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TJ headlights

13K views 30 replies 20 participants last post by  Dirt Nut 
#1 ·
What have you done to your headlights? Mine are stock and "okay" but certainly not impressive. Have you opted to upgrade to something brighter ... or stay standard?
 
#2 ·
Most of us agree that stock TJ headlights suck.

Many of us now use Hella e-codes with H4 bulbs. I got mine from Susquehanna Motorsports. No need to upgrade the wiring harness if you stay at 55/60W bulbs. Higher wattage bulbs require a replacement harness with relays (the harness would work well with the 55/60W bulbs too).

Cibie also makes a premium replacement e-code lens and bulb, slightly higher priced than the Hellas.

I've heard of problems with Deltas and other cheaper brands.

Lots of info available at
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Others will tell you to buy LED systems or HID systems.
Read as much info as possible, then make your choice.

One thing we almost all agree on... the stock headlights need to be replaced with something better.
 
#6 ·
#10 ·
Headlights

Dude, buy some aftermarket fender mounted "driving lights" or "fog lights" and mount them up! I have the stock halogen headlights in my 98 TJ and I got a set of bumper mounted lights and wired them up to the stock blank switch housing using a attra custom rocker switch "zombie edition" and what a whole world of illumination! I had to adjust them "down" because I kept getting flashed by drivers..... hope this helps.....Jeep on....
 
#22 ·
There is no stock housing. The stock headlights are solid glass bulbs.
Like this...


You replace the bulb with a housing that uses an H4 based bulb.
Like this...


That housing is then sort of permanent. You never have to remove the whole light again, just the bulb. That black rubber piece comes off and under it is a socket for an H4 bulb.


A 55 watt H4 bulb will plug right into the stock wiring harness. (The housings do come with a set of 55 watt H4 bulbs.)

I wanted more light, so I bought an HID kit that fits into the H4 socket in the headlamp housing. Kind of like this...


It runs it's power off of the battery and uses a relay to switch it on that is triggered by the original factory headlight feed. The one I used is a Bi-xenon kit which means it has hi and low beams.


Couple of notes... I did have to make a slight modification to the housings to make them line up how I wanted them to, and if you plan on doing HID's in this manner you may want to check with your state laws. Some states have laws against aftermarket non-projector style HID lights. If you are allowed to do it, stick with the 35 watt HID kits, they make 55 watt kits but those will be blinding to on coming vehicle as non-projector housings don't focus the light in such a concentrated beam.
 
#29 ·
I would not recommend using the above crystal lenses. HIDs put out a lot of light and can blind other drivers if not cut down. You should use an E-Code (European) lens (Note you'll get plenty of people who will scream about them in a H4 lens at all) E-Code lenses have a very sharp cut off. H.I.D.s on my TJ = WOW! - JeepForum.com
 
#30 ·
Did you read where I recommended the use of a 35 watt HID kit as opposed to the 55 watt kit in the link that you posted? Guess not.
I've been running these lights for quiet a while and have no complaints. Never pulled over, never been flashed by on coming cars and never had any family or friends that have driven in front of me or towards me tell me that they were a problem.
 
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