'73 S30 Headlamps and Euro travel

[Graham Palmer]

Hi all, will be heading to Europe this spring...what's the deal on carrying replacement bulbs when we have sealed headlight units ?

also if I wanted to switch to a more modern headlamp/replaceable bulb option...what are the 'normal' routes ?

cheers all

G

 

[MCBladeRun]

Our 7inch lamps are universal with most other 7inch units.

I went with Lucas 7inch units with the H4 type lamp holders.

I've seen a lot of people but the LED projector type units but, they can be more expensive and not original looking.

 

[MCBladeRun]

Headlight Reflectors

High Quality 7 and 5 3/4 inch headlight reflectors. Suitable for our LEDs or Halogen Lamps.

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

Where I got mine from - initially bought the LED lamps, but these are no good on reflector-type lamps

 

[Robotsan]

Headlight Reflectors

High Quality 7 and 5 3/4 inch headlight reflectors. Suitable for our LEDs or Halogen Lamps.

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

Where I got mine from - initially bought the LED lamps, but these are no good on reflector-type lamps

These look like a good solution! So if I'm understanding this right, they just plug and play into the original socket? Hang on.. if I've got sealed beams now, what socket is it talking about?

Also says not polarity sensitive which I gather is a good thing for these cars!?

 

[MCBladeRun]

These look like a good solution! So if I'm understanding this right, they just plug and play into the original socket? Hang on.. if I've got sealed beams now, what socket is it talking about?

Also says not polarity sensitive which I gather is a good thing for these cars!?

View attachment 61618

As I said earlier, LED lamps in a classic reflector type housing is not a good solution. All it does is increase the light output on the preexisting reflectors and blind other road users.

If you want LED lights, it's best to buy projector style units, like on a modern Jeep? But, as mentioned earlier, they're way too expensive and are far from standard.

The H4 type socket; you'll need to buy and convert your existing connections. They're similar to H4 but, unfortunately do not fit exactly to H4.

Halfords do them:

Halfords H4 Bulb Holder (ELEC179) | Halfords UK

Shop the latest at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

I converted mine whilst upgrading to relays, improved the earth in that area by attaching to the horns as well. So the local wiring is grounding better to the negative of the chassis etc.

That classic car LEDs website is great for LEDs for the rest of the car

 

[Robotsan]

As I said earlier, LED lamps in a classic reflector type housing is not a good solution. All it does is increase the light output on the preexisting reflectors and blind other road users.

If you want LED lights, it's best to buy projector style units, like on a modern Jeep? But, as mentioned earlier, they're way too expensive and are far from standard.

The H4 type socket; you'll need to buy and convert your existing connections. They're similar to H4 but, unfortunately do not fit exactly to H4.

Halfords do them:

Halfords H4 Bulb Holder (ELEC179) | Halfords UK

Shop the latest at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

I converted mine whilst upgrading to relays, improved the earth in that area by attaching to the horns as well. So the local wiring is grounding better to the negative of the chassis etc.

That classic car LEDs website is great for LEDs for the rest of the car

Ahh sorry I misunderstood you before. Though you meant banging the LED bulbs into old H4 headlights was the issue. So I thought this product would be better as they were meant to go in these housings.. but you mean they don't really work.

So I'm best off just buying some H4 units and good bulbs then.

I need to do the relays too. Might seek your help when the time comes if that's alright? Probably a while off.

 

[toopy]

If you want the OEM look, go with the units above but stick with conventional Halogen bulbs, if you want LED go for something built specifically for that purpose, so more modern looking. Powerful LED bulbs don't play nice with the old style units because the beam focusing is all wrong and the light tends to scatter a lot more.
I went for something slightly different, still Halogen but they are better because the light is focused by the shape of the reflector and not by the shape of the glass in front as on the replica type units above.

Pics of mine, think they were advertised for a Land Rover when i bought them, they have led angel eyes for the side lights but Halogen for dipped and main. 2nd pic is the old unit for comparison, I also did the re-wire and relay upgrade but that aside the light output is quite literally night and day!

 

[Nick Hedges]

I have gone for the Dapper OE7 LED lamps. I haven't fitted them as yet but look as per original, not a particularly cheap option though...

OE7

For years we have strived to create headlights that integrate modern technology that retain the stock looks your classic vehicles deserve. Well, we’ve finally achieved our goal. At the core of the OE7 is our featured LED projector technology with the appearance of a classic H4 headlight. The OE7...

www.dapperlighting.com

 

[Robotsan]

I have gone for the Dapper OE7 LED lamps. I haven't fitted them as yet but look as per original, not a particularly cheap option though...

OE7

For years we have strived to create headlights that integrate modern technology that retain the stock looks your classic vehicles deserve. Well, we’ve finally achieved our goal. At the core of the OE7 is our featured LED projector technology with the appearance of a classic H4 headlight. The OE7...

www.dapperlighting.com

And they apparently don't have the issues Toopy was talking about before, with the pattern?

