Mods NOT worth doing (9004 to 9007 conversion)
11-12-2008, 08:24 AM
#1
Mods NOT worth doing (9004 to 9007 conversion)
I read on this site and others how you can easily convert your headlights from 9004 to 9007. There are also cables for sale to help you perform this mod.
I read that the 9007's are 20% higher wattage bulbs and have an improved beam patten, this all sounded good so I decided to try this mod using Silverstar Ultra's.
First of all this mod is not necessarily easy, second this is not necessarily an improvement.
When cutting or grinding the nubs in the housing so you can fit the 9007 bulbs, unless you are very careful ,you will get dust into the housing. Good luck getting it out.
If you try taking the bulb socket apart to change the wiring you will probably break them, old plastic tends to be brittle.
Be ready to take the battery out, possibly multiple times to get at the drivers side socket and to perform adjustments.
Once you install the 9007 bulbs you will find that The 9007s beam center is much higher and more scattered than the 9004s. Only extreme adjustment will get them down where they belong. If you do that your housing will no longer be flush with the hood and grill and it will look bad. I'm wondering if anyone has taken their Maxima for a professional adjustment after this mod.
Our headlight housing reflectors were designed by engineers to work properly with 9004 bulbs and not 9007. The 9004s put the beam on the road where it belongs, the 9007s scatter the beams all over the place. If you have the 9007's on your 4th gen Maxima you are probably blinding other drivers. I'm going to stick with the 9004's, the small amount of increased light is certainly not worth the effort.
I realize some of you will say you performed this mod and it was easy and came out perfect but I bet just as many will agree that this is one mod better left undone.
I read that the 9007's are 20% higher wattage bulbs and have an improved beam patten, this all sounded good so I decided to try this mod using Silverstar Ultra's.
First of all this mod is not necessarily easy, second this is not necessarily an improvement.
When cutting or grinding the nubs in the housing so you can fit the 9007 bulbs, unless you are very careful ,you will get dust into the housing. Good luck getting it out.
If you try taking the bulb socket apart to change the wiring you will probably break them, old plastic tends to be brittle.
Be ready to take the battery out, possibly multiple times to get at the drivers side socket and to perform adjustments.
Once you install the 9007 bulbs you will find that The 9007s beam center is much higher and more scattered than the 9004s. Only extreme adjustment will get them down where they belong. If you do that your housing will no longer be flush with the hood and grill and it will look bad. I'm wondering if anyone has taken their Maxima for a professional adjustment after this mod.
Our headlight housing reflectors were designed by engineers to work properly with 9004 bulbs and not 9007. The 9004s put the beam on the road where it belongs, the 9007s scatter the beams all over the place. If you have the 9007's on your 4th gen Maxima you are probably blinding other drivers. I'm going to stick with the 9004's, the small amount of increased light is certainly not worth the effort.
I realize some of you will say you performed this mod and it was easy and came out perfect but I bet just as many will agree that this is one mod better left undone.
Last edited by Nopike; 11-12-2008 at 08:30 AM.
11-12-2008, 08:54 AM
#2
sounds like u had a difficult time. my bulb socket came right apart, its just as easy to just swap the wires themselves, my battery is plenty far enough to stick both hands behind the housing. id like to hear from more people who have had issues because imma gonna go with the very easy crowd.
11-12-2008, 08:55 AM
#3
You're probably one of the first people I have ever heard say that its not a good upgrade... Honestly, I think everyone I have ever heard do this said it was worth it. I am not blinding anyone(I have never gotten flashed) and mine aren't even aligned properly.
If you did not make a harness to draw off of battery power, then yes I would agree its probably not worth the minimal increase in output. However, once I made my harness, the light output on the road was phenomenal. I wont ever go back to 9004. Hell, my fog lights light up the road more than my 9004 bulbs did.
If you did not make a harness to draw off of battery power, then yes I would agree its probably not worth the minimal increase in output. However, once I made my harness, the light output on the road was phenomenal. I wont ever go back to 9004. Hell, my fog lights light up the road more than my 9004 bulbs did.
