what you need to know about upgrading columbia headlights

My before and after

The 03 columbia has the old style of headlight with the ridges inside the lense. The newer models had a upgrade that takes a 9006 and 9005 bulb (9006 has a 90 degree plug) if your dealer doesn't know what your talking about, call another one.

They plug into your wiring harness and nothing is different. These alone make a difference but a good set of piaa extreme white bulbs would go a long way.

I chose to go with a 5000k hid kit and you can see the difference in the picture, keep in mind I can see another 30' past what the pic shows and way wider (pics are on high beam)

I chose hid because although the piaa xtreme whites are the best halogen bulb out there (and I have literally tried them all) they burn very hot to put out that much so they also burn out quicker.

If you are unfamiliar with hid, the "k" in 5000k is for kelvin which is the scientific measurement for the heat light emits and the color it creates and nothing to do with how much light it put out on the road. It is actually the opposite, the higher the kelvin, the lower the lumens (measurement of light output) 3000k is yellow, 4300k is white(and what automotive companies use for oem) and 6000k is starting to turn a little blue.

Anyone who tells you 6000k is pure white is trying to sell you and full of b.s..... With a high quality ballast a 6000k bulb can be whiter but 4300 is best and seeing as we are truckers and lives depend on our ability to see down the road 4300k or 5000k are what you want because they put more light down the road, leave the glaring 6000k to the kids with the riced out Honda civics!

There is a website called the retrofit source and they sell plug and play morimotto hid kits that are priced well and that would be by far the best choice, if not go find a reputable company in your home town. DO not buy cheap Chinese hid kits, the ballasts burn out, bulbs don't light properly etc and I hate changing this crap every couple months as should you.

I really hope this helps someone out a bit.

 

Yes the top is the after pic and as I said the pic nowhere near does it justice.