H-4 Headlights?

[Hoss3.0]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the standard lights and the H-4s? For the longest time I thought the H-4 had less trim ring around the lens and that the upper part of the lens or light was not covered by chrome or trim ring. I have seen many cars advertised with H-4s that clearly have trim or chrome covering the top of the lens. Are the ones I'm thinking of called Euro H-4? And are they adaptable to all early 911s? Mike.

[Rick Lee]

Here are my H-4's. They do have less trim than the older style H-1 lights. I absolutely love my H-4's.

[dotorg]

H4 is just a bulb standard, I think what you're talking about is H4 blulbs in an european H4 housing. Those are the ones that are like $140 each. You can get a round H4 lens/reflector/bulb for $30 each. From the outside it looks like the stock round light, but its an H4 bulb in the reflector.

[Joe Bob]

There are a couple of H-4 styles....one, the euro, has a bulgy lens....then there is a US model that resembles the US sealed beam.

Both use halogen bulbs that are interchangeable with the lens assembly. The euro models require a complete changeout of the lens and holder for US model cars.....the US model H-4s are a simple change out of the sealed beam.

Euros are larger, have a different beam pattern than the US ones. Higher wattage bulbs can be had, but need relays in most cases to keep from frying the US wiring.

[Hoss3.0]

Thanks, thats exactly what I was looking for. Do those fit on early 911s? ie. 73 S. Is there any body work needed or is all just a kit? Also why do some people say they have H-4s when the car has the older/other style lights? Mike.

[Hoss3.0]

Are the lights in the picture above considered US or Euro?

[Joe Bob]

Those are the euro style....

[andyjboy]

Mike, as dotorg states abov, the H4 is actually the bulb. The confusion has arisen because with regard to 911's, H4's have come to mean the Euro-style lamps as shown in Richard LeSchander's picture above.

These are direct replacements for the US original-fitment headlamps.

The reason that some people advertise the fact that they have H4's when they obviously have US-style lamps is because they have replaced the sealed beam unit with a Hella reflector/separate H4 bulb arrangement which offers better illumination than the original set-up.

The Euro H4 replacements are made by Bosch.

Hope this helps.


Andy
'69 911E-------->R

[Hoss3.0]

Yes thank you! Does that signature mean you are planning or doing a 911R replica? If so, what a great project. I've seen two such cars featured in Excellence. Mike.

[steve911]

Here's the Hella H-4, which as stated above, is a direct drop-in to the existing headlight bucket. Purchased from our host.

You can see the H4 in the middle of the lens. Stock look, but much improved illumination:

[1982911sc]

I just did the above to my SC. A huge difference over the existing USA sealed beams. It is very easy installation. You just pop out the old headlights and drop in the H-4's much brighter clearer light. Plus, if you wish you can upgrade to 100w bulbs plus! Watch the soft screws that hold in the retaining ring, they are worthless and will strip if you look at them too hard.

[steve911]

You should also consider installing relays - do a search on headlight relays or msucro - LOTS of good info and a very easy install.

[Gordo2]

Keep in mind,

Both Hella and Bosch make headlights that are designed to European standards (Pelican carries both, but doesn't call the Hella a Euro lense). The Bosch type requires replacement of the ring assembly (protruding lense), the Hella is straight up swap for existing sealed beam's. The Hella approach is much cheaper (you only buy the lights vs. rings & so forth), stock looking and straight forward to install.

Both models use the H-4 type bulb (how the bulb fits into the lamp assembly and connects to the wiring harness).

The difference is in how the lense is cut to shape the beam pattern: to US Department of Transportation (DOT) standards (outdated but "legal" in the US) or to European standards (much better beam pattern). Look up headlights and DOT standards, plenty of info on how outdated DOT standards are when it comes to automotive lighting.

The Euro standard has a much tighter beam pattern with a significant cut off on the top of the beam so it doesn't cause glare to oncoming traffic. This factor lets you get away with installing higher watt bulbs (85w vs standard 55w lows and 110w vs 65 w highs) without glaring oncoming traffic or vehicles in front of you. Installing a higher watt bulb requires rewiring the lights directly to the battery using relays (otherwise the power is drawn through your relatively low power light wiring and switches).

The Euro beam pattern also is canted to the passenger side of the vehicle providing great lighting to see the side of the road (stuff you don't want to run into, like Virginia deer).

I have the Hella H-4 Euro's on my truck. They are awesome. I plan to put them on my car but not a top priority right now since I don't do much night driving.

As far as I know, all Euro lights are "intended for off road use only"... But hey, who's looking?

Hope this is accurate and helps.

Gordo