Headlight help for improvement over stock.

[Ehall8702]

Like I said before, I did this mod, IDK 6 or 7 years ago, well ok may be 5 or 6 years ago, and in all of that time, I have replaced 2 headlight bulbs. Keep in mind that I did not replace bulbs when I did the mod. So If I need to replace the bulbs every 5 years, so be it, and also the bulbs went out some time apart from one another. All of this while using #10 Ga wire, but hey Im just one single person. Forget the fact that I have been a mechanic at 2 new car dealers, and an automotive repair shop, I have some training as an electrician, a heavy equipment operator, a certified welder, training in multi facets of offshore oil well operations, and well the list goes on there schurky, just FYI.

I finally had a led die after 4 years, did 4 hi mod with just tappin in a relay in the factory wires next to the ecm. I have isincer brand 4 sided leds and that's the only brand I buy for anyone wanting them since they have lasted so long. Still stock headlights tho, just cleaned them up with a 3m kit with sanding/polishing .

 

[Marty W]

First of all, thank you.

As far as headlight housings, the best and brightest you're going to get in the aftermarket (AKA not paying $150+ per side for OEM) would be the Anzo 111004 or the Spyder HD-YD-CCK88-C. They're very similar except the Anzos have plastic lenses while the Spyders are glass. Glass won't yellow or fade over time, but is less durable to impact/rock chips obviously. Personal preference. I run the Anzos on both of my '97s and I'm very happy with them.

Anzo 111004 (plastic lenses):
https://www.amazon.com/USA-111004-Chevrolet-Headlight-Assembly/dp/B0015PPZMC

Spyder HD-YD-CCK88C (glass lenses):
https://www.amazon.com/Spyder-Auto-Chrome-Crystal-Headlight/dp/B004WMF8SG

The brightest halogen bulbs you should run in those (which is what you want, steer clear of LED or HID if you don't want to produce glare and hot spots for other drivers) would be Philips 9011 HIRs in the high beams and Philips X-tremeVision 9006s in the low beams. It's an easy modification of the mounting tabs on the 9011 bulb to get them to fit a 9005 socket and they're higher output. However you should not use 9012 HIRs instead of the 9006 low beams in these housings. The factory 9006 bulbs have a painted tip where the 9012s do not, therefore 9012s when used without a glare cap over the bulb can create a hot spot for oncoming traffic. That's why I say to stick with the Philips X-tremeVision 9006s for low beams. The X-tremeVisions are honestly really good bulbs anyway and you'd be fine using them for high and low beams if you don't want to mess with trimming tabs on the HIRs. Some relevant links...

Description of modifications necessary to fit 9011/9012 HIR bulbs to 9005/9006 sockets:
https://sep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-91565365470012_2267_311973

Philips 9011 HIR bulbs:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Standard-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B00480J5CW

Philips X-tremeVision 9005 bulbs:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgrade-Headlight-Vision/dp/B01C5QY7DW

Philips X-tremeVision 9006 bulbs:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgraded-Headlight-Vision/dp/B00U1OLM1Q

Thank you for all of the good information. This is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Thank you for all of the good information. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Drivers side spyder glass
Pass side 80k mile Oem headlamp
Both sides HD relay + 9006 Philips Xtremevision.

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Pic #3 both spyders obviously.

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[Donald Mitchell]

Service-life voltage ratings must vary by manufacturer. Please see below.


Headlight BRIGHTNESS is absolutely dependent on voltage; and a little more voltage provides a lot more light.

Headlight SERVICE LIFE is also dependent on voltage, and a little more voltage causes service life to plummet like a paralyzed falcon.

Consider this "blog" entry on the Osram website:

https://www.carlightblog.com/2012/0...-volts-high-on-board-voltage-short-lamp-life/

"Headlight lamps therefore are designed for 13.2 volts. If you apply more, the lamp shines brighter, but it ages considerably faster, too. Five percent excess voltage costs you 50 percent in lamp life!"​

13.2 plus five percent is 13.2 x 1.05 = 13.9 volts. Less than the 14 volts you're saying is the service life rating.

There may be some manufacturers that use different voltage for service life. There may be some headlights that tolerate higher voltage. This is the info I've been using.

Dealing with electronics you find that some manufacturers do indeed engineer products with higher tolerances than others. Likewise if your bulbs come from China they may go the opposite direction.