Better headlights over 'stock'
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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?
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?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
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.
If u invest in better head lamps and stick with the stock harness, it wouldn't do any good. No improvement.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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?
or am i just being a ninny and need to get over it?
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)
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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.
Sorry, this is all fuzzy to me, ive never done stuff like this before.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Big Rapids, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 688
Likes: 33
From: Maryland
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
Moderator CF K9-unit
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,842
Likes: 12
From: Alaska
Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
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...

I thought the Putco's relays were so crap, some members had concerns they would get somebody killed...
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,897
Likes: 2
From: shawnee,ks
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
http://olympusoffroad.3dcartstores.c...air_p_161.html
Bulbs make for some great headlights!
Let me know if you have questions.




