Complete Headlight Bulb Comparison Thread

[FJoel]

uphill previously said:

Joel - I'm an idiot

Now that's out of the way my silly a$$ questions may not sound so stupid.

(1) Do the FJ headlights have 3 bulbs - daytime, low and high? Are you only changing out the high beam?

(2) I haven't ever cracked the light open. What is involved in removing the housing and installing new bulbs (keeping in mind that I'm an idiot)?

Thanks - yes this would be a good sticky...except that where some only thought I was an idiot, now they have a written confession.

Daytime and low use the same filament and high beams use another, all in the same bulb. I think... this is my theory... that the difference between day and low is just a few volts. I know that when I had a bulb burn out the day and low were gone, and I could see the broken filament, but my highs still worked.

So one bulb, 2 filaments, in short.

Changing them is super easy. There is a rubber piece that pulls out behind the headlight, and the wiring to the headlight does the same. Underneath is a wire spring clip. Unhitch it, and pull the bulb out. Ta da. I will try to get some pics for this if we make it a sticky. Make it a one stop headlight thread.

Good questions, you can edit out your confession now if you'd like.

[FJoel]

To expand on my theory, which I could probably prove with my multimeter, the three connection points on the bulb are:

Ground
High beam voltage in
Low/Day beam voltage in

[RomaBoy]

I was using the Sylvania Silverstar: P/N 9003ST for about a year and was happy with them but gave them to my girlfriend for her FJC. I had a pair of PIAA Xtreme White Plus: P/N 15224 in stock which I installed and they're brighter but have a little bit of blue tint to them when viewed from standing in front of them. Pep Boys has a good sale on Sylvania Silverstar Ultra: P/N 9003SU but when I went there they only had the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra: P/N 9003 (HB2) which I bought. I see on Sylvania's web site that they are listed for the FJC but I don't know what the difference is between the SU and the (HB2). Does anyone know what the difference is between the two numbers?

[Kylewithrow]

Can't wait to see some results. I am Head light bulb shopping right now after doing the PIAA bulb swap on my backup, and mirror lights, actually Joel I'll probably just get a set off of you when your done.

[FJoel]

Kylewithrow previously said:

Can't wait to see some results. I am Head light bulb shopping right now after doing the PIAA bulb swap on my backup, and mirror lights, actually Joel I'll probably just get a set off of you when your done.

I'd appreciate it, and I'll make sure the total with shipping is less than I bought them for new. They will be 5mins old or so

[Sliver]

RomaBoy previously said:

Pep Boys has a good sale on Sylvania Silverstar Ultra: P/N 9003SU but when I went there they only had the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra: P/N 9003 (HB2) which I bought. I see on Sylvania's web site that they are listed for the FJC but I don't know what the difference is between the SU and the (HB2). Does anyone know what the difference is between the two numbers?

My thoughts as well......anyone care to venture ?

I have seen some here promote the SUs, but when I went to AUTOZONE, they only had the HB2s....though the package did say ULTRA.

I wonder if it is just a Slyvania nomenclature thing.....for example, maybe "SU" for a single bulb, "HB2" for a dual pack.

[FJKoji]

Hey Nice thread Joel!

Great idea - can't wait for the official report.

And I will definately take some of your test subjects off your hands when you are done. I can burn across the Port Mann and grab em.

Cheers!

[Shadow-Warrior]

Consider it "Stuck"

Great thread by the way

[rkoutwurglockout]

+1 on the Silverstar Ultras, can't vouch for the difference in model numbers, but I got the 9003SU twin pack. They're gonna be $30 after rebate so it's worth it IMO. Even though I have PIAA driving lights on the brush guard, I still wanted something brighter after I heard some chick say "like ommmmgggg turn those lights off."

[FJoel]

Thanks!

My deal on the PIAA's apparently fell through so I am ordering more. Few more bulbs need to come in the mail...