HID build,..

[jimtweet]

well, i have seen alot of HID builds in the last couple months and wanted to take a shot at my own,..

i am trying to get as close to the Singer lights as possible, so here we go

stock H4 light


New Parts that have come in so far, new HID projectors, new clear lens, new seals




these are headlight buckets out of a 1973 jeep, i might use these i might not,..not sure yet


step one: take apart stock H4, Clean, reinstall new seal on clear lens, install lens

[jimtweet]

step 2: take apart stock reflector, be careful, rusted metal of the years is very brittle
squeeze two tabs for front piece to come out, this was easy


there are three tabs you have to bend to remove the rear buld holder thingy,..save this for later! to retain city lights


step 3: using the projector shroud mark the back of the stock reflector with marker and dremel hole


step 4: drink beer

step 5: ask wife to turn on the radio while you drink beer

step 6: insert the projector into back of reflector and put light back together

[jimtweet]

using the stock refelctor to house the projector lets you still adjust the light like you would normally do

i have to make and JB wel tabs onto the back of the stock projector to hold the proejctor solid

i have to paint the reflectors and housings a dark grey color

still waiting on HID kit to show up

HI and Low beams are in one now 9004

working on city lights to stay right under the projector

[mickey356]

Very cool. You guys doing these HIDs got skills for sure. I'm waiting and watching because this is one of the those projects I'm planning on down the road.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by mickey356

Very cool. You guys doing these HIDs got skills for sure. I'm waiting and watching because this is one of the those projects I'm planning on down the road.

yea i have kept my eyes open on alot of these threads, i just didnt see a design that i really liked, i wanted to keep just a single light in the housing,..simple as possible

i dont drive the car to much at night, its really a weekend / nice weather driver, but when i do, i was very dissapointed with the stock light output

i have a 66 mustang, and that has to be the worst lighting i have ever seen, everything on the car is brand new, total restoration, and the lighting is just terrible, i am not sure how people used to drive those cars at night back in the day,...i drive around with my brights on, and can still only see 10 feet ahead

[Busta Rib]

"step 4: drink beer

step 5: ask wife to turn on the radio while you drink beer"

I like steps 4 and 5. Very critical. Where did you source the clear lenses? Also, are the stock H4's basically using 7" rounds? I'm wondering if I can do a similar retrofit using these projectors. They are from http://www.9xauto.com/911.html:



EURO DIAMOND CUT CLEAR 7-INCH SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS. SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS -EURO CLEAR FRONT LENSES,WITH CHROME PLATED INNER DIAMONDBACK STYLE REFLECTORS -BUILT IN LAMP GLOVE HELPS TO DIFFUSE BLINDING OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC -INCLUDES (2)HEADLAMPS,

Extra feature; Has parking light additional socket for a small wedge bulb. These wires from the wedge bulb, must be connected to the existing "parking lights" source

PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS (Add to Cart) 69.00

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Busta Rib

"step 4: drink beer

step 5: ask wife to turn on the radio while you drink beer"

I like steps 4 and 5. Very critical. Where did you source the clear lenses? Also, are the stock H4's basically using 7" rounds? I'm wondering if I can do a similar retrofit using these projectors. They are from http://www.9xauto.com/911.html:



EURO DIAMOND CUT CLEAR 7-INCH SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS. SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS -EURO CLEAR FRONT LENSES,WITH CHROME PLATED INNER DIAMONDBACK STYLE REFLECTORS -BUILT IN LAMP GLOVE HELPS TO DIFFUSE BLINDING OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC -INCLUDES (2)HEADLAMPS,

Extra feature; Has parking light additional socket for a small wedge bulb. These wires from the wedge bulb, must be connected to the existing "parking lights" source

PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS (Add to Cart) 69.00

i am pretty sure it is a 7" round, BUT THOSE LIGHTS SUCK,..i had a set like that for my mustang, and the light is no different then stock lights, that is NOT a true projector,...trust me, and the bulbs look like cheap ebay stuff, i think you would be better off with silverstars or something like that

the clear lens are from Volkswagen Restoration Parts | New VW Parts | Volkswagon: Headlight Glass,Clear,Bug,Ghia,T-3 up to ' 66, you can get a set of seals for a couple bucks too, i know the seals on pelican are like 40$

