Headlights - another bulb question

[VXD959]

I searched several threads about replacing the headlight bulbs. Most are recommending the Sylvania Silverstar 9003. My question is: Which one exactly or which one is better from the below? Are any of these OK?

Sylvania Silverstar ULTRA 2pack 9003/HB2 HiPerform (50%)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-Silverstar-ULTRA-2pack-9003-HB2-HiPerform-NEW-/140916721797?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cf4a8885&vxp=mtr#ht_1138wt_1399

Sylvania Silverstar ZXE 2pck 9003/HB2 HiPerformance (HID)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-9003-HB2-H4-SZ-SilverStar-zXe-High-Performance-Halogen-Headlight-Bulb-/190821124412?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6dd3493c&vxp=mtr#ht_2899wt_1399

Sylvania Silverstar High Performance 9003 (35%)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1Pr-Sylvania-Silverstar-Performance-9003-XENON-HALOGEN-/200449038321?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eabb197f1&vxp=mtr#ht_2022wt_1399

Thanks for the input.

[clipper 03 rodeo]

I say get the Silverstar Ultras (1st link). You do not want halogen bulbs that have the blue tint to them like the other ones, while it does make them a tad bit more white looking it actually reduces the light output.

[ssignature]

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-HLA-H83140171-Halogen-Bulb-Road/dp/B000COBLKW/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1365624429&sr=1-3&keywords=hella+9003
Best lamp for the money, by far.

[don moore]

i picked up some 100/55w at my local store.. love the 100w part when i need it ..but most of the time im in town so the 55 is legal and ok
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-HLA-H83140141-Halogen-Bulb-Road/dp/B000COBLJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365659360&sr=8-1&keywords=55%2F100+H4+bulbs

[ssignature]

We have a lot of euro BMWs running around these parts, since the factory is here, and they are all running the higher wattage lamps (and HIDs), so the brighter bulbs don't stand out. They do make a difference and they are much cheaper than those fancy-pants lamps.

[gunbarrelvx]

I bought the HID bulb/ballast kit from planetsvx and love them. Definitely the way to go.

[clipper 03 rodeo]

I bought the HID bulb/ballast kit from planetsvx and love them. Definitely the way to go.

Definitely the way to go if you like blinding oncoming traffic due to the glare of the HID's in reflector housings. HID's should only be used if they are in the proper projectors so they don't glare and put the light in the right place instead of scattering it. Even though HID's have a higher lumen output they do no good in reflectors since it puts usable light in unnecessary places since they weren't designed for them. If you put HID's in your ride you need to retrofit some projectors into your headlights because it's actually a hazard to you and other drivers running them in stock reflector housings.

[ssignature]

When I changed Elvira's lamps from stock to Hella 100w, I turned them on with one stock and one 100w to see the difference. It's about as much as the difference between a car that needs a headlight restorer job and one with clear lenses.
Not enough to blind someone, but enough for 50-year-old eyes to make out the contours of the road better. Plus, it keeps that low K-temp light. And at $6-a-piece, the price is right.
My thoughts about the off-road-only stuff is that if they're OK for the entire European Union, they should be OK for us. Besides, how many of y'all are running non-spec window tinting? I know the po-po is busting people for THAT constantly [/sarcasm]

[VXD959]

Thank you all! I think I'm going to give the Hellas a try. Not sure about converting to HIDs as I just want a simple upgrade that I can do in 5 minutes.

Last question: I assume that the Hellas won't damage the the headlight housing as the wattage is higher?

[ssignature]

No problems at all. The 130w are pushing it, though

[MSHardeman]

When I installed some bulbs that Tone used to sell I had to bump the two headlight fuses up to 15amp (from 10amp) because I kept popping the original fuses.

[Mile High VX]

I just want a simple upgrade that I can do in 5 minutes.




Have you ever changed a headlight bulb in a VX before...:bgwb::bwgy::smilewink:bgwo:

If not, may your experience be better than mine!

[MSHardeman]

Right there with you Earl. The driver's side isn't bad at all, but I usually have to remove the stock air box in order to get to the passenger side.

When you do replace the bulbs be very careful with the little metal clips that hold the bulbs in place. They can be a B#@CH to get to, are usually pretty stubborn, and they're delicate.

[bartmanS4]

Right there with you Earl. The driver's side isn't bad at all, but I usually have to remove the stock air box in order to get to the passenger side.


Do you have a right hand drive?

[VXD959]

This video really makes it look like a piece of cake...

http://s641.photobucket.com/user/etlsport/media/VXheadlightreplacement.flv.html#/user/etlsport/media/VXheadlightreplacement.mp4.html?&_suid=136562084593209739860168220582

[MSHardeman]

Do you have a right hand drive?

Whoops, sorry had my driver/passenger mixed up. Don't know why I turned it around in my head.:_confused

[VXD959]

Finally got around installing the Hellas, the fog lights 18w bulb, the horn bulbs 7w, and a pair of LED headlights that I got in a garage sale for $5.
I'm happy with the results.

Pics below
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/Hella2_zpsbd865b62.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/Hella2_zpsbd865b62.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/0112_zpsbb7f2877.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/0112_zpsbb7f2877.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/0042_zpsbca18496.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/0042_zpsbca18496.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/0132_zps116a891a.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/0132_zps116a891a.jpg.html)

[VXD959]

Here's a close up pic of the ring around the headlight bulb housing

http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/022_zps47a84784.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/022_zps47a84784.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/025_zps5a16784a.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/025_zps5a16784a.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/024_zps0233db5f.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/024_zps0233db5f.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/021_zps3fc10663.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/021_zps3fc10663.jpg.html)

[VXD959]

Also replaced and installed the bumper reinforcement bar
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/001_zps7d37fb16.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/001_zps7d37fb16.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/003_zps1629caa9.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/003_zps1629caa9.jpg.html)

[Vendetta]

Lookin' good!

In my opinion, there's no better or easier mod that updates the VX as well as a lighting swap. HIDs from XenonRider (others here have mentioned also), plus an LED conversion from VLED (with a member discount (http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=23332), no less!) is a one-hour project.

-V

[VXD959]

Clean rusted areas
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/004_zps0041b171.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/004_zps0041b171.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/017_zps4dfada42.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/017_zps4dfada42.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/008_zps88de8dbf.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/008_zps88de8dbf.jpg.html)
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/dbeuses/019_zpsc0e1aad4.jpg (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/dbeuses/media/019_zpsc0e1aad4.jpg.html)

[tom4bren]

Lookin' good!

In my opinion, there's no better or easier mod that updates the VX as well as a lighting swap. HIDs from XenonRider (others here have mentioned also), plus an LED conversion from VLED (with a member discount (http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=23332), no less!) is a one-hour project.

-V

1.25 hours. Don't forget the extra 15 min to find the bad ground:)

[Vendetta]

Not really, Tom. It took 4 guys 15 minutes to NOT find it, or even know to look for it. It took YOU 15 seconds once you realized what the children were doing. Freaking boss.

But like you said, " that's why you need an electrical engineer around." LOL

-V

[tom4bren]

I prefer "Electrimical Enginerd"

I only knew to look for it because I'd already spent 30 min doing the same thing on Wifey's car.

Now mebbe you can 'splain to me why I was never able to get the high beams working on her's??? I'm of the mind set that HID are bright enough that you don't need no stinkin high beams ... the stoopid inspection station disagrees.

BTW, the firstest thing they teach you when getting your BS-EE is: If it's not working ... is it plugged in? If it's plugged in & still not working ... does it have a good ground.