How do you make stock headlights brighter at night?

**zhan** · 11-27-2008, 11:59 AM

The stock lights are weak as hell and it only reaches like 6 feet out in front...
which makes night driving dangerous...

I dont want to upgrade to the ricer style umnitza projectorz yet... was wondering if anyone has done anything to make stock lights better...?

**cngizbleevng** · 11-27-2008, 12:06 PM

Do you have the correct bulbs in there? Are they aimed properly? As I recall, your plastic covers weren't in bad shape when I saw them.

My beams are quite bright, so I don't know what your trouble is.

**zhan** · 11-27-2008, 12:11 PM

it has stock/factory bulbs...

**fmcfad01** · 11-27-2008, 12:13 PM

I think zhan is just worried about his trip across the country. We all know the stock headlights leave something to be desired. The only easy option out there is the HIR bulbs.

**zhan** · 11-27-2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by fmcfad01

I think zhan is just worried about his trip across the country. We all know the stock headlights leave something to be desired. The only easy option out there is the HIR bulbs.

i'm thinking about buying another car to take out there and leave the stupid project car at home

**fmcfad01** · 11-27-2008, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by zhan

i'm thinking about buying another car to take out there and leave the stupid project car at home

your car is fine and has the same 'issues' as everyone's car. Drive it cross country and enjoy it.

**zhan** · 11-27-2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by fmcfad01

your car is fine and has the same 'issues' as everyone's car. Drive it cross country and enjoy it.

i was thinking about pulling the trigger on the ricer headlights but its not $75 off of the stated price... its already taken out

**JoeZ** · 11-27-2008, 12:36 PM

http://hasanmotorsports.com/projectorproject.htm

**rtav** · 11-27-2008, 02:42 PM

As fmc stated, replace the bulbs:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOSHIBA-HIR-9011-9012-BULBS-THE-BRIGHTEST-AVAILABLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c 66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3 286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem180296811894QQitemZ180296 811894QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessor ies

**daven** · 11-27-2008, 02:46 PM

I went with Toshiba HIR low beam bulbs from EBay. Looking at them directly
neither my eyes nor my camera could tell the difference. But sitting behind the wheel was a completely different story.

The HIR's have a wider spread and a longer illumination than the stock bulbs. On my favorite unlit backroad with stock bulbs I would have to put on my high beams to see well enough to drive as fast as I would in daylight. With the HIRs, my low beams were more than sufficient.

I've never driven with HID's so I can't compare, but when the only modification required is to trim the bulbs and do nothing to the car, for me its a 'no brainer.'
Go with Toshiba HIR's.

**z123** · 11-27-2008, 02:52 PM

i went with sylvania silverstar ultra bulbs. big difference compared to stock bulbs. not as good as hid though

**zhan** · 11-27-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by rtav

As fmc stated, replace the bulbs:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOSHIBA-HIR-9011-9012-BULBS-THE-BRIGHTEST-AVAILABLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c 66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3 286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem180296811894QQitemZ180296 811894QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessor ies

have to buy 2?
$60 for lightbulbs?

**Robstah** · 11-27-2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by zhan

have to buy 2?
$60 for lightbulbs?

You can probably find it cheaper elsewhere if you looked.

I have been running HIRs in my car since I bought it. They are a huge difference, and 60 dollars is cheaper than buying new headlights with xenon kits.

**bob3275** · 11-27-2008, 03:43 PM

I put in high and low beam HIR's and they are MUCH brighter than stock lights. I'm very happy with them.

**CaliAgents** · 11-27-2008, 03:45 PM

HIR here too and more than happy. Ex-HID user as well and never had an urge to go back either.

**daven** · 11-27-2008, 03:49 PM

$60? What's your safety and piece of mind worth?

Think of it as saving $250 off an HID conversion with no installation headaches.

**jaegermeister** · 11-27-2008, 10:00 PM

I buy a 9011, 9012 bulb correct for HIR to work?

Oh, and what brands are available - I'm doing the lights tomorrow I might of well replace these at the same time...Is this a bulb I can find in town?

**daven** · 11-27-2008, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by jaegermeister

I buy a 9011, 9012 bulb correct for HIR to work?

Correct. I was quite satisfied by replacing only the low beams, 9012. Haven't needed the high beams since I switched.

Originally Posted by jaegermeister

Oh, and what brands are available - I'm doing the lights tomorrow I might of well replace these at the same time...Is this a bulb I can find in town?

Pretty sure Toshiba is the only manufacturer. You might be able to find some at a John Deere Parts counter, but other than that the only source I know of is online. Sorry.

**tonysofia** · 11-28-2008, 12:02 AM

$22.71 for the low beams (9012) http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

**Nijapo** · 11-28-2008, 07:07 AM

Has anyone tried an HID kit without projectors? Apexcone has a 9006 slim kit for only $150

Originally Posted by tonysofia

$22.71 for the low beams (9012) http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

Awesome! This place is right by my house, I'm going there today and picking these up.

**schernov** · 11-28-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by VR6 MD

Has anyone tried an HID kit without projectors? Apexcone has a 9006 slim kit for only $150

Awesome! This place is right by my house, I'm going there today and picking these up.

do any of the regular stores sell these. I read that John Deere parts counters have low beam ones but they are 38 bucks a bulb there.... and that GM uses high beam ones on Chevy Avelanch and you can get them at GM dealer.