headlight conversion ... worth it?

[AlbertaBeef]

Has anybody done any of the conversions to the 'diamond/projector' headlights that use H4 bulbs? And if so, are they worth it in terms of overall better lighting?

Like these things here...

[golden_glory]

I put a set of them in mine the first time I had to change bulbs. It was the only time I ever had to take the grille apart, for that reason alone I would do it. I haven't had to replace the bulbs yet but when I do it can be done anywhere and without any tools. Oh and the light is better too.

[Petros]

Those look hot, how much are they and where can we get them?

I like the look of the Euro type housing the fills the whole headlight cavity flush with the grill and front of the hood. It there a handy source of those head lights that would fit our Tercels?

[AlbertaBeef]

I found the above on eBay... bloody expensive tho... most places want $65-ish once you factor in shipping, etc. That's a far cry from what the units cost to replace...

[keith]

Better find out how much current these pull. You may need to upgrade the wires first.

[Neu]

not legal at all.

[SynthDesign]

Yea... its Illegal... so what...... Off Road Only..... Says the same thing on my Silvania Silver Star bulbs...Says the same thing on my 55w Explorer ProComp driving lights. My Hella back up lights say the same thing.

Oh well.... as long as you acknowledge it.

A great RICER option for a HID conversion since they are H4 housings.

And as for light wiring. Upgrading to a larger gauge is a great option. I have two tercels that I had to upgrade/replace from the fuse block to the lights because the wires had melted or degrading. Probably a bigger issue but it's worked great so far.

[terkill]

its legal in Connecticut, a lot of lights are

i was thinking about it but i wanted to fix the mounts for my lights first

[Neu]

its legal in Connecticut, a lot of lights are

i was thinking about it but i wanted to fix the mounts for my lights first

It's legal by the STATE, but it's not federally legal. The only legal high intensity lights are OEM. So people in california would be screwed by these lights. All lights have to be Department of Transportation Approved, and NO high intensity lights, except OEM, are DOT Approved. At least not last time I checked a few weeks ago.

[terceldude]

Nice! Those are ill. I want a pair!

[AlbertaBeef]

its legal in Connecticut, a lot of lights are

i was thinking about it but i wanted to fix the mounts for my lights first

It's legal by the STATE, but it's not federally legal. The only legal high intensity lights are OEM. So people in california would be screwed by these lights. All lights have to be Department of Transportation Approved, and NO high intensity lights, except OEM, are DOT Approved. At least not last time I checked a few weeks ago.

... the joys of living in Alberta, Canada... almost everything is legal. Heck, here it's legal to run straight pipe without catalytic converter if you want... I'm quite sure the lights are legal here, just wondering if they're actually brighter/better lighting...

[Neu]

Yeh, oregon is pretty lenient too. We dont really have emissions crap, the headlights thing is federal, so that doesn't matter, but nobody really enforces it.

[AlbertaBeef]

Yeh, oregon is pretty lenient too. We dont really have emissions crap, the headlights thing is federal, so that doesn't matter, but nobody really enforces it.

I like Oregon... I've got a good friend in Tri-Cities (Wa.) area, and when I visit him I usually take extra time to drive through to Portland, and take my time stopping and seeing the sights, hiking, camping etc... pretty country.

[alex16]

ebay normally has the h4 conversion lights for $30 shipped if you search long enough. I will be upgrading to the h4 and hid's soon. The hid pulls 35w vs 55w. The bulbs most ebay kits come with are 90/100w bulbs. I have used them without burning up wires but maybe I'm just lucky. The advantages of HID's make them worth it to me, I feel safe on and off road with them. My friend has had the same made in china ebay set in his 4 runner for 3 years now, no problems what so ever.

[buffalomesa]

The diamond cut headlight pattern sucks compared to a good "e-code" H4 headlight, and they're weak even compared to many of the cheap glass e-codes available on ebay. As far as upgrading your wiring, anything more than a 55/60 H4 bulb should have you seriously considering upgrading to a relay harness.

BTW, I'm going to be upgrading my H4s soon, so I'll be selling my AutoPal H4s with 55/60 Hella bulbs. I'd take $45 shipped CONUS if anybody wants them. They have great light output and a very good beam pattern for the price, and they look enough like stock headlights to keep you from attracting attention. They're in near-new condition, with glass lenses and no leaks.