Anyone switch out their bulbs for better visibility?

jdubub · January 14, 2012

Is it difficult to re-aim the headlights?

just a phillips head and turning 2 plastic screws

thecraft · January 15, 2012

I wanted to suggest using 9011 HIR bulbs for your highbeams, but it looks like Toshiba stopped manufacturing them and every place I know of that had them has depleted their stock. Philips does make a 9011 replacement, but they are not true HIR bulbs, they are just overdriven 9005 bulbs. They should still be brighter than stock, but they probably won't last as long as factory bulbs.

oldschool327 · January 15, 2012

Here is my set up:

Lows- H-9 "Mod" (Piaa Extreme White)

Highs- 9005 (silver star ultra)

Fogs- 9005" Mod" (silver star ultra)

Grill- 9" Offroad Hella Black Magics with H3 Hella extreme blue and yellow

All the lights, except the balck magics that only turn on for offraod use, are the same color even though differnet bulbs. The H9 mod for the lows are an excellen upgradet and the 9005 mod for the fogs are one of the best mods I have done. They really are fog lamps now not just for looks like the OE bulb was.

Gurrzt · January 15, 2012

I went with the SilverStar Ultra H13 on my Yukon, gives a whitter light with greater dispersion.

Stanley Z · January 15, 2012

i tossed some hid's into my fog lights in my 09 sierra, they produce more light than my hi beams do. i use them for back roads and such as thats when i really cant see crap. figure theres no point in putting in blinding headlights that will just piss people off when the city has street lights to help guide our ways

I have the Silverstars in my Sierra. Its been about 3 months, and they definitely look great, but I would like to switch over to HIDs, Where did you get your fog light kit from?

Dave4x4 · January 16, 2012

I want to do my fogs for sure things put out hardly any light now it wont help that I'm lifted.

builderpaul · January 16, 2012

Ok I have read so many threads on brighter bulbs in the low beams you do know that the blinker lever on the left side of the steering wheel when pushed forward will instantly give you much more light?

Please show some courtesy to other people on the road. If you need more light put brighter bulbs in the high beams only. It isn’t just the people coming at you it is also in the mirrors of the people you are behind.

tesnoboy · January 16, 2012

Ok I have read so many threads on brighter bulbs in the low beams you do know that the blinker lever on the left side of the steering wheel when pushed forward will instantly give you much more light?

Please show some courtesy to other people on the road. If you need more light put brighter bulbs in the high beams only. It isn’t just the people coming at you it is also in the mirrors of the people you are behind.

I concur! I have been blinded many a time by these rolling light shows even when I'm in my truck!

oldschool327 · January 16, 2012

Properly aimed lights do nothing to other drivers. If brighter lights are unsafe please tell Mercedes/BMW/Cadillac and all the others that use HID's from the factory because they are way brighter than what most of us have done. With all the light mods I have I still never get flashed by others beacuse my ligths are aimed correctly and that is the biggest problem that people do not address.

Most have just changed the color output on the low side with Silver Stars/Ultras, Hella or PIAA Extremes that are DOT legal and give the perception of a brighter light when in reality it is just a "cleaner" light.

tesnoboy · January 16, 2012

Properly aimed lights do nothing to other drivers. If brighter lights are unsafe please tell Mercedes/BMW/Cadillac and all the others that use HID's from the factory because they are way brighter than what most of us have done. With all the light mods I have I still never get flashed by others beacuse my ligths are aimed correctly and that is the biggest problem that people do not address.

Most have just changed the color output on the low side with Silver Stars/Ultras, Hella or PIAA Extremes that are DOT legal and give the perception of a brighter light when in reality it is just a "cleaner" light.

Well there must be a lot of improperly aimed lights out there. I have never seen so many damn piercing blinding lights on the road as I have lately. Seems to be a serious light fetish out there these days!

oldschool327 · January 16, 2012

I agree with you.

So many people have level kits, torsion bar keys/cranks, add a leaf or remove the facotry rear block on trucks that they do not understand that even this little suspension mod needs to have the lights re aimed. This includes rim changes and wheel diameter change also. the level of the light will change.

Another thing is that manufactors are strating to put super clear lenses and yes HID lights that might bother your eyes. I know those colors like the purple or blueish ones mess with me bad but I know they are legal and in the right housings because the car is just off the lot.

If done right it should be considered a safety upgrade to see better at night. Ever used a headlight cleaner kit and noticed how much better your lights are afterwards. A newer designed bulb from a legal manufactor like Sylvania or Phillips would be the same thing.

tesnoboy · January 16, 2012

I agree with you.

So many people have level kits, torsion bar keys/cranks, add a leaf or remove the facotry rear block on trucks that they do not understand that even this little suspension mod needs to have the lights re aimed. This includes rim changes and wheel diameter change also. the level of the light will change.

Another thing is that manufactors are strating to put super clear lenses and yes HID lights that might bother your eyes. I know those colors like the purple or blueish ones mess with me bad but I know they are legal and in the right housings because the car is just off the lot.

If done right it should be considered a safety upgrade to see better at night. Ever used a headlight cleaner kit and noticed how much better your lights are afterwards. A newer designed bulb from a legal manufactor like Sylvania or Phillips would be the same thing.

Like you said the guys with mods need to seriously reaim their lights. I hate those new lights in the Caddys and some of those other new cars. They are extremely bright and annoying.I have cleaned my Malibu's headlights with a cleaner. They were seriously fogged from that plastic syndrome that all the new housings have. Much better now.

Gurrzt · January 16, 2012

Just a side note, the SilverStar Ultra are DOT approved, so they conform to both wattage and light output that is prescribed by the Department Of Transportation.