How to: Install 9005 bulbs in your 9006 low beam sockets

I needed a headlight upgrade, and read how you could modify a 9005 bulb to go in the low beam 9006 socket so decided to give it a shot.
The stock 9006 low beam bulb looks like this from the side:


I chose the Silvania Silverstar 9005 S/T bulbs for the project. Cost about $40/pair.
The 9005 S/T is 1700 lumens compared to 1000 lumens for the 9006, and has a color temp of 4000K.


Looking straight on at the tip of the bulb, here is the view of the tabs on the 9006 (stock low beam) bulb:


...and the same view of the tabs on the 9005 bulb:


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While doing these modifications, DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB or cause any shock. Either one will shorten the life of the bulb.

First mod: Trim the top tab on the 9005 so that it is narrower to allow it to fit in the headlight socket.

I used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to trim off the right side of the top tab so that it matched the right side of the 9006 tab.
Result is that it will be narrower than the 9006 but will fit in the socket:


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The second mod required are to the spines inside the connector.

The 9006 (stock low beam) connector has a single spine (left) and the 9005 connector has two spines (right):


I used a narrow chisel to slice off the two spines inside the 9005 connector:


9005 unmodified on the left, 9005 modified on the right:



Now that you have trimmed the tabs and the spines in the connector, the 9005 bulb can be plugged into the low beam 9006 socket.
This will give you much brighter low-beam headlights.

Nice man! Very detailed

Nice write-up!

indeed,

Awsome, but I have a few questions. Is the circuit as far as amperage flow any different between the low and high beam lights? In either case, I will have to try it!

Zinister wrote:

Awsome, but I have a few questions. Is the circuit as far as amperage flow any different between the low and high beam lights? In either case, I will have to try it!

Whether the low beams are higher amp circuits than high beams? No flippin' idea but I haven't blown any fuses.

Although... I've done this on my Maxima also, and the only thing I've noticed is that the Sylvania's don't last as long as stock bulbs. I put these same 9005's in my Z a year ago, and they both burnt out about the same time. I'm going to use the Sylvania's once more but if they burn out again in a year I'm going to have to try a different manufacturer.

So yeah... Lost another Sylvania yesterday... THEY SUCK!

ive had the same luck with sylvania. UNmodified even. i think my generic ebay special lamps lasted longer

why not just get HID's?

$$$ + time

^ it would take less time to install an HID kit than do this conversion. you can get high quality HID kits for $80. www.ddmtuning.com

they cost more, but at twice the price for more than twice the performance, i think it's a much better deal.

true. but you said it yourself as well, the DIY mod is cheaper. A good alternative to get more light than stock w/o having to spend a benji on more components to further cramp the engine bay.

again, good writeup steve. pics along the way always help immensely for people to decide wether or not to tackle something themselves.



































btw.. me? i went the HID route lol
but that was before knowing the bulbs could simply be modded.
i may have tried that route first had i known.
im all about saving $!!!

Yeah it's funny I looked at HIDs and just didn't want to tuck all the extra stuff. I've gotten so I can do the 9005 mod in about 30 seconds, so I seriously doubt an HID conversion could possibly take less time!

i have been debating on what route i want to go since i drove the car for the first time when i bought it. The stock lights are just to weak. But as far as longevity route, the HID would be the way to go as far as price, yes the 9005 would be cheaper initially, but after replacing them twice, you have already paid for the HID kit that weber suggested. Yes there is a little work to tuck the HID kit but if you take your time and do it right in the end its worth it, and it doesnt cramp the areas that really matter any more than can be easily worked around or adjusted. I will def be going the HID route, but yes awesome write up homes

i dunno steve.. the HID's are a matter of disconnecting/replacing your bulb and adding in the plug and play box. mounting and more so, finding a place to mount the ballast, is what takes the longest.

yeah but it's still just a matter of minutes. like fairladyaffair said, after you've done the 9005 mod twice, you could have much better performance for the same price. i've had my HID's since january of '08 and i've never had a single problem with them. just look at the picture i posted. it speaks for itself (even with a crappy camera).

cherryz wrote:

Yeah it's funny I looked at HIDs and just didn't want to tuck all the extra stuff. I've gotten so I can do the 9005 mod in about 30 seconds, so I seriously doubt an HID conversion could possibly take less time!

i dunno ..i did my conversion in under 10 mins..but if you're short on cash your way makes much more sense.either way its hard to see anything at night with the stockers.

Weber3211 wrote:

^ it would take less time to install an HID kit than do this conversion. you can get high quality HID kits for $80. www.ddmtuning.com

they cost more, but at twice the price for more than twice the performance, i think it's a much better deal.

what exactly did you choose for your settings?

^ what do you mean? color temp? 4300k.

did you get the 30 or 55 watt?

mine is 35 watt. apparently the 55 watt kit is much brighter. i might eventually upgrade to a 55 watt kit.

just ordered the ddm 55 w 9006 package at 8000 k

nice, you'll be more than happy with it, i'm sure.

major bling effect + practicality.

im excited it took one last drive from Alabama to NC with stock 9006 headlights pooring rain all 600 miles for me to say NEVERAGAIN!!! and finally get them, im excited im also gunna pick up some new H3 for my fogs and some new blinker lights before Z days

fairladyaffair wrote:

im excited it took one last drive from Alabama to NC with stock 9006 headlights pooring rain all 600 miles for me to say NEVERAGAIN!!! and finally get them, im excited im also gunna pick up some new H3 for my fogs and some new blinker lights before Z days

trust me it's a night and day difference.the white lines and marking in the road seem to almost glow when illuminated.