This is overly easy and inexpensive. I wanted to try it out for two reasons; more light output and to get rid of the dark section in the headlights at nighttime.

Tools Needed:
2 metal springs (hardware store)
2 metal hole caps (hardware store)
small pair of bolt cutters (to cut springs)
flathead screwdriver

1) Remove the inner highbeam headlight bulbs from their housings and sockets. Bring one of the bulbs to the hardware store and find a metal spring that fits snug over the bulb; snug means it does not slide on easily, it needs a slight twist to get on the bulb. (i went to ace hardware, they must have 50 different sized springs to choose from). You will also need two "metal hole caps", these are just small reflective metal discs with bendable tabs on the underside; these will act as the bulb cover on the inside of the housing so you dont blind people with your new "low beams". The caps you buy must have a diameter equal or lesser than that of the base of the bulb so they can fit through the socket hole in the housing.

2) Slide the spring over the bulb. Make sure the base of the spring does not touch the metal at the base of the bulb otherwise the bulb will short out when plugged back in. This is why it is important that the spring fits nice and snug over the bulb so it does not slide down on the bulb after installation. Depending on the length of your springs, you might have to cut them if they are a lot longer than the bulbs (i did). I cut my springs so there was about 1/2" overhang past the tip of the bulb. Use a small pair of bolt cutters to cut the metal spring.

3) Since you cut your spring, the top will not be flat anymore, take a pair of channel locks and clamp the spring at the top to make a flat surface to mount your metal hole cap onto. Put the metal hole cap on the top of the spring and clamp the little bendable tabs on the underside of it around the top of the spring using a flathead screwdriver or small needle nose pliers. This is where you should be now, notice the spring is not touching the metal base of the bulb...



4) This next part is very important. Although the springs are pretty snug around the bulb, they still have some play if enough pressure is applied to them. I figured out (by accident) that if you plug the bulbs back into the sockets and turn them on the heat created by the bulbs heats the metal of the spring and when it cools it makes them tighter on the bulbs. Thought at first this might crack the bulbs but i did some trial and error and they never cracked after a few minutes of on and off time. So before you put your ghetto low beams back into the housing, plug them in the sockets and turn them on for about 3-5 minutes to let the metal heat up, then turn them off and let them cool down. Your done!

the spring isnt as noticeable as it looks, this picture was just taken really close-up..





The only thing this mod does is prevent light from escaping through the tip of the bulb directly forward, which i think is what makes them high beams; not rocket science! Now you can turn on all four headlights without blinding other traffic; better light output and no dark section in your headlights. I only decided to do this because since i bought my CL i cant think of a single time i've used my high beams, might as well start using them. I modded my stock bulbs for now as a test but will repeat the process when i get another pair of hid's

 

thats cool

nice write-up

 

do you have any shots of nighttime use with them? im interested in seeing how well its visibility is with and without it

 

what the..... ! unique, i still prefer projectors though.

 

I just run blue high beams and since my car is sitting pretty low, i very rarely blind anyone.

 

1 question....Is it legal?

 

Thanks for the write up....however I love the option of having high beams.

This reminds me of the guy that took off his windshield wipers for a slicker look.

 

im definately gonna try this this week. i think it will make my yellow highs look amazing. im glad i looked at this, cause i was going to go to a junk yard this week and clip a harness from the 194 corners, wire it in, and stick it in the high beam. this seems a lot easier, also has some functionablility. NICE JOB!

 

fixed and I wouldn't drive with my brights on anywhere, but it's creative

 

The guy in florida that was a great thread

 

Not really. but it is definitely creative and nicely done.

DOT requires a highbeam on all cars in the US. I don't know if this would qualify or who would ever care unless your state has strict inspections like NY maybe.

The reflective lens in the high beam area is mostly responsible for the light path, so there still may be a usable highbeam.

 

Probably gonna do this since my D2S HID kit won't come before the meet and my retrofit is about finished... What size spring did you use? Also, what is a "metal hole cap"? I asked the person if they had any and they didn't know what I was talking about... Didn't see anything that looked like them either.

 

Found the springs and metal hole spring cap. You really need to specify sizes bro.... No DIY is complete without sizes.

 

you want to update us w/ it? im planning on doing this soon

 

that would look crazy with the yellow hids along with the deep blues. what are the actually sizes and the name of the metal hole caps? or do i have to go searching for it in the store

 

Don't do it. No matter how tight the springs are on the bulb, they will either fall off into your headlights or cause the bulb to have short life.

 

this is why the high beams are brighter. and hopefully you dont drive infront of a cop because there is no way you'll get out of the ticket with your highbeam symbol lit on your cluster.

 

@ Ghetto - So its not reccomended to do this due to the conditions you mentioned? Damn...I was gonna do this too. LOL.

- RemieGino14 -

 

Actualy, High beams aren't brighter. They just glare more because there is no front reflector. In all actuality, the low beam and high beam bulbs (9006, and 9007) are just as bright. The only difference is the little tip thing. I'm just running my high beams but aimed as low beams. You would never know they are high beams. I did put the lowbeam bulb in the high beam section btw.

 

I would hate to meet anyone who does this on the road. Covering the tip may reduce some of the dazzling effect of high beams but not all of it. I'm sure anyone who did this would have much brighter headlights than they did in the past since they've done basically nothing to reduce the brightness. Low beams are designed to not dazzle oncoming drivers by using a different focal point and aiming them lower (away from a drivers face). High beams use an altogether different focal point than low beams allowing a bulb of the same brightness to produce a more focused, "stronger", light.

You can observe this phenomenon of physics if you have a maglight flashlight or a similar model. By twisting the cap of the flashlight you move the bulb up and down into different positions which produces either the widespread diffuse light, or the tight focused beam.