Headlight Upgrade- Housings?

[Dredwolf]

So the XJ has 4x4 now, and with fall coming, looks like any wheeling will eventually have me in the dark. And even on this '99, the headlights are....:turd:

So, I know I need the harness, guessing LMC truck (cause I have a K20, may as well buy 2), bulbs and housings.

I have seen people happy with the Hella and IPF housings, and lots seem to purchase the Rampage ones. But I saw where Rugged Ridge has housings now with Polycarbonate lenses.

And thoughts? Are Hella or IPF worth it?

[4.3LXJ]

the nice thing about the Hella housings is you can get E code, which is kinda like a poor mans projection lense

[Sneedle Vision]

Well I think the added benefit to the Hella and IPF glass housings, apart from the bulbs, is that they don't get that nasty film built up on them. Sure you can always use those kits to clean them up eventually, but I think the smart money would be in the glass housings.

That being said, I have the IPF's, Putco harness, and Hella H4 bulbs and absolutely love it.

[Dredwolf]

the nice thing about the Hella housings is you can get E code, which is kinda like a poor mans projection lense

So the Hella e-code versions have the sharp cut-off that seems to be so popular?

I think I saw where Quadratec had them....will any decent bulbs work?

[4.3LXJ]

Yes. But beware that if you go with HIDs, it is possible to melt a poly housing

[Dredwolf]

Well I think the added benefit to the Hella and IPF glass housings, apart from the bulbs, is that they don't get that nasty film built up on them. Sure you can always use those kits to clean them up eventually, but I think the smart money would be in the glass housings.

That being said, I have the IPF's, Putco harness, and Hella H4 bulbs and absolutely love it.

The Putco harness and LMC harness look very close. Good point on the glass housings, I have the $$$ 3M headlight polishing kit, and while it does VERY well, you still have to do it.

Did you have any trouble with the "turn off" delay on the headlights on your 2000?

[Sneedle Vision]

The Putco harness and LMC harness look very close. Good point on the glass housings, I have the $$$ 3M headlight polishing kit, and while it does VERY well, you still have to do it.

Did you have any trouble with the "turn off" delay on the headlights on your 2000?

I'm pretty sure they're exactly the same. I just got all my stuff from Amazon so that's why it's not LMC. The headlight delay works just fine since the new harness plugs directly into the stock light harness/control.

When I installed it, I was kicking myself wondering "How am I gonna operate the lights??" and then I found that ton of bricks I was looking for. :bang:

[illuminator]

I've got autopal housings, putco harness and 100/80 bulbs on mine, I really like it.

[Dredwolf]

I ordered Hella housings, Putco harness and a set of 60/55 and 100/55 bulbs, we'll see how they do.

[07Negative]

You don't want polcarb for anything optical or light related. It's index of refracting is 1.598 and it's abby value is 30. It's a shitty material for anything pertaining to deviating light. The Hella kit is worth the coin.

[Dredwolf]

You don't want polcarb for anything optical or light related. It's index of refracting is 1.598 and it's abby value is 30. It's a shitty material for anything pertaining to deviating light. The Hella kit is worth the coin.

The Hella kit should be here any day, we'll see how it goes. I was shocked at how bad the XJ's lights were. The lights on my '91 Exploder and '95 GMC van are better, and the GMC uses sealed beams.

[07Negative]

My camping lantern is better than OEM XJ lights. Kinda sad.

[Dredwolf]

My camping lantern is better than OEM XJ lights. Kinda sad.

I taped two Mag lights to the hood tonight as a joke....until I saw how much better they are. :mad:

[Brasscatz]

I found a pic of somebody's xj a while back and I just think it looks awesome! These lights would provide much better visibility too. It's definitely on my list of want-to-do!

[oderdene]

I read some info about headlight upgrade, decided to order autopal 200mm euro headlights with 100/90 bulb.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mm-H6054-H4-EURO-HEADLIGHTS-CITY-LIGHTS-/330634427045?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cfb58faa5#payId

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/200mm-H6054-H4-EURO-HEADLIGHTS-WITH-CITY-LIGHTS-/00/s/MzAwWDQwMA==/$(KGrHqZ,!i!E6Qunzeh7BOrd1+hg-g~~60_12.JPG

[4.3LXJ]

Not a bad price for sure and glass reflector. Can't see anything wrong with them as it reads

[NW99XJ]

If you have a TON of cash to spend, there's these new-ish LED H4's on the market.... the price is outrageous. but they perform real well, and look pretty cool too.....
(NOTE: this is not my Jeep)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120416_093105.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120418_083907.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120420_132621.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120420_132633.jpg

[NW99XJ]

Oh and a company called JW Speaker is doing some crazy LED projection R&D for the H4's..... Check out the bug eyes!
I dont know if these are actually on the market yet, but from what I've seen they're frickin awesome.... (i'm sure the price tag will be too)

http://productsearch.machinedesign.com/NpaPics/78/155233_121420116822_ExhibitPic.jpg

[prcjeep]

My headlights are stock and I can normally get away with running them on Highbeams all the time cuz even those arent too bright. Lighting upgrade should be on my list but i to shorten my list first lol

[Dredwolf]

If you have a TON of cash to spend, there's these new-ish LED H4's on the market.... the price is outrageous. but they perform real well, and look pretty cool too.....
(NOTE: this is not my Jeep)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120416_093105.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120418_083907.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120420_132621.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n257/topfuel443/IMG_20120420_132633.jpg

Got to be the TruckLites, we use them on some....stuff at work, and I saw plenty of them on the MATV's and Humvees

[Dredwolf]

Well, the housings and Putco harness finally shipped, should be here Monday.

