Replacing the front bulb - 87 FJ 1200

[terryk]

OK, the low beam went dead, time for a new bulb is my guess as high beam functional.

Researched the maintenance procedures on the forum, good info and thanks.

So, I went to make the fix.

1)Bulb Choice - PIAA Powersport Bulb, H4, Star White anti-vibration. Part number 70426, Model number H-396SE. I went with PIAA as I re-bulbed my C5 vette nine years ago with PIAA, liked the improvement in light output, and the bulbs have gone nine years without incidence. That is good enough for me. And believe me, local bumpy roads, my driving style, really stiff Z51 suspension option, quite a good performing bulb. 

Cost $39.99 at Cyclegear in store. You can get them on-line for $31 or $33 but I wanted to get the bulb and get it done and the extra money was worth it for me.

2) Procedure - This is a tight space and the first time it was a frustrating job, especially for large hands and little mechanical skills.

A) Pulled the horn bolt and moved the horn out of the way, easy.

B) I removed the boot, pretty easy.

C) I inspected the socket and wires, shit, pretty old and burnt a bit. I tightened up the wire connection to the socket and hoped for the best.

D) Got the clip off, felt bad for cursing too much and using the C word.

E) Pulled out bulb assembly (socket and bulb)

F) Donned Nitrile gloves and opened PIAA package F) Installed bulb.

G) Put clip back while lying on the garage floor and rolling around like I was wounded in a gun battle. Felt bad for cursing too much and using the C word connected to the F word. Not good behavior.

H) Reinstalled the boot. Now really, really rolling around on the garage floor like I was wounded in a gun battle. Felt bad for cursing too much and using the C word connected to the F word. Not good behavior at all.

I) Tested the light out, success, realized I should have tested the light before this stage, typical mistake.

J) Put horn back and tested, sounded like a little bleating lamb suffering from a bad case of tuberculosis. Yup, normal functionality. Job finished.

Note: Can anyone do this job, who knows but if I can then almost anyone can. Frustration factor - First time it is an 8 out of 10. Ease of Job - Really except for the boot and clip bits it is a piece of cake.

[SlowOldGuy]

Just make sure the bulb connector is on the bulb correctly or the heat will continue to melt the connector. You might want to check it again with the light on.  I fried a connector due to a bad installation.

Have you done the headlight relay mod?  Well worth the effort if you ride at night

DavidR.

[terryk]

Thanks Devidr. Yes the bulb is installed in the socket well. I looked over the relay mod and the HID mods, just too much for my weak skills. I will look again.

[WhiteBeard]

Have you done the headlight relay mod?  Well worth the effort if you ride at night

Does this mod work for FJ1100's as well?

[SlowOldGuy]

Absolutely!

I have it on an '85 and a '93.  Works great

DavidR.

[FJ Flyer]

The relay mod was the first mod I ever did the the '87 .  Fairly easy and cheap.  Instructions can be found in the mod section.