headlights

carco21 · 06-06-2012, 04:44 PM

Peterbilt w/9004 bulbs, just not very much light even w/ clear/clean lens.
What would be a good legal replacement for brighter light/better night visibility?? HID system?? Is HID legal on commercial trucks? Will HID brightness irriatate oncoming drivers due to increased height of headlights on class 8 tractors.
Is there a brighter optional 9004 bulb not going HID.
thanks.

CatHouseMouse · 06-12-2012, 05:05 PM

The one thing you can do that is perfectly legal is to make sure that the headlights are getting full voltage. Check the voltage reading at the alternator with engine running then check it at the headlights. ANY difference is lost lighting. Also check the grounds.

If you find a difference you can either build a relay system to feed them from the alternator or there are several for sale commercially.

Did this to my 379 and made a huge difference, even with single headlights. Mike

carco21 · 06-14-2012, 12:56 AM

Thanks Mike, I have not chked the B+ or B- and I know better, will chk tomorrow. Did buff/clean the headlight plastic lens, big improvement in appearance have yet to see improvement, need a night run.

thank you.

**nevrenufhp** · 06-24-2012, 10:42 PM

You can get brighter(higher wattage) bulbs for a 9004. OEM is 45w on low. I've seen some run 100w on low and 130 on high. Legality? not very, but it's really not that bright & annoying like an HID. I've bought some from bulbs.com and jc whitney.

justdoug · 06-25-2012, 02:23 AM

HID is pretty high dollar and reliability of aftermarket systems in big rig apps is questionable. I would stick with halogen and the suggestions above. IMHO,annoyance to other drivers has more to do with proper adjustment than intensity.

chunkchange · 06-25-2012, 10:11 AM

800 bucks for LEGAL HID kit. Replaces all wireing, so no problem anymore with a overheated headlight switch.
Lights are very directional, its wild how they control the beam.
Pull up behind a pickup and you can see a dark line , keeping the light on the road, never blinding oncoming traffic.

justdoug · 06-25-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkchange

never blinding oncoming traffic.

....till something knocks them out of adjustment-even just a tiny bit,then it's like a laser reflecting from my mirror into my retina

378Pete · 06-25-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justdoug

....till something knocks them out of adjustment-even just a tiny bit,then it's like a laser reflecting from my mirror into my retina

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand how....!!

chunkchange · 06-25-2012, 08:29 PM

Let me inform you it would take quite a bit to knock the kit I have out of adjustment.
As it is they have been in for 4 years , running 15,000 lbs on a 20,000 steer axle in a COE.

SmokinCAT · 06-25-2012, 11:49 PM

You could look into the hella sealed beam conversion kit.

06-06-2012, 04:44 PM	#1
carco21 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: southern ohio Posts: 61 Points: 5,138 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	headlights Peterbilt w/9004 bulbs, just not very much light even w/ clear/clean lens. What would be a good legal replacement for brighter light/better night visibility?? HID system?? Is HID legal on commercial trucks? Will HID brightness irriatate oncoming drivers due to increased height of headlights on class 8 tractors. Is there a brighter optional 9004 bulb not going HID. thanks.

06-24-2012, 10:42 PM	#4
nevrenufhp Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 3,015 Points: 35,572 Thanks: 223 Thanked 196 Times in 149 Posts	You can get brighter(higher wattage) bulbs for a 9004. OEM is 45w on low. I've seen some run 100w on low and 130 on high. Legality? not very, but it's really not that bright & annoying like an HID. I've bought some from bulbs.com and jc whitney. __________________ Dale my daily driver:67 F100, 300 4V, 4 spd. work rigs: 94 IH 4900, DT466(originally 230hp), #0 fuel plate, tighter gov springs, 22* timing or, 06 IH 7400, DT466E, 300hp My Low Buck fuel rate site: www.freewebs.com/nevrenufhp

06-25-2012, 02:23 AM	#5
justdoug Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Souderton PA Posts: 525 Points: 25,116 Thanks: 86 Thanked 68 Times in 58 Posts	HID is pretty high dollar and reliability of aftermarket systems in big rig apps is questionable. I would stick with halogen and the suggestions above. IMHO,annoyance to other drivers has more to do with proper adjustment than intensity. __________________ -Doug

06-25-2012, 10:11 AM	#6
chunkchange Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: south carolina Posts: 82 Points: 16,933 Thanks: 10 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	HID 800 bucks for LEGAL HID kit. Replaces all wireing, so no problem anymore with a overheated headlight switch. Lights are very directional, its wild how they control the beam. Pull up behind a pickup and you can see a dark line , keeping the light on the road, never blinding oncoming traffic.

06-25-2012, 08:29 PM	#9
chunkchange Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: south carolina Posts: 82 Points: 16,933 Thanks: 10 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	HID Let me inform you it would take quite a bit to knock the kit I have out of adjustment. As it is they have been in for 4 years , running 15,000 lbs on a 20,000 steer axle in a COE.

06-12-2012, 05:05 PM	#2
CatHouseMouse Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 68 Points: 18,645 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	The one thing you can do that is perfectly legal is to make sure that the headlights are getting full voltage. Check the voltage reading at the alternator with engine running then check it at the headlights. ANY difference is lost lighting. Also check the grounds. If you find a difference you can either build a relay system to feed them from the alternator or there are several for sale commercially. Did this to my 379 and made a huge difference, even with single headlights. Mike

06-14-2012, 12:56 AM	#3
carco21 Junior Member Threadstarter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: southern ohio Posts: 61 Points: 5,138 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks Mike, I have not chked the B+ or B- and I know better, will chk tomorrow. Did buff/clean the headlight plastic lens, big improvement in appearance have yet to see improvement, need a night run. thank you.

06-25-2012, 11:49 PM	#10
SmokinCAT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hillsboro OH/ Adrian MI Posts: 1,664 Points: 39,022 Thanks: 73 Thanked 200 Times in 164 Posts	You could look into the hella sealed beam conversion kit. __________________ Cody. 79 KW W900A 1693TA in progress 79 KW K100C 400BC1 00 Freightliner Classic XL C15 83 KW K100C 400BC3

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