Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Anybody tried the Ford Racing headlight bulbs?

The ONLY thing I can say about APC bulbs is that my low beams and High beams have not gone out on me at all for the past 5 years **knock on wood**, but other than that... THEY ARE SHIZNIT, and not in the good way.

I didn't realize the HIR were available for a reasonable price now, very interesting indeed.

Do the low-beams on a 98+ headlight have a sharp enough cutoff to use these bulbs with all that extra light output? Specifically thinking of using the 9005 substitute into the lowbeams.

you can't spell CRAP without APC

I installed the 9005 subst HIR bulb into my lowbeam today (misread the auction and bought one single bulb instead of a pair).

I'm inclined to believe the claimed light output, it is much much brighter than the other side which is a 9005 modded to fit.

But I'm really afraid the reflector isn't adequate for this bulb (the highbeam one fitted). It's throwing some weird reflections out through the side. I haven't been flashed yet, and I haven't left the city yet either so can't really comment on it further. But we'll see how well they work.

Are you sure you got the real HIR bulbs? Do they say 9011 DOT on them? Like this:


They are made by GE or Toshiba (has patent)

The Koreans also make a 9005 HIR imitation bulb that is buyer beware. True HIR bulbs all originally started out as 9011. The Korean ones aren't any brighter according to a few people on the lighting forums I participate in have said. The eBay guy I got from only sold them in pairs

I'll have to check for that later today.

They are definitely brighter, I don't doubt that.

I purchased from the ebay auction link you posted earlier in the thread.

I'm still not sure why these HID lights cost so darn much? I know for a fact that you can buy an (HID) ballasts and set of bulbs far cheaper with outside lawn kits. Heck, I might just cut down a few old light poles and build a 12volt adapter... LOL J/K

I just checked the bulb, and in the process found the problem.

It is a Toshiba bulb, and it wasn't seated properly when i installed it yesterday hence the weird reflections out the side. The 9005-tabs aren't identical to 9006 so it has to be aligned perfectly when installing - I installed it at dusk last night, did it mostly by feel.

Will have to wait till dark to see how big of a difference these bulbs make.

I've got stuff from StylinConcepts before. They're a good outfit but I've also spent a small fortune trying to see better at night. The best and brightest (without being flashed) are Silverstars 9005 in both high and low beam spots supplimented by PIAA 510 foglights. IMHO. I rarely get flashed with the PIAA's on--they're aimed low, maybe reflection off the pavement. But all in all, the s/s are the best I've had since I've had Contours, maybe 4 years. I love them--I can finally drive at night without overdriving my lights.