Change Fog to Driving?

[Wavey]

On my '88 Carrera, I find I don't use the factory fog lamps much and could really use some long-range lamps. I'd like to swap the lens/reflector assemblies to change from fog lamps to driving lamps. Has anyone done this and does anyone have part numbers and/or a source?

Thanks,

Dave

[jmohn]

I've never done it so I don't have part numbers, but the wiring for those lamps is pretty light, be sure you factor in up-grading the wiring, heavy duty lamp sockets and adding relays.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[masraum]

I looked for exactly that for my '88 several times including looking through the parts cd. I don't believe they exist, or at least, not any more. I eventually removed mine figuring I would just save the weight and let the extra air into the oil cooler. I think your best bet is to look for a driving light that will fit the hole. Most will use the single post mount, the only thing that you'll lose is the flush fit, but it should be pretty close.

[FlaCarrera]

Also keep in mind that stock wiring shuts fog lamps off when high beams switched on. A straight fog switch to battery lead would allow driving lights and high beams on simeltaneously but a ton of amps going on. I prefer to just use 55/100W H4s to light up the night as the fog light, IMO, are positioned too low to be effective driving lights.
Ted in So Fla
86 Carrera

[MIK911]

The only difference between fog and driving lights are the lenses. the fog lenses are fluted, whereas the driving lenses are smooth. The reflector should be the same in both cases. I've never seen driving lenses to fit our fog lamp housings.
What i'm considering to get more light are HID upgrades for my H1's. Seen them on 993 H1's, but never on pre-89 911's. Anyone ever do this conversion? eg: HIDS4LESS.com sells the conversion for $3-400./pr. Kinda pricey.

Mike
'86 coupe

[theporchevman]

You could always go for a combo:http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=Hella+Optilux+2020+Du al+Fog+and+Driving+Lights&productid=103254&producttype=10
or:
http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=PIAA+90+Pro+XT+Fog+an d+Driving+Lamps&productid=104664&producttype=20

Jimbo2

[Emission]

I tend to agree the location of our fogs prevents them from being very effective as driving lights (they are too low). Why not just try a brighter bulb (with a relay)?

[Wavey]

"Be sure you factor in up-grading the wiring, heavy duty lamp sockets and adding relays."

They're already relayed, although to only be on with the low beams. That could probably be changed to work only with the high beams.

"I think your best bet is to look for a driving light that will fit the hole. "

Good advice, Steve, probably the easiest way to do it.

"Also keep in mind that stock wiring shuts fog lamps off when high beams switched on. A straight fog switch to battery lead would allow driving lights and high beams on simeltaneously but a ton of amps going on. "

Right, probably the best way to switch them, but with a relay.

"The only difference between fog and driving lights are the lenses. the fog lenses are fluted, whereas the driving lenses are smooth. The reflector should be the same in both cases. "

I don't think that's correct. I think the reflectors are actually shaped differently to provide for a long, narrow pattern rather than a short, wide pattern. I managed a Bosch parts distribution center years ago, and the part numbers were different for fog lamp reflectors and driving lamp reflectors.

I guess the best approach would be to remove the stock fog lamps, install new driving lamps of a similar size in the same location, and fabricate new wiring, relays and a separate switch.

Thanks for the responses, guys!

[Rob McKibbon]

I purchased a Hella 550 (1 mile range) driving lamps kit that fits into the Porsche fog lamps, comes with everything you need to complete the conversion, wires, switch, relays, lamps, housing, etc. The lenses are quite unique looking. Part No. 74406 by Hella, made in Germany, has a sticker part No. PEL-HEL-550DL also, but I can't remember where I bought them?? Hella Ph# (800) 247-5924. Also got the 55/100W bulbs for the headlights.
Can't stand driving winding lake roads at night and not being able to see.
Sorry, I can't tell you how they work, as they're still in the box waiting to be installed; I did check them and they will fit right into the existing fog lamp housings, which was my biggest concern.
If you have no luck finding them, let me know and I'll dig out the invoice from my ever growing file of invoices for my car. Hah ha.
Good Luck!

