Headlights on the CHEAP

[calling911]

As I drove around last night in my 76 with stock headlights I noticed that they SUCK and there were times when I literally could not see well and it was semi-dangerous.

Anybody have ideas for upgrading these on the cheap? Like as in under $100?

I love the look of H1's but I cant justify $800 healdights on a $6k car.

[jmohn]

A "cost effective" upgrade would be the Hella H4 kit (about $60 each side) from our host. I put a similar kit in my 951 some years ago and was very satisfied with the result. It's not as effective as the full Bosch Euro H4 upgrade but it's much better than the original tungsten lamps.

Fortunately my '78 SC came with the Bosch upgrade installed, which I really do like, so if you have the cash the Bosch kit would be my preference.

Which ever way you go - correct aiming will have a lot to do with how well the lights (including stock lighting) performs.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[juicersr]

Remove your core bulb(s)/ sealed beam and install HID... cheap kits available, easy to install and you will be in the 21st century for headlights. This guy used 912 lenses, but you can use cooler looking h4 lenses or whatever you are running right now, for factory look. Couple of other guys here have done it as well, so do a search.

HID Xenon for 911 - Initial pics

[calling911]

Originally Posted by juicersr

Remove your core bulb(s)/ sealed beam and install HID... cheap kits available, easy to install and you will be in the 21st century for headlights. This guy used 912 lenses, but you can use cooler looking h4 lenses or whatever you are running right now, for factory look. Couple of other guys here have done it as well, so do a search.

HID Xenon for 911 - Initial pics

Looks to me that this would cost well over my $100 bubget. Im sealed sylvania quality.

Best advice thus far: AIM THEM.. I didnt even think of that! I saw they H4 sealed pelican has but they are also above $100.

Spending over $100 for headlights is just plain silly to me.

[Canada Kev]

North American sealed beams suck.

I would recommend visiting your local auto parts place or even Walmart and looking for a Bosch light upgrade package. It will include two 7" E-code round lights with replaceable bulbs. Install them like any other sealed beam, plug in the bulb and then AIM THEM. Instructions for aiming are available at various locations on the web or just check out Daniel Stern's web site for instructions and all the information you would ever want to know about automotive lighting.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

You could use any other manufacturer of lighting equipment, like Cibie or Hella, not just Bosch, though the Bosch tend to be a bit cheaper. The Bosch kit I speak of should be about $100. I got my kit here in Canada at Canadian Tire for just over that amount.

A hundred bucks may seem to be a bit high for lighting, but once you use them, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. Well, unless you don't drive anywhere at night.

-kevin

[gtc]

JP, I thought the same until last night when I got my used-but-new-to-me H4 and H1 installed. I was running the fancy sylvania silverstar sealed beams, yet there is absolutely no comparison. I only have 55 watt bulbs at the moment, but they are still brighter than the sealed beam units. The beam pattern is superior, and they are easier to adjust as well. When my current bulbs burn out, the 100 watt replacements will be cheaper and also easier to install than a sealed beam bulb, and should be even brighter than what I have now.
This is one of those projects I wish I had done when I bought the car.

Originally Posted by calling911

Looks to me that this would cost well over my $100 bubget. Im sealed sylvania quality.
Best advice thus far: AIM THEM.. I didnt even think of that! I saw they H4 sealed pelican has but they are also above $100.
Spending over $100 for headlights is just plain silly to me.

[JeremyD]

Do a relay kit no matter what you install. Otherwise your upgrade will end up costing you WAY more than $100.

[mytoy]

Originally Posted by syzygy

North American sealed beams suck.

I would recommend visiting your local auto parts place or even Walmart and looking for a Bosch light upgrade package. It will include two 7" E-code round lights with replaceable bulbs. Install them like any other sealed beam, plug in the bulb and then AIM THEM. Instructions for aiming are available at various locations on the web or just check out Daniel Stern's web site for instructions and all the information you would ever want to know about automotive lighting.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

You could use any other manufacturer of lighting equipment, like Cibie or Hella, not just Bosch, though the Bosch tend to be a bit cheaper. The Bosch kit I speak of should be about $100. I got my kit here in Canada at Canadian Tire for just over that amount.
A hundred bucks may seem to be a bit high for lighting, but once you use them, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. Well, unless you don't drive anywhere at night.