 

[toopy]

And they apparently don't have the issues Toopy was talking about before, with the pattern?

No because they are designed with LED in mind, the OEM look they have (it costs extra!) is purely aesthetic.

 

[uk66fastback]

I bet those dapper ones will be superb! Pricey, but superb. The OEM look is great.

 

[Robotsan]

Our 7inch lamps are universal with most other 7inch units.

I went with Lucas 7inch units with the H4 type lamp holders.

I've seen a lot of people but the LED projector type units but, they can be more expensive and not original looking.

Martin did you need to modify your headlight bucket/cone thing in order to fit those Lucas H4 units? The Americans on instagram are telling me I would have to, no matter what H4 units I fit.

 

[Fairlineguy]

H4 is a good option as they fit in the bucket in place of the old sealed beams but you need to either swap the wires around in the bulb holder or just buy a pair of these adaptors .

H4 Headlight Socket Converter Headlight Adapter Plug Simple Eco Friendly 2pcs | eBay

Converter: 2pcs. Item Type: Headlight Socket Converter. 2 x Headlight Socket Converter. Installation Location: Car headlight wiring harness link. Material: Plastic.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Robotsan]

H4 is a good option as they fit in the bucket in place of the old sealed beams but you need to either swap the wires around in the bulb holder or just buy a pair of these adaptors .

H4 Headlight Socket Converter Headlight Adapter Plug Simple Eco Friendly 2pcs | eBay

Converter: 2pcs. Item Type: Headlight Socket Converter. 2 x Headlight Socket Converter. Installation Location: Car headlight wiring harness link. Material: Plastic.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks, I'll get those. But what I wanted to know is whether fitting new H4 bulb holders and bulbs would mean cutting the back of these?

 

[Fairlineguy]

Thanks, I'll get those. But what I wanted to know is whether fitting new H4 bulb holders and bulbs would mean cutting the back of these?

View attachment 62111

No need to cut back the metal bucket .
it is however advisable to rewire the headlamps with a pair of relays to help protect the switch

 

[MCBladeRun]

Martin did you need to modify your headlight bucket/cone thing in order to fit those Lucas H4 units? The Americans on instagram are telling me I would have to, no matter what H4 units I fit.

Hi George

I'm having trouble remembering at the moment and my photos aren't helping; I think your new light units and the metal they sit in don't line up perfect. But the wires should be able to bend to fit in any case like Fairlineguy says.

I cut mine because I stupidly thought I could mix LED with Lucas units.

The relay mod with a fuse is a good shout, if those wires go bad, it'll take the fuse out and avoid the potential to damage your fragile headlight stalk

 

[Huw]

I have gone for the Dapper OE7 LED lamps. I haven't fitted them as yet but look as per original, not a particularly cheap option though...

OE7

For years we have strived to create headlights that integrate modern technology that retain the stock looks your classic vehicles deserve. Well, we’ve finally achieved our goal. At the core of the OE7 is our featured LED projector technology with the appearance of a classic H4 headlight. The OE7...

www.dapperlighting.com

I looked at those as a replacement for the awful lamp in my cousins 1998 Defender last year. But they did not carry an E approvals marking as a dedicated LED unit. Do they have that now? I did contact Dapper at the time and the guy said they were looking to secure approval. However, Im not sure that matters for a classic car pre 1986.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Hi George

I'm having trouble remembering at the moment and my photos aren't helping; I think your new light units and the metal they sit in don't line up perfect. But the wires should be able to bend to fit in any case like Fairlineguy says.

I cut mine because I stupidly thought I could mix LED with Lucas units.

The relay mod with a fuse is a good shout, if those wires go bad, it'll take the fuse out and avoid the potential to damage your fragile headlight stalk

Relays also prevent high current through the switch even with no fault, especially with higher wattage lamps.

 

[Robotsan]

No need to cut back the metal bucket .
it is however advisable to rewire the headlamps with a pair of relays to help protect the switch

Ok great! Yes I'll definitely be doing the relay upgrade too.

 

[Robotsan]

Hi George

I'm having trouble remembering at the moment and my photos aren't helping; I think your new light units and the metal they sit in don't line up perfect. But the wires should be able to bend to fit in any case like Fairlineguy says.

I cut mine because I stupidly thought I could mix LED with Lucas units.

The relay mod with a fuse is a good shout, if those wires go bad, it'll take the fuse out and avoid the potential to damage your fragile headlight stalk

Ok cool, I'll just buy them and see if they fit.

Was it these you bought specifically?: https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/pr...main-dipped-beam-e-marked-classic-car-kit-car

And any recommendations for the H4 bulbs? Something like Osram Nightbreakers 5000kw? Think that's what I used to buy when I last had a car with H4s.