Has anyone tried over wattage bulbs in the high beams?

The stock bulbs is an H7 12V 55W bulb.

In some circles (ahemDurangoahem) it is a fairly common mod to replace the high beam bulbs with an overwattage bulb for better lighting. This really helps if you drive fast where there are no street lights since you can see farther ahead.

Has anyone tried this? Can the Z wiring and housing handle a higher wattage?

In my Durango I upgraded to 85 watt high beams and it made a real difference. I chickened out of the 100 watt upgrade for fear of melting something. (disclaimer....of course I always replace the DOT legal bulbs when I drive on public streets.)

If anyone has tried this (off road of course) please let me know what you found out.

100 watt bulbs
http://www.motodepot.com/street/elec...ndlepower.html

100 and 80 watt bulbs
http://www.import-store.com/bike_bulbs.htm

 

I had high wattage bulbs on my motorcycle and they didn't melt.

If you are afraid of them melting then you need to buy an upgrade harness or just provide grounding to your lights better.

 

Mike,

That is only one of the concerns.

Yes, you can get a new socket and upgrade the wires.

But... in SOME cars there have been problems with the stock reflectors or lenses (headlight assembly) sagging after using 100 watt bulbs in a factory assembly.

I am not really worried about the wires or the socket. The wires are plenty big (I check the schematics) and the socket can be easily replaced if it does get cooked. But the headlight assmembly would be expensive to replace if I melt it.

Hey Dweeb, you reading this thread? Aren;t you using 100 watt H7 bulbs? How's that been going?

AndyB