11-12-2008, 09:04 AM
#4
I read on this site and others how you can easily convert your headlights from 9004 to 9007. There are also cables for sale to help you perform this mod.
I read that the 9007's are 20% higher wattage bulbs and have an improved beam patten, this all sounded good so I decided to try this mod using Silverstar Ultra's.
First of all this mod is not necessarily easy, second this is not necessarily an improvement.
When cutting or grinding the nubs in the housing so you can fit the 9007 bulbs, unless you are very careful ,you will get dust into the housing. Good luck getting it out.
If you try taking the bulb socket apart to change the wiring you will probably break them, old plastic tends to be brittle.
Be ready to take the battery out, possibly multiple times to get at the drivers side socket and to perform adjustments.
Once you install the 9007 bulbs you will find that The 9007s beam center is much higher and more scattered than the 9004s. Only extreme adjustment will get them down where they belong. If you do that your housing will no longer be flush with the hood and grill and it will look bad. I'm wondering if anyone has taken their Maxima for a professional adjustment after this mod.
Our headlight housing reflectors were designed by engineers to work properly with 9004 bulbs and not 9007. The 9004s put the beam on the road where it belongs, the 9007s scatter the beams all over the place. If you have the 9007's on your 4th gen Maxima you are probably blinding other drivers. I'm going to stick with the 9004's, the small amount of increased light is certainly not worth the effort.
I realize some of you will say you performed this mod and it was easy and came out perfect but I bet just as many will agree that this is one mod better left undone.
I read that the 9007's are 20% higher wattage bulbs and have an improved beam patten, this all sounded good so I decided to try this mod using Silverstar Ultra's.
First of all this mod is not necessarily easy, second this is not necessarily an improvement.
When cutting or grinding the nubs in the housing so you can fit the 9007 bulbs, unless you are very careful ,you will get dust into the housing. Good luck getting it out.
If you try taking the bulb socket apart to change the wiring you will probably break them, old plastic tends to be brittle.
Be ready to take the battery out, possibly multiple times to get at the drivers side socket and to perform adjustments.
Once you install the 9007 bulbs you will find that The 9007s beam center is much higher and more scattered than the 9004s. Only extreme adjustment will get them down where they belong. If you do that your housing will no longer be flush with the hood and grill and it will look bad. I'm wondering if anyone has taken their Maxima for a professional adjustment after this mod.
Our headlight housing reflectors were designed by engineers to work properly with 9004 bulbs and not 9007. The 9004s put the beam on the road where it belongs, the 9007s scatter the beams all over the place. If you have the 9007's on your 4th gen Maxima you are probably blinding other drivers. I'm going to stick with the 9004's, the small amount of increased light is certainly not worth the effort.
I realize some of you will say you performed this mod and it was easy and came out perfect but I bet just as many will agree that this is one mod better left undone.
If you were altering the sockets of the headlight, why not remove the headlight from the vehicle. Dust getting in the housings isnt diffucult remove, if you remove the lens.
As far as the wiring goes, just cut the old connector of and solder up the new, making sure to swap the hi and gnd or just cut and swap the wires before it gets to the connector. Why you would try and take apart the socket is beyond me.
Aiming wasnt difficult at all to me, and you can see the patter on the wall so you can see if the light was scattered and blinding people.
If you found this to be difficult, I feel for you doing other "real" mods.
11-12-2008, 09:29 AM
#6
Sounds like you made things harder then what they needed to be.
If you were altering the sockets of the headlight, why not remove the headlight from the vehicle. Dust getting in the housings isnt diffucult remove, if you remove the lens.
As far as the wiring goes, just cut the old connector of and solder up the new, making sure to swap the hi and gnd or just cut and swap the wires before it gets to the connector. Why you would try and take apart the socket is beyond me.
Aiming wasnt difficult at all to me, and you can see the patter on the wall so you can see if the light was scattered and blinding people.
If you found this to be difficult, I feel for you doing other "real" mods.
If you were altering the sockets of the headlight, why not remove the headlight from the vehicle. Dust getting in the housings isnt diffucult remove, if you remove the lens.
