Headlights

Prairiekid · #1 11-07-2018, 07:55 PM

I do a lot of commuting for to work and about this time of the year it's all in the dark.

I use a 09 Jetta and was thinking about improving the lights to something a bit brighter such as many modern cars have but still remain legal.

What have you guys put in your 10 year old vehicles to improve the headlights?

C2C3PO · #2 11-07-2018, 08:17 PM

There are a few ways to go about doing this but may I point you in the direction of a fantastic website - Daniel Stern Lighting.

Go to his site, read a bit of the tech info and make an informed decision rather than follow the latest trends out there. You may be surprised at some of the misconceptions about what constitutes better lighting.

TimeOff · #3 11-07-2018, 08:27 PM

Put these in my 2007 Tundra, almost twice the light from stock, and not too white. Has a nicer yellower light.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...4332p.html#srp

Rdamours · #4 11-07-2018, 08:39 PM

I had an hid kit for years before the ballast went. I'd do these now as I was eating up regular halogens on the bad roads.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...2691p.html#srp

RandyBoBandy · #5 11-07-2018, 08:47 PM

Geez, we've never had a discussion about headlights and pool noodles for awhile

Prairiekid · #6 11-07-2018, 09:09 PM

Thanks guys I'll check out your suggestions.

Reaver · #7 11-08-2018, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdamours

I had an hid kit for years before the ballast went. I'd do these now as I was eating up regular halogens on the bad roads.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...2691p.html#srp

I've had these and ones like them. They'll burn out in less than 18 months most of the time.

223MB · #8 11-08-2018, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I do a lot of commuting for to work and about this time of the year it's all in the dark.

I use a 09 Jetta and was thinking about improving the lights to something a bit brighter such as many modern cars have but still remain legal.

What have you guys put in your 10 year old vehicles to improve the headlights?

Just do what 99% of the city folk do and drive with your high beams on everywhere you go.

MrPants · #9 11-08-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 223MB

Just do what 99% of the city folk do and drive with your high beams on everywhere you go.

What is with that lately?! Maybe the past 2 years it’s gotten really bad here in Edmonton. I’ve kindly told them at light that they have their high beams on after following me for the last 5 minutes, could even see the high beam light on their dash and they are still oblivious. Ok not to derail the thread but that erks me in a big way.

I’ve used some of the lights from Canadian tire, they do provide good light and look better but you do replace them often. If your light bulbs are easy to change out it’s not bad, but if they have them in a crappy spot it’s almost not worth your time.

dwedmon · #10 11-08-2018, 08:40 AM

I use these in my 4Runner too. Much better than the factory bulbs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeOff

Put these in my 2007 Tundra, almost twice the light from stock, and not too white. Has a nicer yellower light.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...4332p.html#srp

4K3OGH · #11 11-08-2018, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I do a lot of commuting for to work and about this time of the year it's all in the dark.

I use a 09 Jetta and was thinking about improving the lights to something a bit brighter such as many modern cars have but still remain legal.

What have you guys put in your 10 year old vehicles to improve the headlights?

VW's are a b**ch to change the headlights, the housings aren't big enough to house an LED or HID, it could end up costing ya big $$$

Goodluck!

beltburner · #12 11-08-2018, 05:43 PM

get led bulbs. just be sure to tip the halogen housing down a bit so as not to blind everyone

DiabeticKripple · #13 11-08-2018, 05:48 PM

The best thing you can do is get a retrofit kit and build your own headlights.

Put a HID projector inside the existing halogen housing and put an HID kit in it.

Okotok · #14 11-08-2018, 05:59 PM

I still remember when Halogen Cibies were the shiz back in the 70s and my Dad sold them at his dealership.

curtz · #15 11-08-2018, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beltburner

get led bulbs. just be sure to tip the halogen housing down a bit so as not to blind everyone

Agreed, I find the white and blue lights are blinding. I have one truck on my commute that has bluish tinge light and of course he also has his fog lights the same and on all the time. I have to put my hand up to block the lights when he goes past.

dicecurt · #16 11-09-2018, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeOff

Put these in my 2007 Tundra, almost twice the light from stock, and not too white. Has a nicer yellower light.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...4332p.html#srp

X3

does it ALL outdoors · #17 11-09-2018, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

The best thing you can do is get a retrofit kit and build your own headlights.

Put a HID projector inside the existing halogen housing and put an HID kit in it.

Couldn't agree more.

There are even company's and individuals that will do the work for you, you just send them your buckets and projo's and they will retrofit them for you.

Buddy just had some done for his Tacoma, some dude in Calgary did them for him, think he said he found him on Instagram. He did a fantastic job on them.

Even the El cheapo projo's off FleaBay are superior to a stock halogen light but not nearly as good as a true retrofit. That's a good place, if not the best place to spend money on a vehicle.

Reaver · #18 11-09-2018, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPants

What is with that lately?! Maybe the past 2 years it’s gotten really bad here in Edmonton. I’ve kindly told them at light that they have their high beams on after following me for the last 5 minutes, could even see the high beam light on their dash and they are still oblivious. Ok not to derail the thread but that erks me in a big way.
.

I've noticed this a lot lately too. Even on QE II I'll see people with them in on coming traffic, or I'll pass someone only to get a side mirror full of light blinding me. I think they just don't care if they're blinding people.

Ice Fishing Maniac · #19 11-09-2018, 08:21 AM

PIAA bulb replacements are pretty good. I used these in my 2009 2500HD. Cant remember the version (4000K I think) but they were definitely brighter and I did lots of night driving with work.

omega50 · #20 11-09-2018, 08:26 AM

This thread reminded me of a Service Manager that Corporate in Toronto sent out to make some calls with me.
Left Calgary and made calls in Banff and Jasper-cutting back East getting late and I was getting quite tired around Rocky Mountain House.
Ask if he can drive and he says ok.
Guy was in his late 30's swerving down the road pulls over 5 minutes out of town unable to continue driving.
Confesses that he is from Toronto and has never actually driven on a highway with out streetlights.

curtz · #21 11-09-2018, 05:08 PM

Factory lights are the way they are so you don't blind on coming traffic. These super bright lights seem like the best thing since sliced bread but think about the people on the receiving end.

MrMister12 · #22 11-09-2018, 07:06 PM

I put led eagle Canada bulbs in my 04 Sierra. They are awesome nice and bright but not blinding to oncoming traffic. I got them off Amazon, under $50 I think. I do a lot of night driving, and was going through a set of $70 headlights a year. On year 2 with these, have never had anyone flash me yet.

Matt

does it ALL outdoors · #23 11-09-2018, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtz

Factory lights are the way they are so you don't blind on coming traffic. These super bright lights seem like the best thing since sliced bread but think about the people on the receiving end.

Your thinking of people that put HID's or super bright bulbs in their factory housings.

A proper projector headlight has a razor sharp cutoff point that dosent throw any light at all upwards, only down.

I also despise people that put HID's in factory housings.