Fog light upgrade w/pics

[w2dodge]

Well I just ordered 9011 hirs and a set of Philips extreme 9007...see how it looks when I go back upstate

[TwinStick]

What a difference !!! Fogs & lows are MUCH brighter. Highs just raise the light contact area farther down the road & up a little.

[Ducky's Dad]

Received spec sheets this morning from Philips, but no answers to my questions about multiple part numbers, etc. Posted below are two sheets, one for HIR2/9012 and one for HIR1/9011. Note that the specs are all over the board for input voltage from 12.8V to 14.0V. Also note that stated output lumens are nowhere near what we have seen claimed from other sources for these bulbs. No doubt they are bright, but it seems that this 9011/HIR1 will put out 3000 lumens only in an absolute best case scenario driving them at 14.0V or higher AND having a specific bulb that falls at the top end of the +/-15% output variance. Note also that the 9012 is listed as "LL" (long life) and maintains at least 90% lumens output for more than twice as long as the 9011 (224 hours vs 105 hours). Would appreciate other interpretations of the spec sheet (Hilldweller?).

[Hilldweller]

The US and Europe have two different voltage standards for measuring bulb performance; the ECE regs have a higher voltage for their "nominal" operating condition.

Some cars deliver the voltage to their lights via pulsewidth modulation; this can further confound your reckoning. I had to use a fancy-schmancy oscilloscope to get an accurate voltage reading on the Jeeps I tested; an ordinary multimeter couldn't keep up.

And then there's just plain voltage drop from long runs of wire, bad wire, bad grounds, too many switches, and other Rube Goldberg vehicular nightmares.

The CRD Grand Cherokee that Scott put HIR bulbs into is also running a bypass harness to get 14 volts to the bulbs. I can tell you for sure that they are performing to full capacity. The light from them was nothing short of incredible.

For a 1000 lumen rated lamp:

10.5V : 510 lumens
11.0V : 597 lumens
11.5V : 695 lumens
12.0V : 803 lumens
12.5V : 923 lumens
12.8V : 1000 lumens ←Rated output voltage
13.0V : 1054 lumens
13.5V : 1198 lumens
14.0V : 1356 lumens ←Rated life voltage
14.5V : 1528 lumens

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR VOLTAGE DROP

This test must be made with the lamps switched on and all bulbs connected, so you may have to work to get access to the correct bulb terminal. In some cases, it may be easiest to remove the bulb from the headlamp and (carefully) operate it outside the headlamp with your voltmeter connected. Or, you can "backprobe" the headlamp socket.

Connect the positive (red) test lead of a voltmeter to the car battery positive (+) terminal, and the negative (black) test lead to the + terminal of whichever headlamp filament (beam) you're testing -- use the bulb farthest away from the battery. Your voltmeter will give a direct reading of the voltage drop. Write it down.

Then, connect the positive (red) voltmeter lead to the ground terminal of the headlamp bulb, and the negative voltmeter lead to the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Your voltmeter will again give a direct reading of the voltage drop. Write it down. Add the two voltage drop figures obtained, and this is the total circuit voltage drop.

[Ducky's Dad]

Thanks. Nothing is ever simple. Makes me want to go back to driving an MGA.

[Hilldweller]

Thanks. Nothing is ever simple. Makes me want to go back to driving an MGA.

...I've got a FIAT that my wife daily-drives. Came with bi-HIR projectors standard that are awesome.

The '13 PW has an option for bi-HIR projectors too. If I get annoyed enough I'll get a set and install them.
I've tried to reach out (back door) to Mother Chrysler and get a set to test. But they didn't bite...

[Ducky's Dad]

The '13 PW has an option for bi-HIR projectors too. If I get annoyed enough I'll get a set and install them.
I've tried to reach out (back door) to Mother Chrysler and get a set to test. But they didn't bite...

Nice for the 4Gs, but it's the early 3Gs that have the worst headlights since the 88-98 GM trucks. At least there were/are some decent upgrades for the GM trucks. Nothing yet for the '02-'05+ 3Gs except going to HIDs.

[coder]

I for one. appreciate you "wasting time" on this. I was about ready to buy the ones on amazon that you linked to. Will be waiting to hear what you have to say. On another note. The dealer quoted me about $180 for a new glass foglight to replace one of mine that is cracked. Anyone know of a better deal?

Mopar-Wholesale has the fog lamp assemblies for $109 + shipping.

[neotech]

Ive had a chance to use the fog lights in heavy fog these last two mornings. Visibity is less than 20 yards for the most part. The HIR bulbs really shine well. I could clearly see into the ditches on the grid roads and on the highway farther than the low beams. I have never really cared for the design when I used to have PIAAs in the housings and never saw any improvment. With these It is significantly noticable. And there is a good cutoff too. Anything is an improvement over the standard bulbs. If the HIRs are only putting out 2000lumen it is still double what the stock bulbs do.

[Hilldweller]

The '13 PW has an option for bi-HIR projectors too. If I get annoyed enough I'll get a set and install them.
I've tried to reach out (back door) to Mother Chrysler and get a set to test. But they didn't bite...

Nice for the 4Gs, but it's the early 3Gs that have the worst headlights since the 88-98 GM trucks. At least there were/are some decent upgrades for the GM trucks. Nothing yet for the '02-'05+ 3Gs except going to HIDs.

