Forum Discussion
ktmrfs
Jan 23, 2021Explorer II
Gdetrailer wrote:ktmrfs wrote:Mike LeClair wrote:
Hey Bob! I have used Daniel Stern Lighting for my older trucks. He builds very robust, complete light harnesses for just about any vehicle (North American). The harnesses are complete and the instructions are, well, in English. You can look him up on line.
I am learning as I follow this thread. Are the Sylvania ZXE bulbs also built on the low voltage high watt burn out fast model? I was thinking about buying a foursome for my 06 Sierra 3500. Maybe not so much anymore?
I replaced the drivers side housing off of Amazon and was pretty impressed with the fit, finish and design of the off shore product. Fits and works perfectly.
Cheers!
Mike
If the truck uses 9004/9005 bulbs, IMHO the best update is to replace the 9004/9005 with 9011/9012 HIR bulbs. Same watts, higher lumen output, about the same life as a std 9004/9005 but more expensive. you will need to slightly modify the 9011/9012 plastic base to let it fit in the 9004/9005 shell.
a search on 9011/9012 will get you to sites to show the simple mod to the base
I've done that on several vehicles using 9004/9005 bulbs and they are much brighter.
I can see where that might work, however, one needs to realize that in doing so, you may end up with not having as good of focused light.
Incandescent headlights depend on having the bulb filament placed in a very specific spot in the reflector. If the filament is placed slightly off from that location the result is a out of focused beam.
Filament placement and size is critical and if not placed correctly WILL cause more light scatter blinding oncoming traffic in the process.
It is for that reason why LED retrofits tend to be difficult and often results in poor high beams or poor low beams and blinding oncoming traffic in the process.
Different bulb numbers are there for a reason, it isn't done for the light bulb manufacturer to make more money with more part numbers. There are real specs that the bulb manufacturers must adhere to and it is for a good reason.
yes, wrong bulb can be a bad thing to do. Howewver, filament location size and structure etc. for the 9011/12 are the same as the corresponding 9005/6 They were developed as a higher lumen output replacement for 9005/6 and now they are somewhat common on many new vehicles, including many GM models.
I think they are also slightly higher wattage, like 5 watts more draw.
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