1993 facelift XJS Coupe: Car is equipted with H-4 bulbs, I assume factory original. I would like to maximize the light output of the headlights by changing the bulbs or modifying the lamps. I am throughly confused on what to buy to maximize the headlight output and need direction. Your help appreciated.

 

Buy a new quad light set up

 

One of the issues with older lights, especially the euro lights, is the reflective surface can flake off. You can find some chrome type paints to fix it.


My opinion don't put quads in it.

 

Replacing the old H4s with more modern version of the same bulb will help a great deal. Philips and others make H4s with nearly double the light boutput of the previous generation. for instance:

Greg

 

I put the new SilverStar zXe's (their new top of the SilverStar line with Xenon) in my 4.0 when a bulb went out on a trip and WOW what a difference even compared to my first generation SilverStars that was in it. When I got home I changed out my 6.0 cars 2nd Generation SilverStar Ultras with the zXe bulbs and again a noticeable difference. Have them in all my vehicles now.

$50 for a pair available a most larger auto parts stores or Amazon.

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produc...rstar-zxe.aspx

 

Quads are out of the question because of cost and change of car appearance, Do not think flaking a problem because car was garaged most of its life.Trying to research this question I came across Xenon bulbs that are driven by ballasts and a power supply. They cost about $50.00 and come in a kit. How do they compare in reference to your recommendations?
I did thank you all for your imput. All of it was very helpful

 

In the UK and EU generally, these are called HID kits and are illegal without self-levelling headlights being fitted. Having said that lots of people fit them and they do give a great deal more light. I toyed with the idea, but in the end fear of yet more electrical complexity deterred me, and the new H4 light bulbs I mentioned made the lights quite bright enough. Also, a duff bulb is an easy bulb-change fix, while a failed HID system is a major pain.

Greg

 

Yeah new bulbs can make all the difference. Just check on the flaking. Look at your lights, are they silver inside or a bronze/orange color? The darker colour was used as a primer and remains after the reflective surface goes away.

My lights were like this when I got the car, and it had sat still in a garage for 13 years.

 

I posted it earlier but Sylvania now makes a bulb called the SilverStar zXe which is a xenon bulb made to fit many stock applications without any special ballast or wiring or anything. Just plug them in. $50 for a pair from most larger auto parts stores or Amazon.

 

As Greg has mentioned, the Philips Xtreme bulb is a great improvement on light intensity at a very cheap cost. It's been my preferred route on a number of cars, including my Jaguars.

Paul

 

In the black area at the very bottom of the page click on FAQ under Customer Service and you will find all the info you would ever want on HID systems. I would have copied it, but it is copyrighted. Go to: http://www.wholesalehid.com/?gclid=C...FdcYgQod-D0Aig

Another interesting description of how to install a HID lighting system on an XK8 can be found at https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-99-xk8-88121/ The actual installation is described, with pictures, at Xenon_HID_Kit_Fitment_Guide_XK8.pdf

So there you have it. After considering everyone's info I think Greg's plan was best for me, but I will check the reflector for defects and will not go with quads.

Again thanks to you all. I went into this question with little knowledge and through your efforts I feel very confident on my approach to lighting.

 

Before I finally got tired of the facelift XJS' disastrous headlight design, the last headlight lamps I was using were the Sylvania Silver Star Ultra lamps. They were (are) the best of the halogen lamps available for the XJS, but the problem for me was that they were lasting one year at best and they're not cheap. And, even with those Silver Stars installed, my XJS headlights still projected a beam that's just simply not up to par with most car's headlights, like when I drive either my XJR or my wife's little Z3 at night they illuminate the road far better than my XJS with Silver Stars.

Well, no more because I installed a set of HID headlights and now the road in front looks beautifully illuminated, no comparison. Plus, the price of the HID set was almost the same as the price of a new pair of the Silver Stars that I was replacing once a year. It's a win-win situation.

And, BTW, I truly believe that putting a set of quad lights on a facelift XJS will take it back in time, i.e. upset the beautiful and smart facelift design upgrade by inserting in the picture something that makes it look older.

Cheers,

 

How difficult was the installation, please, and the wiring? Also was where did you locate the converter boxes?

Thanks
Greg

 

Greg
This is for the XK8: Xenon_HID_Kit_Fitment_Guide_XK8.pdf; I too am interested in the installation in the XJS

This seller gives a life time warranty on the system: http://www.wholesalehid.com/?gclid=CKaJ_KWHksUCFdcYgQod-D0Aig

 

I've never had that problem (short life) with the SilverStars but my brother had a 2004 Dodge Ram Hemi Super-Sport edition 4x4 and even though it was a 4x4 the ground effects came really close to the ground and it had some axillary driving lights mounted really low on an air-dam and seemed he had to replace one side or the other about once a year. I chalked it up to the ground effects being kinda flimsy down that low and him living on a rough road. Then when they came out with the next generation (the SilverStar Ultras) he changed to those and stopped having the problem with them burning out so often, they lasted about 3 years between changes. Now that was only on the ground effects, his main headlamps never burned out during all that time. He traded his truck before they came out with the new top of the line which is the zXe but he has them in his new Camaro and they are holding up good, including down in his ground effects.

After I tried the first pair of zXe's which was after an almost 6 year old SilverStar Ultra bulb went out on one of my cars during a trip (6 years isn't a bad lifespan, and I drive a lot). I liked the zXe's so much that I put them in all my vehicles, ironically including a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy-Duty Cummins Diesel, same year as my brothers old truck though mine sits up higher and my axillary diving lights are actually mounted in the metal part of the bumper and not down scraping the ground on a flimsy ground effect piece, and haven't had one go out yet.

 

Here are some posts on the legality of HIDs in Texas. Quite a bit of desention on what is legal and not legal. In Texas, I assume, they are legal if you have xenon reflectors. Is that the way you read it? Take a look: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...-lights.83185/
The next question is, where can you buy xenon reflectors for a 22 year old car/??????

 

Installation is easy. These sets come with everything you need, including lamp, relay, ballast and cables. I have them installed on my '94 XJS and on my '02 XJR. In the case of the XJS, the system comes complete for both, high and low beams. Precise aim adjustment is paramount. Just point them at a wall and don't allow them to shine above a normal hood/bonnet height on the wall.

Any questions, just ask.

Cheers,

 

They are built into some bulbs like the SilverStar and other stock-replacement Xenon bulbs from major manufactures but don't know about adding HID kits like from eBay, I have seen some with them and some without them.

 

I forgot this, Greg.
Relevant Websites and eBay, all over, really.

Cheers,

 

I took SouthernGypsy's suggestion and ordered the Sylvania SilverStar zXe bulbs from Amazon. I'm pretty sure my facelift headlights have factory bulbs, which are pathetic. I'll install one side at a time and then post pictures so you can compare the difference. I'm VERY excited about upgrading my lights. I live in the country so our roads are dark and these stock headlights don't cut it by any means. When I drive my XJR, which has factory headlights, the difference is huge. I can only imagine what I'd think if I upgraded the XJR too. But I'm pretty happy with those factory lights.