2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech Discuss 2nd generation S-series (1995-2005) general tech topics here.

headlight bulbs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-06-2007, 01:36 PM
blazinloud's Avatar
BF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 3,333
blazinloud is an unknown quantity at this point
Default headlight bulbs

Can someone please explain to me how to change out the high/low bulbs on my 98' Jimmy. Does the battery and other things need to be removed? or any special tools needed?

any recomendations on a good bulb, possibly a higher wattge? I'd like to get away from the old yellow color, the white and blues ones seem interesting.....silverstars?

They also need to be aimed really really bad, and my dad said they use a certain machine/device to do it.....? or can it be done halfassed?
thanks for any help
 
  #2  
Old 01-06-2007, 02:17 PM
blazinloud's Avatar
BF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 3,333
blazinloud is an unknown quantity at this point
Default RE: headlight bulbs

ok, so i did a little searching, and silverstars are out.......but i still dont know what brand to go with......anyone know the stock bulb wattage? and how many watts is it safe to go with....dont want my headlights melting like that one dude.......or a fire in my steering colume like the intrepid.......
 
  #3  
Old 01-06-2007, 02:17 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,137
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default RE: headlight bulbs

You should see two plastic clips behind the radiator core support for each of the headlights. pull these up to disengage them, then rotate the top of the headlight forward and pull up to disengage the tabs on the bottom of the rear framework. You have to make sure that when you put them back in that these lower tabs fully seat down into the slots they go into or your headlights will be way off. Once you have the housings out, unhook the wiring and replace the bulbs.

Now on bulbs... I have never been a fan of the blue tinted bulbs. But that is primarily because I am a skier (well, was until I blew out my knee) and amber lenses help to highlight the contours of the landscape. Yellow light is actually better to 'see' what's ahead of you. Blue light glares more and gives you the perception that the lights are brighter. When the bulb is clear, you are getting all of the light output from the filament. By placing a colored filter on it, you are effectively limiting the light output to get the desired color.

I used Silverstar bulbs in my old intrepid and in the summer time, they were good. I absolutely hated them in the winter because of the glare created by the blue tint. That and I hated the fact that they blew after only 5 months of use. Silverstars are known for their low lifespan.


  • Park the vehicle square with the screen (1). Park the vehicle with the headlamps directly over the reference line (6).
  • Ensure that all of the components are in place, if work has been completed on the vehicle.
  • Ensure that the vehicle is on a level surface.
  • Stop all of the other work on the vehicle.
  • Ensure that the vehicle has 1/2 tank of fuel or less.
  • Close the vehicle doors.
  • Rock the vehicle sideways.
  • Align the centerline of the vehicle with the centerline on the wall by completing the following steps:
    • Mark the vertical center of the rear and front windows with tape.
    • Use these lines as sight lines in order to match the centerline of the vehicle with the screen.
  • Measure the distance from the centerline of the vehicle to the centerline of a low beam lamp.
  • Adjust the vertical tapes (2) on the screen in order to match the vertical centerline of each low beam lamp.
  • Measure the height (5) from the floor to the center of a low beam.
  • Adjust the horizontal tapes (3) on the screen in order to match the horizontal centerline of each low beam lamp.
  • Illuminate the low beam lamps.
  • Observe the left and top edges of the high intensity zone on the screen.
  • Adjust the headlamps in order to accomplish the following results:
    • The top edge of each high intensity zone must be within 50.8 mm (2 in) above to 63.5 (2.5 in) below the horizontal centerlines.
    • The left edge of each high intensity zone must be within 101.6 mm (4 in) to the left or to the right of the vertical centerlines.
For some other ideas on how to increase your headlight output, Check these out:

Quad Beam Mod & 9005 Bulb Mod
 
  #4  
Old 01-06-2007, 03:55 PM
hillbillyinOhio's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Zanesville oHIo
Posts: 2,931
hillbillyinOhio has disabled reputation
Default RE: headlight bulbs

man, between you and Chevy Lover, got some crazy diagrams.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jonesjamesw
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
3
03-16-2008 06:54 PM
2002XTREME
General Chat
16
01-22-2008 10:38 AM
bpmadsx
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
1
05-25-2007 09:48 PM
EuroGoldLS
Audio/Video Electronics
25
04-14-2007 08:24 AM
dropd4door
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
5
01-30-2006 06:18 PM



Quick Reply: headlight bulbs



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:09 AM.