[jimtweet]

and sorry i am not trying to sound like a dick or bash those lights, i just hate to see people waste money on junk, when you can do something once and do it right with quality stuff,...

once i am dont these lights, depending on their turn out, i would have no problems doing a couple sets for people, as long as you deal with no lights for a couple weeks

[Busta Rib]

No offense taken. Thanks for the heads up. I'd be interested in one of your custom sets. Please keep me apprised. Curious to see how yours turn out.

[phatduc]

Hello and nice job on the HID set. New 911 owner here with a quick question...

"the clear lens are from Volkswagen Restoration Parts | New VW Parts | Volkswagon: Headlight Glass,Clear,Bug,Ghia,T-3 up to ' 66, you can get a set of seals for a couple bucks too, i know the seals on pelican are like 40$"

Will the clear lens you show in the pictures fit a 1981 911SC? Headlight lens are a disposable item in MT, and at $8, the price is right if it fits.

Thanks, dave

[80-911SC]

Originally Posted by phatduc

Hello and nice job on the HID set. New 911 owner here with a quick question...

"the clear lens are from Volkswagen Restoration Parts | New VW Parts | Volkswagon: Headlight Glass,Clear,Bug,Ghia,T-3 up to ' 66, you can get a set of seals for a couple bucks too, i know the seals on pelican are like 40$"

Will the clear lens you show in the pictures fit a 1981 911SC? Headlight lens are a disposable item in MT, and at $8, the price is right if it fits.

Thanks, dave

no ..... unless you have switched the stock to the euro- H4 .... stock are sugar scoops

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

no ..... unless you have switched the stock to the euro- H4 .... stock are sugar scoops

exactly what he said

[JHanson]

I'd like to reiterate the warning about those 'Euro Diamond' headlights, in particular the blue-tinted bulbs, which are less than worthless. The blue tint reduces the amount of light emitted by the bulb, and scatters it as well (leading to the specious claim by some blue bulb makers that they "increase the spread of the light beam")

At the magazine I edit we did a comprehensive test of driving lights some time ago, and proved conclusively that the blue bulb hype is just that.

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by Busta Rib

"step 4: drink beer

step 5: ask wife to turn on the radio while you drink beer"

I like steps 4 and 5. Very critical. Where did you source the clear lenses? Also, are the stock H4's basically using 7" rounds? I'm wondering if I can do a similar retrofit using these projectors. They are from http://www.9xauto.com/911.html:



EURO DIAMOND CUT CLEAR 7-INCH SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS. SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS -EURO CLEAR FRONT LENSES,WITH CHROME PLATED INNER DIAMONDBACK STYLE REFLECTORS -BUILT IN LAMP GLOVE HELPS TO DIFFUSE BLINDING OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC -INCLUDES (2)HEADLAMPS,

Extra feature; Has parking light additional socket for a small wedge bulb. These wires from the wedge bulb, must be connected to the existing "parking lights" source

PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS (Add to Cart) 69.00

Check this thread out if you have not already. Projector Headlights for less than $100????? HID for less than $400???? The lights the guy is using looks like the headlights in this pic. not sure but close. Now look at the comparison pic he has of those headlights compared to the old H4's he had and I would say that for 60 bucks they are better than stock. Now are they better than what is in this thread, hell no as they are not true projectors, just pop in style lights. You can either spend big bucks or go the cheap route and it looks like the cheap route works pretty good as well. Pelican has pop in lights as well that are not sealed and with a relay kit you can put some high wattage bulbs in if you like.
I do like this post /build and the simplicity of the lights-very cool, but also very exspensive.

