H4 question - do I need the trim ring?

[eurocarrera]

I am getting ready to upgrade to a new set of H-4's and wanted to know if I really need the paintable trim ring?

Are the Black H4's durable enough to handle the weather, or are they just primered?

Also, do I really need to the relay kit on a 1985 if I am only going to run the 55/60W bulbs? Or is it recommended to do so since some of you love the higher wattage bulbs.

Thanks!

BTW, the car is a dark Prussian Blue, so I think the Black lights will match the black anodized trim.

[Kraftwerk]

Been traveling w/o the trim ring for almost two years. No problem. I have a black car but it would look cool with the blue, i am sure. The metal is not as fancy as the window trim though. It is fine to delete it. I think brighter bulbs are over kill, not a FAN OF SUPER-BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS.
Jt

[eurocarrera]

That is what I thought. Thanks for the reply. And I just checked the Pelican site, and it says that the rings on the black ones are "anodized". Cool.

[jazzbass]

The black on the H4s is primer, not anodizing. They are meant to be painted body color after disassembling the light. If you want body colored rings (which would be period correct on your car) you can either disassemble the light and paint the ring, or buy the trim cover rings and paint them (this method is a lot easier). I know guys that have left them unpainted and they look OK, if you like flat black trim rings.

[jwetering]

just posted these in another post - 5+ years with no paint and the primer is holding up well. I like the look, but my car's no glam ride.

[eurocarrera]

Yes, thanks for bringing me up to speed on the anodized part. I pinged Pelican as their site says that the black trimmed lights are "anodized", they confirmed that they are not.

Looks like I will buy the black ones, and then paint them a satin gloss to match the anodized trim of the car.

How hard to take apart - can't you just mask off the lens?

[Steve 82SC]

When I first got my car back on the road, one of the first things that went wrong was a tired signal/headlight stalk switch. I replaced the harness and then upgraded the headlights. I have since purchased Marcus Sucro's relay.....it eliminates the harness switch from the circuit. Sucros' set-up dedicates a relay for the low-beams and relay for the high-beams. I don't run high-wattage bulbs, but even so, without a relay harness the signal stalk harness will eventually give out.

Steve

[steve911]

Like Steve 82SC said, the headlight stalk will likely fail - its more a question of when, not if, irrespective of whether the bulbs are standard wattage or higher. The 911 electrical system is weak here and the relay solves that. The Sucro relay kit is inexpensive and really easy to install. Do a search - you'll find this has been discussed lots and almost universally agreed that the relay is a necessary upgrade. Some guys have gone with 4 relays versus 2 for even more protection.

BTW, if you're upgrading to H4s you might want to consider the 80/100W bulbs that Pelican sells. I'm using them with the Hella H4s in my '85 and they make a BIG difference.

[dean]

[i]How hard to take apart - can't you just mask off the lens? [/B]

Chris M above is correct

They are a slight PITA to take apart. I did it cause I didn't know there were trim rings availible.

[Wil Ferch]

You would be pushing things a bit....but a combo of the stock wires..a Sucro relay kit and 80/100 bulbs is a workable and relatively safe bet .....

Wil