[Wil Ferch]

Couple of things:
---yes, the fogs are relayed, and there is no need to increase the wire size if you stay at 55W like the original fogs. You can get powerful driving lights like Hella 550's that use ( I'm quite sure ) this wattage bulb.
--- you can move one grey wire from one termianl to another, and get the fogs to work independently from the hi/lo beams..but parking lights must at least be on. Very simple.
--- although relayed from the factory, Porsche has this infuriating way of not fusing the control circuit of their relayed items ( in this case only the power side is fused). Again, moving one wire from the top ( input side) to the bottom ( output side) of an appropriate place in the fuse box solves this. Why doesn't Porsceh just *do it*?
---the Hella 550's are, I believe, a bit too large to duplicate the original fogs. They may need to be mounted a bit outboard of the holes to fit.
--consider removing the fogs, using the holes for brake or oil cooler ducting, and place a pair of round driving lights close together near the center of the car, perhaps alongside the front license plate. I think having round lights there supplements the look of the original headlights. and makes for nice look of 4 lights located that way.
--- driving lights in the fog light position are too low to be really effective for long range. Still, they can be considered to be a nice "intermediate" light that works between low and hi beams..used along with low beams.
--- if you still buy the 550 pair, another thing to consider as an option is a mix 'n match a pair of 550's ...the driver's side being a driving light , angled slightly toward the right curb, and right side lamp configured with a fluted lens ( 550's can be had either way). That way you get a nice intermediate beam that has a long pencil beam left unit and a wide beam right unit. ( For you Brits anf HK guys...all this is reversed of course).
--Wil Ferch

[Quicksilver]

I have an 87 coupe and I found the fogs to be un-impressive and the H5 headlamps stink. I am used to having serious lighting on my entertainment cars and after doing a lot of head scratching I came up with a solution that I am very happy with.
My requirements were that everything be able to mount without any externally visible holes, I wanted improved beam pattern and power on the fogs, I wanted a reasonable compromise for a general use driving light and I wanted a seriously long range driving/pencil beam for serious night time driving. (plus it helps to melt the occasional Volkswagen Beetle ) Additionally I wanted to make sure that everything clears the ground so the first steep driveway doesn't take it out.

So here is my Christmas project / gift to myself...


The fogs are a fairly standard projector beam style from Pilot. I intend to paint then silver so they go with the rest of the car.
I made the projector beam driving lights from a set of Hella projector beam fog lights with clear lenses. Inside the projector lamps is a black shield that masks off the top part of the beam. Two screws later and you have a short range driving lamp. They mount with a 5/8" spacer to the valances internal sheet metal that is above the stock fog light. I plan on forming a piece of ABS to integrate the lights into the shape of the stock bodywork at a later time.
The big lamps are a made from a set of 5" round driving lamps from Eagle Eye. The rear 'teardrop' has been replaced by a couple of $1.97 stainless steel mixing bowls from Wal-Mart. I cut them to the correct diameter, rolled the edges with some vice-grips and then beat the bottom of the bowl out until it cleared the back of the H3 bulb. The light's bracket attaches to a 1/4 thick bar that is attached to the cars main structure so it doesn't touch the valance and is firmly supported. I am very happy with the 5" lights. They look really nice and I had never tried hammer forming metal before so it was a fun (and loud) experience.


For the electrical I added a new panel in front of the stock fuse panel for the relays and the fuse/circuit breakers panel. I mounted it using the fender bolts in the same way that the stock panel does. I also added a couple circuit breakers for the headlights so I can add a set of 80/100W amber all-weather bulbs.


If anybody wants detail pictures of the mounts just ask.

Wayne

[gtc]

Hella 550 driving lights will not fit in the 84-89 Carrera valence. I tried it last night, and they are just too big, especially with the plastic stone guards in place.

I know this thread is old, but I couldn't find any definite yes or no answer as to whether they would fit or not. Hopefully this saves someone else some time.

[aj88cab]

See this thread

Hella 450 Driving Lights

It looks like the Hella 450 are the right size.