Converting from H5 to H4

[jaustinmd]

My '82 911SC has Bosch H5 headlight assemblies. I was having difficulty aligning the headlamps, so I pulled the units out of the fender and discovered the left reflector is chipped around the periphery of the hole where the grey plastic piece (that holds the bulb) twists-in. The inside of the grey piece is also melted and chipped around the periphery. This allows the bulb to shift in the reflector and that's what's causing the alignment problems. So, basically, the left headlight assembly is toast! Both headlights are rather cloudy on the inside of the lens, so looks to me I need to just replace both units.
If I wanted to go to a H4, I know Pelican has the "European" upgrade kits which will supply everything I need with a choice of chrome or black bezels. Is that the best route to go? I assume I can't use the very inexpensive upgrade kit Pelican sells because I don't have the original headlight carrier assembly? Would it make more sense functionally and economically to go the European upgrade route rather than trying to locate original headlight carriers and use the inexpensive upgrade kit?
I also assume the H5 plug will have to be adapted to H4?
Thanks,
John

[964TargaC2]

Since one of your H5s is shot you may as well go to the H4 as they are far superior to the H5 and dont forget to add headlight relays, you new lights will be brighter with the relay set up and your electrical system will be protected, you dont want to fry your column switch!


Pelican has the h5 to h4 adapter


BTW the cloudiness can usually be cleaned

[blucille]

an '82 would not have come with H5's, so perhaps the correct connectors for the H4's are already there.

[jaustinmd]

I am correct that I'll need the entire "European" kit since I don't have the original headlight carrier?
I notice that the European kit comes with chrome or black bezels, and that a primered bezel is available. Is there any reason the black bezel can't be painted body color instead of buying the additional primered bezel?
And no, it didn't come with H5's, but was converted later - it definitely has H5's now so no H4 connector is present (they didn't use an adapter, they spliced an H5 connector and removed the H4).
Thanks,
John

[blucille]

suggest you eliminate their splices and replace with a proper headlight connector, no need for the adapters.

the 'european kit' doesn't really mount to the carriers, all that it mounts to is the bottom threaded hole in the headlight bucket, it sort-of snaps over the top (best procedure I've found is to start the lower screw into the threaded hole, get it 60-70% threaded in, then SNAP the top of the ring over the top.

the prime red bezel goes over top the chrome or black plastic ring, you could paint the plastic bezel, but I'd think the result would be better to paint the ring and snap it over the plastic bezel.

[ganun]

IIRC the H5 need the fancy pot metal carrier which you don't need if you put the euro lights. The euro light reflector with bulb is supported by the black or chrome bezel ring itself so the big carrier is not used.
BTW the reflector is held to the bezel with a bunch of bent wire hooks which looks a bit intimidating but the good thing is that the glass lens is separate from the reflector and they are sold separately and can be cleaned if need be.
Also there is a small bulb inside, kinda like old beetles from the 60s, that you can wire to turn on with the parking lights or blinkers or as runnning lights (however dim) that looks cool IMO.
IMO you do need the trim ring over the bezel painted body color if you want a finished look , add that to the total cost.

[jaustinmd]

Is the body color trim ring for the H4's different from the one I presently have on the H5's?

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by jaustinmd

Is the body color trim ring for the H4's different from the one I presently have on the H5's?

Yes, it is quite different, you can't reuse it on the H4s, if that was what you were thinking.

In an earlier post in this thread, you ask about the possibility of painting the black H4 ring. That can be done, but it requires complete disassembly of the H4 lights, which is a bit of a chore. It is also difficult to prevent paint chipping on the painted black rings where the adjuster screws are, since they bear directly on the painted surface.

I bought chrome ring H4s for my car, as well as a pair of the trim covers, which I painted to match with a rattle can from paintscratch.com. Now I have choices. I ran with the painted trim for a while, but removed it to expose the chrome once I had my wheels re-anodized in the classic style.

[jaustinmd]

I think I have a plan, now! Looks like the H4 upgrade with primered trim covers and a can of body color spray paint is the way to go to retain the present appearance of my lights.
For the short term, I think I'll epoxy the broken grey piece to the reflector so the bulb will remain in a stable position and allow the headlights to be aimed.
In researching this, I also learned about swishing the inside of the H5's with alcohol to clean them up a bit. It also sounds like installing a relay is advisable with either set-up!
Thanks for all the info,
John