So What's the Easiest Solution for Brighter Headlights?

[jason5208]

Hi. My low beams are just plain inadequate for illuminating dark roads. High beams are actually fine. I read past threads about headlight conversions which require upgrades to the electrical system but those are beyond my capabilities. What are the "plug and play" options available to us for obtaining brighter headlights? Thanks.

 

[lokmeup]

higher wattage bulbs

 

[newtomelx]

upgraded Slee wiring harness (easy plug and play) then higher wattage bulbs or even the Philip's HIR bulbs

 

[The Jayhawker]

Have you tried silverstar bulbs? I`ve had good luck with those on several vehicles.

 

[DARKNESS]

Silverstars are good. They don't last long though.

 

[DARKNESS]

Also, aim them properly. It makes a big difference.

 

[FJROSS]

Do a search for the recent "LED" thread that was posted up. I ordered mine about a week ago but haven't received yet.

 

[PDoyle]

The best replacement bulbs I've found are HIR's. Kind of like the John Deere bulbe that were so good but cost more. Search HIR 9012 halogen bulbs. You need to peel some of the plastic off of the 3 tabs that hold the bulb in the housing. Easy to do. Can't remember where I bought them though. There are a few threads regarding this topic.

 

[RS6tofj80]

Slee's kit plus an LED bulb is likely the best using your stock lights - but the limiting factor on the lowbeams really is the design - I'd think about the depots for another 250 and the correct adapters ..... they are amazingly brighter... I went HID's which I'm not sure I'd jsutify again but they are amazingly bright and have a perfect cutoff. the highbeams with a 100 watt bulb are unreal.

 

[musthave]

Slee's kit plus an LED bulb is likely the best using your stock lights - but the limiting factor on the lowbeams really is the design - I'd think about the depots for another 250 and the correct adapters ..... they are amazingly brighter... I went HID's which I'm not sure I'd jsutify again but they are amazingly bright and have a perfect cutoff. the highbeams with a 100 watt bulb are unreal.

What exactly is the advantage / necessity for "Slee's kit"? I see a lot of people mention it, but I'm not sure I understand why it is needed. The JD HIR's just plug in, don't they? The LED's sound interesting, I may pick up a set to try them out, but not sure if I need the Slee kit too.

 

[DARKNESS]

The wiring for the headlights is a bit undersized and convoluted. Slee's kit powers the lights with larger wire and relays right from the battery minimizing power loss for brighter lights.

 

[DARKNESS]

HIR's don't have a black cap on the bulb tip to keep from blinding oncoming drivers so you're basically converting your low beams into a set of high beams.

 

[musthave]

HIR's don't have a black cap on the bulb tip to keep from blinding oncoming drivers so you're basically converting your low beams into a set of high beams.

That's what I was reading last night, which lead me to going LED instead.

 

[bsmart82]

HIR's don't have a black cap on the bulb tip to keep from blinding oncoming drivers so you're basically converting your low beams into a set of high beams.

If you buy the hi and low versions they have the covered tip. I chose to use just the hi beam in both for brighter low beams. Here is where I bought mine :

http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

Do a search and there are some good threads that detail which bulbs are hi/low and exactly how to trim the tabs on the bulbs.

 

[hadmatter]

The slee kit puts more power to the bulbs. It won't take much reading here to understand why you would be wise to upgrade the harness, before installing higher wattage bulbs.

Adding the slee harness, and HIR or the JD bulbs really isn't too difficult, and makes a big difference. Also, you may want to carefully inspect your lenses and the leading glass surface of your headlights. By now, they're likely pitted and diffusing your light all over the place.

Another possible problem is - the reflective portion of your lamps may be dusty, or even somewhat corroded. These can be cleaned to some extent.

1. Remove and clean existing lamps.
2. Replace the lamp all together, if pitted or beyond cleaning. Not sure how much those cost?
3. Install the slee harness and HIR's or Silverstar, or whatever you fancy.
4. Depo's would be the ultimate "drop-in" unless the cost prohibits you.
***The harness upgrade is probably still a necessity when doing the DEPO lights - I'm sure someone will chime in on that.

Plenty of options, welcome to the rabbit hole of owning an older vehicle!

 

[DARKNESS]

If you buy the hi and low versions they have the covered tip. I chose to use just the hi beam in both for brighter low beams. Here is where I bought mine :

http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

Do a search and there are some good threads that detail which bulbs are hi/low and exactly how to trim the tabs on the bulbs.

Shennanigans! This is directly from the link you posted:

"it does not have a blacked-out tip, which means it should not be used in road going headlamp or fog lamp designs that don't have a bulb shield completely covering at least the top half of the front of the bulb"

 

[Dubbinchris]

Relays!

 

[rubicondon53]

I hate throwing a wrench into this,,, but,,, I just don't see a need for brighter headlamps.. I log over 130 thousand miles a year and there is nothing more irritating than those blinding headlights coming at you, or behind you.. They ought to be illegal for use on public roadways... The best upgrade, if you really need to see more, is a good set of 100 watt white fog beams aimed low and wide.. For off road? The options are endless for trail illumination... It's just my humble opinion, but the best upgrade for stock low beam lamps is to leave them stock...

 

[half k cruiser]

It's just my humble opinion, but the best upgrade for stock low beam lamps is to leave them stock...

When your 130k miles brings you through Kansas stop in and drive my rig in the dark. The low beams are terrible and a real safety concern. They are getting swapped out at the turn of the year. You probably just have really good vision !

 

[Tools R Us]

The slee kit puts more power to the bulbs. It won't take much reading here to understand why you would be wise to upgrade the harness, before installing higher wattage bulbs.
...

How much more power? It's a simple test, plug in the stock wires, test, plug in the aftermarket and test, publish the results. Every time we have tested, the factory system delivered more voltage, so have removed several aftermarket harnesses. The good part is they sell very quickly here, likely because old myths never die here?

Relays!

In the dark ages, like the FJ40 era, power came from the battery all of the way to the dash/light switch, then back out to the headlights, greatly benefited from a relay setup. The '80 has a well designed, good quality relay setup, the power comes from the battery, to the fuse box by the battery and directly to the headlights. How does relays driving relays do anything but add complexity, reduce reliability, etc?