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Aftermarket Headlights

11K views 44 replies 14 participants last post by  Kansas1230 
#1 ·
Hid's No Thanks.

So been playing around on this forum, learning some new stuff. Right now, I have a Grand Prix Gtp which I'm in the process of selling. But on it I installed a hid kit and always had a headache with them. Its a very debatable subject, and I don't want to get into it, but for the most part, most hid kits you buy today are junk. Went through 3 kits on the gtp and don't want to put them on the commander.

My family owned a commander about 2 years ago and I was never happy with the headligths. So, now that I'm buying a commander, I want to replace the headlights. I want super bright lights, but no hid's. Read alot of good and bad about silver stars, but idk. I live in deer country, so brights are a must.

So what is my best option?
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
I've heard good things about Toshiba HIR bulbs but they aren't readily available. I'm considering Toshiba for my Commander because I've had problems in the past with short lifespans with Silverstars on other vehicles I've owned.
 
#4 ·
+1 for Silverstar Ultras - I'm going on about 8 months so far on my first set and haven't had any problems. They're definitely brighter than the stock bulbs.
 
#5 ·
I just put Silverstar High Performance (1 step under Ultras) into my commander last night. They're much better than stock and only cost $35 and $30 for lows and highs on Amazon with free shipping and no taxes. I had wanted to get the Toshiba HIR's but the only site I could find them on was charging $30 per bulb and $8 shipping for up to 8 bulbs. So it would have cost me $128 for highs and lows.
 
#6 ·
That's the way I was leaning towards. I like the look of HID's but they do not seem to be worth the headache. I know there are a few companies doing studies on long term effects on vehicles due to hid's. I've seen led bulbs, anyone try them?
 
#7 ·
I have had the SS Ultras in my high and low beams for almost 2 years now, and also have the SS High performance ones in my driving lights. They did not have the driving lights size in the Ultras when I purchased them all. The good thing is taht they are all the same colour and I have had no problem with any of them... they are still casting amazing light and have had no burn outs- knock on wood.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I'd heard bad reviews on the Silverstars not lasting long, and perhaps if you drive a lot at night or like to have your lights on in daytime driving this can be expected. I've had the SS Ultras in for about a year 2 years (I double-checked that - didn't realize I'd been running them that long. Time flies) now and I'm very happy with them. I put modified 9005s in my driving lights, too. Pep Boys often runs a $15/pair rebate which brings them down to $30 a pair.
 
#9 ·
Hmmm...been driving around a few days with these Silverstar High Performance ones and they're not that awesome over stock as far as i can tell. They "look" cooler, more higher end with the whiteness, but they don't seem to go as far down the road as I was expecting them to go. Maybe I'll just suck it up and buy those HIRs when it's time to replace these.
 
#13 ·
I recently put a set of ultras in the low beams and except for the color temp they dont seem to do much. The low beams are aimed pretty low on mine, I assume since it has a pretty good rake to it they are adjusted that way so when its loaded down in the rear you arent blinding oncoming traffic.

I may adjust them up a little, I'm going to wait until I take a trip loaded with people and luggage to see how it sits first, I hate to be one of 'those' guys that blinds everyone on the highway.
 
#10 ·
I'm using the HIRs and they're great, so much better than stock. I got them off ebay, do a search for them. They cost me $25 each but they're worth it IMHO. I used Silverstars and was never impressed with them, always seemed to throw less light than the stock bulbs.
 
#11 ·
I have never heard of HIR. What are they.
 
#14 ·
I'm ready to order my HIR's for the Jeep. Do I need both the 9005 and 9006 bulbs to replace the hi/low bulbs. And do they make any HIR or any bright bulbs for the foglights.
 
#15 ·
Looking for some aftermarket headlights. Looked around on ebay for some, but really didn't find any. I was interested in the halo's, but called the company and its only the halo kit, no the headlights. Found projectors, but there like $400 which is a little steep for headlights. Anyone know of any good aftermarket ones.
 
