H5 to H4 headlight conversion

[purplehaze]

I have an 87 930 with H5's and want to install H4's from a friend's car.

Do you guys know if I also need to swap/paint his trim rings, or can I re-use mine?

Any other electrical upgrades necessary?

Thanks,

Glenn

[Zeke]

You're gonna have to change the connectors to the back of the lamps. H4's have two adjuster screws in the rings and, IIRC, they are not in the 9 o'clock and 12 position like the H5's are.

I'm contemplating the same swap. However, I haven't seen the conversion connectors FS anywhere (including here).

[Steve 82SC]

Even though the two trim rings look similar, the H5 rings won't work. You could use the H4 chrome trim rings as is or you can cover the chrome rings with some primered H4 rings that get painted body-colored. You'll also have to change the electrical connector for the bulb base. I found them in the "ricer" aisle at Auto Zone. They had some nice heavy-duty ones. Just connect them in the same triangular configuration, solder and shrink-wrap and you're in business. The H5 headlight assembly secures to tabs within the headlight bucket, with the H5 trim rings clipping to the top of the fender at 12 o'clock and securing at 6 o'clock with a machine screw. On the H4, the trim ring is part of the headlight assembly, so the trim ring, which secures exactly like the H5 trim ring, is acutually holding the entire assembly in place. I did this same change on my car and the improvement in lighting is dramatic.

Steve

[Steve 82SC]

While you're there, now's the time (if you haven't done it already) to put your headlight circuit on relays. I got mine from Marcus Sucro, but I think that Pelicanparts now carries this part. It eliminates the electrical strain on your turn signal harness and is quite straightforward to install.

Steve

[88911coupe]

I thought I read that the relay itself improves the effectiveness of H5's...is this not the case? Also, can't you run slightly higher wattage bulds with the Sucro relay installed or is this a fire danger? I have the relay but have not installed it yet since I'm doing some other more major work first.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

I thought I read that the relay itself improves the effectiveness of H5's...is this not the case? Also, can't you run slightly higher wattage bulds with the Sucro relay installed or is this a fire danger? I have the relay but have not installed it yet since I'm doing some other more major work first.

Higher wattage is the idea behind the relay so it doesn't go through the turn signal mechanism. Only the current needed to operate the relay goes through. Seems like a flaw in the original design which is now easily corrected.

Oh, and youz guys converting to H4's, it's a good idea to tether the ass'y from inside to bucket so that if it bounces out, it won't fall far, or leave the car altogether.

Thanks for the tip on A/Z.

[purplehaze]

Milt, Steve, and Buck -


Thanks for the info!

I was afraid I'd need to swap rings. Can't imagine how the chrome ones would look when all the other trim is black. I'll probably get the primered rings and paint them to match.

I didn't know about the electrical connectors, so that helps.

I assume I'd need the relay if some of those 100W bulbs happened to fall into the socket by accident........

Thanks,

G

[tcar]

Originally Posted by purplehaze

I assume I'd need the relay if some of those 100W bulbs happened to fall into the socket by accident........


G

Relays also make the headlights brighter if you use stock bulbs, and make your gauge lights brighter. A must if you go to 55/100 or 80/100.

[dshepp806]

THe 80/100W was my trick...with Sucro relay hit and conversion to 10 Guage ,,,,,,,,,I no longer seek the H4 upgarde and remain stock (wattage aside,..and accomodated for!)


My H5s are getting it done for me.

Best

[purplehaze]

Interesting fix, Doyle

I like the look of the H4's as well, beyond just their potential candle power. Either way I guess the relay is a must.

Thanks!

[buttjoint]

I went with the H 1's in my 89. You have to make up a adapter to go from the h5' to the h1's. I also installed the sucro relays. The h1's work great and look bad a$$. I made a adapter because I did not want to cut up my harness.

[JeremyD]

I did the H5's to the H4's after the higher wattage bulbs melted the plastic connectors in the H5's.

The H4's are really a better item. The glass is real glass - better optics. The buckets are metal. The H-4 connectors are more sturdy.

I got the connectors fron daniel stern lighting - relays from there too - although marcus suco has great relays too. I tend to like to do things once - so I also replaced the turn signal/bright switch = I painted the trim rings - got a can of diamond blue from paintscratch that matched great.

[NathanR]

Jeremy D

Painting the trim rings is the only thing holding me back from this project. How does "paintscratch" work?

Cheers,
NathanR

[JeremyD]

http://www.paintscratch.com/

just order the spray cans for 24.95 and a can of clearcoat...

prep - sand - primer - sand with 400 - paint - paint 2nd coat - then clear coat.

[Monza_dh]

purplehaze, I'll take your H5's off your hands if you make the switch. I need one and located in MA.

Thanks!

[herr_oberst]

sub'd

[dshepp806]

The required painting has what has put me off for the H4 upgrade........I just ensure that I had better wiring (throughout) as well as the proper (new) connection/socket...no worries with heat as to wiring or sockets......

Best,

[dshepp806]

Yes, purplehaze,..the relays are a "given".

Best,

[summers3d]

Great timing on this post. I have an '89 and just got my H4's in the mail yesterday. Sucro kit is on order. I've been searching in vain for more info on the socket/connector change that is needed to go from H5's to H4's. Can anyone shed more light on exactly what part is needed and where to find it?
Thanks,
-David

[KTL]

Here's some information when I did mine

Wiring/Electrical work to change from H5 to H4 headlights