Tom

I know the BMW E36 conversion is the preferred headlight mod, but I was wondering if anybody has installed a 9007 bulb in their 3rd gen?

A lot of 4th gen people have done it as I've found the thread.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=312531&pp=30

I've been out of the country (in Japan, actually) and have been driving a 2006 Toyota Noah with HID headlights. Needless to say, the headlights on it are awesome.

When I get back home, I'm going to hate driving my Maxima at night. Living in the Northwest, the nights are pretty long during the winter months.


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Michael

iTrader: (21)

I have and it is a huge improvement. The guy I sold my car to had run 80/100 Watt 9004s with an upgraded harness and he said my 9007 with stock wattage was much better than even his higher wattage bulbs. Very worth while thing to do considering it just costs the price of the bulbs.

heresmymind

spend 170$ for depo or zkw e36's on ebay. (euro glas lense w/ projecter) and the light output is perfect. than you can always upgrade to hid's when you get an extra 200$. the mod really isnt hard at all. 9007's are brighter. but because of the filament postion you have to aim your headlights really low so you don't blind on coming traffic

-b

Michael

iTrader: (21)

and you know this because you did it?

I had to aim my lights a little differently (I think I went up with mine but cant remember...it may have been down) but even after adjusting my lights correctly (following the FSM) the light output was far superior to my old lights and blew away the USDM E36s as well. it illuminates the signs, the road and the side of the road very well without blinding other drivers. I tested it to make sure by following my wife and also by passing her.

so I am not sure where you got your data from but in MY experience it isnt correct.

For a cheap far superior light output to the 9004s do the 9007.

For the BEST light out put (but much more expensive) buy some ZKW (or DEPO) E36 projector and put HIDs in them and be truly happy. It takes a LOT more work to make them look right though...sure you can just slap them in and be OK but it takes some work to make them truly look factory and for someone like me that is very imprortant.

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

You can't get ZKWs for $170 on ebay, unless they are used. Usually they advertise "ZKW type" lights which are really DEPOs or DJ Autos.

heresmymind

YeahI had 9007's in my old stock headlights. and i converted my dads 98 pathfinder to 9007's. had to aim them down. the filaments are vertical i think or horizontal. dont remember. but they are the opposite of 9004's. I had 9007 halo brand ebay headlights 100 watt. they were amazing but nothing compares to the projecters with 3000k hids. ill send pics tonight.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

i did it to my 4th gen which has 9004s...its really easy....u just got to swap around 2 wires low beam and ground...its easier to buy new sockets from az...then grind the nub off the headlight to accomodate the 9007....but i made a whole new wiring harness with relays and such....i used JSUtters thread as a guide...

aminus21

iTrader: (14)

I read somewhere that its better to buy/make a new harness so u can use higher wattage bulbs if desired..I remember seeing a ready made harness for sale somewhere on the internet..cant remember right now..
can someone follow up?

heresmymind

http://www.geocities.com/craigbrace/

How to:
Make your own harness:

does make a big difference. I did it for my hid's cause the start up on them draws alot of wattage.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

I just run quaity bulbs and I can see the difference in light output

heresmymind

Ill take a pic of the light output tonight when its dark.

heresmymind

89blackse

iTrader: (2)

+1
I use the Silverstar bulbs.

Far better than the standard ones. I think its better than my other maxima with 9007 bulbs.

paesantom

forget the 9007s just buy a set of HIDs way brighter than anything else. i have a pair lumineia HIDs and thats the best way to go if you want bright headlights. got mine for 200$$ 6000k

Tom

I'd like to keep my highbeams.

es_amixam

iTrader: (9)

I did a 9007 upgrade+a 12-gauge harness and the difference in light output is phenomenal. Just perfect for those long hauls at night.

heresmymind

they do make bi xenon hid kits with a built in reflector to reduce glare to oncoming traffic.

Tom

Thanks (from a fellow Washingtonian). I enjoyed looking at your car domain page also.

Where did you buy your harness?

Locally or over the web?

es_amixam

iTrader: (9)

I made my own harness using a 12-gauge extension cord bought from Fred Meyer, and bulb sockets and relays from Schuck's. I customized the sockets by directly inserting the 12-gauge wires so that I would have the least resistance in the circuit.

Halley66

So where do I find the E36 headlights to do this conversion? I want to make sure and get the right ones and also a link to do the mounting bracket mod...