As far as the wiring goes, just cut the old connector of and solder up the new, making sure to swap the hi and gnd or just cut and swap the wires before it gets to the connector. Why you would try and take apart the socket is beyond me.
Aiming wasnt difficult at all to me, and you can see the patter on the wall so you can see if the light was scattered and blinding people.
If you found this to be difficult, I feel for you doing other "real" mods.
I was trying to avoid taking the housing out, and was taking the socket apart so I could switch wires instead of soldering, it's cleaner.
The 9007s beams ended up way higher than the 9004's they looked like brights. I don't see how you can bring them down without extreme adjustment.
Last edited by Nopike; 11-12-2008 at 09:34 AM.
11-12-2008, 11:22 AM
#7
Worked fine for me. Did it last night. Plain Ole' wire cut/swap. I removed my headlights and stuffed a piece of a wife-beater t shirt inside the hole to catch all the debris from grinding the nub and used a Dremel w/grinding wheel.
Didnt even have to align them. Which i thought was weird.
Next up, Projectors!...if i can figure out how to do it.
BTW: my car was originally from Illinois, your car getting rusty? Cuz is. My rotors and **** are all rusted around the edges.
Didnt even have to align them. Which i thought was weird.
Next up, Projectors!...if i can figure out how to do it.
BTW: my car was originally from Illinois, your car getting rusty? Cuz is. My rotors and **** are all rusted around the edges.
11-12-2008, 11:23 AM
#8
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
I agree 100% with the OP. This mod does not give you better light output. The high beams don't work for crap either after that mod. Light is all over the place, not focused at all.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
11-12-2008, 11:28 AM
#9
Worked fine for me. Did it last night. Plain Ole' wire cut/swap. I removed my headlights and stuffed a piece of a wife-beater t shirt inside the hole to catch all the debris from grinding the nub and used a Dremel w/grinding wheel.
Didnt even have to align them. Which i thought was weird.
Next up, Projectors!...if i can figure out how to do it.
BTW: my car was originally from Illinois, your car getting rusty? Cuz is. My rotors and **** are all rusted around the edges.
Didnt even have to align them. Which i thought was weird.
Next up, Projectors!...if i can figure out how to do it.
BTW: my car was originally from Illinois, your car getting rusty? Cuz is. My rotors and **** are all rusted around the edges.
11-12-2008, 11:35 AM
#11
I agree 100% with the OP. This mod does not give you better light output. The high beams don't work for crap either after that mod. Light is all over the place, not focused at all.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
The stock 9004's are crap but with silverstar 9004 I get more than enough light.
Last edited by Nopike; 11-12-2008 at 11:43 AM.
11-12-2008, 11:47 AM
#12
you guys are silly. I ground down the base of the 9007 bulb so that I didn't have to worry about getting crap into my factory headlights. And this way I can easily swap back to the 9004 bulbs when it's time to sell the car. I also just cut and swapped positive and ground wire.
Made things reversible. ftw.
Made things reversible. ftw.
11-12-2008, 12:05 PM
#13
When I say our housings were not designed for 9007's I'm not talkng about the nubs. I mean the reflector part was not designed for that type bulb so it does not reflect the light properly. I bet any automotive design engineer would agree.
11-12-2008, 12:32 PM
#14
I agree 100% with the OP. This mod does not give you better light output. The high beams don't work for crap either after that mod. Light is all over the place, not focused at all.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
Personally, I'm happy with my PIAA's. When they go I will put an upgrade harness, sockets and run with 80/100 9004's. Plenty of light right where you want it focused on the road with high beams that light up more then enough of the road way ahead of you.
Im assuming you have never noticed the differences in 97-99 refeclectors compared to those of the 95-96s, they are different and both use 9004 bulbs and the output is pretty much the same for both of them.
11-12-2008, 12:37 PM
#15
I had two different types of Piaas, Nokyas, Mtecs, Silverstars etc. and they all had horrible output. I ran an upgraded harness as well, and didnt help output just the life of the connectors.
A agree that the housing werent designed for 9007, but the 9004 bulb size is really close to where I dont think it would make a huge difference. Not like your using a smaller H3 bulb in the 9004 housing.
