Headlights

[yamaha6]

The headlights on my truck keep burning out... They have been since new PIAA 4000K super white extremes or something like that. They are wicked light. Very bright but, I have raplaced 3 full sets in just over 60 thousand k's. My fog lights are factory and have never been replaced. The filament that burnt out is always the low beam. My theory here is that the low beam is always on!! because! its also the running light. That is sooooo stupid. The lights are like 80 bucks a bulb full price. I have only payed full price once thank gob but still. I am just wondering if there is a fuse I can pull or something to make the running lights not work. I know this prob isn't legal but I don't care. If there is a way I could make the amber turn signals be on all the time thatn those 5 dollar bulbs could be my running lights(like the newer toyotas). also, If anyone else has this problem I would love to here what brands of lights you have used in the past b/c I am not once again going to go with PIAA if something alse works better. Thanx

 

[Nhaz]

I use standard OEM bulbs. They last about a year. And are 7 dollars a bulb.

Daytime running lights are half power high beam filaments. Well mine are anyways.

I drive MANY kilometers at night on back roads so I also use a pair of off road 100 watt spots. They are much better then high beams as they light up the road in front of me for about 400 meters. And I bought them from the local princess auto for 30 dollars for the pair.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I use Sylvania SliverStar Ultras in my Ranger and KLX (dualsport motorcycle). Haven't had one burn out yet. I use them daily on the drive to work. And the KLX's low beam stays on as a day time running light.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well the problem is that High power bulbs go out faster then regular bulbs, So like the Really bright Sylvania Silver stars have half the life of a regular stock bulb. Then Yours is a an Imitator HID I assume... which I could see burning out faster then that and since the DRL are always on its burning out the bulbs faster.

Its always a good Idea to replace bulbs after about 2-3 years because while the bulb is on it is slowly burning away the filiment (thus brighter bulbs burn it out faster), and eventually the filiment puts out less than 60% of the light it did when it was brand new. Thats why you see the cars with like one normal light and then one thats like barely on at all...

heres something I found... not sure if it will help.
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/drl.php

 

[BlackBII]

These are different lights, but notice the brighter the light gets the less life it will have??

A super bright filament can only last so long...

 

[superdave1984]

I presume you wear gloves when replacing the bulbs? Any oil or contaminants from your skin will make the bulbs burn hotter and burn out faster.

 

[yamaha6]

yess I always make sure not to touch the bulb. My truck def used the low beam for the running lights. PIAA lights are supposed to be an acceptation to the bright light short life idea. They are not HID's. I have a set of HID piaa spot lights on the front of my truck and they are wicked and have H1 bulbs I believe. Mabby tha 9007's burn out faster, I have no idea. Does anyone know how to shut the running lights off? or if its not possible to do so...? I know with the e brake on the light stay off so I dunno. thanx

 

[yamaha6]

Any one?

 

[STingray1300]

So the US-spec 07 Ranger came with DRLs? (glad I got an '06 then!) Eeesh!

Not sure how long (months) each set of PIAAs has lasted you, but those of us in the LD Riders group (motorcycles) found out a long time ago that the PIAA bulbs are good for about 1 year per set. If you get any more than that, you're fortunate!

Plus, simply do not believe PIAA's claims of "55w = 85w". $80/pr is simply not worth what you're getting. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/superwhite/superwhite.html

But, here's some good news: DRLs are NOT "law", even if they came on a vehicle OEM. You can gladly disconnect them any time you want (whew!)

Fortunately, there are better bulbs available for about 1/2 the cost. If you like the SilverStars, make the effort to get the "OSRAM" version. OSRAM and Sylvania are one-in-the-same company, but the "Sylvania" versions are DOT spec for North America. OSRAM is EC spec for Europe...which translates to better lux/lumen output (and less "blue" on the bulbs). You'll probably have to mail order them.

There's also NARVA and Phillips bulbs (both EC spec) available here: http://store.candlepower.com/9007hb5bulbs1.html

I just bought a set of Hella 100w 9007 bulbs, just to try them out. We'll see how they work. The Phillips are pretty bright though.

FWIW, if you have factory fog lights, there are upgraded bulbs available (H3 on older Rangers, can use 85w or even 110w bulbs) - (newer Rangers can use a 9005 bulb, or even a 9011 <HIR> bulb, increasing wattage from 45 to 65 watts)

BTW, if your sopt lights on the front of your truck are PIAA HIDs, they have an HID 'capsule', not a bulb. If you have an H bulb, then they are not "HID". Either is very bright, for sure...

 

[erocka1982]

wow i didnt know they put DRL's on any ranger. if i were you, i would quit getting those high priced bulbs and go to autozone(i know, i work at autopart international"owned by advance" but im telling you to go to autozone lol), but they got theses XENON blue bulbs in their "gay stick-on, honda civic,stupid neon, section. [isle 4 at my local AZ] their like 20 bucks for a pair, and theyre really blue. i got them and they look awesome. and cheap.