Headlights

[RT22]

noticed last night the headlights are not as bright as i would like, anyone know of any headlight upgrades for the old hard bodies? Appears to be sealed unit, so the halogen pop in bulbs do not appear to be a option. Anyone replace with any certain brands they would recommend?

[RT22]

did some searching and found these, would be nice to convert maybe. http://www.topgearautosport.co....html

[seang]

Those sealed beam conversions look pretty good.

[RT22]

Yeah the clear lenses and halogen bulbs that can be swapped out.

[8v fury]

I will be be doing a conversion to one of those headlights soon along with a headlight relay harness. I did the same thing to my vws when I had it and boy it was worth it, the output was great and I didn't need a hid kit. When I do it, I will be doing a diy thread for here.

[RT22]

the ones in the link say they are bolt on no relays or anything needed. NOT HID just converts to more recent style of lights with halogen bulbs that can be replaced. Seems a cleaner design with clear lenses, no diffuser crap.

[seang]

Warp speed in a D21 is already scary enough without dim headlamps.

[dvdswan]

couple of yrs ago I replaced the lights with some sylvania performance lights, they're better than the original sealed beam but still a sealed beam. one of these days I'll get the pathy lights to get the silver stars.

[Rev_D21]

I have to say that a standard bulb is the way to go. I used Sylvania Silverstars for a while but they don't last worth a crap. They are expensive to replace too so IMO not worth the money if they won't last. I had them in my old Altima and my Millenia, never again.

Secondly, you aren't going to like my opinions here but I think those clear lens conversions suck. I have a set growing dust in my garage. They look nice but they don't fit properly in the bucket, they are too thick causing the trim ring to deform as you tighten them down. Secondly, the light pattern is not even close to symmetrical. My standard bulbs were adjusted properly prior to installing these clear bulbs. After I was done the light pattern was all over, almost like I had been in an accident. I had to readjust and even then they sucked. The hot spot of the beam is just to vague to line up properly. I ditched them after a short while in favor of going back to the standard H6054 bulbs. Wish I hadn't wasted my time and money with any of that.

Here's mine with the conversion...never again.

[seang]

Dim headlights are like the one on my old 1980 Sachs moped. It actually had hi/lo beam, but low was really low.

[rizzobc]

what aout those of us with the old HBs. mine is a '87. can I convert to the newer lights? I will tell you, the light I have now suck major balls!

[seang]

I used to have an 86.5, and I thought it used H6054 just like my 97. I don't remember it being any different, but that was back in 2005.

Are there regular 6054 and halogen 6054? If so, maybe you can just run the H6054. Sylvania Cool Blue is from 11~20 dollars.

[Rev_D21]

From my understanding all HBs that didn't have the Pathy front end used the same lights. I am running GE H6054 that I got through my work. I have used Cool Blues in the past and had better luck with them, still expensive. Get some driving lights and mount them under the bumper, you will thank me later.

[RT22]

Thanks rev I have never seen any but hearing about the beams I may skip it and just buy new stock style from parts store. I already have the driving lights and they are a big help.

[RT22]

What pathy lights are you talking about? how are they different than the truck lights? All the ones i have looked at looked like sealed beams just like the truck.

[8v fury]

The reason why I would be running the headlight relay harness is to boost the power going to the headlights. I have done this on several cars and it does help out alot.

[8v fury]

Why Relay?

US headlights on a lot of our cars have very low wattage, sometimes as low as 35watts. European headlights with H4 bulbs start out at 55 watts and can go above 120 watts per bulb. Stock wiring cannot handle this extra load. The way the headlight system works is for the power to go from the Battery to the fuse panel, through the load reduction relay, then up to the headlight switch, then all the way back out to the headlights.

A headlight relays system acts as a remotely controlled switch. Now the power runs from the battery to the relay to the headlight - a very short distance. The relay is told to turn on by the stock wiring. A relay uses far less current than the headlights do, taking a load off of your electrical system, and making your switch last longer.

[lino]

I have to say that a standard bulb is the way to go. I used Sylvania Silverstars for a while but they don't last worth a crap. They are expensive to replace too so IMO not worth the money if they won't last. I had them in my old Altima and my Millenia, never again.

Every 8-9 months one of my SILVERSTAR bulbs fail, but since they come with a 12 month warranty, I simply go back to the store for an exchange. I'm given a new receipt with the new bulb so the warranty gets extended an additional 12 months every time.

[rizzobc]

OK I thought they switched to the twist n bulbs in the later years...didn't know they were all seal beam lights...see thats why I come here cuz you guys are smart...LOL

[RT22]

Looking at part numbers at courtesyparts.com it shows the sealed and screw in bulb type on the trucks, I thought they were all sealed.

[Rev_D21]

Some came with twist in bulbs, those with Pathfinder headlights.

[rizzobc]

Rev, are those any better? Can I switch over to those without changing the grill and marker lights? I mean they shoud be the same, right.

[Rev_D21]

You will need the pathfinder grille, headlight buckets and the parking lamps. They are slightly different. You may also need to swap the headlight harnesses because the twist-in bulbs have different plugs than the H6054.

[rizzobc]

Right ok thats cool cuz we have a junk yark here that still has some Pathies with that stuff on them...Thank Rev!

[longtooth]

Have you thought about upgrading to a HID system. The price on that set up has gone down alot to the point it becoming a common thing at my work to do the switch.

[rizzobc]

Yeah I did think of that. The thing is I am not sure what is a good brand. Can you give me a heads up on that?

[8v fury]

Here is the best option for doing any headlight conversion either with h-4 or hid. I have used these instead of the clear and ebay crap ones. They are quality built, provide the best lighting and also hella is also one of the biggest oem, factory headlight makers in the world. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...rdc=1

[longtooth]

Yeah I did think of that. The thing is I am not sure what is a good brand. Can you give me a heads up on that?

They are still kinda new to the point were we havent seen any problems yet. But the old saying you get what you pay for is true. If you get the cheapest ones out there the quality wont be that good. Major company names are usually best. Like hella vs night bright. We have all heard about hella so chances are they would be a better product.