I'll post an update as soon as I can.

[XJ Wheeler]

That harness is pretty easy to install, every xj should come with one.

[Dredwolf]

That harness is pretty easy to install, every xj should come with one.

Oddly enough, everything showed up today, EXCEPT the bulbs....:mad:

[4.3LXJ]

We could add this to the "how to be annoying" thread

[Dredwolf]

We could add this to the "how to be annoying" thread

You can imagine how I sounded....seeing the yellow Hella boxes, happily digging through the packing (bought 55/60 and 55/100's) and finding......NO BULBS...

:sign0055:


Oh well, good day wheeling...going again in the AM.:D

[Mudderoy]

I don't think I've mentioned in this thread, but I went with the IPF (now ARB) housings and 80/110 watt bulbs. Along with a wiring harness from LMC Trucks.

Great light, as you would expect.

Since I had some Silverstars left over from the 98 I put those in the 99 replacing the stock headlights. I also installed the LMC Truck harness. Now the 99 has great light too! And more importantly I only notice a slight difference between the 98 and 99!!!! It was such a great improvement that instead of getting the $80 IPF headlights and $80 bulbs for the wife's TJ I just bought a pair of 7" round Silverstars and used the same LMC Trucks wiring harness. Now the TJ has great light.

If I'm remembering correctly the Silverstars are about $40 and the LMC Truck harness is $40 shipped.

[Dredwolf]

Well, everything FINALLY showed up. I have the Hella housings, the Putco harness, and two sets of Hella bulbs, 60/55 and 100/55.

Going to try and install without breaking anything, and maybe take some pictures too.

Should I get creative and seal up the connections in the plugs?

[4.3LXJ]

I don't think that is really necessary. What is necessary is that you don't touch the bulbs with your skin. That leaves oil on them that will cause hot spots and crack the glass.

[MrO]

how do you like those headlight upgrades?

[Dredwolf]

I don't think that is really necessary. What is necessary is that you don't touch the bulbs with your skin. That leaves oil on them that will cause hot spots and crack the glass.

No worries, used to that with my high-powered headlights on my enduro bikes for night rides. Hoping to have time tomorrow after work to get these installed, so I can see what I need to add for accessory lights.

Thinking about trying the Engo LED's for aux back up lights, got stuck out on trail the other night in the dark on the side of a hill, stock XJ back up lights are .....well, bad.

[4.3LXJ]

I came up with one for backup lights. Pep Boys has an aux driving light just the right size to go in the back up light module. That would give a 55W backup light. You would have to upgrade wiring though. On my list and maybe my birthday present.

[NW99XJ]

I found a pic of somebody's xj a while back and I just think it looks awesome! These lights would provide much better visibility too. It's definitely on my list of want-to-do!

Uhmmm...... YES, YES PLEASE!!! If I can find a "H4-to-7"round-conversion-kit" ...not only would I buy it, I would re-vamp all my auxilary lights from square to round, and go with some tube style bumpers and rails instead of square plate.... I've always liked the round-eye XJ's....Nice Find Brasascatz!!!


I read some info about headlight upgrade, decided to order autopal 200mm euro headlights with 100/90 bulb.
Thats a good kit, popular choice among a lot of XJ Owners. I dont think I could get away with the 90watt low beams around here though.

[Dredwolf]

I came up with one for backup lights. Pep Boys has an aux driving light just the right size to go in the back up light module. That would give a 55W backup light. You would have to upgrade wiring though. On my list and maybe my birthday present.

Got the harness installed tonight, will take some pics in the AM. Should the connection between the factory harness and the Putco harness get taped up or something?

I don't have a Pep Boys nearby, does this fit in the factory backup light location in the tail light?

[4.3LXJ]

You will have to do some surgery on the lens, but it will fit there without affecting the signal lens

[bluedragon436]

I have the Hella housings and Hella 100/89 bulbs with the LMC harness... Have to say def one of my favorite and best mods ever for my XJ, especially with the back farm roads I drive almost every night with all kinds of animals walking around..

[Carves]

............... I dont think I could get away with the 90watt low beams around here though.

I dont think 90w is a legal low beam wattage anywhere ??

The good thing about the e-code lense tho - is the "cut off" limits of the light projection in front of the vehicle ...

So as long as the lights are aimed correctly ... and the bulb brightness is not excessive for its wattage ... they cause minimal inconvenience to oncoming traffic - compared to the US "dot" approved XJ lights ...

[ezbuzzsaw]

I bought the IPF housings and bulbs and have been very happy with the purchase. They are very bright and the light color is great, to avoid buying the very high priced harness, I bought High heat plugs and made my own system, the original leads now power relays that run 10 gauge wire fused but direct to the IPF bulbs. So this means my 1992 wiring harness only sees a few milliamps to power the new relays and should last a long time. It does put a little redundancy into the system but with such a small load I am hoping the original relays can last for years to come. Some say my XJ is really an electrical engineering project. LOL

[Dredwolf]

Got the Putco harness, Hella housings and 55/100 bulbs installed today....nice.:D

http://i.minus.com/i1wWtGyaXQ7Wz.JPG

Major improvement at night, the low beams with the sharp cut-off really makes the high-beams not needed as much....I did a little driving around the farm and found the low beams to be the preferred unless I was trying to see distance.