Smoked headlights ???
05-08-2016, 09:05 PM
#1
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Smoked headlights ???
Was thinking of replacing my factory hazed headlights with after market blacked inside headlights , has anyone done this and how do the bulbs shine at night ????
05-08-2016, 09:13 PM
#2
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Location: Long Beach, Ca
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Look on ebay. They're all not the greatest quality and tend to fill with water from condensation. You're better off doing an H4 upgrade harness and new housings.
05-08-2016, 09:27 PM
#5
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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05-09-2016, 05:30 AM
#9
Old fart with a wrench
I'd assume it's a WJ because of the pictures he posted.
My 2000 WJ had very foggy headlights when I got it and the light output was disappointing so I bought replacement housings from rockauto.com for about $100 each. They came equpted with the standard 9000-series halogen bulbs and were made in China. I was skeptical that they'd last very long. I was wrong! The difference was like night and day, pun intended! The design of the standard AND replacement housings on the WJ has the filaments of the high beam bulbs set shallow in the reflectors so the beams are wide spread and amazing. As far as standard design headlights are concerned, The WJ impresses me. I don't feel the need to go to H4 or HID at all. I did, however, add fogs which my model didn't have, but went with 2x5 yellow lenses with 70-watt halogen H3 bulbs. The low beams are recessed deep and the light output IS disappointing, that's why I added the fogs. With this set-up, I can see reflectorized signs 1/2 mile away and deer eyes at 1/4 mile.
I deliver newspapers and love the area fill and light levels I get with the standard set-up, now that the lenses are clear. I've had them about 2 years and they are still perfectly clear. Clue; don't wipe them with a cloth to clean them because they scratch easily. I use Windex or some other cleaner and soak them until the dirt runs off, then use Kleenex to dry. A pressure washer works well, but I don't carry one with me! LOL!
BTW, I wouldn't recommend the blacked out housings because too much light will not be spread out. Looking cool is not my concern, functioning well is mine.
My 2000 WJ had very foggy headlights when I got it and the light output was disappointing so I bought replacement housings from rockauto.com for about $100 each. They came equpted with the standard 9000-series halogen bulbs and were made in China. I was skeptical that they'd last very long. I was wrong! The difference was like night and day, pun intended! The design of the standard AND replacement housings on the WJ has the filaments of the high beam bulbs set shallow in the reflectors so the beams are wide spread and amazing. As far as standard design headlights are concerned, The WJ impresses me. I don't feel the need to go to H4 or HID at all. I did, however, add fogs which my model didn't have, but went with 2x5 yellow lenses with 70-watt halogen H3 bulbs. The low beams are recessed deep and the light output IS disappointing, that's why I added the fogs. With this set-up, I can see reflectorized signs 1/2 mile away and deer eyes at 1/4 mile.
I deliver newspapers and love the area fill and light levels I get with the standard set-up, now that the lenses are clear. I've had them about 2 years and they are still perfectly clear. Clue; don't wipe them with a cloth to clean them because they scratch easily. I use Windex or some other cleaner and soak them until the dirt runs off, then use Kleenex to dry. A pressure washer works well, but I don't carry one with me! LOL!
BTW, I wouldn't recommend the blacked out housings because too much light will not be spread out. Looking cool is not my concern, functioning well is mine.
Last edited by dave1123; 05-09-2016 at 06:10 AM.
05-09-2016, 09:41 AM
#11
Old fart with a wrench
My advise is NOT to go to ceramic pads. I've had nothing but trouble with them. Make sure the slider pins are properly greased as well. The double-piston front calipers work very well, but pistons get stuck too easily. The old ZJ brakes were flawless. WJ not so much. 
05-10-2016, 08:33 PM
#14
Old fart with a wrench
OEM is semi-metallic and brand doesn't matter much because most are made in China anyway. I would recommend Bendix, Raybestos, Monroe, ACDelco, or Wagner. They are all American companies that have been around since mechanical systems needed friction devises.
After all, they are brake pads and need to be inspected/changed frequently. Try rockauto.com for prices.
Case in point; I went to NAPA for the pads for my ZJ. They brought out American pads and they were rivited. They then showed me Chinese pads and they were bonded. I bought the Chinese. NAPA Tru-Stop. I bought the Chinese.
After all, they are brake pads and need to be inspected/changed frequently. Try rockauto.com for prices.
Case in point; I went to NAPA for the pads for my ZJ. They brought out American pads and they were rivited. They then showed me Chinese pads and they were bonded. I bought the Chinese. NAPA Tru-Stop. I bought the Chinese.
Last edited by dave1123; 05-10-2016 at 08:40 PM.