#16 ·
What exactly are you looking for in this aftermarket light? And what did the halo kit consist of? I am getting ready to get my front turn signals smoked to match my tails and the guy doing them was tossing around ideas for designs. He brought up a couple interesting concepts but also asked about "opening" the headlight assembly to paint all but the actual reflective surfaces black. I think it could look cool, but I don't know how I feel about cracking my headlights open like walnuts. I've never successfully put a walnut back together again...
 
#17 ·
Interested to see how your HIR's turn out... Keep us posted!
 
#18 ·
No problems with HID's

I recently sold my 2003 lincoln aviator to buy my commander. I had the same HID kit on since the day I bought it and lasted me 7 years. When I bought the commander the first thing I did was HID's but you have to make sure you use a relay and you will have no problems. Message me if you ever want to go back and try HID.
 
#19 ·
You can find a good HID kit and use those. Ive got 10k's on my headlights and fogs and love them. super bright!
 
#20 ·
I have Silverstar Ultras in the low beams and Silverstars in the fogs. I did'nt put them in the high beams due to the fact that I have the Daytime Running Lights activated. I feel they might be too bright. I had Silverstars in my 2007 XK and they lasted 2 years before I wrecked it.
 
#21 ·
Ok so I made the plunge and installed HID fog lights and headlights. Love them, 6k on both and the difference is amazing. I used a relay to power both kits and everything worked out awesome. The relays were $10 ea, and the hid kits were $120 Germany made. All in all $150.20.


So my new question is, will HIR's in my highbeams (i do not want to put hid's in my highs) make that big of a difference, or should I just run my lows all the time.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Did you use a relay on both the fog lights and low beams? Do you have any flicker issues? Did you use an error code eliminator?
 
#23 ·
I used a relay on both the headlights and fog lights, no flicker. That's it, good quality hid kit and a realy no issues yet will 200 miles on them.
 
#24 ·
You should post some picks of your set-up; relays, tapped wires, light differences, etc. You like the HIR's (and got them from that one website)? Who makes the HID's? I like the sound of this system, but wanted to hear your opinions first.
 
#25 ·
Just ordered my DDM Tuning 35w 6000k low beams (Digital Slim Ballasts) and 35w 3000k fogs. When installing them I will take pics and do a full write up with before and after light comparisons.
 
#26 · (Edited)
WOW! Those are dirt cheap! Definitely let me know how they work out, cause I will definitely buy a pair (or two).

(...or four!) What do you think would happen if I wired a pair of 35w high/low HID's in my blacked-out taillights?
 
#27 ·
I will take some pictures of my install when I have a few minutes. I installed the 6k HID in my low beams and in my foglights, I still have the stock high beams. I wanted to know if anyone has put in HIR's and the difference between stock hi's and HIR hi's. Below is the links to what I purchased

HID's
http://stores.ebay.com/hid-superstore

I would highly recommend the slim ballast. It saved me a lot of hassle having them. I payed a little more, but there German made not Chinese made.

Relays

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-HID-FREE-SHIPPING/V-HID-Parts/V-HID-9005-9006-RELAY-p6162160-1-3.html
 
#30 ·
Im running the same setup with the realys. first time i plugged in my kit to my headlights I blew a ballast because I was not using the relay so for 10.00 its definetally worth it. Never had any problems with the fogs so no need for a relay there. some say 55w kits are brighter than 35w thats why they use them but its really not that big of a difference.
 
#31 ·
I ordered three sets of HID's from DDM about a year ago. Within a month a pair of bulbs burned out. A few months later the ballast went to hell on the second set. The third sets bulbs just burned out. I've been trying to get a replacement set of bulbs for a while now. They have yet to ship me a replacement on either one of the sets.

They have terrible customer service. My dad is reporting DDM to the BBB due to them completely ignoring their "lifetime warranty". So far almost $250 down the drain and not a single set works.

Good luck!
 
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