improving headlights by conversion

Sigs · Post by **Sigs** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:19 am

Does anyone know the best method of convertign the headlight bulbs in my Wagon so i can see more than 5 metres in front of me at night? It's always a bit scary to see the shadow of my car in my headlights because of the cars headlights behind me

I have read a post about the halogen bulbs however its my daily driver so don't want to risk cracking the headlight glass in the wet. It has original bulbs and the battery is the same voltage as my new car (is that 12 volt)

Regards,
Sigs

Sammy · Post by **Sammy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:57 pm

if you can still get them, Hella H4's ... they are majic ... i used to have them in my EK Wagon till i hit a Roo, but i have a set now stashed in a box for the FB .... oh and they have replacable bulbs.

second best option is a HQ headlight, they are a sealed beam one, but they work alright.

rosco · Post by **rosco** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:31 pm

Hi Sigs,
I might have to find a post I put up some months back - this is the second time today someone has wanted info on an upgraded headlight system.

I don't know if you are prepared to forfeit the appearance of you vehicle from that of original - the Hella H4's have a "flat" glass which I found detracted from the overall appearance off the front of the vehicle.
I fitted rounded headlight protectors over mine and am happy with them - now! - found out they trap water between them and the glass and when switched on for some time "fog" like dead fish eyes............ see Albury DVD.

I drilled two small holes top and bottom to drain and "vent" any trapped moisture and this has fixed the issue.

Back to headlights - I am aware that "rounded" halogens are available - think they are Japanese or Taiwan - one of our members has them - look orig.

Please, Please, Please - heed my warning on beefing up the existing wiring if you fit them -I expect you will probably opt for quite intense bulbs 85/130's and your standard wiring will overheat trying to supply both of these - don't be tempted to fit a single fuse to protect the wiring either - if it blows you will loose all lighting -INSTANTLY - just think about it at 110 km/h on a dark wet night on winding road..................... an auto elec can supply you with a dual fused relay unit - put in two of them - one for each side of the car. This will protect both high and low beams all independently of each other - almost ensuring you at least one beam to stop with.
Your existing wiring will only then be used to "turn on" the relays - separate power leads to each relay also provides a little more "insurance" should a fault develop on supply to the relay - lights at night to me are as important as steering and brakes.............. don't "play" with this stuff - make sure you won't become a statistic - or have to live with causing one......

I'll have to search the forum and find that post - be warned, it's long - as many of my early ones were...................

frats,
Rosco

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:58 pm

Hi Rosco
I found the flat faced 4s looked ok on the front of my EH ute, but wasn't convinced they'd look the part on my EK. When I had them done originally, I made sure the relays were fitted, much as you advised.
I'm interested in finding out more aout the halogen bulbs that Stewart linked to in the other recent thread...was going to call the suppliers today but ran out of time at work. From what I can tell, they don't draw anything like the power of normal halogens but will make sure I query the guys about that when I speak to them.
Either way, I'll be getting an auto electrician to do the job for me so I know it's spot on...not an area I want to do half arsed.
Will go searching for your earlier post on this subject now.
Cheers, Scott

oldnek · Post by **oldnek** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:01 pm

Personal opinion. The H4's do not look good on the front of the ol EK, As I have a set. the flat shape of the lens and curved body style do not seem to go. For that specific reason, I prefer poorer headlighting. Until I find a better alternative, I'll stick with pissey sealed beams. I'm waiting for the day a manufacture will make 7'' LED's, will cure all the problems of lighting from excess power draw, high bulb temps and produce efficiant bright light.

Regards John

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:27 pm

oldnek wrote:Personal opinion. The H4's do not look good on the front of the ol EK, As I have a set. the flat shape of the lens and curved body style do not seem to go. For that specific reason, I prefer poorer headlighting. Until I find a better alternative, I'll stick with pissey sealed beams. I'm waiting for the day a manufacture will make 7'' LED's, will cure all the problems of lighting from excess power draw, high bulb temps and produce efficiant bright light.

Regards John

H4's don't look good? You must be really taking a good look, since I fitted mine I havent taken the slightest interest in what they look like, they just work well, Trev

(AUST)Mod · Post by **(AUST)Mod** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:27 am

Yeah I am with Trev on this one! Mine look fine, and have blue leds and angel eyes. I spoke to my auto electrician and he said my wiring was fat enough to handle the load, and sure enough the lights work great, no relays or anything

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:21 am

http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... =headlamps
Like rosco said higer watage=more current = damaged wiring or headlight swich older cars run the load through the switch newer ones through relays with the swich only handling the relay load whilst the wiring may handle a small increase in current will the switch? only time will tell play it safe DO the relay/wiring upgrade or DONT increase the wattage as halagons are whiter and produce more lumens per watt than the old style incandecent lamp you should not need to increase the wattage

oldnek · Post by **oldnek** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:26 pm

H4's don't look good? You must be really taking a good look, since I fitted mine I havent taken the slightest interest in what they look like, they just work well, Trev

[/quote]

Trev, I'm running those nice little cats eye chrome covers with a little bar down the middle. The ones that restrict the lighting anyway. I know where your coming from but the flat halo's look pretty damn ugly, with my shinney chrome thingy's as they are curved to suit the sealed beam.

John

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:44 pm

OK John, now I know why you take as much notice of your headlights

, it would look a little strange on flat lights, Trev

thropzed · Post by **thropzed** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:09 pm

Hey Andrew, Where do you get those Angel eyes from? They look great!!
Are they expensive? Easy to fit?
Cheers Theo Z.....................

Sammy · Post by **Sammy** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:15 pm

thats funny .. i had the H4's and hit a roo so i had to find something else suitable on a peasents wage so i went to the HQ ones and i was fairly pissed about the difference in the look of the HQ ones compared to the 'kewl' H4's i had previous

ben · Post by **ben** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:32 pm

Theo Z.. PM us your address, as i have some NOS

chrome angle/cat eyes that don't look good on my H4's.

Ben

Sigs · Post by **Sigs** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:40 pm

went ahead and purchased the H4 conversion, however the back of my original lights have a 'light bulb' style fitting, that is, a metal cup with wiring attached and three pins screas over the back of the light which contacts the base of the bulb which is the same as a light bulb.

The H4 bulbs have three prongs, and nowhere on my wiring is there three holes to plug it into. The other thing is, I hear people talking about 'sealed beams'. My original lights have a bulb which can be taken in and out, so the whole thing isn't one unit.

Not sure what the go is, can anyone explain. Do I need to chop my original wiring and join it to a plug which fits the H4 three pronged bulbs?

regards,
sigs

Thommo · Post by **Thommo** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:44 pm

sigs wrote:Do I need to chop my original wiring and join it to a plug which fits the H4 three pronged bulbs?

Yes you will have to

Sigs, the best thing to do is sell those old dim headlights to me,
then go to your local auto parts supplier, and buy brand new 7" sealed beam headlights.
I'm only saying that, because I'm looking for old Lucas Bulb Headlights.

Seriously, I'm after a pair of original headlights.
Get a price on replacements, I think I paid $36 each some time back.

If you do change, I'd like to buy your old ones if they are in good nic inside.

If you do want to retain the old light, try
HALOGEN BULBS
Classic and Vintage Bulbs - 82 Cumming Street Blackwood SA 08 8278 4393 www.classicandvintagebulbs.com

Cheers
Jeff