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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ppltrak on January 17, 2004, 07:08:14 AM

Title: high intensity head lights
Post by: ppltrak on January 17, 2004, 07:08:14 AM
Just wondering if anybody has or knows where to get them for replacement bulbs. I have a 94 tracker.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on January 17, 2004, 07:21:39 AM
YOUCAN TRY EBAY...BUT SOME ONE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT THEY BURN OUT RATHER FAST  ??? ANYONE HAVE THEM....
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Maiden Hell on January 17, 2004, 07:32:08 AM
At any auto parts store.  If you live in Canada, Canadian Tire has tons of them.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: TN_Tracker on January 17, 2004, 07:45:05 AM
I've actually done some research on this and I would go with Sylvania Silverstars. http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm They give you better lighting without causing problems elsewhere. They're available at Wal-mart, Autozone and Advance Auto around here for about $19 a piece.

TN_T
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: mrfuelish on January 17, 2004, 08:06:39 AM
thats what i put in my wifes car from wally world about 39.00 for the pair, talk about bright they kick some butt, been in there only 6 week's or so will let ya know if they burn out! p.s.  I live on a dirt road full of pot holes just a little over two miles worth so when she drives home from work at night that should be a real good test plus we are in the snow line so it is cooooooold here most of the time.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Z3bra on January 17, 2004, 08:11:54 AM
I put some of the fake ones I got at target in mine (the crappy light blue looking ones) and I'm honestly disappointed.  They need to have more actual light output than they do because of the bluer spectrum they emit.  The human eye is more sensitive to the red end of the visible spectrum and to get the equivalent lighting effect with a blueish light you need more overall output.  

I have heard good things about the silverstars though, when I replacce these I'm probably going to give those a try if I can't put some real HIDs in cheaply.

If you want real HID lights you're going to have to fork over about 500-600 bucks for a conversion kit that has the ballasts/stepup transformer packs and the true HID bulbs.  

On the bright side (if you'll excuse the pun) other than right when they first fire up they actually use quite a bit less power than conventional halogens (something like 35% or so).  Unlike putting in a high wattage bulb, a real HID conversion wouldn't require upgrading the wiring, just splicing it in to what's there.

Technically they're not DOT legal because they don't have autolevelling devices but If you keep them aimed politely I doubt you'll catch too much flak for running them.

If by some chance you could find a totalled car with oem HID's, you could probably pull the balasts out and adapt them to work in any car but you'd still need the 6004 or whatever they are we use true HID bulbs to finish the job.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: ppltrak on January 17, 2004, 09:38:20 AM
Thanks, thats exactly what I was looking for.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: wildgoody on January 17, 2004, 01:00:54 PM
Silverstars are the best in a test I read.
I took a chance at Wally Mart when I got
some Xeon gas filled bulbs, the light output
is OK but the pattern is bad, I don't like
the way it spreads, I think I'm going to take
the Xeons back and exchange for Silverstars.  
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: DSHornet on January 17, 2004, 02:15:37 PM
I upgraded to 9004CB (Sylvania Cool Blue) bulbs. The Silverstars are great but I had to compromise for $$'s sake. The light isn't as white as the Silverstars but it is noticeably whiter than standard 9004 halogen bulbs.

Don, y'all
.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Maiden Hell on January 17, 2004, 05:02:22 PM
Quote
They're available at Wal-mart, Autozone and Advance Auto around here for about $19 a piece.TN_T


Funny, that's how much they cost up here too, in CDN funds...  Wait, $19 for just one bulb or a pair?
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Maiden Hell on January 17, 2004, 05:05:37 PM
OOPS, nevermind, we have the COOL BLUE ones.  Their not the same lamps.   :P
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Mr._NSX on January 17, 2004, 07:33:25 PM
I have one silverstar and one regular one.  I only have one silverstar because one burned out about a 2 weeks after installiation and I wasn't going to pay twenty bucks for a replacement.  I can't tell the difference betweent the regular and the silverstar with both installed.   So save your money cause the difference ain't that great, unless you need the reassureance buying these lights may provide.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Yankee Tim on January 18, 2004, 01:23:34 AM
I;ve been running PIAA Xteme Whites (H4) in my GV for about 3 years.  These are real PIAAs and not the knock-offs.

