96 EB next project. Bulb recommendation?

[ThreeJs]

My next project.
All new replacement headlights and turn signal assemblies.
Got to decide what kind of headlight bulbs I want to install.
Looks like the standard 9007 Philips wattage is 65/55 Watt.
9007 Silverstars, what's in now, are also only 65/55W?
I'm thinking of going with a 9007 bulb that is 100/80W rated.

 

[German Engineer]

I'm kind of thinking about replacing mine also and I stumbled across these new LED "lightbulbs" for headlights.

Compatible LED lamps that are designed to fit into the headlights like ordinary lightbulbs with all the necessary electronics and cooling in them etc.

I was wondering, does anyone have any experiences with those? And if yes which ones did you get and are they total crap or are they great???

 

[ThreeJs]

I'm thinking of getting these bulbs.
Plug and play. Direct replacement.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-9007-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B078SH59Y7?th=1

 

[239]

My next project.
All new replacement headlights and turn signal assemblies.
Got to decide what kind of headlight bulbs I want to install.
Looks like the standard 9007 Philips wattage is 65/55 Watt.
9007 Silverstars, what's in now, are also only 65/55W?
I'm thinking of going with a 9007 bulb that is 100/80W rated.

Those fluted lense headlights are definitely what you want to stick with if you plan on running the stock 9007 bulbs. Since the clear versions don’t have the same beam pattern. As for higher wattage, the bulbs will burn the reflector bowl a lot faster. I noticed that the inside top of the headlight, right above the bulb was burned away by the bulb over the years when I replaced my headlights. So higher wattage will do that quicker.

 

[239]

I'm kind of thinking about replacing mine also and I stumbled across these new LED "lightbulbs" for headlights.

Compatible LED lamps that are designed to fit into the headlights like ordinary lightbulbs with all the necessary electronics and cooling in them etc.

I was wondering, does anyone have any experiences with those? And if yes which ones did you get and are they total crap or are they great???

If you’re referring to the led bulbs that have a fan attached to the back, I’d stay away from those. The fan is hardly enough to keep the led chips cool and they burn out relatively fast when compared to halogen bulbs. Some have a nearly identical beam pattern when compared to halogen filaments, so glare is minimal in those cases. Rely on reviews if you decide to purchase some, as you can find out how long they’ll last from there. There are brands that last quite a long time. I considered them for a while but went with an hid projector retrofit in the end and it was worth it.

 

[Indispensable Explorer]

Those fluted lense headlights are definitely what you want to stick with if you plan on running the stock 9007 bulbs.

Definitely agree, I got a set of the clear lenses and even after adjusting them the beam pattern is horrendous.

 

[ThreeJs]

Those fluted lense headlights are definitely what you want to stick with if you plan on running the stock 9007 bulbs. Since the clear versions don’t have the same beam pattern. As for higher wattage, the bulbs will burn the reflector bowl a lot faster. I noticed that the inside top of the headlight, right above the bulb was burned away by the bulb over the years when I replaced my headlights. So higher wattage will do that quicker.

I will try out some of the Hella 9007 100/80W to see if it make any real difference compared to the 9007 SiverStar ZXE bulbs.
If the headlight reflector last 5 yrs or more with the high wattage bulbs I'll consider that good.
I will probably have gotten rid of this Explorer by then and moved up to a larger SUV.

 

[ThreeJs]

Old vs. new housings

New housing with the same SilverStar Ultra bulbs that were already installed in the old housings.

 

[239]

Old vs. new housings

New housing with the same SilverStar Ultra bulbs that were already installed in the old housings.

Nice. I remember when I replaced my faded headlights back in 2012. I was amazed at the difference. Only problem is I didn’t know about aiming them back then, so I basically had high beams all the time since they were aimed all the way up lol. Those oem looking headlights are the right choice for sure and silver stars are good bulbs. I had them for a while before I switched to hid projectors.