I have been looking at doing a headlight conversion for the "Fouled XJ" for some time now. When we purchased it from a guy who works at Daniel Defense in Statesboro, GA, it had came with Sylvania Halogen sealed beam headlights, which the sealed beam are standard on the Cherokee. I don't know how many of you out there have the Sylvania Silver-star headlights on your vehicles but I have them on my other two and these things are awesome. They really light up the road and if you live in the country, they really help you out with deer and other critters running out in the road.
There are many aftermarket kits out there for the Cherokee, specifically the HID/LED kits that cost over $100 and take possibly several hours to install. So after doing some research, I found that Sylvania has the Silver-Star headlights in sealed beam. I went to out local auto parts store to order some but luckily they had a pair on the shelf. So I had them cross referenced them as the store book only went back to 2000 on vehicles. They were the right ones and I was out the door at $53.00 with my rewards card. Once we got home, I went to work.
The Cherokee headlight bezels have two phillips head screws to remove at the top corners. The bottom is held in place with plastic slots that fit in the headlight housing.
The gray tab on the back, push toward the bulb to loosen the tension and disconnect from the bulb.
With new bulb ready to install, place a small amount of bulb grease or silicon grease on the connectors. It makes it easier to slide the plug back on. The previous owner didn't apply it so they were a bit hard to get off.
Total installation took around 20 minutes with me snapping pictures. So I waited till it got dark and this is the result.
Low Beam
High Beam
Since the Cherokee lights have to be manually adjusted with two screws in the headlight assembly, I adjusted them as good as I could and went for a drive. I figure I have them adjusted right so if I pass cars on the road and nobody flashes me thinking I have my high beams on. Well no body did, I had great vision on the road, so it's parked for the night.
As I mentioned in my post Christmas post, I was planning on making a second get-home bag, well here it is. Notice how much more room you have in the back of a Cherokee vice a Wrangler. I don't know how many of you out there troll Craigslist and see what used wranglers cost. OMG, these sellers have been smoking some serious pot. Go look for yourself.
Bag, boots, fouled weather jacket, first-aid kit
How many of you out there have thought having a tool kit or box in your vehicle for those cases when you cant get your car started or have to change a belt/hose. I have two Craftsman brand tool boxes and if you have them, you know they cost quite a bit. Yes, they are awesome tools with a great warranty on them, but I chose to buy a set from Harbor Freight. Hell, it was only $37. All my specialty tools for working on cars is from Harbor Freight. Why would I go by a Craftsman torque wrench in 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 sizes, that would be several hundred dollars when I got all 3 sizes from them for about $50 from Harbor Freight. They might not be a fraction off on torque specifications but what difference does it make? LOL, like we haven't heard that before. . I don't use them everyday like a auto mechanic would so why spend all that money? Once again, just my two cents......
Well until next time, buy a real safe, not a thin-ass gun cabinet from Stack-on.
Senior
Harbor Freight is awesome for the home mechanic although you can still find good deals at Sears on occasion. Picked up my 3 ton jack, jack stands and a creeper as a set for just under $100 last November.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sears does still have sales from time to time. I have bought a floor jack, 2 sets of jack stands, a creeper from them, just don't have the creeper anymore. Doesn't work that well on gravel.
ReplyDeleteSenior,
ReplyDeleteThe weather people can't get anything correct when reporting. We analyze all the incoming information and use the satellites to determine what type of weather were going to have. We picked up 2 inches of snow, nothing to write home about. It melted off, now we have red mud everywhere.
I like those silver-star headlights!!!
We shop at Harbor Freight and don't stress about the tools if they break or get stolen.
Sending hugs and love to you, JUGM, and your Boys.
Sandy
Go get you some Silver-Star headlights, you will be amazed at the difference over stock bulbs. That's why I bought those tools. We don't have the red mud everywhere but the ground here will take time to dry out, it is all mushy around here.
DeleteCraigslist for jeeps! I've been trolling for about a year, and a Wrangler rust bucket with no motor will get listed for $2K. No way....
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I stop by Craigslist several times a week and see the prices. I wasn't so bad for the older cherokee's, but now they are starting to have outrageous prices too.
DeleteI am glad you survived the great storm. We got 6" and have not been above freezing yet. Weatherunderground.com actually got it right. I compare them to the weather guessers in Charlotte as well. Deer roast in the crockpot as we speak. Yum,yum.
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Jeff C. In NC
Glad you survived with some good food, enjoy.
DeleteThe wife saved a funny snap shot of one of the Charlotte weather guessers. Send me an email if you want a copy of it.
DeleteNOAA weather, broadcasting from Brass Town Bald mountain, was saying they didn't know what was going to happen right up until Friday. I have never heard them do that before! They just said something to the effect that "the models" were not definitive and to tune in later for more information. I guess that's better than making something up and presenting it as gospel.
ReplyDeleteLike the headlights. I just have standard as issued on my Cherokee.
Hey, at least you had a honest report. I could have still used the standard lights and I kept them for back-ups, I just like the way these bulbs light up the road.
DeleteSwitched over to the winter get home bag last month. I have a small Craftsman set in the truck because I got them on sale years ago...LOL
ReplyDeleteI have two separate tool kits from Sears, one was mine, other was dad's. I just cant bring myself to put them in the vehicles, especially dad's kit. Maybe sentimental value I guess.
ReplyDelete