Aftermarket electrical systems Aftermarket electronics only! stereo head units, CD players, MP3 players, speaker systems, amplifiers, hardmounted GPS devices, computers, headlight upgrades, fog lights, off-road lights, general wiring and anti-theft devices.

Headlights! Not sure what to do.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-23-2016, 04:55 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
DREAMJEEP98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Walton, Ky.
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default Headlights! Not sure what to do.

Okay guys, so obviously the stock lights that come on the 97-01 XJ's are a pain in the *** to deal with and they aren't very bright. Now I have looked into just about every conversion kit. Ever housing. Halogens vs. LED's. LED's vs. HID's. I am unsure what to do. I just want brighter lights. Somebody help me out please
Old 01-23-2016, 05:08 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes on 767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Start with the first step. No matter what choice you make about bulbs, there's one step that is a MUST before you do anything else.

Install the upgrade headlight harness.

Do that FIRST, then re-evaluate your needs. It might be all you need to do.


If that's not bright enough, what's the next easy step? Get a couple of Sylvania SilverStars and see how that works for you. Not expensive, and brain-dead easy.

If that's not good enough, then you at least have a better idea where you want to go, and you have that necessary first step done.
Old 01-23-2016, 06:02 PM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
DREAMJEEP98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Walton, Ky.
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Where can I find the upgrade harness? Does it plug in to the light the sameway it does stock? Does it involve splicing?
Old 01-23-2016, 06:08 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
wizardpc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Nolensville, TN
Posts: 777
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Most people get a putco http://goo.gl/BfLvAu

One side plugs into the headlights, the other plugs into one of the oem harness and uses that to power some relays. The harness is designed to wire the headlights directly to the battery but you'll want to add fuses.
Old 01-23-2016, 06:08 PM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
DREAMJEEP98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Walton, Ky.
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

The Sylvania silverstars, you mean the box with a full headlight right? not a bulb?
Old 01-23-2016, 06:28 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
wizardpc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Nolensville, TN
Posts: 777
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Correct
Old 01-23-2016, 06:30 PM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
DREAMJEEP98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Walton, Ky.
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Okay. And the upgraded Harness just supplies more power to the lights? In return, making them brighter?
Old 01-23-2016, 11:04 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
mikesignal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: north carolina
Posts: 911
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by DREAMJEEP98
Okay. And the upgraded Harness just supplies more power to the lights? In return, making them brighter?
yes, basically takes power right from the battery and puts it on the lights. click on the link for the write up.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/pu...nstall-164659/

Last edited by mikesignal; 01-23-2016 at 11:07 PM.
Old 01-23-2016, 11:08 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes on 767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by DREAMJEEP98
Okay. And the upgraded Harness just supplies more power to the lights? In return, making them brighter?

It ALSO takes a big load off of your nearly 20 year old wiring, making it much less likely to fail.
Old 01-23-2016, 11:27 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
XJlimitedx99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Andover, VT
Posts: 2,970
Received 224 Likes on 174 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck upgrade do the harness listed above with new housings to accept h4 bulbs. Google h4 conversion if you haven't seen it yet.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JeremyXJ
Aftermarket electrical systems
6
04-07-2016 03:02 PM
freegdr
Aftermarket electrical systems
21
02-02-2016 09:45 AM
PopsOldXJ
Aftermarket electrical systems
4
01-23-2016 06:48 PM
Blown03SVT
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
10
01-23-2016 02:01 AM
kelvinwn
Wanted
1
01-19-2016 02:11 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Headlights! Not sure what to do.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:20 PM.