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tincan
Join Date: May 2008
Location: dublin ireland
Posts: 42
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LHD - RHD Headlight Conversion
My LHD German origin '88 3.2 needs to go through a NCT (National Car Test) here in Ireland. Problem with lots of NCT failures has been badly aimed headlights, now for the question - will I need to change out the complete light or can the fitted LHD versions be realigned to give the right result. I'm hoping some of the Oz or UK based Pelicans have already encountered this
thanks Noel |
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12-15-2008, 04:50 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,673
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Don't know what headlights you have, but the lenses are reversed for what you need.
They're not badly aimed, they're backwards for driving on the left side of the road. The light will shine in oncoming driver's eyes instead of the verge of the road. Some lights you can change just the lenses (euro H4, H1), but others will require changing the entire light. Swap (swop?) them and sell the old ones on ebay. (BTW, my first experience ever driving RHD was in Dublin rush hour morning traffic a couple years ago. Whew. Beautiful city.) Last edited by tcar; 12-15-2008 at 08:33 AM.. |
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12-15-2008, 08:30 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Perfidious Albion
Posts: 4,184
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Noel, on a RoW '88, you likely have Bosch H4's, I think the H5's came in slightly later - any one know for sure?
If you have H5's, you don't need to do anything. They don't have a cut-off to illuminate the isdewalk and cast a focused beam right in front of the car. H4's are a better pattern, though... Easy way to tell is to look in the centre of the lens, it says "H4" right there in the glass if it's an H4... Careful that the reflector isn't dull - I failed an MOT for that. The lenses are about the only part of the unit (OK, the gasket and the adjusters too, IIRC) that's available separately, so you'll likely have to buy a new lamp if those are shot. But the LHT lenses are cheap and readily available from your local OPC...
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'77 S with '78 930 power and a few other things. |
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12-15-2008, 11:47 PM
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tincan
Join Date: May 2008
Location: dublin ireland
Posts: 42
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tcar,
the lights really do need re aiming, I was highlighting the overhead signs on the motorway first and last time I drove in the dark. I have H4's and am pleased only to have to change the lense. I may just hold on to them for trips to Europe as our son lives in Germany. spuggy, the car passed its TUV earlier this year in Germany so I'm pretty confident that replacing the lense will do the trick. I would hope not to replace the reflector thanks both for your input Noel |
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12-16-2008, 06:12 AM
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911 user
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: East of Eden, West of the Sun
Posts: 2,411
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If the requirement is the same as the UK MOT It is sufficient to put black tape over the lens segment that blinds on coming drivers. It's the bit that looks like a slice of cake with the tip cut off.
Alternatively just fit rhd headlights, you may be able to get away with just changing the lens. Regardless, you still need to aim your lights properly, if you don't want to do it yourself most testers will do it for you for the price of a drink.
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Where once the giants walked now Mickey Mouse is king. My other car is also a Porsche. |
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12-16-2008, 07:19 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Perfidious Albion
Posts: 4,184
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Quote:
As for aiming the lights, most people get them too high, in my experience. Here's the correct way to do it, just need some flat ground and a wall at twilight: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
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'77 S with '78 930 power and a few other things. Last edited by spuggy; 12-16-2008 at 09:38 PM.. |
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12-16-2008, 09:36 PM
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