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Recently, Sylvania released a new line of headlamps, called the SilverStar. Still based on a Halogen design, the Sylvania claims the SilverStars are brighter and whiter than run-of-the-mill Halogens and almost as bright as HIDs. They also meet all US and Canadian requirements (FMVSS 108 and CMVSS 108), and standards for visibility, color, and safety. Two of our Jeeps, in particular, were in need of better night-time illumination - stat. We gave Sylvania a call and got them to send us a set for each rig for testing. Both rigs are '97 Jeeps - one a Wrangler and one our Rockbox Cherokee. The Cherokee is what we used for our main testing and what you see here. The SilverStar line is available in both sealed-beam (what our rigs used) and capsules like you'd find in, say, a Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee used an H6054ST and the Wrangler used an H6024ST. Installation is very straight-forward. We always joke about some companies including instructions that merely say "Remove old part. Install new part." Well, that's pretty much the deal here. It's a headlight, afterall. On the Cherokee, a Phillips head screwdriver is the only tool you'll need. For a Wrangler, you'll need a T-15 Torx driver. What is important to note, though, is that once you are finished installing the headlights, be sure to adjust them properly so they hit the road evenly and at the right distance. Too often, four-wheelers lift their rigs but never aim their headlights back down and end up blinding everyone that comes toward them. Don't forget this step! This can be done on an empty, dark road with the help of a Phillips head screwdriver. You can also pull up to a wall or garage door to make sure that they are even.
Our test was conducted on a clear night. We installed one SilverStar on the passenger side of the Cherokee and left the cleaned Halogen in the driver side. The Halogen was a Wagner, not a Sylvania. We then headed out to a dark area to see the difference. In the photos above, you can clearly see the difference. These photos are untouched. We did not put any filters on them or vary the lightness, contrast or color. In both photos it is plain to see the difference in the headlights. The Halogen looks dimmer and has a yellowish/brownish tint to it, whereas the SilverStar really did burn brighter and whiter. We headed to a parking lot and installed the other SilverStar and headed back out.
According to Sylvania, SilverStars burn at 4000K, which is nearly as white as standard HIDs which burn at 4100K. For comparison-sake, standard Halogen bulbs burn at 3200K and daylight is 5400K. HID systems can run $500-1000 or more to convert a non-equipped vehicle. The SilverStars we are running in our two Jeeps cost about $50 per pair, compared to roughly $30-35 for Halogens. When you look at the cost differences and the huge benefits of the SilverStars, there's simply no question as to which headlights to buy - the Sylvania SilverStar. Note: The following bulb models are coming
soon...H1 H3 880 893 9145 9040 9055
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If
there is one part on just about every 4x4 ever built that needs
upgrading, it's the headlights. Sure, some of the high-buck SUVs
today come with fancy-schmancy Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge)
lights, but most-likely, you aren't driving one of those on the
trails. We know we sure aren't!
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