Fog lite replacement for 85 Carrera

Wil Ferch · 04-30-2003, 07:26 AM

Guys:

Does someone have the size of the original fog lites handy for an 85 Carrera? I'm thinking of replacing the fog lites with an intermediate beam or driving lite beam replacement. Here are two possibilities:

- Hella 550... 7 11/16" W, 3 3/4" high, 3 1/4" deep
- Hella 450... 6.25" W, 3.5" H, 2.33" deep

I think the 450's might be a nice fit, but I'm not sure. Anyone?

---Wil Ferch

masraum · 04-30-2003, 07:45 AM

I have considered the same thing. I have measured the opening. From memory the 550 might fit, but it would be really tight. I too think the 450's would fit well. If you still need the measurements I can check when I get home as I have removed the fogs from the car.

ben parrish · 04-30-2003, 07:55 AM

Will, they are: 5.5 x 2 3/4. The blach housing is 6.5 x 3.5. Hope this helps.
Ben

Wil Ferch · 04-30-2003, 08:18 AM

Ben:
More clearly...are you saying the OEM fog ( measured at the housing) is 6.5 wide and 3.5 high ? ( and "X" deep ??).
If so...it looks like Hella 450's are the hot ticket. Thanks.
---Wil Ferch

ben parrish · 04-30-2003, 09:00 AM

Will, don't know the depth but those are the correct dimensions for the housing. Let me know how this turns out; I may be interested in doing the same. Are you using factory headlights or some type of upgrade?

Thanks, Ben

Wil Ferch · 04-30-2003, 09:15 AM

I've upgraded my original USA style headlights to Euro Bosch H4's.

As to the original question..I don't think depth is much of an issue...wanted to verify width x height. If these match as they appear to...then the 450's might be a very "invisible" upgrade, especially in the black housing version. I'm even thinking that there is some benefit to using a driver's side long pencil beam ( angled ever-so slightly to the right to avoid glare to oncoming traffic) combined with a clear fog light on the passenger side, to get a wide/short beam...the combo of which gives me a nice intermediate or "fill-in" pattern between normal hi and low beams.
---Wil Ferch

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Wil-
are you sure a driving beam will do much for you? the fogs are mounted so close to the ground that I would think that you won't get much 'throw' from a driving beam at that height. you might be better off with higher wattage bulbs in the H4s (with relays, of course)
just a thought...

masraum · 04-30-2003, 09:32 AM

I always thought the point of a long range driving light was to have a been close to parallel to the ground down low that would project a long way down the road but stay out of people's eyes?

Wil Ferch · 04-30-2003, 09:33 AM

Steve:
Of course, you're right....higher mounting would be much better. And upgraded wattage H4's would be better, too.

I'd like to retain "something" in the OEM fog holes...and *anything* would be an improvement to the totally ineffective OEM fogs. At least this way, there are various combination of lighting options to turn on when needed....Hella 450'a alone, 450's with H4 low beams, ..450's with H4 hi-beams, etc....
---Wil Ferch

Wil Ferch · 12:16 PM

Other Steve ( masraum):
No...having a long, powerful driving beam mounted anything below 16" of overall height can be a problem , as "Steve"( steve911) suggested. The blinding effect is more a case of getting the aim too far off to the left ( for us non-Brits). If long pencil beams are too low, the up/down angle becomes almost flat...and must be aimed *very* precisely. Too low and you "skip" light back up from the ground that is much too close in front of you..and too high will now give the glaring effect you talk about.

With all those warts, I still think there may be some net improvement to what I have now...

---Wil Ferch