One word.  Awesome.  Difference is night and day.  Many flash me thier brites when I head there way.  My high beams scar retinas.  If they hogh beam me back, I just kick on the 85w PIAA 820's and 100W PIAA H1's in my Cibie lights.  That ends the bright light fight. :P

Also, if a PIAA ever burns out, they replace them, free.  Forever.

But the $75 price a high.  But you pay for good stuff.

Bob has Sliverstars, and the PIAAs are way brighter, and more pure white/less blue tint.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Mr._NSX on January 18, 2004, 03:53:06 AM
Yeah the whole reason I bought the Silverstars was because I saw an older Surburban with really bright lights, HID style.  I knew it wasnt a HID setup cuase it was a pretty old surburban like mid 90's.  I figured they where silverstars, but I guess they might have been the PIAA lights you are talking about.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Dusty on January 18, 2004, 05:02:02 AM
"One word.  Awesome.  Difference is night and day.  Many flash me thier brites when I head there way.  My high beams scar retinas.  If they hogh beam me back, I just kick on the 85w PIAA 820's and 100W PIAA H1's in my Cibie lights.  That ends the bright light fight. "

I think bright lights are fine but if you are routinely getting people signaling to you that they are too bright it would be a better idea to adjust them down rather than get off on brighting them back. (they think they are just signaling and you think you are in a Bright light war.  Sounds awefully juvenile to me.)  People who have the attitude that whatever I do is fine even if it is a hazardous to others are a danger to society.  I would hope those who frequent this board are a little more courteous to other drivers who have kids and loved ones as passengers.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Speedracer7c on January 18, 2004, 08:47:48 AM
I liked them when I Had them. But as I said before they didn't last long....
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: DSHornet on January 18, 2004, 02:37:29 PM
Quote

I think bright lights are fine but if you are routinely getting people signaling to you that they are too bright it would be a better idea to adjust them down rather than get off on brighting them back. (they think they are just signaling and you think you are in a Bright light war.  Sounds awefully juvenile to me.)


If the oncoming drivers weren't blinded by the overly bright lights, they wouldn't flip their brights up. They are trying to tell you something.

I second Dusty's motion and agree with the observation. Putting two 100 watt lights in the eyes of oncomong drivers is inexcusably dangerous ... not to mention rude. Use them on the trails, not public streets.

Don, y'all
.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: mrfuelish on January 18, 2004, 03:01:06 PM
also when installing them make sure that you use some clean gloves or a clean paper towel, if you touch the bulb they will explode when they get hot!
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: wildgoody on January 18, 2004, 03:12:22 PM
never touch the glass with anything,
I've never had problems when I don't
touch the glass, it's not "glass" it's
quartz so it can handle the heat.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 18, 2004, 09:26:29 PM
Quote
I;ve been running PIAA Xteme Whites (H4) in my GV for about 3 years.  These are real PIAAs and not the knock-offs.

One word.  Awesome.  Difference is night and day.  Many flash me thier brites when I head there way.  My high beams scar retinas.  If they hogh beam me back, I just kick on the 85w PIAA 820's and 100W PIAA H1's in my Cibie lights.  That ends the bright light fight. :P

Also, if a PIAA ever burns out, they replace them, free.  Forever.

But the $75 price a high.  But you pay for good stuff.

Bob has Sliverstars, and the PIAAs are way brighter, and more pure white/less blue tint.


I have been running the PIAA's in my Kick also. I originally bought some knock off's and they died in a few months. The PIAA's have already lasted me 3 years.
Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: mavapa on January 19, 2004, 01:02:58 AM
It's possible to replace certain standard headlight types with true HID lighting. Check this site:

http://suvlights.tripod.com/suvlightscom/html/Sylvania-Xenarc-1.htm

Unfortunately, Suzuki doesn't use the standard headlight types, so you can't just replace them with the Sylvania HIDs. You can get an auxiliary HID low-beam lighting system. It is a true HID design intended for use only with low beams. It is intended to be turned off when the high beam is on. One neat thing about them is that they apparently use a radio-controlled switch so you don't have to drill a hole in the firewall.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Yankee Tim on January 19, 2004, 03:32:10 AM
Quote
"

I think bright lights are fine but if you are routinely getting people signaling to you that they are too bright it would be a better idea to adjust them down rather than get off on brighting them back. (they think they are just signaling and you think you are in a Bright light war.  Sounds awefully juvenile to me.)"


Maybe I should have clarified myself better.

