This section covers headlight and fog lights. Proper headlight alignment is important, as most glare is caused by lighting that is improperly aimed. The installation of certain high powered headlights may require that the harness be upgraded to handle the additional current flow. Several standard replacement bulbs are also available in "long-life" versions. These include the 9005XS, 9006XS, 3157 and 194's. They are usually identified with the addition of "LL" at the end of the bulb number and vary between 1.5 to 2x the life of standard bulbs.
There can be several advantages and disadvantages in using different lighting systems. In most States, the low beam is not supposed to exceed 55 watts and high beams are not to exceed 60 watts. It's legal, though, to run higher wattage for "off road" use, but many drivers have used these higher-powered lights on-road. It's best to research thoroughly to obtain different opinions and additional information before you make your upgrade decision.
Jeep uses the "straight base" style headlamp bulbs, designated by the "XS" or "X/S" in the part number. The standard 9005/9006 right-angle base bulbs used by most manufacturers can fit into sockets made for the XS bulbs but may require slight modifications or different installation techniques. Always make sure that any bulbs or lights you change/modify on your vehicle is legal and safe.
Replacement bulbs - Performance:
Eaglite Xenon 9005XS & 9006XS. 100/80 watts, 4200K/4200K. Xenon bulbs provide a very white light with a slight blue hue up close. They are designed to simulate the look of true HID systems. The bulbs are optically dyed with a UV filter, which filters out the yellow light that halogen bulbs produce. The UV filter is blue which is why the bulbs look blue but appear white when lit. Eaglite Superwhite bulbs both contain high concentrations of xenon gas, which extends the life of the bulb and allows you to more safely use higher wattages.
PIAA 9005 & 9006 Xtreme White Plus. 60 watts (=120w) / 51 watts (=115w), 4000K / 4000K. Requires special but simple installation technique, see Chris Henry's article link above). More information can be found on the PIAA web site.
Sylvania Silverstar 9005XS & 9006XS. 70/60 watts, 4000K/4000K. "SilverStar's color temperature is a white hot 4,000K, far higher than other halogens on the market and com parable to HID. SilverStar shines with a luminance up to 20% greater than other halogens. A sharp profile, silver tip, and amethyst blue coating create a dramatic, high-end, crisp, clean look."
Note: Mopar now carries the Silverstar 9006 series for the Grand Cherokee. P/N PL9006XSST.