Toejam

What do you guys recommend for converting the early sealed headlights setup to something brighter? Any particular kits?

Also, how would one go about reconnecting a headlight adjustment **** in a euro?

Bill Ball

Easy conversion is 7" H4's like Hella's. Plug right in and inexpensive. Better is the 8" late model H4's that came on the Euro cars. I did that in my 89 and like the improved light pattern. They will fit the early cars with the trim ring removed. New, they are quite expensive at $250 each from 928 International. There are some HID kits that vary greatly in quality. I've debated trying one of the better (expensive) ones but haven't and don't know anyone who has. Not sure how well HID would work with H4 reflectors. The H4's running 80/100 halogens are great, and the higher wattage hasn't caused any problem at all. I have a webpage on how I did the conversion in my 89.

http://www.billsworkshop.com/P928S4/h5toh4/h5toh4.htm

Gretch

Bill, I read the interesting story on your web site about the rubber on your shop floor. That experience would disinclined me to let my bride within 100 yards of anything mechanical that I valued.

I would build her her own garage (with "blow out walls", as far away from my "stuff" as possible, and I would buy her something indestructable for transportation. But that is just me.........

Funny story

Garth S

Bill, As entertaining as your story is re. 'the rubber strip', I'm certain it could be eclipsed by the driver's account: imagine the adrenelin rush of full throttle for 3 sec as your panorama explodes from tool chest to swimming pool! Back wall top hinged - in case of a sequel?
Humour is easy when everyone is safe!!
Chris, if your '78 is a euro, doesn't it already have H4 wiring? (some early sealed beam 'federalization'conversions were just plug- ins, possibly with an adapter plug because of different pin assignments [or that may have been on the 4"x6" H4's]) Assuming that you already have the correct plugs, you can't beat 7" H4's for the price/performance. The 'look' demands the 8" units, although I'm not convinced they perform any better.

morganabowen

During my last visit to Devek, they had a set of used 8" H-4 for I believe $225 for the two. It's a great deal, they are hard to find used

hacker-pschorr

These kits were banned from being imported anymore. I had a talk with a few vendors at SEMA about this. The law passed just before the show. CATZ makes a very good system if you can find one. They are still out there just harder to find. The only way I think they are still legal is if they were an option on the car from the factory.

ebs3349

I myself had 7" H4's on my '79 US spec. Continued to experience "problems" with state inspection stations from time to time, as well as the State trooper who lives right down the street from me. He took it upon himself to "remind" me that these were illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia. So, I purchased the 8" H5's with new pigtails from 928intl. About $550 and same amount of light IMHO. Just don't have the crisp lines that the H4's cut into the night. All in all I'm more than satisfied. This has also given "The Man" one less thing to worry himself about!!

Toejam

Thanks for the input guys! I suppose I'll be looking for some 7" H4's then. I take it they're much brighter (with the 80/100's) than the sealed beams and can use the same wiring? Cool... that's ideal.

My problem is there are tons of deer around this area and it's hard to drive with confidence when you can only see about 10 ft in front of your car. I'd go for the 8" Euros but I dont know about paying $500 dollars to upgrade right now. Maybe I could spring for 1 now, 1 later and just aim the brighter one towards the middle for a while

And what about the headlight adjustment ****? Anyone had any experience with reconnecting it? I guess it would help if I knew exactly how that system worked in the first place

Gregg K

There's motors in the headlamps that adjust the angle. I was looking at the parts diagram last night. It was late, but I remember seeing something about a motor in there. I'm sure 928Int'l has them.
Speaking of deer, I've been wondering if those deer alerts work. Thanks for bringing that up. I should post a question for people. But how would one know? I guess if they never hit a deer, they might be working....

Bill Ball

Technically I don't think the H4 conversion is legal for the same reason. However, since so many cars come with god knows what lighting now, no one is ever likely to question the H4 or HID. Just keep them aimed properly!

Bill Ball

Yes, the late model Euro H4's had motors. Early cars had a hydraulic adjustment. I have all the headlamp hardware, including the motors, to mount this system, and just need the wiring and rheostat. I was thinking of trying to get someone in Europe to send me the proper rheostat.

Bill Ball

The adjustment you have is based on a set of glycerin filled tubes. Kinda funky, if you ask me. You'd need all the early Euro H4 hardware to hook it up. Forget it.

Search the Net (even eBay) for 7" Hella H4 headlamps. I have seen them for $45 each. Get some 80/100 watt bulbs (known as off-road only). Aim them properly. Do not aim them high. The top cut-off should be 3" below horizontal at 25 feet. The lighting improvement should be dramatic.

Bill Ball

Yes, all's well that ends well. The kids were pretty terrified by the wild ride, but we all laugh about it now. The rubber burnout strip and the way it disappears out the rear of the garage gets a lot of strange looks from visitors. I love retelling the story as much as my wife hates it.

And yes, the H4 bulb is a direct plug into the harness for the early cars with their sealed beams. All he needs if the 7" Hella lamps to put the bulb in.

Bill Ball

Some 7" H4 sources...Even JC Whitney has them cheap (although watch their shipping charges).

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...-1&PID=1333761

eBay cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...1&category=418

Get your own bulbs:
http://www.commandocaralarms.com/ite...?ProductID=230

BTW, don't bother with the blue-tinted bulbs that say they are super white. Just get regular 100/80 halogen H4 (9003) "off-road" bulbs. You won't find them at Kragens as they are not street legal. My local autoparts store haad them for $8 each, Hella brand.

SteveG

All: I have the same deer problem in NE Pennsylvania. But I also have a problem with being blinded by other drivers, which can make the deer problem worse should one show up w/i 10 seconds after the blue lights pass. I don't know which is worse. Perhaps this is deserves poll. It's like yelling "fire" in a theater, I want limits, those of us in low slung 928s are especially at risk to deer and lights. But frankly, there are more suvs and trucks, etc than deer.