Headlamp replacement recommendations

My '69 CJ-5 has a bad low beam on one side, so I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the pair with something brighter. Do any of you have experience with the Sylvania (Xtravision and the like) vs. swapping to a halogen headlamp (or anything else)?

I don't want anything that looks crazy like the blue headlamps, but I do want something that will be nice and bright. The Sylvanias are cheaper...are the halogen replacements much brighter?

Thanks.

 

I did halogens and they are bright enough that I never use the high beams on road.

 

I'm running the Xtravision on my CJ, they're plenty bright (I did the relay mod also). I'm running Silver stars on my XJ. I like how they light up the sides of the road more, Deer seem to like the side of my XJ. Also, I haven't had to replace the Silver Stars for over 5yrs now.

 

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As far as Halogens go, yes they're bright. But think of all those you meet on the road that blind you, even on low beam. I hate 'em! There is a car that gets behind me a couple days a week going to work. I can't hardly see anything in front of me because his damn lights are blinding me through my mirrors. Makes me wanna stop him and take his headlights out with a Baseball bat!

 

This thread just got me to thinking about my headlights. I have owned my 66 Tux since 1970 and it still has the same lights as when I bought it. Both HI/LO on both lamps and yep they are GE's. They will probably go bad next week just because I'm thinking about them. mehh

 

I switched to Hella housings and am using the bulbs (H-4iirc) that came with them. Huge upgrade over sealed beam Halogens. I haven't done it to my Jeeps yet but have seen The difference adding relays can make, even with sealed beam halogens. That's my next light upgrade and the '6 project will get them when it gets wired as well. Makes a big difference.
the lens pattern can make as much difference as the bulb in bow much useable light is in front of your Jeep.

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H-4 type housings and 100 watt "off road" hi/lo bulbs. Not strictly legal but better than hitting a moose. If they are aimed properly, no one will notice.

Smokeater, it is HID lamps that I hate. The ultraviolet hue does violence to the human eye. Many many cars have been using halogen for decades without problems.

 

I agree how the headlamps are aimed makes a huge difference to oncoming traffic. I also dislike the blue hued lights. Not all hid lights are blue either. Frequently it's some schmuck that's installed blue bulbs in their light housings because "they are cool" or some garbage.


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Lets put it like this.....my off the shelf regular old regular old $12 GE bulbs on my '70 cj are WAY brighter than the headlights on my brand new '12 wrangler

 

sylvania silver stars = good light. anything will be better than the old sealed beams fwiw headlights should be replaced in pairs for equal light output

 

I've had the H4 headlights before, and they are GREAT. I had E-code Cibies; the Hellas are similar. Cibies are likely the best, but they are expensive.

You have your choice of DOT-approved or E-code (European code). The E-codes send more light to the right to illuminate the shoulder and road signs. The E-codes are considered to be a better pattern, and appear legal and will pass inspection as long as no one looks at the markings on the bulb. The Cibies have a very flat cutoff on low beams; I presume the Hellas are similar. The Autopal H4 headlights on eBay are said to be a terrific deal. Not as good as the Cibies or Hellas, but darn good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-H6024-601...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35984afe42

I also recommend adding relays to the headlight wiring, to take the current load off of the headlight switch and dimmer switch. Also, the short, fat feed wire of the relays will boost the brightness of any headlights.

The bulbs in the DOT-approved reflectors and the comparable E-codes are 60/55W or 60/40W (high/low). Any more wattge than that is illegal, and you could get ticketed if you use the high beams (in particular) in the city. You can go at least as high as 100/90W, but you definitely have to use a relay, and I would go with ceramic sockets.

 

I have halogens in my 3A and love them!

 

I have the afore mentioned Hella H4's on my A1. The all glass lenses work and look great. They are available at 4 Wheel Parts locally, and can be ordered for between $30 and $40 each. And they are worth it. My next mod is the "off-road only" bulbs that were also mentioned. I only use mine offroad, so that's perfect!

 

The headlights you meet on the roads that blind you are not halogens. Hell halogens have been around for 30 years. Everyone with a sealed beam headlight should be running halogens at the very least. The amperage draw is not a problem at all with older electrical systems. That is something you have to what though with some of the other "newer" headlight systems.

 

I run the Hellas with the off road bulbs the brightest I've found are the 140/100w. I've passed a chp and didn't get pulled over

 

I changed to Halogens at least 12 years ago, love them, nice and bright compared to the old style bulbs.

 

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Thanks for all the input guys. I suppose the big debate is whether to spend $30-50 on the Sylvanias or go $100 for the Hellas. I like that the Sylvanias will be a simple drop-in (of course, the Halogens may be similar...?). I see what you're saying about the relay/fat wire upgrade helping, but I'm wondering...is that a big PITA? One thing that might hold me back from that is the fact that I plan on replacing the ****ty wiring harness some time this year, and I hate to do a lot of wiring twice. And why the ceramic housings? Is the heat that big of an issue?

 

If you are going with a wattage well above the factory wiring specs . . . adding a relay is not an option. Its mandatory. Your system will fail if it draws significantly more wattage through the same wiring and components.