H4 upgrade question

[Joejitsu]

I have the stock headlights on my 74 targa and am looking to upgrade to the H4 look. I was looking at the prices for the stuff on pelican and have a question about it maybe one of you can help. It says the Bosch H4 Halogen Headlamp Upgrade with Black Trim is $145 each side.

However, if you were just to buy the parts separately:

Headlamp to Fender Seal - $4.25
Replacement Bulb - $6.70
H4 Lens - $25
Lens Perimeter Seal X 2 - $9.50
H4 Euro Primered Headlamp Cover Ring - $41.75
H4 Euro Headlight Screw, Outer -$0.75
H4 Euro Headlight Screw, Inner - $4.25

Total price - $92.20

So am I completely missing something here or is it only 2/3 the price if you buy all the parts separately? A better question is probably what does the upgrade for $145 include that justifies the higher price than buying these parts separately? Thanks!

Joe

[allaircooled]

what your missing is the reflector assembly, which I dont think you can buy, and the trim piece that you cant buy either. (Not the outer cover trim you listed).

[Joejitsu]

But shouldn't my stock reflector assembly fit with the H4s?

[djmcmath]

I'm going to say "no," 'coz I'm pretty sure the bulb-holder is different, on the reflector. So's the trim ring. That's why they're included as replacement parts. FWIW, the collective wisdom of this board has found a lot of good places to save money when working on these cars. Unfortunately, I don't think the H4 upgrade kit is one of them.

Dan

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by Joejitsu
But shouldn't my stock reflector assembly fit with the H4s?

They're completely different.

[geof33]

Ya, you need the entire H4 bucket. Not likely to find one unless used, then it's usually a full unit as well. The mid year sealed light fixtures just hold the sealed beam.

Check Ebay, often you can find some good deals. You need to add a relay to the system for H4's as well... otherwise a fire in the cockpit is likely as the draw on the switch is marginal to begin with...

Also, look on the classifieds... they show up here too...

[Wil Ferch]

What we're all confusing here is that there are Hella H4's ( which is a simple light replacement for ..say... a US style "sugar scoop" configuration), and then there is the "aero looking" Bosch H4 light ASSEMBLY.... a much more involved and bigger ( also bigger $) piece.....
---Wil Ferch

[Jim Chambers]

Is it possible to get new H4 outer trim rings in chrome? Someone drilled an extra hole in each of mine for no reason I can figure.

[Scooter]

Jim, the trim rings are metal, so maybe you could take the rings down to a shop and have them chromed. I would imagine it would be cheaper (and better) to just sell your H4's and buy new chrome ones.

[Jim Chambers]

The ones I have are chrome, just have an extra hole.

[geof33]

Originally posted by Jim Chambers
Is it possible to get new H4 outer trim rings in chrome? Someone drilled an extra hole in each of mine for no reason I can figure.

Jim,

The chrome rings are all over ebay. They run about 55.00 each.

To the original post...

Like Wil said, there is a light fixture that will convert the standard sealed beam light to an H4. The sealed beam is replaced with the sealed beam looking H4 light. Either way the relay is needed.

It was my impression that Joe wanted the H4 flat lens look... This requires the entire assembly... Not a cheap thing... But very cool and easy to do...

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by Jim Chambers
The ones I have are chrome, just have an extra hole.

The 'outer' trim ring you're talking about doesn't have any holes- at least none that are visible & I think they're only available primered. The outer ring fits over the rest of the assembly (I think?) & is used if you want to hide all adjustment screws etc . Maybe you mean the trim ring (ie. the 'inner'' trim ring), which has holes for the adjustment screws, has had an additional hole drilled in it?

[Jim Chambers]

Yep, I didn't know there was any such thing as a second ring. Used for painting body color I suppose. I have one chrome trim ring with adjustment screws and an extra hole drilled for some unknown reason. The screws stuck in there attach to nothing, mainly serve as plugs. Kinda ugly.

[KTL]

Yep. ubiquity0 is right. There is a second trim primered trim ring that covers the ring which holds the entire light assembly together. And yes, the trim ring allows one to paint the ring area of the light assembly the same color as the car, without having to disassemble the entire light assembly like this:

[Jim Chambers]

geof33, just did an Ebay search and came up with one paintable ring. Can you suggest some more effective search words or point me to a listing?

[allaircooled]

Mine looked like the picture above for awhile. I painted the trim ring with the adjustment holes, put them back together and then dropped one like an idiot. Took the one back apart and after searching ebay for a new trim ring with holes for 2 months I finally found one at Hershy for $5. (The only Euro H4 related part I had seen there). Replaced the glass and then decided to get the outer trim rings anyways because I thought they made a cleaner look. Finally installed them on my car last night. What a difference.

[geof33]

Originally posted by Jim Chambers
geof33, just did an Ebay search and came up with one paintable ring. Can you suggest some more effective search words or point me to a listing?

Jim,

My bad... Most of the LIGHT assemblies available are Chrome.

I'll tell you what... I just ordered a set of chrome rimmed H4's. I should be getting them in the next couple of days. I'm not sure if I want to keep the chrome or not. Do you have rings? I'd be willing to trade if the chrome ones don't work. The lights/rings are brand new. I have to paint my duck, so if we did this, the timing would be perfect. Let me know. PM me or email me physique1@mindspring.com