Headlight Bulb Upgrade
By Chris Henry

A quick look into the Jeep owners manual and PIAA website isn't very encouraging. It appears there isn't a bulb for the application because the WJ uses bulbs with a straight connector on the back (9005XS and 9006XS), not the standard 90 angle connector. Not to worry, a standard 9005 or 9006 bulb will indeed fit, it just requires 10 more minutes to install them. It is honestly no big deal. The picture below shows the differences between the stock and replacement bulbs.

To replace the headlights you must first remove the headlamp assembly to gain easy access to the bulbs. Simply unscrew the bolt shown below, remove the bolt and gently pull the headlamp assembly forward. There are three snap connectors holding the assembly in, they assembly will come free but it takes a little muscle. Don't use any tools to pry it out, the assembly is fragile, use your hands.

Now that the assemble is free, you can simply tilt the front of the assembly down to gain easy access the bulbs. Unplug the stock bulbs and remove the stock bulbs. Be careful not to touch the actual bulb, it can severely shorten the life of the bulb. Now, loosen the three torx screws that surround the bulb socket (picture below).

Using a small flat head screwdriver, loosen the plastic ring which is held in place by the three bolts you just loosened. Do this gently, the ring can be stubborn but it is just pressed against the rubber seal it will pop loose with a little prying from all angles. Now, grab your new PIAA bulb, the 9006 is on the outside, the 9005 goes is on the inside. Before trying to plug in your new bulbs, first plug them in, it is nearly impossible to plug them in once they are installed. The bulbs only go it one way and the right angle connector on the bulb does make it difficult, but with the clear plastic ring loose, it is a matter of getting the two easy tabs into place and using a small flat head screwdriver to wedge the plastic ring up to squeeze the difficult tab into place. It takes a little work and it is tough to describe but once you try it. You will quickly see what is going on and you can do the remaining bulbs in a third of the time. Now, turn the bulb clockwise a quarter turn until the connector is facing down. Now just tighten the three torx screws. That is all there is to it. Simply repeat the same procedure with remaining bulbs, reaffix the headlamp assembly and you are done with the headlights.

<< Index



http://piaa.com