Replacement HID bulbs in lieu of standard halogen front headlamps

[jlwpapa]

I was contemplating replacing the standard halogen bulbs in the headlamps of my 2003 Ford Excursion to be able to see better at night especially on dark winding NC roads. Has anyone done this? Also, can anyone tell me that this is not a good idea and why? Last, does one need to install anything "special" in the headlamp sockets to avoid "melting" the original headlamp sockets?
Thanks for your help. Jeff

[militarydave]

HID kits usually come with a ballast and wiring harness. keep in mind, they are only for off road use in certain states, UNLESS you have a Projector Housing (with an HID cut off). i you dont, you'll be blinding other drivers. there are HID low/high beam kits, that usually (depending on the brand/temperature) take about half a second to warm up, but are really bright. since they are bright, they get hot, and may even affect the OEM housing plastic.

-dave

[jlwpapa]

The bottom line: It doesn't sound like a very good idea!
The reason that I asked the question was due to the availability of something called "Laser Blue HID" replacement bulbs that appear to give off three times more light than the standard halogen bulbs in my Excursion and supposedly do not create much more heat thereby not causing any harm to any of the OEM parts! I believe Napa Auto carries them. I was not sure that they were right and from what you say they are probably not. Thanks! Jeff

[jlwpapa]

This appears to be the product from Napa:

Headlight Bulb - High & Low Beam - White Xenon - S

Item#: BK H9007

Available at NAPA stores. This part can only be purchased from your local NAPA AUTO PARTS Store.

Attributes:
Product Features:Cost Effective Alternative To Expensive HID Upgrades
Provides Comparable Look At Fraction Of Cost
Far Brighter & Whiter Than Standard Bulbs
Easy Do-It-Yourself Ugrade
Contents2) Bulbs
Manufacturer:Street Glow
Mfg Part Number:H9007
Style:Xenon White Bulbs
Type:High & Low Beam
Voltage:12 VDC
Watts:100 / 80 Watt


Does that make any difference in your assessment?
Thanks again for your help!
Jeff

[theoldwizard]

Some of those aftermarket bulbs get so hot that they melt the housing (ask my son ! ).

I would check out Sylvania SilverStar or Xtravision . If you check their specs, you will see they only draw 55 watts. Less watts = less heat and no melted housings !

[jlwpapa]

Thanks for your help!
My concern was just that, too much heat caused by excessive
wattage over the stock 9007 bulb!
Do you know for certain that the wattage on the standard 9007
bulb used by Ford is 55/65 watts (low/high beam)?
The reason that I ask is that the guys in the Parts Dept at the
Ford Dealer do not know!
Thanks again.
Jeff

[militarydave]

Originally Posted by jlwpapa

Thanks for your help!
The reason that I ask is that the guys in the Parts Dept at the
Ford Dealer do not know!
Jeff

sad... but true!

i would go with the silverstars, or even PIAA/HELLA make replacement bulbs (XENON), that compare to the silvestarts. i think they run anywhere from $65-80 a bulb. seems quite expensive to me (for a bulb).

-dave

[mark v]

Silverstars, I have them in both of my Fords and love them!

[jlwpapa]

Would you recommend the Sylvania Silverstar 9007ST or the 9007SU (Silverstar Ultra)?
Jeff

[mark v]

Whatever is the brightest. I have the older style Silverstars, when I bought them they only had one kind.