Opinions on these Hella lights...

[Hilldweller]

1. those are too expensive

2. No. Not just for offroad. I live in rural San Diego and need more light at 5am when I'm leaving for work.

If you're going to use them as supplements to your highbeams, you should really get ones that are legal.
That rules out all of the HID nonsense you were thinking of.

Have you considered some Cibie Oscars? Nice lights and they're legal.
Hella 4000s are almost legal and not annoying to oncoming traffic.

 

[BIGdaddy]

If you're going to use them as supplements to your highbeams, you should really get ones that are legal.
That rules out all of the HID nonsense you were thinking of.

Have you considered some Cibie Oscars? Nice lights and they're legal.
Hella 4000s are almost legal and not annoying to oncoming traffic.

I'll check 'em out, thanks!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Reguardless of what others have said, the 500's are fine. Really. You probably do as much night offroading as I do, which is rare. They will serve you well. You can upgrade the bulbs if you want, but I find that the 55w bulbs offer plenty of light.

Thanks dude. Honestly this is probably the way I'll go, though, I like the 700ff's, too.

 

[Hilldweller]

I have a pair of 500s on a shelf; meet me in NM in May and you can have them for the price of a cold beer.

Good hot-spot, good distance, no light to the sides. Rotton light for twisty mountain roads.

 

[CA-RJ]

If we ever get together again, I can show you in person how it looks. :sombrero:

Thanks dude. Honestly this is probably the way I'll go, though, I like the 700ff's, too.

 

[corax]

Have you already looked into upgrading you headlights first? I'm not really a Jeep guy, but most Cherokees I see look like they use a sealed beam headlight. Susquehanna Motorsports sells quality Hella conversions that allow you to put whatever bulb in that you want - for example, one with a normal 55W low beam and killer 100W high beam. Beware of the cheap Autocrap imitations, my Hella conversions work great and the folks at Susquehanna were knowledgeable and helpful (they focus on rally products and lighting, which is a great torture test)

 

[BIGdaddy]

If we ever get together again, I can show you in person how it looks. :sombrero:

PM'd you.

I still have to get your darn jackstands back to you. :Wow1:

 

[BIGdaddy]

Have you already looked into upgrading you headlights first? I'm not really a Jeep guy, but most Cherokees I see look like they use a sealed beam headlight. Susquehanna Motorsports sells quality Hella conversions that allow you to put whatever bulb in that you want - for example, one with a normal 55W low beam and killer 100W high beam. Beware of the cheap Autocrap imitations, my Hella conversions work great and the folks at Susquehanna were knowledgeable and helpful (they focus on rally products and lighting, which is a great torture test)

Would I have to worry about taxing my battery with those higher watt lights?

I don't want to create a problem by trying to solve another.

With an on-demand light like Hella 500/700's, I like that I'm able to switch them on going down my long street down to the main road (that has no street lights) and then switch them off again, when I don't need them

Same idea for overlanding, I guess.

That make sense?

 

[Hilldweller]

Bigdaddy,
For headlights, you could also put in a Cibie reflector (photometrics blow away Hella; I can supply you with analysis to prove) and a pair of Phillips Xtreme Power H4 bulbs in normal street voltage that you'd love. Just holler at Daniel Stern and mention me; he'll put something together for you.

Look at this thread; the same things apply to your headlights. A good reflector, plugs, and wires ---- hooked right to the battery for pure un-voltage-dropped power.

 

[mudbutt]

Wait, wait, wait.........

You have yet to upgrade your headlights and wiring on your XJ BIGdaddy??

Well that's a whole 'nuther nest o' weener dogs.....

If you haven't yet upgraded, you need to start there. The difference will blow you away.

I run the Hella e-codes with 55/100w bulbs and a homebrew harness made using Daniel Stern parts and G0-Jeeps instructions.

You will NOT believe what a difference it makes.

Would I have to worry about taxing my battery with those higher watt lights?

55w is standard for Ca. (I'm sure you know that)...

I have 4 IPF's on the roof rack and at night, off-road 2 weeks ago, we were tooling around with all of them on, high beams on, heater on full blast, and stereo blasting. Never had a problem....

 

[Fish]

By all means upgrade the stockers first. That's what I did in my XJ and in my EB. Had to add a relay to the EB, though. Neither of them had a lick of problems with the higher wattage. Both had better lighting stock than either my F250 or my 2500.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input.

I went ahead and got a set of Hella 700's with the normal halogen bulbs.

I think they're gonna do a good job, and definitely fit my meager budget.

We'll see how the rig does with two, and if I think I need more maybe I'll pick up some smaller 500's, too.

 

[java]

im sure you will be happy with getting a bit more light on the road!

 

[ccarm]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input.

I went ahead and got a set of Hella 700's with the normal halogen bulbs.

I think they're gonna do a good job, and definitely fit my meager budget.

We'll see how the rig does with two, and if I think I need more maybe I'll pick up some smaller 500's, too.

Post up some pics when you get them mounted up!!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Post up some pics when you get them mounted up!!

Will do!

and really, thanks for the advice. Just as you said, I'm actually going to use my extra cash to get a blue sea fuse block under the hood up front.

Better plan for sure.