cut-off. Hence, not blinding oncoming driver. I've not tried it myself as I hate to 'waste' $$. If I were to do it all over again, I'd just get the JW Speaker or Trucklites from the get-go and probably come out ahead on $$ or about the same.
iwannadie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gilbert, Az
I'm not here to argue either position... but I've often wanted to upgrade the Halogen H4's in my Cibie E-Code housings to either HID or LED due to the brighter light and also the fact that my Halogen H4 bulbs fail at an alarming rate due to the fact I run the 80/100 Watt bulbs. I also have upgraded wiring, upgraded Alternator and upgraded headlight wiring harness on my '01 XJ. I've got all the upgrades covered...
What makes my Cibie E-Code housings better than the IPF non E-Code housings they replaced? I know the light cut-off is much better and the quality of the lenses and housings are very good... but why does the E-Code housing have a sharper cut-off than those of the non E-Code housings. One would 'think' that using a quality E-Code housing would also focus the light output of HID's or LED's better w/the sharper cut-off. Hence, not blinding oncoming driver. I've not tried it myself as I hate to 'waste' $$. If I were to do it all over again, I'd just get the JW Speaker or Trucklites from the get-go and probably come out ahead on $$ or about the same.
I read that and again... it doesn't say they put HID's into E-Code specific Halogen housings but rather just 'plain' Halogen housings. I'm not saying it makes a big difference, but I can say that there's a BIG difference between the sharp cut-off of the light/beam pattern between the IPF non-Ecode housings I had been running and the E-Code Cibie housings I currently run. Your quite say's "cheap halogen housings" and I assure you that Cibie E-Code housings are not 'cheap' at all.
HID bulbs are a different shape and design than halogen bulbs. The light source comes from a greater area, thus splashing bright light in directions that the halogen reflector wasn't designed to do. It doesn't matter how expensive the halogen housings are; they weren't meant for HID's and there will be unintended consequences. ECE or DOT. Period.
This makes sense...
If I came off as trying to argue 'for' HID's in Halogen housings I wasn't, just something that's been on my mind for a while. I know that some newer LED bulbs have very similar looking 'aiming' of the light source that may work well in my application. Problem is, they're still almost as expensive as just getting a set of Trucklites... :\
I've seen a few good sets of LED bulbs that may or may not aim properly in halogen housings, that go for $100 or less. I'd buy these before stuffing HID's in there.
www.superbrightleds.com
www.superbrightleds.com
iwannadie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gilbert, Az
I don't like the idea of using anything other than a normal bulb. If I am on the road at night and a light blows or maybe both I can stop at any auto parts or walmart and get a bulb. If leds burn out or you take a rock to them your in trouble.
Just my personal preference though, I want easily replacable bulbs.
Just my personal preference though, I want easily replacable bulbs.
If we're talking strictly bulbs, you can replace an LED bulb with any other bulb out there, in a pinch. They don't usually require any sort of modification of the housing to run them, that would affect the ability to switch back to halogen.
If you're talking about housings, the Truck-Lite housings are pretty tough. The lens is polycarbonate. Much tougher than the H4 housings I've tried in the past. I remember reading about them surviving a head-on collision a while back.
If you're talking about housings, the Truck-Lite housings are pretty tough. The lens is polycarbonate. Much tougher than the H4 housings I've tried in the past. I remember reading about them surviving a head-on collision a while back.
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