How to fit an HIR 9012 bulb in place of a 9006.

[joseph]

I bought my HIR 9012 to replace my 9006 low beam bulbs and I just wish to share some info to make easier if you do it. HIR 9011 will replace a 9005 bulb, but I did not get them, I just need the low beams as bright as possible.
Those bulbs can be bought on E-bay, and there is only one seller, just search HIR 9012 and you'll find it, price for 2 bulbs with shipping is $58.90.

They need to be trimmed to fit, here's how to do it.

Left is HIR, right is sylvania 9006 ST



White indicates where to trim it, cut using cutting pliers, but be careful and only take out a little bit at a time or a big chunk will break off, trim off the top first then the left side.

TIP: when trying to fit it in the light housing, work on the driver side, which will provide more room to put it in as many times as necessary to have a good fit, also move the power steering reservoir to the side to make more room, then you will have plenty of space to work. Also, when done with one light bulb and it fits well, put it in the passenger side, because it's tight there, and get that side over with first, then go back to the driver side, where it will be easy to test fit the second bulb since there is plenty of space of the driver side to work.


Before trimming (L is HIR, R is ST)


After trimming, make it smooth with a nail file.



Trim around the side with a nail file, but remove the o-ring before trimming, because I found out that trimming the top part is not enough and it wouldn't get in, so I removed the o-ring and filed it all the way to the base and it then fit all the way in. You don't need to file it much, just a few passes all the way around is enough. Test fit it all the way until it locks, and if it's good, take it out, clean the dust off, put the o-ring back and clean the bulb with a soft cloth before final install (Don't ever touch the glass)

TIP: hold it real tight when you file it, or you'll waste $30 if you drop it and break it, I suggest you do it a few inches above a thick carpet with a rag under it to catch the dust, so if you drop it, it won't break.




Here are the results:

Left side is HIR, right is ST


HIR 9012


9006 sylvania ST


HIR looks definetely brighter and has been proven to be brighter, so it should be good to go, but it apparently is not as white as the sylvania ST.
HIR's are rated at 3650K while the ST's are 4000K.
I drove around at night, it's slightly brighter (nothing spectacular), especially on the sides, but it's more yellowish than sylvania ST bulbs, which I kind of miss, I liked the whiteness of the ST's but brighter is better than whiter I guess, it's a matter of taste, your opinion is welcome if you already have HIR's

[Meister]

Yet another outstanding "How-to" piece, Joseph - thank you for this very helpful contribution to the knowledge base.

[Big Boy]

This information might be too late or maybe too early.

I just bought the John Deere AH211917 at my local John Deere Dealer for $9.99. After extensive research I found the BMW to the HIR 9012 sold elsewhere for $25-$30. Here are a few pictures:





Now the bad news, because of this major discovery, the AH211917 are on backorder from Japan/China. The backorder is supposed to be until March. There still might be a few laying around in dealer stock. If you find those, you’re one of the lucky ones. Although the price will be going up, because of demand, they still might be a bargain.

[joseph]

Cool! saves time and money, good find!
Better than those expensive Sylvania ST (nothing beats HID of course, but this is a great replacement over stock)

[MeSteve]

Looks like these will only work for the Mag since the right angle bulbs won't fit in the Charger.

[BLKSE#75]

U got a good deal I looked up AH211917 it was $23.99 on JDparts On John Deere.com

[RedMagnum06RT]

John Deere huh? I might have to make a little drive out

[Big Boy]

John Deere huh? I might have to make a little drive out

Don't bother. They saw the parts flying off their shelves and more than doubled the price. That part also seems to be on backorder. It's hard to believe there is only one other source for these bulbs in the US.

[oldschool]

I am seeing alot of red x's for some reason..Is the link gone? I am very interested in this topic.

oldschool

[05 MAG RT]

I am seeing alot of red x's for some reason..Is the link gone? I am very interested in this topic.

oldschool

Thye're not worth it, now with the price of HID kits on E-bay. (plus they are ar 3800K, less yellow than stock but more tha Sylvania ST's)

This HID kit won't flicker:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/9006-...7627QQtcZphoto

[oldschool]

I understand your point but it goes back to the deal that only a 300C with projctors are meant for this type of filament and the HIR's are still cheaper by 50%

Thanks for the info though

oldschool

[05 MAG RT]

I have projector headlights that are supposedly not to be used with HID's and I've been running HID's on them with no issues for a year (and they fit fine)
Check my sig link if you wanna see what you'll get with HID's

[Big Boy]

I am seeing alot of red x's for some reason..Is the link gone? I am very interested in this topic.

oldschool

What do you want to know?

MattRobertson still has his great write-up here:
http://foohbar.com/light_bulb_saga.cfm

And the John Deere bulbs are available again, even though they have a MSRP of $23.99 now.

[oldschool]

What do you want to know?

MattRobertson still has his great write-up here:
http://foohbar.com/light_bulb_saga.cfm

And the John Deere bulbs are available again, even though they have a MSRP of $23.99 now.

I really wanted to see the moddified bulb pics and the results but I can't see a darn thing.

Let me check the MR writeup

oldschool

[oldschool]

I was curious about a side by side from a low beam halogne to the HIR. Does someone have one they could pm/email me?

I am a little unsure about the low beam tab shave. The tab is too wide so it has to be shaved to the same height as the 9006 right? I think I get what he said.

oldschool