boondocksaint

Title says it all, I bought the sealed beam silverstars long ago before I knew better, and I need more light. I will be buying some autopals eventually, but would like to put that off until these burn out if possible. Will simply using an upgraded wiring harness provide a noticeable difference in light output?

I had been using my light bar as my brights or when I needed more light, but got pulled over for it and risk getting a ticket this time if I keep using it on the road.

XJPat

Yes, a harness is some of the best money you can spend on a jeep.

boondocksaint

Oops, just saw a similar thread on page 2

Anyways, from my limited reading/research, the Putco harness seems like the easiest thing to do. How hard is it to put a fuse in it? I'm not electrically inclined (it took me an hour just to wire my lightbar), so i'm hoping it's simple. Is there another, better option?

Stabsthedrama

That was my thread.

Go with the putco on amazon, it's cheap:


I wouldn't worry about fuses.

Sand down ground points to bare metal (use any of the bolts near the radiator).

Buy a backup relay just in case:


BE CAREFUL HANDLING THE HARNESS - the relay sockets can have their wires pulled out fairly easily if you aren't careful. Also feed the red power connections and relay sockets through FROM the front of the jeep through the headlight housing, makes the job 100% easier, and you won't need to remove the battery tray or anything whacky.

The harness itself definitely made my stock beams brighter, I'd say maybe a 15-20% increase. This will be even more noticeable when you go to better bulbs.

Don't buy silverstars. They have terrible lifespans. Even 2 guys at work have both had them in the past, one had theirs last 3 months, the other just about 1 - and if you look at reviews, everywhere people slam them bad. Get the xtravisions, $13 on amazon or $16 at an auto store.

There is no reason for getting 100w+, and if you wanted to do that to be like all the other cool kids - don't use this harness, build your own.

All in all the job took me about an hour, and only because I gloss blacked the headlight trim pieces cuz they were all scratched up. Otherwise it might have taken me 30-40 minutes.

boondocksaint

Yeah I saw it was a lot cheaper on amazon, and unfortunately I've already had the silverstars installed for over a year, so I'm stuck with them until they burn out. Thanks for the tips.

Firehawk068

I've had the first generation Silverstar lamps in my Firehawk for over 10 years now, and they still work perfectly.................
Vibration, as well as a poor connection at the bulb/lamp are the main causes of failure...............I've had Silverstar Ultras in Autopal housings on the XJ for over a year, and they work the same also.........


Make sure your headlamp retaining rings hold the lamp in securely.........and check the connector (make sure all three prongs connect securely) It can overheat and melt if you have a poor connection.............


Definitely do the relay...............(I have one waiting to be installed on the XJ)..........I did one on my FJ (Yamaha) and that alone made a huge difference in light output..........


Don't use your light bar on the street......................You will get pulled over as soon as you are spotted!

BimmerJeeper

The relay project was much easier than typical XJ projects.
Here is everything you need to know. Good luck!
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...inners-182360/

boondocksaint

I got away with it for almost a year, I live outside of town so most of my driving is on two lane roads and I never used it in town and turned it off whenever someone was coming. One night a cop was hiding somewhere, I still have no idea where, but he said I completely blinded him. He was cool about it though and even said he liked it, just told me I would get a ticket next time lol.

Awesome, thank you! I am that beginner that you're talking about haha.

Fred/N0AZZ

You will be pleasantly supersized at what just the harness will give you, a worthwhile upgrade that should have been that way from the factory.

SomeGuy138

Have also had the silverstars for over 2 years....still nice and bright.Also have the Putco harness for over 2 years no problem.

boondocksaint

Am I reading correctly that I do not need to put fuses in the putco harness if I am just running the silverstars? But I will need to do so if I switch to high wattage h4's?

Or should I do the fuses regardless

Stabsthedrama

All's I was saying was the fuses aren't necessary. They would serve little purpose. They would save your relays but still leave you blind at night if they blow until you swap them out. Just keep an extra relay or two in the jeep.

What I was saying was I wouldn't run 100w+ on this harness fuses or not, but maybe that's just me. It's just not beefy enough IMO. I'd be making my own harness out of 12AWG if I was going with that much power draw. A lot of guys here would disagree, as they've been running high wattage bulbs on this same harness for a long time.

John T

Good info.

thanks.