Need some better headlights
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
So guys bare with me as I never played around with switching head lights before but the stock ones are crap especially when driving on a road that has no lamps. I got a 98 xj and Im looking to put in some better head lights.
Now Iv been reading and there is a lot of stuff to consider. First of I would like to spend around 200 bucks. I read that there are different projector headlights and just overall different types of housings for the bulbs. I also read and a lot of people say they use h4s Im assuming thats the bulb.
Now I did want to put in some HIDs but after researching it looks like in order to do it right it costs about 500 bucks and thats a little to much for me.
What can I do to get a better and brighter light ? If anyone can explain that to me that be awesome as I have no clue. Do I just need a projector housing, bulbs and a wiring harness ?
I read a few guides and tutorials but its hard to understand it since I have never done it before so most of the time I dont know what they are talking about or the parts I need to get it done.
I found this thread https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/pr...130700/index2/
On the second page some guy mentions to get a catz zeta system, HIR bulbs, relay harness and conversion lamps. What do you guys think of that ?
I have also found this on ebay since I need the tail lights and since they come smoked that nice but I found one that includes the headlights and one set that does not include them, but I dont know if those headlights are any good if you guys can check it out and let me know Id appreciate that. With out headlights its $128 and with is $156 but if they are crap I dont want them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-2001-CH...2a610e&vxp=mtr
Thanks. If you have any other ideas let me hear em.
Now Iv been reading and there is a lot of stuff to consider. First of I would like to spend around 200 bucks. I read that there are different projector headlights and just overall different types of housings for the bulbs. I also read and a lot of people say they use h4s Im assuming thats the bulb.
Now I did want to put in some HIDs but after researching it looks like in order to do it right it costs about 500 bucks and thats a little to much for me.
What can I do to get a better and brighter light ? If anyone can explain that to me that be awesome as I have no clue. Do I just need a projector housing, bulbs and a wiring harness ?
I read a few guides and tutorials but its hard to understand it since I have never done it before so most of the time I dont know what they are talking about or the parts I need to get it done.
I found this thread https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/pr...130700/index2/
On the second page some guy mentions to get a catz zeta system, HIR bulbs, relay harness and conversion lamps. What do you guys think of that ?
I have also found this on ebay since I need the tail lights and since they come smoked that nice but I found one that includes the headlights and one set that does not include them, but I dont know if those headlights are any good if you guys can check it out and let me know Id appreciate that. With out headlights its $128 and with is $156 but if they are crap I dont want them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-2001-CH...2a610e&vxp=mtr
Thanks. If you have any other ideas let me hear em.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: Longview, TX
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
There is a simple harness that upgrades the wiring to handle more power. Putco makes one around $30 IIRC. I used the new harness, autopal housings (on eBay), and some hella 90/100 watt h4 bulbs. In all I want to say it was around $100 and was a simple plug and play application. Huge improvement over stock.
If you are willing to shell out $500 for a pair, the Trucklites LED headlights are the best. Seen them, they are better than any OEM or aftermarket HID I have ever seen.
$35 (shipped) for H4 Upgrade Harness (Either Putco or eAutoWorks).
$35-40 for Autopal E-Code Headlight Housings.
$$ whichever bulbs you want. I paid $8 extra for 100/90 watt bulbs as an option with my Autopal headlights.
CF Veteran


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 44
From: Gainesville GA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I bought the Sylvania Silverstars from Amazon.They were $50 with free shipping but I got mine for $5 shipped to me because I was a first time user of their offered credit card.
I did notice a good difference from the cheap lights.But when they burn out I'll go the route the guys are talking about.
I did notice a good difference from the cheap lights.But when they burn out I'll go the route the guys are talking about.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Year: '99 and '91
Model: Cherokee
Originally Posted by jtodaro
Less than $100.
$35 (shipped) for H4 Upgrade Harness (Either Putco or eAutoWorks).
$35-40 for Autopal E-Code Headlight Housings.
$$ whichever bulbs you want. I paid $8 extra for 100/90 watt bulbs as an option with my Autopal headlights.
Btw I wish I had the nerve to spend $500 on headlights. Those LED ones are sweet.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Also what bulbs do you guys recommend and what wattage does it have to be ?
Putco H4 / 9003 Heavy Duty Headlight Upgrade Wiring Harness
AutoPal 200mm H6054 H4 EURO CONVERSION HEADLIGHTS KIT
This is the same exact setup I used (I had the URL's saved in a text file I had). I opted for the White 100/90 bulbs for $6 (from the ebay seller who was selling the headlight housings).
Adding things up, I may have been $5-10 low on the price I said, but it's still under $100.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Thanks alot man, now the 100/90 watt lights vs the regular that are included with the lights which are 60/55 watt, Im not sure what that means, so the 100/90 is brighter ? Man I feel like a dumb *** lol but there's a first time for everything.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I did the projector headlamps on eBay $40 and a H4 HID setup $36 also on eBay. Don't know where the $200 are coming from. They've been on my XJ for about a year now with no problems. And it's a '90 in case that changes anything.


