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Better headlights over 'stock'

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Old 09-09-2014, 09:09 PM
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Default Better headlights over 'stock'

Hey gang

i searched but didnt turn much up. Im not looking to rewire my harness (dont have the skills or patience at this time), so im wondering what kinds of bulbs offer better lighting performance over be base models. Without those crazy expensive LED ones.

The Sylvania Xtravisions cost maybe 4 bucks more each, but im wondering if they mostly just shine in a different shade of blue to look brighter.

anybody have any experience?
Old 09-09-2014, 09:18 PM
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You still need a new headlight harness to even make the original lights work better. Have a look at the Hella headlights they do a good job and the price isn't that bad, not $4 but around a $100.
Old 09-09-2014, 09:21 PM
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A putco harness is about 40 bucks and it HELPS the stock headlamps even better.

If u invest in better head lamps and stick with the stock harness, it wouldn't do any good. No improvement.
Old 09-09-2014, 09:41 PM
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i hate wires and am daunted by the thoughts of having to trace, replace, ect an entire harness....

or am i just being a ninny and need to get over it?
Old 09-09-2014, 09:46 PM
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A putco harness is just an "extension" of the original harness. All u need to do is to take the grille off and run the new harness to both lamps and plug the lamps into new harness and plug the old harness into a connection on the new harness. Hook it up to the battery (make sure it's fused first)
Old 09-09-2014, 10:03 PM
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and that converts it to an H4 type setup? i could use the stock sealed bulbs anymore? or is the harness the harness, and others simply convert to an H4 type setup for even more light?

Sorry, this is all fuzzy to me, ive never done stuff like this before.
Old 09-09-2014, 10:13 PM
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The first thing you should do is upgrade the wiring harness. A putco wiring harness will make your stock headlights A LOT brighter. It's really simple to install, it's just plug and play and takes about 45 mins. And no upgrading the harness does not make it so you have a H4 lights.
Old 09-09-2014, 10:14 PM
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Ive been using the autopal E codes off ebay for almost two years with stock wiring. They are a noticeable improvement over sealed beams. Ill upgrade the harness eventually. They run under $50 shipped and install just like the stock.
Old 09-09-2014, 10:17 PM
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Read the headlight write up in my signature.
Old 09-09-2014, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RegularGuy
and that converts it to an H4 type setup? i could use the stock sealed bulbs anymore? or is the harness the harness, and others simply convert to an H4 type setup for even more light?

Sorry, this is all fuzzy to me, ive never done stuff like this before.
this will help you
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...grades-151217/
Old 09-09-2014, 11:26 PM
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I'm terrified of electronic work and the harness is easy schmeasy
Old 09-10-2014, 04:54 AM
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I'm running the stock wiring harness and the Rampage lights from Quadratec. My stock lights were dim. By just swapping the headlights I did see an improvement. I might check out the upgraded wiring harness too in the future.

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Old 09-10-2014, 06:14 AM
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The stock wiring harness was really the big bottleneck on the XJ's lighting and a new one is needed to even upgrade the stock headlights. Don't worry about a better headlight unless you do a new harness like the "Putco" first or you will be wasting your money.
Old 09-10-2014, 08:22 AM
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In case you would like some background info on headlight upgrades....type in the advance search " headlight upgrade".....67 pages of thread titles related to it...

I thought the Putco's relays were so crap, some members had concerns they would get somebody killed...
Old 09-10-2014, 09:07 AM
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Hella e code housings with these:
http://olympusoffroad.3dcartstores.c...air_p_161.html
Bulbs make for some great headlights!
Let me know if you have questions.


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