-kevin

Kevin

If you could be so kind I would like to know the part numbers for what you got if it is at all possible. Or at least what to look for as I am looking at replacing my lights and couldn't find the Bosch lights at my location.
Thanks

[Canada Kev]

Sorry, Gary. I don't know any part numbers. The box is bright yellow with a clear section on one side so you can acttually see the lights. Its about a 1.5 feet long and 6 x 8 on the end dimension. I know that won't help if you are on the phone with some parts desk jockey, but if you are in the store, it should jump out at you.

If Canadian tire doesn't have them, then maybe phone Napa or Partsource or Bumper to Bumper. Lordco in BC should also have them, too. Any major generic auto parts place may have them, so don't limit your search to CT. Hell, I've seen them in some small gas stations. You know, the ones that actually carry little things like fuses and light bulbs and stuff.

Good luck.

-kevin

[Hugh R]

I think you can still get round sealed beam GE halogens pretty cheap. I'd do the relay upgrade regardless.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by jmohn

A "cost effective" upgrade would be the Hella H4 kit (about $60 each side) from our host. I put a similar kit in my 951 some years ago and was very satisfied with the result. It's not as effective as the full Bosch Euro H4 upgrade but it's much better than the original tungsten lamps.

Fortunately my '78 SC came with the Bosch upgrade installed, which I really do like, so if you have the cash the Bosch kit would be my preference.

Which ever way you go - correct aiming will have a lot to do with how well the lights (including stock lighting) performs.

Jerry M
'78 SC

I believe these simple direct-replacement kits probably throw light just as well as the more expensive full Bosch Euro H4 systems at a cheaper initial cost. But.....I think it's a false economy. The simple direct-replacement things get holes in them quickly. Perhaps you could put that protective film over them? At any rate, they break. The Euro setups don't break nearly as easily (thicker glass, more obtuse angle).

[Superman]

Both the Euro setup and the direct-replacement units (offroad use only.....yeah, right) throw the light out in a better pattern. Much better. The next step is to install the relay (also cheap) and use brighter lamps. I have been using 55/100 bulbs instead of the factory 55/60, but plant to upgrade. Perhaps to 100/130.

[calling911]

Originally Posted by gtc

JP, I thought the same until last night when I got my used-but-new-to-me H4 and H1 installed. I was running the fancy sylvania silverstar sealed beams, yet there is absolutely no comparison. I only have 55 watt bulbs at the moment, but they are still brighter than the sealed beam units. The beam pattern is superior, and they are easier to adjust as well. When my current bulbs burn out, the 100 watt replacements will be cheaper and also easier to install than a sealed beam bulb, and should be even brighter than what I have now.
This is one of those projects I wish I had done when I bought the car.

I know what its like my friend. My 88 BMW M3 had 12 lbs of glass per headlight.. (exageration).. they were awesome.. Would I pay $300 for them? No.. but thats me.. give me a nice set of off road headlights cheap and I will be happy.. sounds like some good advice here.. I'll need to read closer.

[calling911]

Originally Posted by syzygy

North American sealed beams suck.

I would recommend visiting your local auto parts place or even Walmart and looking for a Bosch light upgrade package. It will include two 7" E-code round lights with replaceable bulbs. Install them like any other sealed beam, plug in the bulb and then AIM THEM. Instructions for aiming are available at various locations on the web or just check out Daniel Stern's web site for instructions and all the information you would ever want to know about automotive lighting.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

You could use any other manufacturer of lighting equipment, like Cibie or Hella, not just Bosch, though the Bosch tend to be a bit cheaper. The Bosch kit I speak of should be about $100. I got my kit here in Canada at Canadian Tire for just over that amount.

