Headlamp Question

[zixy_tris]

Hi,

I am looking to replcae my stock hedlight bulb on my 2001 GXE limited Edition.

I have 2 questions
1. What kind of bulb to invest in. I dont mind yellowish light but will prefer white. Though all I need something brighter than what I have. Do these stock bulbs lose brightness over time? I am haviong hard time seeing at night

2. How easy they are to replace?

[BeeCee]

As far as which bulbs to invest in, there are a couple different options. The headlight bulb size is 9007. You can get the Sylvania silverstars, which probably would be your best bet, you can get them from AutoZone, Advanced Auto, etc. for about $40. They are pretty much the closest thing to the "HID look" without getting the HID kit. You could also get the "Xenon HID bulbs" they sell on ebay, they are superwhite, either would be a significant difference from the stock bulbs.

As for replacing them, it's not to hard. There is a metal clip behind the bulb holding the bulb into the headlight housing, you have to remove it to get the bulb out, and you have to put it back on the new bulb when you replace it. Getting the clip back on and in place with the headlight is really the hardest part, and that really isn't even too difficult. It will probably take you 20 minutes, tops.

[AnglerfisH]

Agreed, Sylvania Silverstars. I personally recommend the Silverstar Ultras. Right now I'm using Hella High Performance "Xenon Blue" bulbs (since my Silverstar Ultras blew a bulb!) and they work well and have a nice white output. And yes, the clip for the bulbs can be a pain in the butt, they just take a minute or two of fiddling to get out.

[Pea-Ta]

To me the clips are the biggest pain...

+1 for Sylvania Silverstars

[zixy_tris]

Silverstar Ultra are definetly great. They are much brighter and whiter than my old lamps. In fact I figured out that my car had two different lamps on left and right headlamps. The idiot who owned the car before didnt care to replace both and that's why I used to feel light a little uneven.
Replacing the lamp was really easy. There was not much room but just enough to get them out and put new one in. Took 15mins total. Which metal clip were you guys talking abt. I just pulled of the harness pushing on the tab and than there was a plastic ring and you rotate to get the bulb out. I have 01 limited edition that might be different than 00 gxe.

[BeeCee]

^It must be different, you're lucky lol. I got a '99, and I have the clips. There like a little push clip that holds the bulb in place on both sides. There is 2 little holes for each headlight that the metal clip fits into. It's not to hard to take it off, but when you go to put it back on, it can be kinda hard to get the little tiny end of the clip into this really small hole, especially with no working space.

[booyah_tribe]

Originally Posted by zixy_tris

Do these stock bulbs lose brightness over time? I am haviong hard time seeing at night

Yes, they do lose brightness over time. I was also having a hard time seeing at night. I actually thought my eyes were going bad. I couldn't see road signs that well and driving in the rain at night was a difficult task.

One bulb ended up blowing so I bought the regular Silverstars. The difference in lighting was excellent. But one of the Silverstars ended up blowing after just 10 months. After searching on the net I noticed that silverstars having a short lifespan was pretty common, although some have lasted twice as long. I ended up getting Xtravisions. They are made by the same company as Silverstars. They are just as bright, and last longer. They're just not as "white" as Silverstars. It seems GE Nighthawks are slightly better but I couldn't find a set locally.

[CB98]

Originally Posted by booyah_tribe

The difference in lighting was excellent. But one of the Silverstars ended up blowing after just 10 months. After searching on the net I noticed that silverstars having a short lifespan was pretty common, although some have lasted twice as long.

I second this. Driver side lamp blew around 12 months of use (which I thought was pretty quick) so I went out and bought a new set to put in my brand new head lamp fixtures. Made a ton of difference.

[zixy_tris]

The bulbs I took out were more than two years old. One of them was Sylvania. I dont think it was a silvertstar. But ultras are really bright and good and I am williing to replace them every 12 months for quality

[96altibeast]

it states in this thread that the 9007 is the bulb style for 2nd gens, but is 9003 the bulb style for first gens?

[BeeCee]

^Yup. 9003.

Complete 93-97 Bulb Guide:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm

[96altibeast]

thanks, i went to take my old ones out yesterday and the clip came off the bulb but the bulb was still in the headlight, is there a trick to getting them out. i obviously have a first gen.

[BeeCee]

Well, as I said in the 2nd post there is the metal clip in the 2nd gens. If the 1st is anything like the 2nd gen., all you have to do is press the clip it, and it should pop out of it's little mounting holes. Then, just pull the bulb out, replace it, and put the clip back on because that's what holds the bulbs in place. Just play with it, it's a pain in the ass, but it's not real difficult, you will get it.

[WILL88]

from what I read, would u guys recommend also

GE Nighthawk SPORT 9007NHS/BP2 Automotive Replacement Bulbs

they are like $30 with shipping of amazon

Amazon.com: GE Nighthawk SPORT 9007NHS/BP2 Automotive Replacement Bulbs, Pack of 2: Automotive

[BeeCee]

^I scanned through the page, and I didn't see any wattage on them. The stock wattage is 55W, if the bulbs (or any bulbs) have a significant amount of more wattage (like some Nokya's that I was using for a little bit that were 100W) don't bother with them.