Folks, I'm a newbie here. Just got an 01 Frontier. Been enjoying the drive but haven't been too happy about the lighting.
Has anyone done any mods on their headlights like better bulbs, upgraded harness, HID's, etc. and what were the results?
Thanks!

Ive always had good luck just running the stock lights straight off the battery with heavy duty wire, a switch and relays...seems the best "bang for buck" option.

I haven't done this to the x yet but I plan to.

I put in some PIAA replacement bulbs, and some heavy duty sockets that won't smoke. I live in an area where you drive with high beams all the time, and dim occasionally. A set of fog lights would be good.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've just been disappointed with the performance of these headlights. My 91 Pathfinder has similar performance and I'm contemplatiing upgrading to a euro H-4 set up that'll provide ALOT more light. I can't do an H-4 upgrade on the 01 Frontier so contemplating either an HID set up or using SilverStar bulbs.
However, I've heard that the wire harness that taps directly into the battery makes a huge difference.

TRy some plastic polish on the lens' before doing anything.

Thanks for the suggestion about polishing, I know what you're talking about, after some time the lens can get pretty beat up but this truck has only 30k on it so lenses are perfect.

Of course, there are countless other ways to improve night vision.

I have heard that if you upgrade to the H4 HID lights then you will lose your high beams b/c most of the h4 HIDs are a single filament bulbs and therefore no high beams. I would go with the Silverstar bulbs or some PIAAs. You should have a 9004 bulb which is horizontal in relation to the bulb socket whereas the HIDs are vertical as far as aiming the light. The HIDs would throw off your light beam unless you change out the whole light fixture.

Actually, I thought my 2001 comes with 9007's? I may just end up going with Silverstars. I would avoid the PIAA's. They charge so much and not sure if you're getting much for the money.
Thanks!

Hey there...

I have used both the PIAA and Sylvania Silverstar pretty extensively. Performance wise, I cannot see a difference between the two brands. Cost wise, PIAA cost twice as much as the Sylvania Silverstar and PIAA is a real hastle to find suppliers for. Bottom line, Sylvania Silverstar is a lot more practical.

While you could track down a HID conversion kit, it probably isn't that good of a modification. That is because an HID in a reflector housing designed for 9007 kind of bulbs is extremely likely to have annoying and possibly dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

I haven't done business with them, but Daniel Stern Lighting www.danielsternlighting.com has some interesting opinions on lights and bulbs and a good range of high end products.

KillerX did a nice lighting upgrade on his 1st generation Xterra a while back. He replaced OEM light housings with Hella light cells. These Hella reflectors could handle the HID beam safely. Since the high beam is lost with HID, he has some aftermarket driving lights on the ARB bumper rigged to the bright light switch.

Hootowl

quote:

I have heard that if you upgrade to the H4 HID lights then you will lose your high beams b/c most of the h4 HIDs are a single filament bulbs and therefore no high beams. I would go with the Silverstar bulbs or some PIAAs.

Actually, HID (High Intensity Discharge)Xenon bulbs do not have filaments. It is entirely gas. They use a ballast to generate about 20,000 volts to ignite the xenon gas. They only have one intensity which iluminates more that HI beam halogen, at only 35W, at the ballast, not the bulb which is cool, like fluorecent. They do sell Bi-Xenon, which have shutters or move the bulb to simulate Low/Hi beams. This technology will probably replace entirely halogens when the cost comes down. Right know is only offered stock in high dollars cars.

Thanks for all the info folks.
I'll probably go with Silverstars for now.