What kind of Headlights do I have?

[GK81]

The headlights on my 86 are really weak. Is upgrading to H4 the way to go?

How much can I expect to spend? I see some on summit racing for $50 and then some on host or eBay for $300 plus? What's the difference?


I would like to find some with black retaining rings.


Thanks!

[Joe Bob]

They look like euro H-4s. But it depends on the reflector, city lights and a few other issues.

Best to open them up and look at the bulb wattage.

You can bump them up and use relays to increase output. Also saves your headlight and H/L beam switch.

Are you in the US or other where?

Lot's of threads on the subject......

[GK81]

thanks for the quick reply. I am in Texas.

Where would I look to see if a relay was already installed?

[fanaudical]

Good question on the relay. If those are the stock lights, I think it's doubtful the previous owner installed extra headlight relays. I'd check around the area of the fuse box to see if you have extra, non-stock relays tacked on to the wiring.

[Joe Bob]

Get a Bentley Manual and search on H4 threads.....don't break them they be expensive....

H4s are NOT US delivery. Back in the day they were sealed beams....and they sucked.

You have an upgrade, just make sure it was done right.....

[GK81]

FYI

Just disassembled one of them. They are H1's. I could clearly see two bulbs once I got in there. Another clue was the 4 adjusting screws once I got the outer ring cover off.


I have read a few threads about upgrades and it seems some people like H1 and some people like H4.

Is one brighter then the other? Mine are certainly puny

[darrin]

H1 headlights are more fiddley to adjust than h4's, as the high and low beams need to be adjusted separately

Both (like modern headlights) have sharp cutoffs at the edges of their lighting patterns and need to be properly aimed to be effective ( bright at night)

You can roughly check how they're aimed by shining them up against a wall at night. With the car on a flat surface and, say, 15 feet from the wall, the headlights (low and high) should project a straight line, parcel to the ground (the upper beam cutoff), that's roughly the same height as the headlights

If they're not, aiming may be the culprit

[Shaun @ Tru6]

With the clear top lenses, those are H1s.

[PCA7GGR]

H1 housings/bulbs w/ H4 lenses.

[GK81]

Thanks for all the replies.

Next question: Should I go to H4's?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by PCA7GGR

H1 housings/bulbs w/ H4 lenses.

Which could be part of the problem-- lens is there to focus the light emitted from the bulb - the single filament h1 bulbs (each headlight uses a different h1 bulb for low or high beams) are positioned differently than the h4 bulb (each h4 headlight uses a single dual filament h4 bulb for both high and low beams)
-- therefore, a lens designed to focus the light emitted from a single bulb will work right with two bulbs housed in different locations (short version - u need a properly aimed h1 lens do each headlight to make em bright and work right) -- get a pair of h1 lenses and u should be all set

[charwood77]

clean the reflectors really well.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

The lenses have clear tops which means they are H1s.

H4s have dimpled tops.

[Jack Stands]

Matching the correct front lens with the correct headlight assembly would certainly help I'd think. Higherwattage bulbs would be brighter, but the relays and cleaned grounds would also be good ideas.

Check The Danial Stern website for lots of good info on lighting.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The lenses have clear tops which means they are H1s.

H4s have dimpled tops.

In addition to that, H4s typically have H4 imbedded in a small square section of glass in the centre of the lens.

Also notice the difference in the fluting between H1 and h4 lenses below.

H1


H4

[SWS911]

Those are definitely H1 headlights. Is the "BOSCH" lettering "raised" on the outside or is it inside?
H1s are a PITA to get right, lined up, but when you do they are the best!!!

[GK81]

Thanks for all the replies. I definately have H1's. Anyone recommend a good brand lamp to install?

[Trackrash]

If you install 100 watt high beams and 80 watt low beams you will be amazed at how bright they are...

IF you, as mentioned, install relays, AND make sure every electrical connection is good.

I found that there are connections on the BACK of the fuse block that were corroded in my car. Almost burned up my fuse block when I went to higher wattage bulbs. Those antique fuses in our 911s are also a place where corrosion can lead to resistance. AKIK.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by GK81

Thanks for all the replies. I definately have H1's. Anyone recommend a good brand lamp to install?

I installed these Phillips Xtreme Vision +130 bulbs in my H1s. Absolutley love them. They are the highest rated bulbs by the CandlePower forum.
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-treme-Vision-Headlight-Bulbs/dp/B00QJWTQOE