[phatduc]

Originally Posted by jimtweet

exactly what he said

80-91sc and jimtweeet- thanks guys. Not to complicate the matter... I just checked what's on the car (just bought her before Christmas, so we are still getting to know each other) and the lens look just like what is in the picture in the post above: they say H4 in the middle and Bosch on the bottom. Does that mean I've got euro-H4 lamps. The previous owner has no record of headlight conversion and really doesn't know for sure what he had, but then again he's been driving on cracked lens for who knows how long.

[gsmith660]

Those are not HID lights I can tell even from that pic they have a filament HID bulbs have a chamber that ignites the xenon to create a very bright light those appear to be H-4 bulbs. Jim following your build on the turbo forum.

Originally Posted by Busta Rib

"step 4: drink beer

step 5: ask wife to turn on the radio while you drink beer"

I like steps 4 and 5. Very critical. Where did you source the clear lenses? Also, are the stock H4's basically using 7" rounds? I'm wondering if I can do a similar retrofit using these projectors. They are from http://www.9xauto.com/911.html:



EURO DIAMOND CUT CLEAR 7-INCH SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS. SEALED BEAM CONVERSION PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS -EURO CLEAR FRONT LENSES,WITH CHROME PLATED INNER DIAMONDBACK STYLE REFLECTORS -BUILT IN LAMP GLOVE HELPS TO DIFFUSE BLINDING OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC -INCLUDES (2)HEADLAMPS,

Extra feature; Has parking light additional socket for a small wedge bulb. These wires from the wedge bulb, must be connected to the existing "parking lights" source

PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLIGHTS (Add to Cart) 69.00

[jimtweet]

thank you, worked on a mounting system today, still havent finalized anything yet, the metal on the reflector is so thin i am scared to weld on it,...

i also have the reflector going through the reflector without its lens and snap ring, if that makes sense, once its through, then the lens and snap ring go on, so that is supporting it also

[bfunke]

I'll throw my opinion in. Been researching HID retrofits a little.

Jim Tweets' HID projectors are BiXenon with proper masks and shutters. These projectors with shutters are the only way to go and exactly same as OEM on new cars. I can't tell what brand he's using. Bosch E46s are popular and Bosch name goes well with Porsche. I think I would go with an FX-R projector from the Retrofit Source. The are retrofit friendly with shorter height profile and four corner mounting holes cast into the body. They also cost $135 new which is good price.
As with Euro H4s, BiXenon HID projectors coming in LDH and RHD version. Get the right one for your country. You'll need the early clear glass Euro front lens if you use a projector since the H4 or H5 will give you the wrong beam pattern.

The lamps Bustarib shows are not true BiXenon. The appear to be projector lamps designed for Halogen bulbs. A Xenon bulb kit can be retrofit into this lamp but it will have the wrong beam pattern, low beam only and lots of glare to oncoming cars. Recommend avoid that product.

Halogen bulb and HIDs come in a variety of temperatures. The higher temp blue lights actually put out less lumens and are prone to producing glare. I'd go with a 4300K bulb for headlamps and a 3200K bulb for fogs.

This is just my $0.02. Keep up the great work and post pics of your projects and how well they perform.

[gsmith660]

Originally Posted by jimtweet

thank you, worked on a mounting system today, still havent finalized anything yet, the metal on the reflector is so thin i am scared to weld on it,...

i also have the reflector going through the reflector without its lens and snap ring, if that makes sense, once its through, then the lens and snap ring go on, so that is supporting it also

If you look in my pics of the bucket I used 4 mm (I think) allen head bolts you could use those to mount your bracket I don't think that would be too obtrusive and the reflector does not play a part in the beam pattern. Just a thought if you did the vacuum formed deal then the mounting hardware would be hidden, tossing ideas out there to get your singer look you want. You might PM Rothaus to see what he did I think Wwest did that also.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by bfunke

I think I would go with an FX-R projector from the Retrofit Source. The are retrofit friendly with shorter height profile and four corner mounting holes cast into the body. They also cost $135 new which is good price.

Great info, and the suppliers look like they are really helpful with the installation and have all the relays/wiring you would need. I'm going this route on my RSR road car.