fog bulbs!

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Old May 23, 2011 | 10:07 AM
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fog bulbs!

What's the best and brightest fog light bulbs besides hids? Too many to choose from so I'm going off of opinions and experience from you guys. Thanks, nic.
 
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Old May 23, 2011 | 11:01 AM
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the high beam bulbs for Chevrolet works,.. i forgot which model and bulb number. but they are a 65 watt compared to stock 45
 
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Old May 23, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
As not to have to modify the bulb base ( or force it into place ), and make sure the seal is still intact, why not just use a 9155 bulb ?

The factory (I think) is 9140 which is 40W
The next step up in Silver Star bulbs is the 9145, which is 45 W
The 9155 is a 55W bulb.

All 3 of these bulbs use a PY20d bulb base, so the bulb will seat correctly in the fog lamp housing, and provide no chance of moisture getting into the fog lamp housing.
 
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:49 PM
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wow, really?

https://www.f150online.com/forums/il...ulb-guide.html

Originally Posted by Raptor05121



Fog lights

So, you want to increase the light output down under to fill in the black hole? You've come to the right place. Here I will let you know what is and isn't safe to run in your truck.

Most vehicles come with either the 9140 or 9145 bulb (see chart above). The only difference between the two is wattage output. The 9140 puts out 40W of power, and the 9145 puts out 45W of power with 900 and 1100 lumens, respectively. There is a reason for this madness: HEAT. Chances are, you have a plastic fog light assembly. If so, you want to stay ~20% within OEM specs to avoid melting your lights and possible risk of fire. For vehicles with larger or metal housings, you can safely swap larger bulbs.

Now, if you scroll up and look at the bases of bulb, you will see the 9005, 9006 and 9100 series fog lamps all share the same base. WRONG. They are all different (9140, 9145, and 9155 share the same base). BUT. They are SLIGHTLY different. So with some force and dexterity, you will be able to put and bulb in any socket. For example, if you have a 9145 45W bulb, you CAN fit a 65W 9005 bulb in the same socket. The only difference is a slight off-adjustment of one of the three retainer lines (see above). However, you must be careful.

Vehicles equipped with plastic, round fogs (2006-2011 F-150, exc. Raptor) should not install bulbs over 45W of power! Since they come with 9140, a 9145 would be a good swap. Do not install 9155, 9005, or 9006 bulbs, you WILL melt your housings![/b]

Trucks with the rectangular (2004-2005) or metal housings (STX) are free to increase to highest wattage available (9005, 9011)


This is a flow chart, from least powerful to most powerful halogen drop-in replacements. Heat rating (H) is on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being coolest and 5 being hottest.

9140- (40W @ 900 lu/H1.5) H10 not a good upgrade bulb, and OEM for some fog lamps. Next step: 9145
9145- (45W @ 1100 lu/H2) H10 bulb. Can be used as an upgrade from 9140 for slightly more light output without risking melting. Next step: 9155
9155- (55W @ 1350 lu/H3.5) H10, great upgrade (if you can handle the heat) from 9145. Next step: 9005
9005- (65W @ 1700 lu/H5) This is a great upgrade for those with metal/glass fog lamps or large housings. Next step: 9011
9011- (65W @ 2350 lu/H5) This is the HIR1. Can be swapped in place of the 9005 with minimal cutting. No heat increase (in comparison of 9005).

9006- (55W @ 1000 lu/H4) This would be used in the stock 1997 & 1998 F-150 fog lights. You can swap to the higher-output HIR2 9012 bulbs or use a different brand 9006 for more power. Next step: 9012
9012- (55W @ 1870 lu/H4) HIR2 bulb. Can be swapped in place of the 9006 with minimal cutting. 55W @ 1870 lumens. No heat increase (in comparison of 9006).

H3- (55W @ 1450 luH3) 55W transverse bulb. You can upgrade to 100W H3, but caution for heat. Next step: H3C HID.

H1- (55W @ 1550 lu/H3) 55W axial filament bulb. Can be upgraded to 100W H1, but caution for heat. Next step: H1 HID
 
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Old May 23, 2011 | 05:08 PM
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Originally Posted by Raptor05121
Not like I have read any of the stickies in this forum, but that is cool that it was already listed.
 
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Old May 24, 2011 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by SSCULLY
As not to have to modify the bulb base ( or force it into place ), and make sure the seal is still intact, why not just use a 9155 bulb ?

i didnt have to modify mine or force them, the slid right in... but i have heard of some people having to trim one of the tabs on the bulb.
 
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Old May 24, 2011 | 12:02 PM
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Originally Posted by thomabro
i didnt have to modify mine or force them, the slid right in... but i have heard of some people having to trim one of the tabs on the bulb.
Are you sure the bulb base gasket is sealed all the way around ?

From the sticky linked about by Raptor


 
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Old May 24, 2011 | 10:15 PM
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yeah they are sealed, i put one tab in first then rotated till the other two slid in, but i didnt have to force it with excessive pressure, it slid in. either way... im not trying to highjack the op's thread i was just making a suggestion at a brighter bulb.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 01:16 AM
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A 9005 can and will melt a 2006-2008 round 3" fog light housing given enough time. Be careful.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 11:12 PM
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thanks for the help!
 
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Old May 30, 2011 | 08:35 AM
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So what's safe in a 2001 Lightning which has he newer style lenses? IIRC, its the '99-'00 that had the crummy lenses in the fogs. And actually... I really wonder how good our fogs really are compared to true aftermarket fogs or better yet... driving lights. I'd point out one other thing... if you really need fogs then stay away from anything too white or blue. The best fogs are still yellow, and in these cases a bulb/lense with a yellow cast.

Mike
 
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Old May 30, 2011 | 09:08 AM
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I may have to up the fog light wattage in my 05 thanks!

Side note can the headlight wattage be upped too?
 
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Old May 30, 2011 | 11:04 AM
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Upping the wattage is a dangerous item to start with ( damage wise - depending on the install ).

The 9140 to 9145 is a 5W increase, so not too much change there.

If you try upping the wattage in the headlamp bulb anything too much ( more than the 5W listed above ) you might need to upgrade the wiring ( depends on how much additional wattage you increase by ).

Then there is the question on the headlamp housing itself, what might happen to this.

Might want to look into a Set of SivlerStar Ultra bulbs for your truck. I installed the OSRAM version of these from EU ( prior to the US release of them ) and the lumen meter ( and SOTP meter ) showed a light output increase, and oddly enough a 0.2 A draw decrease.
 
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Old May 30, 2011 | 11:34 AM
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You can up the wattage for the headlights, but the only higher wattage bulbs I know of for a 9007 or H13 is 80W low and 100W. You would have to increase the gauge of the wiring.
 
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Old May 31, 2011 | 07:29 AM
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I have the silverstars now but not the ultras. I didn't think about the wire part but understand. What about the fogs...it's ok to up that wattage with out fooling with the wire? Thanks!
 
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