headlights
10-10-2012, 07:26 AM
#16
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
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Year: 1997, 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Upgraded headlights the legal (ish) way...
1) Get a new headlight harness.
You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm
Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx
The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.
You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.
There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.
2) Upgrade to H4 housings
There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.
DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm
Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/
Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.
3) Get good bulbs
Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.
4) Aim your headlights properly!
I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017
5) On HID Lights
I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.
Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.
When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.
If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/he...9/#post1391556
There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.
For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)
For installation of the harness and housings see this excellent write up: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/my-h4-upgrade-114440/
Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...
1) Get a new headlight harness.
You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm
Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx
The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.
You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.
There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.
2) Upgrade to H4 housings
There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.
DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm
Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/
Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.
3) Get good bulbs
Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.
4) Aim your headlights properly!
I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017
5) On HID Lights
I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.
Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.
When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.
If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/he...9/#post1391556
There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.
For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)
For installation of the harness and housings see this excellent write up: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/my-h4-upgrade-114440/
Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...
10-10-2012, 08:03 AM
#17
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,889
Received 1,527 Likes
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1,239 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Upgraded headlights the legal (ish) way...
1) Get a new headlight harness.
You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm
Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx
The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.
You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.
There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.
2) Upgrade to H4 housings
There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.
DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm
Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/
Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.
3) Get good bulbs
Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.
4) Aim your headlights properly!
I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017
5) On HID Lights
I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.
Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.
When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.
If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/he...9/#post1391556
There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.
For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)
For installation of the harness and housings see this excellent write up: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/my-h4-upgrade-114440/
Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...
1) Get a new headlight harness.
You can make your own http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm
Or you can buy one: http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx
The eautoworks harnesses used to be quite cheap until everyone on this forum started recommending them and the price was raised accordingly.
You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.
There are other more expensive options for pre-made harnesses but I'm not super familiar with those.
2) Upgrade to H4 housings
There are two types of regulations pertaining to headlight housings. There are DOT approved housings which are legal in the US and there are Ecode lights which are European housings and aren't legal in the US although many people use them as they are considered superior housings due to the light pattern.
DOT
Rampage http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_501.htm
IPF http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1600.htm
Delta http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_121.htm
Hella http://www.quadratec.com/products/97009_02.htm
Ecode
Autopals (look on ebay for Autopal 200mm H4 housing)
Hella http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744
Cibie http://www.clearcorners.com/products/cibie/
Personally I won't buy housings that have plastic lenses, I much prefer glass but your mileage may vary.
3) Get good bulbs
Some of the above housings come with bulbs included with them. I tend not to recommend bulbs as the choices are extremely vast and everyone has their own preferences as to color and wattage.
4) Aim your headlights properly!
I can't say enough how much improperly aimed headlights annoy me on the road plus you are wasting all that time and effort to upgrade the lighting if you don't aim the light where it does the most good... http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78017
5) On HID Lights
I do not recommend HID's for use in XJ's... People will show links to cheap HID kits and "Projectors" off of ebay and other sites which will give you a lot of light and will also throw a lot of light in all directions making you very visible to police and possibly blinding other drivers.
Read http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html for a well written description of the problems with HID kits.
When using HID's you need a true projector housing. I'm sure people will chime in and say they run HID's and ebay housings and have had no problems but I'm describing the legal (ish) way.
If you want to go down the road of HID's, take a look at what true projector housings cost http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6054-200mm...-p/xd-6054.htm
http://www.brightheadlights.com/hid-upcoming.htm
or you can buy the projectors and retrofit them into existing housings if you are so inclined: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/he...9/#post1391556
There are a myriad of options available to consumers with the limiting factor being cost. One can spend under $100 and have significantly upgraded their lighting or they can spend $1000 and upgrade their lighting more. It's all in how much money you want to spend.
For those wanting to do some of these upgrades but not necessarily all I would do them in the following order:
1) Headlight Harness (major improvement even with sealed beams)
2) Housings and Associated Bulbs
3) Hid and Projectors (Cost prohibitive to do correctly)
For installation of the harness and housings see this excellent write up: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/my-h4-upgrade-114440/
Disclaimer: Always check your local and state laws as some places have more stringent lighting laws than others... I am in no way associated with any of the above companies and none of what I say should be taken as the absolute truth or only way to do things. Flame on...
10-10-2012, 08:14 AM
#18
MJ>XJ
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Griffin, G.A.
Posts: 17,836
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Year: 1990
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0 I6
Copy and paste in the write up section from a computer... Not sure if this was copied and pasted here or not anyways but good info on it...
10-10-2012, 08:30 AM
#19
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,889
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
10-10-2012, 11:12 AM
#23
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern Oregon
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by xjsnake
You can pick them up for $29.99 here http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csd/full.aspx?Page=48 part number 36-3580. It says it fits a chevy blazer but it's the same as the eautoworks harness and I'm running the LMC harness in my XJ.
10-23-2012, 05:23 AM
#29
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Model: Cherokee
Headlights lose brightness (filament evaporation). After 10-12 years brightness goes down about twice.
At about the same time XJ owners begin complain: "Original headlights suck!"
and buy aftermarket headlights and harness, spending time and money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WAGNER-H6054...sories&vxp=mtr
Anybody has 84XJ with original headlights? They suck! Buy aftermarket!
At about the same time XJ owners begin complain: "Original headlights suck!"
and buy aftermarket headlights and harness, spending time and money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WAGNER-H6054...sories&vxp=mtr
Anybody has 84XJ with original headlights? They suck! Buy aftermarket!
Last edited by Rockville; 10-23-2012 at 05:30 AM.
10-23-2012, 06:47 AM
#30
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,889
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0