Im assuming you have never noticed the differences in 97-99 refeclectors compared to those of the 95-96s, they are different and both use 9004 bulbs and the output is pretty much the same for both of them.
A agree that the housing werent designed for 9007, but the 9004 bulb size is really close to where I dont think it would make a huge difference. Not like your using a smaller H3 bulb in the 9004 housing.
Im assuming you have never noticed the differences in 97-99 refeclectors compared to those of the 95-96s, they are different and both use 9004 bulbs and the output is pretty much the same for both of them.
11-12-2008, 12:42 PM
#16
^+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
and i really don't understand how 9004's could provide more than enough light on the road. Some of you guys must have much better eyes than me....
and i really don't understand how 9004's could provide more than enough light on the road. Some of you guys must have much better eyes than me....
Last edited by AndrewR2442; 11-12-2008 at 12:45 PM.
11-12-2008, 12:45 PM
#17
I had two different types of Piaas, Nokyas, Mtecs, Silverstars etc. and they all had horrible output. I ran an upgraded harness as well, and didnt help output just the life of the connectors.
A agree that the housing werent designed for 9007, but the 9004 bulb size is really close to where I dont think it would make a huge difference. Not like your using a smaller H3 bulb in the 9004 housing.
Im assuming you have never noticed the differences in 97-99 refeclectors compared to those of the 95-96s, they are different and both use 9004 bulbs and the output is pretty much the same for both of them.
A agree that the housing werent designed for 9007, but the 9004 bulb size is really close to where I dont think it would make a huge difference. Not like your using a smaller H3 bulb in the 9004 housing.
Im assuming you have never noticed the differences in 97-99 refeclectors compared to those of the 95-96s, they are different and both use 9004 bulbs and the output is pretty much the same for both of them.
11-12-2008, 06:05 PM
#19
Thanks for the advice but the 9004's have been installed, I just could not even come close to aiming those 9007's the way I expected.
11-12-2008, 08:57 PM
#20
9007 I liked, just aim down to not blind on coming traffic. Just use the specs givin. Next I just walk down like 30 feet and look at car to see if it blinding. I live in the country and love being able to see all the critters that like to walk on the road.
11-12-2008, 09:05 PM
#21
11-12-2008, 09:06 PM
#22
11-13-2008, 06:25 AM
#23
Title should end with "in my opinion". Filing off a flaky tiny nub and splicing 6 wires is hardly a hassle. I will admit that I didnt notice an output difference (from what little I can remember) and I've even switched to 97+ headlight housings. I kind of made up my mind that this set-up is just outdated because even with my brights on, it is disturbingly weak out where I live. In the city I dont care, but this **** is useless for anything else. I need projectors. What is all this talk about getting power from the battery?
Why is everyone saying that? I simply swapped harnesses.
Why is everyone saying that? I simply swapped harnesses.
11-13-2008, 07:14 AM
#24
output of my headlights with PIAAs
Its really not going to get much better than this unless u completely redesign the maximas headlight housing. if the light is that bad the best thing for u to do is just save up some money and look for a good set of projectors u will not regret it
Its really not going to get much better than this unless u completely redesign the maximas headlight housing. if the light is that bad the best thing for u to do is just save up some money and look for a good set of projectors u will not regret it
11-13-2008, 09:00 AM
#27
11-13-2008, 10:32 AM
#29
11-13-2008, 11:17 AM
#30
11-13-2008, 01:28 PM
#33
Is the swap perfect? No.
Is it cheap? Yes.
Is it reversible? Yes
Will everyone like it? No
Mods have their pros and cons. Try it, if you dont like it go back to stock. No need to freak out about what is and isnt made to go together. We knew the pattern was jacked from the get go. The light is still amiable and usable.
When I got into a fender bender 2 years ago I didnt keep the 9007's. Only reason was I didnt want the dust in the new housings and it was freezing out. I just never got around to trying it again. I hate the 9004 output and I hate the 9007 output too. The 9007 is brighter, so IMO it is worth trying. BTW I actually prefer the 9007 high beams since they dont light up the tree tops like 9004.