A hundred bucks may seem to be a bit high for lighting, but once you use them, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. Well, unless you don't drive anywhere at night.

-kevin

Thanks.. Im gonna go this route. My 69 has cibies.. but the mirrors are all rusted. So Im gonna try and find some nice Bosch units like you recommend.

[calling911]

Would these work? Can I use the rings I have for them??
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight-Standard/dp/B000FKIURK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227314236&sr=1-1


pretty darn cheap!
EDIT: or this...
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Round-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B000FL60TE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227314616&sr=1-4

Hmm these are interesting too:
http://www.amazon.com/6024-EURO-XENON-CONVERSION-ROUND/dp/B0012FBB4Q/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227315604&sr=1-45

BUt I thought HID's needed a ballast?? now Im confused.


EDIT: they have to be JUNK at this price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-911-912-914-928-944-XENON-EURO-BLUE-HEAD-LIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1 262QQcategoryZ36476QQihZ002QQitemZ120226440722QQrd Z1

[gtc]

Yes, those look like the same ones that Pelican sells. But is that for one or two lamps???

Sending PM now...

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by calling911

Would these work? Can I use the rings I have for them??
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight-Standard/dp/B000FKIURK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227314236&sr=1-1

Hellas are damn fine lights and should fill your need quite nicely. The kit appears to be H4 sealed beam replacements.

Originally Posted by calling911

EDIT: or this...
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Round-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B000FL60TE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227314616&sr=1-4

Yup, pretty much the same as the others, except that they indicate they ship with 80/100 watt bulbs. YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY NEED TO INSTALL RELAYS WITH THESE OR YOU WILL MELT YOUR WIRING AND/OR SWITCH.

Originally Posted by calling911

Hmm these are interesting too:
http://www.amazon.com/6024-EURO-XENON-CONVERSION-ROUND/dp/B0012FBB4Q/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1227315604&sr=1-45

BUt I thought HID's needed a ballast?? now Im confused.

I would avoid these. I know it says they are HID, but I, too, am under the impression that they need ballasts. I suspect they are just xenon filled, blue tinted regular bulbs. You will get LESS light and hassles from the fuzz because your lights are blue.

As well, halogen bulbs are not directly replaceable with HIDs. The reflectors need to be designed specifically for these types of bulbs. Sure they are pretty blue, but who cares? Are you 17 and trying to impress your buddies? They may feel like they are brighter, but they blind oncoming drivers and throw light everywhere except where you really need it when running down some dark deserted back road.

Like with most things it is not necessarily the quantity of light, but how it is directed down the road. Your old sealed beams are 55/60 watt, but compare them to the Bosch/Cibie/Hella/IPF with the 55/60 watt bulbs and they are worlds apart in useable, visible light with the same power. It is also important to upgrade relays and wiring. This will give your lights more juice due to less resistance from the smaller wires and switches never designed to transfer that kind of current.

Originally Posted by calling911

EDIT: they have to be JUNK at this price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-911-912-914-928-944-XENON-EURO-BLUE-HEAD-LIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1 262QQcategoryZ36476QQihZ002QQitemZ120226440722QQrd Z1

No opinion other than they appear to be the same as the ones just above.

-kevin

[calling911]

Originally Posted by gtc

Yes, those look like the same ones that Pelican sells. But is that for one or two lamps???

Sending PM now...

Says lightS. Id say two.

[Por_sha911]

Old bulbs are dimmer than new ones. You may want to replace one and see if there is a difference. Also, you can "cheat" a little by aiming your lights up just a tad. You are low to the ground and it won't be a problem with the cars coming in the opposite direction unless you go too high.

[myfast911]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-86-PORSCHE-911-Round-Projector-Headlight-71-73-75_W0QQitemZ330288764629QQihZ014QQcategoryZ33710QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem i have these on my 76 and they look great.