Do H4's come in left and right?

[wayner]

Are there left and right lenses?

I got a kit with my car and both headlights and rings look the same

thanks

[cgarr]

Nope, they are both the same, weird aint it!

[Targa Me]

Originally Posted by cgarr

nope, they are both the same, weird aint it!

+1

[schumicat]

The left and right lenses are the same, but I believe the sets come in different versions for left-hand drive and right-hand drive countries (reflectors are differently to minimize glare to oncoming drivers).

[wayner]

Thanks for the quick responses!

[bfunke]

Indeed they do!

If you get the Euro pattern lenses they do come in left and right; however the left and right are for LHD and RHD vehicles respectively not sides of the car. You'll want to get two of whatever pattern is correct for you country of residence. RHD H4s will blind oncoming drivers because the low beam pattern rises on the left side to better illuminate road signs. Similarly German H4s would be unsuitable in the UK and Japan.

Bryan

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by schumicat

The left and right lenses are the same, but I believe the sets come in different versions for left-hand drive and right-hand drive countries (reflectors are differently to minimize glare to oncoming drivers).

No, it's the lenses that are different, not the reflectors. It's the fluting in the lens directs the light.

Regardless, the lens on the right side of the car is supposed to be the same as the left. H1s work the same as well, though the lenses for H1 are different than those of the H4 lights.

[DRACO A5OG]

H1's are same too

Remember if left hand driver the light will show __/__/

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

H1's are same too

Remember if left hand driver the light will show __/__/

When looking from inside the car out the windshield . . .

[gregwils]

Timely topic for me, looking to finally rid myself of the sugar scoops. Actually, I swapped out the sealed beams for a super cheap set of Autopal H4s and a relay some time ago, so this is purely cosmetic. I'm just not a fan of the sugar scoops.

Can you tell by looking at the lights if they are for RHD or LHD countries? Here's an example. There is a trapezoid shape on the right side of the lens. Are these for a RHD country?

My guess is that they are for a LHD country - US and most of the world. Here is my logic. The trapezoid lowers the light on that side of the bulb. The trapezoid on the right (looking into lens) means that the light on the left of the car (looking through windshield) is at a lower height. A LHD country has cars opposing on the left side, so you would want the light on the left side to be lower in the LHD country.

Can anybody confirm this? Is this the function of the trapezoid and is it on the right side of the lens when looking at the lens on your car? Thanks.

[DRACO A5OG]

That's correct, liken to a magnify glass it will project the opposite on a wall.

[gregwils]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

That's correct, liken to a magnify glass it will project the opposite on a wall.

I didn't factor that into my logic, so the lens that are shown would go on a RHD car for Japan or GB. Assuming these were installed as shown on a US car, then the passenger side of the car would be where the pattern would be lower. Opposite of what would be needed for the US or any LHD country. Correct?

[gregwils]

I just searched for some closeups of H4's where the lens pattern was clear in the photo. This is obviously installed on the passenger side with the trapezoid oriented on the drivers side. I get the magnifying glass analogy with the light refraction, but that seems to make my original logic wrong.

Final question. Is this lens correct for this car?



This one too?

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by Flat Six

When looking from inside the car out the windshield . . .

I should've been more specific. This is the light pattern you should see when looking from inside the car out the windshield.

The lenses pictured above (with the trapezoid on the driver's side of the lens on LHD cars) are correct and should produce this same pattern with headlights shining on a wall -- like this:





From Daniel Stern's informative and very useful site: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

[DRACO A5OG]

Correct? Yes, it is one of the choices.

[Sway Bar]

Great info.
A little off topic but following Greg's theme. I too have sugar scoops and look to have H4 upgrades and wish to go to the smaller chrome rim etc posted above, however, upon dismantling the head lamps my lenses are flat as opposed to the angular frosted ones pictured above.

What would I require for that look?

Can the lenses be simply popped off the reflector and changed?

Cheers

[bfunke]

You have a seven inch H-4 headlamp which is used in place of the sealed beams mandated so many years in the US. To convert to the Euro style H-4s you'll need to purchase the entire bucket assembly. Our host sells them for around 500 for a pair. If you got the money go for it.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by gregwils

Can you tell by looking at the lights if they are for RHD or LHD countries?

The lights shown in your example are correct for the countries, like the US, that drive on the right side of the road.

JR

[Sway Bar]

Thanks bfunke...

I was afraid of that even though researching the headlamps sources say the 2 vents on rubber rear seal and the presence of the internal shield indicate Euro's it still doesn't give me the desired effect.

I can live with sugar scoops for the near future

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Sway Bar

I was afraid of that even though researching the headlamps sources say the 2 vents on rubber rear seal and the presence of the internal shield indicate Euro's

Well, you do have a lamp assembly that uses the same bulb as the Euro lights, so in that respect, they are correct. There's a lot of confusion about this issue. Porsche used a bespoke H4 lamp assembly on the 911. Most other cars that used a 7 inch H4 light used something similar to what you have.

Originally Posted by Sway Bar

it still doesn't give me the desired effect.

Which is what? Appearance, or light performance? The lighting performance is very similar. Obviously, the apeearance is different. If you're looking for more light, changing to the Porsche 911-specific H4 light won't buy you much.

JR