As promised, heres the comparison. I might as well do a little DIY on changing the bulb while im at it, even though it is terribly easy.

First, here a couple of picture after I put all the wire loom in place, looks a million times better. For those who were asking about wiring loom, its the black ribbed 'tubes' that enclose the wires and keep them safe, and improve appearance.







One of these lights are 55w, and the other is 100w. can you tell a difference? There is a difference in person, pictures wont tell, but I will. The 100w has a bit brighter light, and is much wider and broader. BTW, 100w is on the right.



On to it. Today we are changing our 55w lights, to 100w bulbs for better eye performance at night. Also adds 5 HP at WOT.



Ok, so pull light out of the housing, just like when you grounded the lights. turn it over, and should get something like this.



There is a metal spring retainer that holds that bulb in place. Squeeze, and pull the clip out of pockets.





After rolling clip out of your way, pull the bub out. DO NOT TOUCH ACTUAL BULB!!! Any halogen bulb do not touch, the grease from your fingers will heat to 463.8 degrees, and melt the bulb. Not very pretty.

Grab your new bulb. My new bulbs came with a little hump on one side of the round plate. notice on the right hand side of the metal round plate.



Cut it, I did. whats it there for? it wont fit in your lights. i say again, cut it.



re install light, into housing. Put retainer clip back, and reinstall lights in your truck.

Plug back in, and hit the road. hope you enjoyed!

 

The back of my Hellas look nothing like that. My retainer spring is different and I had to cut nothing when I installed my 100 watt bulbs. I didnt have to cut anything when I put in my current 150 watt bulbs. Must be a couple of versions of the Hellas. Mine are the 500FF Running lights...

 

Good write up 04-fourseven. Looks good and, yes you can tell by the pics that the right one is 100w. Nice

 

You aint nothin but right 04, nothin but right. And Im glad to know Im right about something every now-n-then (wire looming) I would def have to go with the 100w's, much wider beam it seems. Good stuff buddy, 'perciate it

 

nice 04 looks like i might have to upgrade...

 

Good write up and all, but if you think you can just swap a 100w bulb in place of the stock 55w bulb your sadly mistaken. Something will either short or melt given time. The stock Hella wiring they supply with their standard 500 series 55w lights are merely 18awg wire at best, maybe a cheesy grade 16awg??. That's only enough for the 55w bulbs. You need at least 14awg wire and a 20amp fuse in order for everything to be kosher on 100w bulbs. remember, your drawing 200watts out of the switch and power feed, nearly double from before.

 

he already wired them for 100 watt bulbs if you read his other post. he has 12 gauge wire and a 30 amp fuse i believe

 

Dirty, IIRC in his other thread he said he upgraded to 14ga wire. I may be mistaken though. Good info none-the-less. You sure do know your electricity stuff dont ya? Now I know who to bug in the future

EDIT got beat to it....... either way good info from all parties.....

 

How much were the 100 watters, I am wired for them just havent gone out and bought them. Good write up.

 

Dirty, can I just catch a break from you every once in a while?! ha, lol. When I did my installation, I went with 14 gauge wiring, with a 30A rocker, and a 30A in line fuse. I knew I would want to upgrade, and be a little better than stock. Can never keep something the way it came, of course.

I saved a few errands for tonight, and realized how much I really like those danged lights. I ran with them on and no headlights for a minute, then lit the street up with all four. They work great.

Alpheus. My lights are not the FF series. These are the regular 500 series driving lights. At first, I tried to bend the hump up, then realized I was wasting my time with those dikes staring me in the face.

I think I might need to start beefing my electrical system up because im running my winch, radar detector, lights and stereo off of my battery. Think its too much? lol possibly an upgraded alternator.