LED replacement H4 light

[techweenie]

Doing some work on a 356B. Planning to replace the H4 bulbs with LEDs.

Anyone have experience with LEDs in this application?

They don’t seem to be voltage-sensitive, so 6v supply doesn’t require a specific part

[callard]

Go to the 356 Registry website and their Talk section. There are many threads about LED lighting.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by callard

Go to the 356 Registry website and their Talk section. There are many threads about LED lighting.

I only found threads about LED signal & brake lights. Not headlights

[callard]

Try Classicowheels.com.

[CASair]

I had the classicos, they are "blue" and can't be adjusted properly - it is just useless light. Go to the vendor forum on the 356 registry for alternatives. Most will not work on 6v, as you only get 5.5ish at the headlight socket unless you install a headlight relay. They will go out when you sit idling at a light if they work at all.

[Mr. Merk]

Oh gosh, stop. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

https://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

Send Dan an email at ( dastern@torque.net ) and he'll put you on to the best options for your 356

[CASair]

You are seriously comparing Halogen to LED? Halogen was a great alternative to stock lights, about 40 years ago.

[Mr. Merk]

Certainly a quality H4 lamp with a quality H4 bulb is going to be far superior than any LED in any H4 halogen lamp.

However, a Philips, JW Speaker or Truck-lite branded LED lamp is superior to probably any halogen H4 lamp configuration. They just don't look anything close to period correct in my opinion. Putting a fluted lens over an LED lamp is going to negate any improvement you're trying to accomplish.

6V certainly makes things more interesting, but I'm sure Dan has a viable solultion.

[CASair]

There are indeed limits to what a 6v 356 can do. The biggest one is the 200w generator (or 160w in an A). Installing two 55w (or even worse, 90w) H4 bulbs to get brighter lights will ruin your regulator and generator in the not too distant future as you are overloading the output by quite a bit as soon as you turn your lights on. Then next will be the Bakelite around the light switch and the wiring around the various bullet connectors that will melt.

[911TES]

Bill,
I’m thinking John Audette can point you in the right direction. Probably, you already know that.
https://911bestinclass.com/collections/currently-featured/products/on-sale-copy-of-ac-series-3-led-headlights
Regards,
Bill C.

[CASair]

Last time I checked with John he did not have 6v. It's been a while though. Vintage Trader has the most authentic looking 6v LEDs. They are warm white.

[touringmandan]

Contact Vintage LED's. They have GREAT LED headlights with optional period correct Bosch lenses.
We have installed more than 10 sets with VERY happy customers.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Anyone have experience with LEDs in this application?

They don’t seem to be voltage-sensitive, so 6v supply doesn’t require a specific part

Yes, Jules Dinean has a whole system for most models of 356. I put his headlights in my 56 coupe and they are amazing. They’re a bit expensive and you can probably do some research and find something cheaper. His company is Arizona trading or something like that.

[wdfifteen]

His website is vintagetraderaz.

[VINCENZ0]

I recently installed the 6V LEDs from vintage trader and they made a huge difference. Driving at night is no big deal now.

I made this little video review in case its helpful, not a paid ad just a happy customer:

https://youtu.be/0oP4H0suw4g

[techweenie]

Very helpful
Thanks!