97 Montero Headlight upgrade

[Jarhead74]

Could not find too much on this, so figure would add what I did. So I travel good bit and at times in the dark. While I am still looking for the factory end bumper end caps with fog lights, I felt need to improve the headlights. So the 97 headlight lens has a design that is not clear, while the 99-2k is a clear design. Searched on Ebay and junkyards but could not find what I needed. Finally found some in Europe. They are made by DEPO, who makes various headlight replacements. Took the plunge. Total was 170. I know not cheap. So they came in few days ago.

Now, the 99 and up Monteros use a H4 bulb vs a 9004. So I purchased some quality plugs from AA that are high temp. Made the cuts tonight and installed the new plugs and Headlights. For now I went with Silverstar Ultras. I know they are a mixed bag in reviews, but the bulb I really wanted comes out later this month and is much cheaper, but might be much better. Its called Osram Nnight Breaker Laser.

I will be aligning them tonight. Will take some pics shortly. The Headlight assembly seem solid with a glass lens.

For those with the Fog lights in the bumper, how much diffrence do they make? Is it worth the trouble? If not, will go with some 7 inch LED bars.

 

[Jarhead74]

Well, looks like my wire job needs a review. The low beams look yellow/weak. When I got in the Montero and put high beams, looks good but when in low beams, the high beam light is still faint on the dash. Think might have a short somewhere.

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

For $100 you could have left the original housing in place and just dropped in some DOT-approved LED replacement bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com like my friend Rich just did. He installed his the other day and did a write-up on Facebook in the Montero group page. They just plug right in and there's a transformer for each bulb to mount with a screw or two and that's it.

John B.

 

[Jarhead74]

But would that still not give a less output vs the clear lens of the 99-00?

I figured out even though followed a online pic, that I wired the lights wrong. Mixed up one of the wires with ground, so will be dealing with that today.

 

[bikerjosh]

For $100 you could have left the original housing in place and just dropped in some DOT-approved LED replacement bulbs from www.superbrightleds.com like my friend Rich just did. He installed his the other day and did a write-up on Facebook in the Montero group page. They just plug right in and there's a transformer for each bulb to mount with a screw or two and that's it.

John B.

@ John -Looked at the facebook page but didn't see it? Can you provide a link or let me know when he posted it?
thanks Josh

 

[limp_noodle]

If the new ones you bought are made of glass do a projector retrofit.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/131929-Gen-2-5-Bi-xenon-retrofit?highlight=projector

It's ridiculously easy. From start to finish I'd say it only took me about an hour for the retrofit portion. Wiring it up took another 15 minutes.

Stock fogs don't make that much of a difference. Get yourself some aftermarket ones.

 

[Jarhead74]

That is a good idea. Reading the info. Found my issue, had the ground and low beam backwards. Much better now. Will take pic at dusk.