Definitive High Beam Number?

[jasontiff]

This question is posed for those that are 100% certain of what the number is from personal experience. I've dug around the boards and the jury seems to be out on the correct part number for high beams; which is it?

• 9005
• 9006
• 9011

A lot of guys quote the manual, but most say it's wrong. If anyone has personally made the HID swap and can tell me which bulb they used, I'd be forever indebted. Thanks!

 

[Vman455]

9011 from the factory, but can be replaced with 9005.

 

[jasontiff]

My man...! Thanks!

 

[99 R/T 10]

I know the low beam is 9005, but I don't think both high and low beam are the same. Or am I wrong?

 

[Vman455]

9011 is a really weird-looking bulb, and I've never been able to find a direct replacement. 9005 fits the same socket. 9006 does not fit either low or high beam. If upgrading to HIDs, both sockets take 9005.

 

[Martin]

The 9005 is the 60w bulb, and is typically the high-beam on many cars. The 9006 is a 51w bulb with the "blacked out" tip (DOT required for low beam use to keep from 'dazzling' oncoming drivers). On any of my cars that use the 9005/9006 combo, I use the 9005 bulbs in both sockets. Two minutes with a dremel tool and they fit just fine - and you get much better low-beam visibility.

Toshiba makes a 9011 HIR bulb that is the best of them all - it's a 65W bulb and REALLY bright. They are hard to find, but I've gotten them from a guy on Ebay.

 

[dave6666]

I wish I had time to research this but I'm too busy doing my 15K mile header change.

Keep me informed Jason.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I want to say the low beam socket housing has the black out strip as part of the housing, and not needed on the bulb. That's why either work. Or am I thinking of a different car?

I just looked in my spare headlights and both sockets have 60W bulbs, I don't remember ever grinding anything to get them inserted, and the inner bulb has the strip to block half the beam. I do believe you can use "hi beam bulbs" for both.

These are Gen 1 housings that I took off because the plastic turned very, very yellow.

 

[Martin]

I want to say the low beam socket housing has the black out strip as part of the housing, and not needed on the bulb. That's why either work. Or am I thinking of a different car?

You're right - almost all cars have something to 'black out' the tip of the bulb built into the low-beam headlight housing itself. So, using the high-beam bulb in the low-beam housing won't cause anyone else on the road any problems.

If you look at 9005 and 9006 bulbs side-by side, they are identical except for a ridge where it plugs into the socket. I suppose that ridge is there to keep people from 'accidentally' using the high-beam bulb in the low-beam side. That ridge can easily be ground down on the plug - and I'm guessing that if the car was originally designed to use the same bulbs on both sides from the start, that ridge isn't built into the plug.

 

[rt/10stew]

I wish I had time to research this but I'm too busy doing my 15K mile header change.

Keep me informed Jason.

Dave if you are using synthetic brake fluid and remove the white hood vents you should be able to get 25k out of a set of headers.

 

[jasontiff]

VMan455 is right. 9005s fit, and the bulbs I pulled out looked like 9005s too. I've only had the 17 year old car for 2 years, so they could have been replaced before, but that's what was in there.

I'll post some pics when they're in to show before/after on the highs. No one will want to drive with me...catless exhaust if you're behind and HID lows, highs and fogs up front.

 

[Vman455]

Where are you mounting the ballasts? I could only fit one inside the headlight housing, so I left the halogens in the high beams for now. But I want to swap my high beams for red HIDs--illegal, but I think the effect would be cool...

 

[jasontiff]

I saw a thread where RTTTed mounted one set on the inside, and one out. I'll have to look at logistics when they arrive. Should be today or tomorrow.

 

[Ratical2]

Here are your bulb results for a:
1993 DODGE VIPER




Headlight - High beam
9005, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
9005BV, BlueVision: Performance style halogens. High performance look.
9005CV, CrystalVision Ultra: Xenon powered halogens. Bright white Xenon look.
9005HV, Hi-Visibility: Higher output halogens. 30% more light.
9005LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.
9005NG, NightGuide: Maximum safety halogens. Tri-color beam.
9005VP, VisionPlus: Enhanced safety halogens. 50 ft longer beam.


Headlight - Low beam
9005, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
9005BV, BlueVision: Performance style halogens. High performance look.
9005CV, CrystalVision Ultra: Xenon powered halogens. Bright white Xenon look.
9005HV, Hi-Visibility: Higher output halogens. 30% more light.
9005LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.
9005NG, NightGuide: Maximum safety halogens. Tri-color beam.
9005VP, VisionPlus: Enhanced safety halogens. 50 ft longer beam.


Brake Light
3157, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
3157LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Courtesy Light Bulb
168, Standard: Original Equipment Quality


Directional Signal Indicator
194, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
194LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Dome Light
168, Standard: Original Equipment Quality


Fog/Driving
H3-55W, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
H3-55WCV, CrystalVision Ultra: Xenon powered halogens. Bright white Xenon look.
H3-55WHV, Hi-Visibility: Higher output halogens. 30% more light.


High Mount Brake Light
891, Standard: Original Equipment Quality


Instrument Panel Light
161, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
194, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
194LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.
74, Standard: Original Equipment Quality

License Light
168, Standard: Original Equipment Quality


Parking Light
3157NA, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
3157NALL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Side Marker Light - Front
194, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
194LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Tail Light
3157, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
3157LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Turn Signal Light - Front
3157NA, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
3157NALL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.


Turn Signal Light - Rear
3157, Standard: Original Equipment Quality
3157LL, LongerLife: Longest lasting halogens. Twice the life.

Find the bulbs for your vehicle

 

[jasontiff]

Damn...."thorough" would be an understatement...thanks!

 

[RTTTTed]

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I used HID for both of Hi & Lo headlights, but it is a bit of a PITA waiting for the highbeams to warm up the few seconds it takes before they become bright.

Ted

 

[Cop Magnet]

My manual was definitely wrong on the low beams. Can't remember what they were though.

 

[got one]

Damn...."thorough" would be an understatement...thanks!

Yup, just looked up and booked marked for all my cars...great find!