fossten
Dedicated LVC Member
Okay, for you guys like me who might be a little light in the wallet and don't want to drop a grand for freakin' headlights, here is some info you might like:
I emailed Daniel Stern Lighting Consultants after visiting their website. The site has detailed instructions about how to re-wire your headlights for maximum output. You can even purchase a kit (minus the wire itself) from him for around $50 or $60 to do it.
This guy is really helpful. I'm going to give him my business b/c it looks like I can re-do the whole system myself for about $150.
Here is the email and the response I got:
(my email)
I am very interested in purchasing a relay installation kit for my Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993. I just am not sure which one on your list fits my car. I would also like ordering information.
(response)
Ah, the '93 Lincoln Mark VIII. Yes. I understand exactly why you need a relay kit -- those headlamps are awful! A relay kit will help, but there are two other things you must do, as well:
1) Make sure the headlamps themselves are in good condition. The reflector shiny stuff has a tendency to peel and flake, and the lenses cloud up and go yellow. Your reflectors need to be "new mirror" perfect and the lenses must be sparkly clear. If they're not, replace the headlamp assemblies.
2) Install bulbs that produce more light; i.e., the new 9011 HIR bulbs.The new bulbs are not some tinted or overwattage version of 9005, but rather employ a relatively new technology called HIR, Halogen Infrared.
The mechanical dimensions of the bulb are all virtually identical to the 9005, but the bulb glass is spherical instead of tubular, with the sphere centered around the filament. There is a "Durable IR Reflective" coating on the spherical glass. Infrared = heat, so the coating causes heat to be reflected back to the filament at the center of the sphere. This causes the filament to become much hotter (producing more light) than it can by passing electricity through it, *without* the shorter life or greater heat production that comes with overwattage bulbs (to say nothing of overwattage bulbs' incompatibility with stock wiring.)
Here's the comparison:
stock: 9005, 12.8V, 65W, 1700 lumens, 320 hours
new: 9011, 12.8V, 65W, 2530 lumens, 320 hours
So, about 49 percent more light. They work in the high and in the low beam. These bulbs are spendy - $34/ea - but their cost is worth considering in context: Any number of companies will charge you more than this for a tarted-up 9005 with blue colored glass (PIAA and Sylvania Silverstar come to mind) that doesn't produce more light and has a very short lifespan.
The HIR bulbs have a double-wide top ear on the plastic bulb base, this is to comply with the law requiring different bulbs to have different bases. The extra-wide plastic top ear is easily trimmed or filed to make the bulb fit your headlamp's bulb receptacle. Once that's done, they go directly into the headlamp, and the existing sockets snap on.
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
Please indicate:
The quantity of each item you wish
The type of shipping you wish
(UPS trackable ground shipping is standard; all UPS service levels are
available)
The address to which you want the items shipped (if different from billing
address)
Whether the UPS driver has permission to leave the parcel at your doorstep
if you are not available to accept it in person.
You may voicemail or fax your order toll-free on 1-866-861-8668. Please
note this is a recorded orderline only. If you wish to speak to me in
person, please use 416-766-2327.
Orders may also be sent via e-mail to: dastern@torque.net
We accept Visa and Mastercard. Orders are processed securely.
Whatever method you use, the following information is required in order to
process a credit card order:
Card type
Card number
Expiry date
Your name as it appears on the card
Billing address
Phone number
Please don't forget to include a note (such as a printout of our e-mail)
stating exactly which items you are ordering, and where you wish them
sent.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
DS
I emailed Daniel Stern Lighting Consultants after visiting their website. The site has detailed instructions about how to re-wire your headlights for maximum output. You can even purchase a kit (minus the wire itself) from him for around $50 or $60 to do it.
This guy is really helpful. I'm going to give him my business b/c it looks like I can re-do the whole system myself for about $150.
Here is the email and the response I got:
(my email)
I am very interested in purchasing a relay installation kit for my Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993. I just am not sure which one on your list fits my car. I would also like ordering information.
(response)
Ah, the '93 Lincoln Mark VIII. Yes. I understand exactly why you need a relay kit -- those headlamps are awful! A relay kit will help, but there are two other things you must do, as well:
1) Make sure the headlamps themselves are in good condition. The reflector shiny stuff has a tendency to peel and flake, and the lenses cloud up and go yellow. Your reflectors need to be "new mirror" perfect and the lenses must be sparkly clear. If they're not, replace the headlamp assemblies.
2) Install bulbs that produce more light; i.e., the new 9011 HIR bulbs.The new bulbs are not some tinted or overwattage version of 9005, but rather employ a relatively new technology called HIR, Halogen Infrared.
The mechanical dimensions of the bulb are all virtually identical to the 9005, but the bulb glass is spherical instead of tubular, with the sphere centered around the filament. There is a "Durable IR Reflective" coating on the spherical glass. Infrared = heat, so the coating causes heat to be reflected back to the filament at the center of the sphere. This causes the filament to become much hotter (producing more light) than it can by passing electricity through it, *without* the shorter life or greater heat production that comes with overwattage bulbs (to say nothing of overwattage bulbs' incompatibility with stock wiring.)
Here's the comparison:
stock: 9005, 12.8V, 65W, 1700 lumens, 320 hours
new: 9011, 12.8V, 65W, 2530 lumens, 320 hours
So, about 49 percent more light. They work in the high and in the low beam. These bulbs are spendy - $34/ea - but their cost is worth considering in context: Any number of companies will charge you more than this for a tarted-up 9005 with blue colored glass (PIAA and Sylvania Silverstar come to mind) that doesn't produce more light and has a very short lifespan.
The HIR bulbs have a double-wide top ear on the plastic bulb base, this is to comply with the law requiring different bulbs to have different bases. The extra-wide plastic top ear is easily trimmed or filed to make the bulb fit your headlamp's bulb receptacle. Once that's done, they go directly into the headlamp, and the existing sockets snap on.
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
Please indicate:
The quantity of each item you wish
The type of shipping you wish
(UPS trackable ground shipping is standard; all UPS service levels are
available)
The address to which you want the items shipped (if different from billing
address)
Whether the UPS driver has permission to leave the parcel at your doorstep
if you are not available to accept it in person.
You may voicemail or fax your order toll-free on 1-866-861-8668. Please
note this is a recorded orderline only. If you wish to speak to me in
person, please use 416-766-2327.
Orders may also be sent via e-mail to: dastern@torque.net
We accept Visa and Mastercard. Orders are processed securely.
Whatever method you use, the following information is required in order to
process a credit card order:
Card type
Card number
Expiry date
Your name as it appears on the card
Billing address
Phone number
Please don't forget to include a note (such as a printout of our e-mail)
stating exactly which items you are ordering, and where you wish them
sent.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
DS
