General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

What's the deal with upgrading the lights?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-18-2001, 09:40 AM
  #1  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
breaux124's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,614
What's the deal with upgrading the lights?

I did a search but I still need to ask:

1) What higher wattage bulbs do you recommend?

2) Here:
http://www.autobulbdepot.com/harness...86241139238294
Which harness - ground switched 9004 or normal 9004? Does anyone know?

3) Any chance of melting the 9004 housing?

4) Is it worth the cost? I have piaa sw and I've seen the philips bulbs, how much better are higher wattage bulbs?
breaux124 is offline  
Old 10-18-2001, 10:22 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
DenMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 608
Hmmmm

1. Mixed reviews on higher wattage bulbs with stock harness. Some have used 80 or so watt bulbs and had no problems, others have had melting and various problems.

2. Got me?

3. Possibly

4. Depends if you weigh potential probs vs. potential gains in lighting.

I have the the standard 55 watt Philips Vision Plus (I know they don't come in 9004.)and they are way better than stock, and also keep the beam pattern the same minus longer sight distance. Good luck
DenMax is offline  
Old 10-18-2001, 12:11 PM
  #3  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
breaux124's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,614
I'm going with the APC wire harness, but I need to decide on bulbs.
How are the higher wattage APC Super Plasma bulbs? I know Cheston has / had them. I just don't want anything too blue.
breaux124 is offline  
Old 10-18-2001, 01:06 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Albertt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,117
breaux124: Some answers >>

Originally posted by breaux124
I did a search but I still need to ask:

1) What higher wattage bulbs do you recommend?

2) Here:
http://www.autobulbdepot.com/harness...86241139238294
Which harness - ground switched 9004 or normal 9004? Does anyone know?

3) Any chance of melting the 9004 housing?

4) Is it worth the cost? I have piaa sw and I've seen the philips bulbs, how much better are higher wattage bulbs?
I don't recommend higher wattage bulbs, UNLESS you plan on running the APC harness. The 9004 setup on all Nissans is NOT ground switched. The foglamps however, are. You won't melt the housing. It's made of a high-temp ceramic/plastic composite. Higher wattage bulbs are brighter, but are usually made with poor quality. The beam pattern will suffer and so will the drivers who are unfortunate enough to be traveling in the opposite direction. My advice to you would be to save your money, and buy a pair of Philips 9004 Premiums or BlueVisions.
Albertt is offline  
Old 10-18-2001, 07:15 PM
  #5  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (38)
 
JAY25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Near Archer High School, Ga
Posts: 6,451
HERE IS THE SOLUTION I SEEN IT ON A ANOTHER MAX (MARDIGRASMAX)

HEY BREAUX GO TO GROUPBUYCENTER.COM AND GET THE HARNESS FOR 30.00 SHIPPED AND THEN GO AND GET YOURSELF SOME 100WATTS LIGHT BULBS FROM APC (ON THE NOPI WEBSITE UNDER ACCESSORIES) FOR 25.00 + SHIPPING AND YOUR DONE. I SEEN THIS SETUP ON MATTS CAR, AND IT IS NICE AND BLUE AND VERY BRIGHT. DONT GO BUY PIAA LIKE I DID FOR 85.00 THEY'RE IN MY OPINION A PIECE OF S..., I ORDERED MY HARNESS YESTERDAY AND IT WILL BE HERE NEXT WEEK AND MY WIFE AND MY BOY ARE ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW MUCH BRIGHTER MY LIGHTS WILL BE AND SO THEY CAN GET THEM AS WELL. YOU NEED A HARNESS THEREFOR YOU DONT MELT YOUR STUFF BECAUSE IT WILL IT HAPPENED TO A FRIEND AND IT COST QUITE A FEW BUCKS TO REPLACE AS WELL. TAKE CARE
[IMG]C:\My Documents\My Pictures\MAXORG copy.jpg[/IMG]
JAY25 is offline  
Old 10-19-2001, 06:04 PM
  #6  
Member
 
luvmymax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 40
Re: What's the deal with upgrading the lights?

confused:

Okay, I am confused. I ordered replace headlight bulbs and foglight bulbs. I didn't know anything about a harness. (Sorry, this is my first time with replacing auto lighting.) I bought 60/55W headlight bulbs and 55W foglight bulbs - just like the manual said. Isn't this just a simple bulb replacement? What else do I have to do?

Thanks!
luvmymax

luvmymax is offline  
Old 10-19-2001, 07:47 PM
  #7  
Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Mishmosh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 2,654
Re: Re: What's the deal with upgrading the lights?

Originally posted by luvmymax
[B]confused:
Isn't this just a simple bulb replacement? What else do I have to do?
B]
You are all set. The harness is for those who are going overwatt, ie. 80W and 100W bulbs. Some use these bulbs with the stock setup without problems while others have had their stock wiring melt. I think it is impossible to predict so better to be safe than sorry, I guess. For blue bulbs, getting a higher watt bulb may be beneficial since the blue tint on these certainly will attenuate your output...
Mishmosh is offline  
Old 10-19-2001, 10:49 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
black019's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,317
i got higher wattage bulbs and they worked great. they were 80/100. worked like a charm. my friend got the same wattage bulbs and they blew. so i guess it could go either way. now i have regular watt bulbs that emit brighter than they are.
black019 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rtirbany
Maximas for Sale / Wanted
2
09-08-2015 11:46 AM
Cant_Get_Ryte
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
3
08-28-2015 06:41 AM
Dasmith
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
12
08-25-2015 10:15 PM
MaximaDrvr
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
16
08-19-2015 08:20 PM
doobadoo
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
08-15-2015 06:43 PM



Quick Reply: What's the deal with upgrading the lights?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:03 PM.