Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

November 16, 2011, 09:24:14 PM

Has anyone considered doing this conversion?  The many short-comings of 9004 headlights are well known.  Even at their best, they still suck compared to what's out there.  Since 9007 bulbs have 55 watt low beams (compred to the paltry 45 watt low beams the 9004 bulbs have) it's no surprise they put out a lot more light. 

To convert your T Bird (or Cat) from using 9004 bulbs to using 9007 bulbs, all you would need to do, is remove the tooth at the 6 O'clock position in both bulb sockets and swap the positions of the low beam and ground wires (9007 bulbs have different pin positions than 9004 bulbs) and you're good to go.

The only concern about this conversion I have pertains to getting proper light dispersion out of headlight reflectors and lenses that were designed to be used with a bulb that has horizontal filaments (9004 bulbs), when you swap in bulbs with vertical filaments (9007 bulbs).  The feedback I've seen from people who've converted other types of cars that came from the factory with 9004's has been mostly positive.  They all reported an impressive increase in light output, the only complaint I've seen, is that some reviews complained about a total lack of focus the light beams had after the conversion.  That didn't surprise me considering the fact that their light housings weren't designed to focus light that bulbs with vertical elements emit.

Anyone tried this conversion with one of our cars?  I'd love to hear your feedback.

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #1 – November 16, 2011, 10:32:39 PM

for our cars, i don't know.. but i did this on my buddy's square body dakota and it made a pretty big difference, almost like night and day..

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #2 – November 17, 2011, 11:34:56 PM

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/230510-9004-lights-9007-conversion-write-up-pics.html

It's a maxima converted, but same idea.

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #3 – November 17, 2011, 11:42:15 PM

Yea.  I'v e seen that thread.  What you have to be concerned about though, is how the headlight housing our cars have, wil throw light when you use these vertical filament bulbs.  Our headlamp housings are designed to be used with horizontal filament bulbs.  Just because a Maxima's housings give good light dispersion when 9007's are used, doesn't mean out headlamps will give good light dispersion too.

I bought a pair of Xtravision 9007 bulbs today.  I'm going to do the conversion tomorrow and report back here with my findings.  Hopefully, I'll have good things to say.

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #4 – November 25, 2011, 10:52:28 PM

Apparently you didn't have good things to say?

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #5 – November 25, 2011, 10:57:33 PM

Sorry.  I got busy getting ready for Turkey Day and forgot to post my results.

I did the conversion and the 9007 bulbs didn't exactly blow my socks off.  They're brighter, but not by much.  I went to Advance Auto Parts and bout some driving lights called "Platinum Burners."  Those bright SOB's might have tainted my persoective on the headlights though.  I didn't have to reaim the headlights to avoid blinding oncoming drivers though, so that's good.

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #6 – November 25, 2011, 11:02:58 PM

Have you already rechromed your housings?

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9004 To 9007 Headlight Bulb Conversion

Reply #7 – November 25, 2011, 11:52:40 PM

No.  I haven't.  The housings look to be in fairly good shape.

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