Nice little headlight upgrade 9000 series

[K85 Octane]

I have an '01 s10 with the 9005 and 9006 bulbs, IIRC

I put some Toshiba 9012 bulbs in, the 9011s are highbeams. I believe they are stock equipment for the Dodge Magnum wagons and such. I think. I bought them from EBay and did the necessary mods to fit them in the my housings. When I say mods, I mean 5 mins of filing and that's it.

They are not HID and the difference wont be massive. It took me a few days to really notice the difference. I am still running through the stock headlight set up, no relays or larger wiring, which might help if I did them. But I get lots more light to the sides of the truck, floor, and distance. Road signs are more visible and I can see MORE tail light reflectors lit up down my street. (I have a lot of parked cars around me) My headlights are always adjusted perfect. I have a wall to use some 60ft away to get them just right. They are not bright on others, I know cause I've driven in front of my truck. I would have gone HID, but they are just too bright for others.

I have PIAA bulbs in my quad and while they are nice, they are no brighter, only a little blue, which the human eye picks up easier, making you think they are brighter. Blue tinted bulbs are rated higher wattage so it can get through the blue tint, but aren't really any brighter. I recommend the Toshiba bulbs over other "performance bulbs". I don't sell them or have any stock in someone selling them. If you can get them cheaper than EBay, let me know, I'll take some highbeams. I've had my lows for about 5 years.

Trimming
http://shnu.us/HIR Trimming A.htm

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Its not hids being too bright that blinds people. Its the fact that the hid lamps filament is farther out than a regular halogen bulb. So when you stick a hid bulb in it is farther in the reflector thus spreading the light outward and crazy. Ive actually had good luck spacing a pair of hid,s outward in the reflector and it was perfect.

Hiw do those bulbs compare to the silverstar bulbs?

 

[Jessie James]

Check out IPF for high wattage bulbs. I've been using them for 25 years and they consistently have the best and brightest bulbs at reasonable prices. I still have a set of 160w H3 bulbs that light up the night like nothing I've ever seen, and they now make a 155w/195w H4 bulb, I think this is a link:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/97018_2200.htm

 

[K85 Octane]

NorCal: I know about the housings and cut off. If I can find a stock looking lens that properly cuts off upward light, I would go with HIDs. But this was a good alternative for the amount of work involved.

Jessie: I'm watching your lighting thread, interesting stuff. But I don't think an H4 will fit in my 9000 sockets. Or did I miss that somewhere? If it does, or at least with very little effort, I might be interested......that is again...if a 155w bulb doesn't blind other people.

 

[Jessie James]

I am pretty sure the H4 will not fit the 9000 opening. The only thing I think that will fit is the H7 but that is a single filament bulb, so that may not suit your needs.

 

[DrkZide]

+1 on the HIR lights. Probably the best you can get before going HID. I have HID lows and 9011 in my 3000GT. I might go the same route with the truck if I can figure out the wiring since the way the lights operate and get power or all different.