[D-LO BROWN]

The headlights on my '95 RMW are terrible. They're just too dim. I never liked HID's for the simple fact that I feel like they're TOO bright. I don't want to blind people, I just want to see a little better at night. So, is there a plug and play bulb that I can buy that will give me a noticeable difference in light output?

 

[1slow96]

I find commonly available "upgrade" bulbs,combined with an upgrade harness/relays to power them directly from the battery/alternator to
be a huge improvement. I use a set of PIAA bulbs,and they've been in there many years now. Spending a little time improving the aim to make
sure it is optimal as well,can make a difference too.

 

[CRSSDCM]

Our headlight capsules are junk.

You can use a higher wattage bulb and a harneSS (and that's what we all kinda live with).

You can aim them till the cows come home but the cutoff in the stock capsules is crap, in fact its non-existant. They just splay crappy 9004 light all over the place.

And HID's just splay brighter light all over the place.

Its the capsules and the inferior 9004 bulbs.

This is why T84's are so coveted.

 

[4DoorSS]

I used to deal with the same crappy light output that is common on our cars. Gary's headlight harness made a huge difference in my stock capsules and bulbs.

http://innovativewiring.com/?page_id=232

Can't do much about the light pattern unless you find and can afford the T84s but they are much better with his harness. A set of his battery cables will help quite a bit with the flickering lights I used to deal with. Awesome products for our cars.

 

[1slow96]

The T84's are a non-starter for most of us for many of the same reasons. First of all they are extremely scarce,and very expensive (way too expensive for me to ever consider) Especially,when one considers the actual percentage of driving at night one does. For me,it's far less than half the time. For $1000,one can do a lot of stuff that pays off all the time. I've learned to live with mine,and they're far better than they were for less than $100

 

[BigBlackBeaSSt]

I have a HD harness (Gary's) clear Euro style capsules and 80/100 bulbs. They are great!

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[91ss]

Get these. Adjusted properly, they are much better then stock. Especially in rural areas. Illuminated city streets, doesn't make much difference.
I added these to the 91 a few or more years ago. Then forgot how much better they were until I picked up the 95. After one trip out on the east end of long island, came back and ordered a set for it to. Some have said they're not much better, I can't see how. Just don't get the smoked version. Maybe that's why?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EURO-CHEVY-...its=Model:Caprice&hash=item51b26c96e2&vxp=mtr

 

[Whisperjet]

Gary's (Innovative Wiring) 2-Relay Harness is acceptable for Autoram 9004 80/100 watt bulbs, but the 4-Relay Harness is best. Aim the Low beams down a little and the Highs up a little (both relative to horizontal) for the best compromise.

 

[91ss]

Aim the Low beams down a little and the Highs up a little (both relative to horizontal) for the best compromise.

Mmmm...and just how do you do that??

 

[Whisperjet]

Find a flat surface at least 25 feet from a vertical wall. Using Gaffers tape or some other way to make horizontal lines on the wall, make three lines. One line is at the height of the filaments in the bulbs, and the other two are above and below the filament line by 4 inches. Make 3 vertical lines corresponding to the centerline of the car and the centerline of each bulb.

Using the adjustments on the capsule, try to get the hot spot of the High beams close to the upper line and the Low beams close to the lower line. There is a lot of trial and error here. The Drivers side should be a little to the right of the vertical line and the passenger side should be on the vertical line. I have found this to be the best compromise for stock capsules.

 

[grandpas wagon]

Years ago when I first installed the Autoram bulbs, I did a very unscientific, but still useful test. Note, I also have Gary's battery and headlight cables.

I measured the distance on a dark country road at which at which the low beams would illuminate a stop sign (really make the reflective surface visible). First the regular stock type 9004 bulbs and then the Autoram. It was roughly double the distance - forgot exactly, but like increasing from 1/4 to 1/2 mile, or maybe .2 to .4 mile.

This is especially important for older drivers when night time vision is not as acute when younger.

All are very worthwhile mods.

 

[350]

More than anything it's the housing, not the bulb (although both are bad). If I ever daily drove a B body again I'd get a clear lens housing and retrofit in a HID projector, even a halogen projector with better bulbs would be worlds better. I'm not knocking people trying different bulbs in the stock housing but it seems like a band aid throwing more light into something with terrible optics. Projector or bust.

 

[1slow96]

Headlight Bulb Upgrade

If more of my driving was at night. Then,perhaps I would do more about the headlight issue(s). In focusing on things like improving/stabilizing the electrical system (which pays off all the time) the lighting did improve. A high-powered harness was part of those upgrades. Higher wattage bulbs were also helpful. Like many of us,I do not enjoy an unlimited amount of money to spend on upgrades. I prefer to focus my resources the suspension/braking area,which includes tires. Also, focusing on the many critical fluids along with other things that no one sees.

 

[HockeyJohn1]

I've gone over the answers to the headlight issue. what would be the best direct replacement for the dim Factory headlamps? Right now I'm not ready to do any kind of rewiring EG the harness. I've also tried to work on a headlight covers not knowing how much that affects the light output on the street. I'd like to just snap in New bulbs and go with that for the time being. Cost is also a factor of course. I'd appreciate any input out there

 

[Z09B4U]

If you do not drive at night much just look at the ones that claim to be bright. The shorter the rated life in hours usually means that they are brighter.

If you daily drive with the headlights try the GE Nighthawk. I had a friend with a Kia that burned out a set of head lights in a year of normal commuting. The dealer fix was to change the wiring which reduced the voltage and light output. That was not done. The GE Nighthawks have been bright with a longer life span.

Stay away from "fleet rated" or long life bulbs they will be the dimmest choice.

 

[1slow96]

I'm well pleased with LASFIT LED headlights. They light the road well , further out than even high-power halogens and without blinding other drivers. Avoid the inexpensive ones. These were $100/pr. but believe cost has come down in the last few years. No wiring needed ,just plug into cord coming out of the "magic box" attached to the lights. Zip-tie it out of the way ,and you're done.