Improving the headlights: Brite Box Installation | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Improving the headlights: Brite Box Installation

Anything, more or less anything ( except HIDs ) to improve the headlights on my ’99 …..

I have evaluated several different headlight bulbs ( and finally settled on Silver Stars as the best ), installed a heavy duty wiring harness ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67524&highlight=headlight+wiring+harness ) and installed Diamond Clear headlight housings, all of which definitely helped, but as customary, I wanted more.

By chance while reading a post ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151996&highlight=Bright+Box post #2 ), I came across a apparatus that enhances the headlights. The device called Bright Bo, is manufactured by Baker Auto Accessories ( http://thebritebox.com/ ).

This gadget allows the low beam lights to be illuminated at the same time as the high beams thus utilizing 100% of the trucks light capability.

I ordered the Brite Box directly from the manufacturer. Since my ’99 Explorer uses 9007 headlights, I required model number 7; other light configurations require different models.

Upon examining the Brite Box, which measures 3 ¾’ x 2’, it soon became apparent that this is an extremely well built device using high quality wiring fixtures.

The first step in the installation was to disconnect the battery’s negative terminal. Then remove the 20 amp fuse from the fuse holder that is attached to the Brite Box. This was followed by unplugging the connector to the driver’s side headlight ( in view of the fact that it’s closest to the battery ) and plugging it into the receptacle on the bright box. At this time the plug from the Brite Box was inserted into the headlight. The fused lead from the bright box was then connected to the battery’s positive terminal.

To draw the installation to a close, the Brite Box was mounted with the wires exiting from the bottom by attaching to the inner fender behind the battery with double sided tape ( after thoroughly cleaning the surface with acetone and then the wiring secured with wire ties. That’s all there is to the installation.

To test the function of the Brite Box, I faced my truck against my garage door and turned on the lights set for high beams. The provided 15 amp ATC fuse was inserted into the holder and the “new” light pattern observed.

This undemanding installation took less than 15 minutes; the total cost of the device was $99.00 shipped to my door via UPS.

The “new” light pattern combined with the “fog lights on with high beams” mod ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...8&page=1&pp=25&highlight=fog+light+high+beams ), is vastly superior to the conventional pattern.

I recommend this mod to anyone whose headlights use a single bulb.
 

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I would be VERY worried about melting the plastic housing with both filaments on at the same time, Especially if someone had upgraded to higher wattage bulbs.

Not to mention this could probably be accomplished for free using a wire jumper in the correct location after a look over the electrical schematics.
 






I'd definately keep an eye on the housings, ESPECIALLY those aftermarket diamond cuts because they are obviously less quality than OEM in terms of build quality.

Also, would this blind oncoming drivers?
 






Hartman said:
Also, would this blind oncoming drivers?
I'd say so. But you shouldn't have on your brights if there are oncoming drivers...especially with highs and lows on!
 






Jefe said:
I would be VERY worried about melting the plastic housing with both filaments on at the same time.

i'll second that. i put (4!) 100watt off road lights on an escort (looked like a rally car :cool: ) and when i wasnt moving, they started smoking. wish i had a pic to show ya.
 












I'd be worried about heat and longitivity of the bulb.

Hope all goes well though.
 






when i had my silver stars i allways held back on the stalk to get the same effect. year of that and never any problems...melting,overheating,blowing bulbs..ect.

nice..hope it works well for you.
 






I think its a good mod. The H4, not 9004, bulbs are made so that the low beam filiment stays on when the high beam is light. It doesnt seem to have a shorter life although the wattage is lower than the 9007.
Usually the high beams are not on for extended periods of time and you are usually moving to get air around them so heat should be too much of a factor on the housing but I do wonder about the bulb since it wasnt designed for both to be lighted.
The price is what gets me. A relay kit from KC Hilites to do the same thing on a 4 headlight system is about $20. It doeant have the bulb socketts so you have to do some spliceing but for the difference in price, well....
All in all I like it and am probably going to have to give it a try.
Thanks for the info Al.
 


















like Jefe said you can do this with a simple wire jumper :) when in HI the lows are on....simple pimple
 






410Fortune said:
like Jefe said you can do this with a simple wire jumper :) when in HI the lows are on....simple pimple

Dirty Dog was going to help me do this mod with some el cheapo components from a local hardware store. I went with a HID kit instead. ;)
 






celly said:
Dirty Dog was going to help me do this mod with some el cheapo components from a local hardware store. I went with a HID kit instead. ;)

HID is the ONLY way to go. Well, that is if it's in the budget
 






DirtyDog said:
HID is the ONLY way to go. Well, that is if it's in the budget

I hear ya! :D

Nice to "see" you. It's been a while. :thumbsup:
 






something i have noticed on my truck, is that when i jsut use flash to pass with my headlights on, the brights will blip on, but not turn off my headlishts like what would happen if i ere to push the stalk forward and turn on the highbeams.... maybe my trucks jsut wierd...
 






jimbo74 said:
something i have noticed on my truck, is that when i jsut use flash to pass with my headlights on, the brights will blip on, but not turn off my headlishts like what would happen if i ere to push the stalk forward and turn on the highbeams.... maybe my trucks jsut wierd...

No. That's the way *most* vehicles have been engineered for the last 30 years. (Toyotas included)
 






celly said:
I hear ya! :D

Nice to "see" you. It's been a while. :thumbsup:

Ya I'm still around, just not as much :)
 






Its been three months and functioning like a champ.
 



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Seems like a rip off $99 bucks for a couple relays. Wiring up lights to do that is far easy. Anything can be done with the proper wiring of relays.

It's nothing new the same thing has been available for 88 + GMs for years. if I want better lighting I just switch on my KCs.

Tim
 






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