Best Headlight Replacement Bulb?

Hey all, I just ordered some new headlights from partsgeek.com ($75 with shipping for entire assembly w/ bulbs). Didn't think they'd include a bulb, and I was only shopping for a new lens as my olds ones are totally old and yellowed. The bulbs that came with the new lights are too dim.

Any recs on a good replacement (bright) bulb? Not looking to do a retrofit or replace the assembly, just want a little bit of performance above what I've got. The stock lights could be better, but they've treated me well so far, she's an old truck I'm just tryin' to keep lookin' good. Thanks.

 

Welcome!

I like the Philips Xtreme bulbs or PIAA Xtreme White bulbs. Both have much better light output than stock.

 

I hear the Philips are nice and bright but that they burn out in less than a year.

 

I used to run PIAA Xtreme White's before i switched to HIDS, they were great halogens. Somewhat pricey, but worth it

 

Couldn't tell ya, I got hit and one of them blew because of the impact so I replaced them with PIAAs. I only had them for about 8 months at that time. FWIW, most of the brighter bulbs have a shorter life span and will even state as much on the box.

 

have you tried cleaning them or using the headlight resotration kits??

 

x2 even the worst headlights can be brought back to new. i just polished mine yesterday and they look brand new.

 

The Philips xtreme are better, I tried them all before I went to HID
still have the philips in all my family members cars and they are great
but do burn out quickly

 

I've run PIAA Intense White bulbs for years. I'm very happy with whiteness, brightness, and reliability. (They're available for $44/pr from

PIAA 10904 H4 Intense White - H4 60/55W=135/125W Xtra Intense White Bulb, Twin Pack

Amazon.)
Note that while the Intense Whites have a blue appearance when off, the light they throw is WHITE, without even the slightest hint of blue.

I've also heard good things about Philips X-treme Power bulbs, which are available for $29/pr from Amazon, and OSRAM Night-Breakers, available from Amazon for $40/pr.

 

ive used the PIAA and Phillips on my motorcycle, and they lasted about 4 months... went to the SilverStar Ultras and they last abouta year...

 

the stock bulb

if your looking to swap out the stock bulb and you can't be talked out of it here is a link to help you choose a bulb and give you some ideas of whats out there and what not
to buy.

http://www.clearcorners.com/tech/001/
http://www.clearcorners.com/tech/002/

 

I've heard the exact opposite. Funny. I just put Phillips in my truck this morning and boxed up the factory bulbs for emergency replacement. We'll see how long the Phillips last.

 

Might be informative, if it weren't so nebulous. No specific brands. No specific models. Just lots of implications, leaving it to readers to infer their own conclusions.

I've run many different headlights, including stock, and am much happier with my current choice. First-hand experience trumps marketing propaganda, for me.

 

PIAA Night Tech H4 Bulb 60/55 watt / 3600K - Good lights,cleaner white light makes objects show up better. Didn't notice it as mucharound town compared to county. I bought them at the dealership before doing a comparison. Might go a little brighter next timelike those "PIAA Xtreme White Plus".

 

Philips xtreme power hands down. Stay away from the blue coated bulbs

 

HID conversion kit

 

Only if you put them in projectors... otherwise you just get a lot of scattered light, very little of which actually going in a useful direction or pattern.

 

the PIAA are blue coated....whats your negative on the blue coated bulbs?

 

It's the same as tinting your windows. Any coating added to a bulb just essentially dims the bulb to get a particular color. Personally, I've got the PIAA bulbs and think they're very bright and I love them.

 

most high performance bulbs...
will only be as good as their power supply.

I suggest upgrading the wiring harness
and draw directly off the battery.

I used cheap butt ebay light bulbs...
and they have stayed working for nearly 8 years.

More important then the bulbs used...
is the lesser resistance of a quality harness.
I believe the resistance is what shortens life
of otherwise quality bulbs.

Only recently I upgraded to some HO bulbs (47K 90/100w)...
and I'm glad I upgraded the harness for that extra power.
so far... the harness handles the extra wattage just fine