Sorta sucks when they do that, doesn't it?
But the US market dictated it. Cheap lights, power seats, chrome chrome chrome.

Headlights are finally being taken seriously by US auto makers. 'Bout time too. The see the aftermarket raking it in and foreign car makers with fancy headlights that actually work. With FIAT's lead, Mother Chrysler is looking at better/safer lighting.

[w2dodge]

Well I installed the 9011 bulbs...improvement yes...install ...simple and quick...I used a dremal to trim it...here's some pic..thanks for the tip neotech

[Juday]

So, if I wanted to upgrade the factory bulbs in my headlights (for a 2012 4G model), what is THE BEST option. I don't want the complete assembly, just a plug and play option. Also, I might do the fog lights too, so please provide that information too.

Manufacturer, model number and place to buy would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kevin

[neotech]

WOW W2dodge. Man that is an awesome pic comparison. I dont think even hids could match that in stock housings. plug and play. Glad you were able to find the bulbs. Welcome for the info.

[neotech]

So, if I wanted to upgrade the factory bulbs in my headlights (for a 2012 4G model), what is THE BEST option. I don't want the complete assembly, just a plug and play option. Also, I might do the fog lights too, so please provide that information too.

Manufacturer, model number and place to buy would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kevin

Hi Kevin. If your truck uses the 9005 or 9006 bulbs you can replace with HIR nearly direct fit

[Dawizman]

So, if I wanted to upgrade the factory bulbs in my headlights (for a 2012 4G model), what is THE BEST option. I don't want the complete assembly, just a plug and play option. Also, I might do the fog lights too, so please provide that information too.

Manufacturer, model number and place to buy would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kevin

The absolute best would be a set of HIDs. Jeremy at http://www.retroshop.us has great prices, and the kits are designed to work on our trucks.

[Hilldweller]

So, if I wanted to upgrade the factory bulbs in my headlights (for a 2012 4G model), what is THE BEST option. I don't want the complete assembly, just a plug and play option. Also, I might do the fog lights too, so please provide that information too.

Manufacturer, model number and place to buy would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kevin

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... 05-upgrade

H9 for lowbeam and HIR1 for highbeam.
Have to mod the bases.

[Juday]

So, the H9 bulbs are fine for the low beams? Not so much reflection that it will disturb other drivers?

I'm just so disappointed in the headlights of this truck. If it wasn't for the fog lights in the bumper, it would be like driving with the yellow warning lights on everywhere......pathetic.

[Ducky's Dad]

pathetic

Just be glad you don't have early 3G headlights.

[Hilldweller]

So, the H9 bulbs are fine for the low beams? Not so much reflection that it will disturb other drivers?

They're twice as bright as stock. Make sure you're aimed right.
If you travel often at night with a heavy load or trailer, try to figure out a way to aim them fast so you don't hurt people.
H9s are nice bright bulbs.

[Juday]

I thought at one point, you posted a link to a candlepower(?) site where we could buy the lights at one point? Once I get my Aluminess bumper on the front and lose the factory fog lights, I'm going to have to do something. I can't see diddly-squat with just the lows on the truck....

[Ducky's Dad]

lose the factory fog lights,

With proper bulbs, those factory fogs may be the best lights on the truck.

[Juday]

lose the factory fog lights,

With proper bulbs, those factory fogs may be the best lights on the truck.

I know, but I'll be losing them when the Aluminess bumper gets mounted. Since the Aluminess bumpers only support the 6.5" round lights, I'll have to find something to fill those holes. And I'm pretty sure that the 6.5" light isn't legal to run as fogs when driving down the road.....

[Ducky's Dad]

I'm pretty sure that the 6.5" light isn't legal to run as fogs when driving down the road.....

Aluminess can and will build whatever you want. A friend is working out design details right now on a bumper for his Tundra, and they are very flexible. Fog lights are for fog, and they need to do more than just throw out a bunch of light, so tell them what you want to accomplish. They can build the bumper to accommodate the factory fogs if that is what you want.

[Juday]

That's good to know.....

Now the problem is finding what I want in there....

[Ducky's Dad]

Update on the 9011/HIR1 bulbs. Could not get any more info from Philips, so I called one of their distributors. Turns out they have similar problems with Philips North America, i.e., not much info. They did some checking and told me that the reason the posted lumens are all over the board on these lamps is partially because some dealers are showing the old Toshiba specs, and Philips claims that their version of this bulb is 30% brighter than the Toshiba, even though Philips (today) claims only 2500 lumens for the 9011/HIR1. So, there's three different output specs right there. Toshiba no longer manufactures this bulb, and all Toshiba supplies are gone. Philips supposedly re-engineered the Toshiba design under the G.E. patent to get the additional brightness. Philips will continue to manufacture the 9012 and 9011 HIR bulbs for the industrial market, because these are used on large construction equipment and late (C5-C6) Corvettes. Philips has no (known) plans to use the HIR technology on any other bulb styles, so forget about it for the 9007s. Also confirmed that a 9012 at the top end of manufacturing tolerances range will be about the same brightness as a 9011 at the bottom of the manufacturing tolerances range if the voltage supply is equal. That could be why some reports are that the 9011 is just "OK." All of this as of today, as conveyed to me by the distributor. So I ordered a couple of pair.