My bulbs are DOT and aimed on the rack (Yankee Shannon is a service manger, so the preventative maintentance on my GV is impecable).  They do not exceed DOT wattage, just use xenon gas which is more efficent and brighter than halogen gas.  Many new cars have the same gas mixtures.  Others have HID, which are far brighter.

I think it might be the difference in color, or that they look brighter, but I get flashed, not one, but twice or more.  I will flash them my Highs to show them my lows are on.  About one in 5 respondes like a moron and throws their highs on like it's a pissing match.

Sometimes, I get flashed and they must take it as me not responding (how can I when my lows are on?)  They react by flicking on THEIR high-beams steady.  Now I'm being blinded.   Then there are jerks with their brights on (you can see all 4 bulbs on) who don't resonded to 3 courtesy flashes.    These are usually clueless or truely non-caring.

Overwhelming them with light is my usual response.  Works for me.

Some folks still running old-school lights just don't like new, brighter, whiter bulb systems.  Stick in the muds if you ask me.  The same was said when Halogens replaced standard incandescent bulbs in cars.  They thought they were too bright, complained, and even mistook low beams for brights.  They was true too when cars went from 6V to 12V.  Brighter, whiter and safer bulbs are hear to stay, best get used to it.

I read a newspaper article saying a recent study found that true HID lights appearing on luxury cars and SUVs were the most distracting type of auto lighting on the market.  Common reasons were the spectum of color they can have, the more intense light, and more natural white light they projected.  Drivers in the study said they found it harder to look away from those types ofheadlights than traditional "yellow-ish" type halogen and standard sealed beams.  This attraction to looking into the light beam caused drivers to claim that they headlights were too bright, even though they produced similar lumens to normal headlights

Quote
People who have the attitude that whatever I do is fine even if it is a hazardous to others are a danger to society.  I would hope those who frequent this board are a little more courteous to other drivers who have kids and loved ones as passengers.


I have kids and loved ones in my trucks.  That is why all my cars have the best possible lights that I can afford in them.  Some folks seem not to like them.  If I represented myself as an idiot joyfully blinding folks, I stand corrected.   But I will do nothing to change the bulbs in my trucks nor respond differently when someone wants to blind me in "their" light war.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Yankee Tim on January 19, 2004, 03:37:25 AM
Quote


If the oncoming drivers weren't blinded by the overly bright lights, they wouldn't flip their brights up. They are trying to tell you something.

Don, y'all
.


Yup, that they don't like new technology when it comes to automotive lighting systems. ;D
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 19, 2004, 03:57:04 AM
Some believe in treat others how you wish to be treated, and I fully agree, UNTILL, someone is rude or inconsiderate of me or others around me. >:(

Thats why I always dim my headlights when following someone or there is an approaching vehicle.

If I get highbeamed or flashed from another vehicle I will give them a flash back to show them that my Street Legal and properly aligned) PIAA headlights are on low beam. If they procede with high beams, I return the favor. If they continue with high beams, I see it as they dont care if I can not see, there pissed that I have better headlights, so I then give them a taste of 100W PIAA driving lamps (not road legal) and they ALWAYS decide to go back to their low beams when confronted with the glare of the entire interstate lighting up ;D

Dangerous, maybee, rude, probably, but hey, If they were not in a pissing contest or just naturally rude, my headlights would of never come off of dim.

Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Yankee Tim on January 19, 2004, 04:05:17 AM
Quote
Some believe in treat others how you wish to be treated, and I fully agree, UNTILL, someone is rude or inconsiderate of me or others around me. >:(

Thats why I always dim my headlights when following someone or there is an approaching vehicle.

If I get highbeamed or flashed from another vehicle I will give them a flash back to show them that my Street Legal and properly aligned) PIAA headlights are on low beam. If they procede with high beams, I return the favor. If they continue with high beams, I see it as they dont care if I can not see, there pissed that I have better headlights, so I then give them a taste of 100W PIAA driving lamps (not road legal) and they ALWAYS decide to go back to their low beams when confronted with the glare of the entire interstate lighting up ;D

Dangerous, maybee, rude, probably, but hey, If they were not in a pissing contest or just naturally rude, my headlights would of never come off of dim.

Zig


Zig,

Exactly.  Could not have said it better.

