low beam headlight mod??

[sly fox]

I remeber reading a post awhile back where there were some instructions on how to replace the bulb that went into the low beam on the headlights with a high beam silverstar. Does anyone have the instructions or know where i can find a how to on this subject. I have searched on numerous occasions but I haven't found anything. Maybe I'm not using the right words in the search area, but any help would be greaty appreciated.

[JoeyK]

For what year & make/ model of car? Your '02 has but one headlight bulb per side. High/ low combo.

[Big Joe]

I think ur thinking of the mod for 92-98 grand ams. Its completly different for your car.

[sly fox]

Sorry about not posting the year and makewas kinda in a hurry. Its an 02 grand am, but maybe the mod was for the 92-98s. I thought there might have been a way to make the park lights brigther?

[bandit307]

Why would u want to make the parking lights brighter?

[nice96gt]

Yep it was for 92-98. I've done this. 99+ can't do it since they only have 1 bulb like it was mentioned earlier.

[VanishingImage]

think you have to switch out the bulb connector for a 9005 bulb connector??

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by nice96gt
Yep it was for 92-98. I've done this. 99+ can't do it since they only have 1 bulb like it was mentioned earlier.
So this doesn't make your lights illegally bright, though Ryan? I know there's the diffuser there on the low beams, but the high beam bulbs are both higher wattage and they are missing the "cap" at the top of the bulb as well.

I've thought about doing this but always thought it would make the lights too bright...

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
think you have to switch out the bulb connector for a 9005 bulb connector??
Yeah I think that's it, just change the connector on the car-side so that it can fit a 9005 (high beam) bulb and just put the 9005 in place of the 9006. That's all there is to it I belive. Rememver to solder, heatshrink (and insulspray for good measure) the wiring work to be sure that the connection is secure and long-lasting and that moisture doesn't get in corroding the wiring and impeding electrical flow...

[red98grandamse]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
Yeah I think that's it, just change the connector on the car-side so that it can fit a 9005 (high beam) bulb and just put the 9005 in place of the 9006. That's all there is to it I belive. Rememver to solder, heatshrink (and insulspray for good measure) the wiring work to be sure that the connection is secure and long-lasting and that moisture doesn't get in corroding the wiring and impeding electrical flow...


NO, you do not change the entire connector out.....


all you have to do is modify the low beam connector with an exacto knife to make the high beam bulb physically fit the connector.

Its kinda hard to describe... but if you look at the low beam connector, its oval, but with a slotted spot on one of the flat sides. all you do is smooth out that slooted part, and the high bream bulb fits perfectly... I did this 2 years ago, and it still works perfectly.
I've also done this for a few cavis and another 4th gen GA local, and never had a prob with any of them.:)

However, as said before, this will not work for 99+ as they have both the highbeam and low beam housed in one 9007 bulb, where the 92-98s have a 9006 for the lows and a 9005 for the highs.

[Big Joe]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
So this doesn't make your lights illegally bright, though Ryan? I know there's the diffuser there on the low beams, but the high beam bulbs are both higher wattage and they are missing the "cap" at the top of the bulb as well.

I've thought about doing this but always thought it would make the lights too bright...



no cause there still pointed down where as highs are pointed up.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by red98grandamse
NO, you do not change the entire connector out.....

all you have to do is modify the low beam connector with an exacto knife to make the high beam bulb physically fit the connector.
Ahh, okay I see. You could still change the connector to the proper one for a 9005 bulb but if it's as easy as cutting the connector slightly, I guess that's a lot quicker :)

[DontPassTheFence]

Ah yes here I come to throw in my 2 cents. The 9006 to 9005 bulb swap on the 92-98 GAs is the BEST mod you can ever do. The low beams are brighter, physically brighter, by about 20 more watts, or some such number like that. And its not illegally, its safe, easy, and practical (unless you dont like light?)

Ive had this mod in place ever since I bought my car. Almost 2 years now, and I still have the same 4 Silvania Silverstar 9005 bulbs on my GT. And who says silverstars dont last :D even with the DRLs on 24/7 !

[VanishingImage]

well I don't have DRL's now:D my little secret.


actually not really,just cut and snip a couple wires,electrical taped them up. No more lights on during the day. Other Grand Am owners that pass me look at me like,how the hell,his lights aren't on!?:lol:

[ramairgt2]

This mod works for my 91 grand am btw.

[PontiacGA]

Originally posted by DontPassTheFence

And who says silverstars dont last :D even with the DRLs on 24/7 !

I do. :lol: They last at max about 6 months in my Vibe, both headlights and driving lights. Only ones that last longer are the parking lights.:(

Anyway, may try this mod on the GA, even thought the silverstars low beams are bright.:)

[red98grandamse]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
Ahh, okay I see. You could still change the connector to the proper one for a 9005 bulb but if it's as easy as cutting the connector slightly, I guess that's a lot quicker :)

It also saves you from having to go get a 9005 connector from the junkyard:).. and you can pop a 9006 right back on with no work to put the old connector back on :) It makes the connector youve got nice and universal.