If you want whine about blinding someone install any aftermarket headlight, HID 9004's, over watt ricer bulbs, etc. Those are all lame lighting mods.
OEM Cefiros are actually really good. Its the aftermarket one s that suck.
Is it cheap? Yes.
Is it reversible? Yes
Will everyone like it? No
Mods have their pros and cons. Try it, if you dont like it go back to stock. No need to freak out about what is and isnt made to go together. We knew the pattern was jacked from the get go. The light is still amiable and usable.
When I got into a fender bender 2 years ago I didnt keep the 9007's. Only reason was I didnt want the dust in the new housings and it was freezing out. I just never got around to trying it again. I hate the 9004 output and I hate the 9007 output too. The 9007 is brighter, so IMO it is worth trying. BTW I actually prefer the 9007 high beams since they dont light up the tree tops like 9004.
If you want whine about blinding someone install any aftermarket headlight, HID 9004's, over watt ricer bulbs, etc. Those are all lame lighting mods.
OEM Cefiros are actually really good. Its the aftermarket one s that suck.
11-13-2008, 02:14 PM
#34
[QUOTE=JSutter;6706041]Is the swap perfect? No.
Is it cheap? Yes.
Is it reversible? Yes
Will everyone like it? No
QUOTE]
Most of the information I found out there seemed to rave about this conversion, just wanted to present a different view so that those who may consider this mod have more complete information.
I changed my knock sensor in about 15 mins and have read about those who spent hours and cut up their hands. So a job that may turn out to be easy for some can be a pain in the a** for others.
Is it cheap? Yes.
Is it reversible? Yes
Will everyone like it? No
QUOTE]
Most of the information I found out there seemed to rave about this conversion, just wanted to present a different view so that those who may consider this mod have more complete information.
I changed my knock sensor in about 15 mins and have read about those who spent hours and cut up their hands. So a job that may turn out to be easy for some can be a pain in the a** for others.
Last edited by Nopike; 11-13-2008 at 02:18 PM.
11-13-2008, 02:20 PM
#35
[QUOTE=JSutter;6706041]Mods have their pros and cons. Try it, if you dont like it go back to stock. No need to freak out about what is and isnt made to go together. We knew the pattern was jacked from the get go. The light is still amiable and usable.
QUOTE]
Isn't this a forum to discuss things like this?
QUOTE]
Isn't this a forum to discuss things like this?
Last edited by Nopike; 11-13-2008 at 04:42 PM.
11-13-2008, 03:30 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 109
OK regarding this my headlights bulbs are gone...and I bought them in march this year..silver star for 50CND...so can someone tell me if there's a better bulb I can buy for the best light output..or should i just stick with silver star? I even need to change my side front bumper which are also gone and thinking to go orange or bright white with my headlights any ideas?
11-13-2008, 04:09 PM
#37
I love my 9007 upgrade, much better light pattern vs. the stock 9004's.My wifes maxima with stock 9004's (same night, pics are 5 minutes apart)
My maxima with 9007 conversion.
Pics don't lie..
11-13-2008, 05:02 PM
#38
[QUOTE=
Pics don't lie[/QUOTE]
Looks good,the 9004s bulbs are stock what kind of bulbs are the 9007's?
Hey, I knew I was in for some abuse with this post.
Pics don't lie[/QUOTE]
Looks good,the 9004s bulbs are stock what kind of bulbs are the 9007's?
Hey, I knew I was in for some abuse with this post.
Last edited by Nopike; 11-13-2008 at 05:05 PM.
11-13-2008, 05:04 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 109
can someone tell me some good aftermarket fog lights which will look good on the maxima i found these on the site..
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/su...freshPage=true
i dont know which one would look good..probably the rectangle ones..2nd ones from the list...
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/su...freshPage=true
i dont know which one would look good..probably the rectangle ones..2nd ones from the list...
11-13-2008, 05:27 PM
#40
can someone tell me some good aftermarket fog lights which will look good on the maxima i found these on the site..
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/su...freshPage=true
i dont know which one would look good..probably the rectangle ones..2nd ones from the list...
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/su...freshPage=true
i dont know which one would look good..probably the rectangle ones..2nd ones from the list...
