I would like to improve on my '99 XJ's OEM headlights and have already installed an upgraded wiring harness with relays. After doing some poking around it looks like the main "budget" choices are better sealed-beams, or an inexpensive ebay H4 conversion:




http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mm-H6054-...-/331624679148

Any input on which is the better way to go? Pricing is pretty close either way. Is the "Autopal" H4 kit and the bulbs it comes with really any good? Or should I just wait until I can spring for a Hella or Cibie H4 conversion?

 

The H4 upgrade will almost always be better than any sealed beam. The Autopals you linked will definitely work but if you live in a state with inspections, they won't pass. They are E11 certified, not DOT. That's why they call them "Euro Conversion". If you don't have inspections then it will probably never be an issue as long as you don't draw a bunch of attention to yourself by using improper bulbs (like HID or high-wattage H4s designed for off road).

 

No safety inspection in this state, just emissions, so I figure if I go for an H4 setup might as well get the E-code lights. Like you said as long as I don't go crazy with high-power bulbs it should not be a problem. (Though I think the same outfit offers a similar DOT set.) I'm just wondering about the quality of the Autopal kit, not only is it less than 1/3 the price of the leading brands, it is actually cheaper than a pair of the Nighthawk sealed beams! The low price is tempting, but if they're junk then it would just be a waste.

 

I would do the ecode conversion. I just did the harness myself and it made a big difference. I plan on doing the hella ecode housing with either the 100w/55w lights or the 100w/80w lights haven't decided yet.

 

I did do some searching for reviews on the Autopal kit and they seem pretty positive. In particular I found this:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f217/...onvers-770550/

I think I'll go ahead and give them a try, not much of a risk for the price and it seems that while they may not be quite as good as something like Hella or Cibie they're much better than the OEM-type lighting.

 

the nighthawks are a good quality headlight.. gotta watch most of those H4 conversions. most of those are junk.

 

Do NOTHING with lamps until you've done the harness.

 

Agreed......do the harness FIRST!

 

He already did the harness. It's in the first post.

 

I ran Autopal E-codes for two years with the bulbs that came with them no prob, connected to a Putco harness. Then a dump truck gave me a present and broke one of the lenses with a rock. Since the E-codes were on backorder I replaced with Autopal DOT versions and they have been fine for a year. I wouldnt hesitate on buying Autopal again. The E-codes are a superior pattern for sure.

 

Thanks guys, I'm going to order the Autopal E-codes later today. Really for $27 and free shipping I'm sure they'll be an improvement over the stock sealed beams. I've seen enough good reports on them now to have some confidence that I'm not just flushing money down the toilet.

 

Actually I misread the shipping, it's not free, it's $16, kind of high for a $27 item which isn't all that large or heavy. So with shipping we're at $43. Still not much more than the cost of a good set of sealed beams and much less expensive than the premium brands.

 

I was all over the map trying to figure out what I wanted to do and ended up buying an HID kit AND a set of Hella e-code housings for an H4 swap. I went ahead and did the H4 swap with a harness and was so pleased with the results that I haven't bothered with the HIDs. I don't think they would give me enough of a bump in light quality to justify the work, potential negative attention from law enforcement and ballast issues common with them.

Depends on the state, because not all inspections are created equal. Mine passed just fine in both Louisiana and Texas. I doubt the guys doing the inspections even realized there was anything different about them. The difference in appearance is rather subtle.

 

That's 2......

 

LOL