I have a feeling we'll have good times in Moab. ;D
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 19, 2004, 04:12:43 AM
O-Yea, cant wait to have some Jeeps pass us with their high beams on ;)

Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zuki One on January 19, 2004, 04:26:16 AM
Now that was funny! 8)
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Natebert on January 19, 2004, 04:30:14 AM
Quote
Some believe in treat others how you wish to be treated, and I fully agree, UNTILL, someone is rude or inconsiderate of me or others around me. >:(

Thats why I always dim my headlights when following someone or there is an approaching vehicle.

If I get highbeamed or flashed from another vehicle I will give them a flash back to show them that my Street Legal and properly aligned) PIAA headlights are on low beam. If they procede with high beams, I return the favor. If they continue with high beams, I see it as they dont care if I can not see, there pissed that I have better headlights, so I then give them a taste of 100W PIAA driving lamps (not road legal) and they ALWAYS decide to go back to their low beams when confronted with the glare of the entire interstate lighting up ;D

Dangerous, maybee, rude, probably, but hey, If they were not in a pissing contest or just naturally rude, my headlights would of never come off of dim.

Zig


Funny how us folks with properly alligend, streel legal headlights accompanied with 'off-road' aux lights all do about the same thing.  
Give them 2 chances to conceed defeat, then if they persist give them hell and look at the whites of their eyes as you drive by.

~Nate


Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 19, 2004, 04:31:50 AM
;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8) ;D 8)
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: wildgoody on January 19, 2004, 02:12:25 PM
 8) 8) 8) I wear my sunglasses at night 8) 8) 8)


(80's hit song)
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Jdawgjayj on January 19, 2004, 09:31:55 PM
A good song.   i have worn mine at night.. after dialation.. my pupils were so big no color was visible.. i got flashed and it sent pain through my head.

Where do you find these PIAA lights btw?  I searched and didn't find ones for suzuki... or am i looking wrong.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 19, 2004, 09:48:21 PM
Dont rag me for this, but I got mine at the local Ricer Shop :P They will have cross references for the stock lamp # and the PIAA model.
Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: wildgoody on January 20, 2004, 03:25:54 AM
RICER SHOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which one  ???     ;)
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 20, 2004, 03:39:29 AM
Quote
RICER SHOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which one  ???     ;)

You had to ask, it even has a gay name. Cookie Town Automotive ::)
Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: wildgoody on January 20, 2004, 04:05:39 AM
AH Ha Ha Ha. Gay name "Cookie Town Automotive"
perfect for a Ricer shop tho LOL ROFLMAO   :P :P :P
:o ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Speedracer7c on January 20, 2004, 05:06:25 AM
Who would name their company that.......oh god
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Zukipilot on January 20, 2004, 05:36:06 AM
Well the town is Cookeville and they some how thought Cookie would be better :-/
Zig
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Speedracer7c on January 20, 2004, 05:45:51 AM
Cookeville auto or something probably would have been accepted better.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: TN_Tracker on January 20, 2004, 08:07:23 AM
 I guess if Cookeville is Cookie Town then Zig must be the Cookie Monster.  ;D
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: Z3bra on January 20, 2004, 09:17:09 PM
Somebody earlier mentioned Suzuki housings not using standard bulbs.  An easy way around this would be to swap the trackick lights for some 7" round High/Low ones or maybe a 7" round Low and 5" round High setup in a custom panel.  Hella now makes a US DOT approved H4 bulb system in the 7" round.  Personally I'd still get the E-Code ones since they have a better beam pattern that's even less likely to get in other drivers eyes.

Then you could get the H4 replacement true HID bulb and still keep the 5" rounds for your highbeams  Which would keep you legal. (other than if you use E-code lenses).  The Hella lenses are leaded crystal glass but the other nice thing is that 7" replacement housings are so universal.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: DSHornet on January 21, 2004, 01:07:07 AM
My late '94 used common-as-dirt 9004 bulbs. Did something change?

Don, y'all
.
Title: Re: high intensity head lights
Post by: mavapa on January 21, 2004, 01:30:29 AM
It's not the bulbs, it's the headlight itself. If you have the regular old round or square standard headlights that you can get at Wal-Mart, then Sylvania makes a true HID replacement system that includes headlight lens, HID bulb and the electrical equipment needed to run it. HID bulbs do not have a filament. They are more like a flourescent bulb - they use a high voltage system that causes an arc. They take a little while to get up to full intensity. Installing an HID system is not a bulb swap, it's a replacement for the entire headlight system. It isn't cheap, either.