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There's way too much involved. I looked into this some months back and it was too much bother. Afterwards I learned it was just as well I didn't do this anyway (see below). The big issue for me is the complexity involved with headlamp wipers. Wipers can not be used with the plastic lens of xenon headlamps (scratches) which is why xenon-equipped vehicles use high-pressure washer nozzles instead. I suppose you could simply disable the wipers, but there's a lot more wiring, etc to install the high pressure nozzles.
My suggestion is to look into Code-E headlamps from Europe, although these are not legal in the US - only lamps labeled DOT. Code-E have a much better lighting pattern and I'll probably go with these myself some day.
See
http://www.swedishbricks.net/700900FAQ/Electrical-LightingHorns1.html#Euro-Code%20Headlamps
for some info on this. I personally wouldn't try higher watt bulbs and cheap fixes - you just asking for problems.
Warning flame bait: BTW, don't believe the hype on xenons. Xenons throw a lot more light to the side and you will definitely see a LOT more detail up close, however, your vision out at a distance is probably not as good. Eyes work differently at night time & day time (rods & cones thing), and yellower light is better for viewing at distances, esp. in poor visibily conditions. That's why professional rally drivers often have a set of yellow fogs. Xenons have more glare which causes reduced vision in rain, fog, etc. You'll find plenty of reports offering 'proof' of better vision with Xenons, however, ALL those reports/studies are financed the lighting industry (Phillips, etc) which would prefer if we all switched to expensive xenons. All companies must constantly reinvent their product to convince people why their technology, whether that is diapers, toothbrushes, brake pads, or lights, is better than everything else.
I do agree that xenons offer more light up-close and you'll see a lot more detail but the improvement (that I've seen riding in friends xenon-equipped cars) isn't worth the issues with long-distance vision in low-visibility conditions. People assume that just because you're seeing near-distance objects much better that your long-distance vision has also improved. side-by-side comparison.
Maybe someone on this board has a 2-saab family with both types of lights and would do a side-by-side comparison. Surely someone out here could perform this test on a long street and let us know what the results are (in a variety of conditions).
When a government study comes out telling me that xenons are better overall, I'll believe it. I tend not to believe 'studies' which are nothing more than marketing in disguise.
How much does it cost to replace/repair a burned-out xenon? I know they last for years, but how much will they cost when you do have to replace them? Definitely a lot more than the $10 bulb.
Good Luck,
KevinH
posted by 68.49.22...
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