I have an 84' with OEM USA headlights (chrome rings) though thinking of replacing them with a set of OEM headlights off of an S4. This project would include replacing all of the headlight assembly except the painted housing which I would want to keep from the current lights due to color difference.

Are these interchangeable without extra parts or wiring? Will the new lights fit the old housing assembly? I understand that I will need to increase the fuse amp. Any other concerns?

thanks for any and all advise...

 

I do not know about MY '84 but for MY '85 '86 I just did this with the help of Big Dave's write up. http://members.rennlist.com/bigdave/headlight.html

I got a used set of H-5's that needed some repair work. They have been working great I realy like the "new" look.

 

Perfect, this is a huge help! thanks

 

No need and absolutely no desire to install bigger fuses in the existing holders, no matter how tempting it may be. Fuses are provided to protect the wiring, not the bulb. Unless you install bigger wiring to handle the additional current allowed by a bigger fuse, stay with the fuses that are there. The Good News is that the standard H4 and H5 bulbs are the same wttage as what came in your car. If you put high-wattage bulbs in, you'll want upgraded wiring and a separate relay each for high- and low-beam circuits. That will help with wire heating, voltage drop, and maintain the remaining life in the existing (expensive) headlight relay.

 

You sound like you think this is a big project - it isn't.

You have to change the electrical connectors to the bulbs to fit H5 lamps. They are cheap and widely available. The rest of the fuse, wiring, yoke frames and pod covers is exactly the same.

You remove the pod coivers (3 screws) unclip the bottom (dummy), adjuster unbolt the 7" carriers and bolt in the 8" H5 carrier (4 nuts per side), crimp or solder in the new connector and replace the cover. If you have done it before its well less than an hour to complete - even 30 mins...

If you install 8" H4's - you don't even need to change the electrical connector - everything else is the same . If you were planning to buy new H5s don't - buy new H4s instead much much better, same $$ and an easier install.

Alan

 

Thanks guys... I am not so concerned with the size of the project, just wanted to make sure everything will work togther and I do not get bit in the ***. thanks again!

 

After popular demand, the thread is now open again... post away!

 

Great thanks ! lets keep everything open - except when it turns ugly....

Alan

 

meh; see my thoughts in the other thread.

 

okay! So I just picked up a set of 8" H5s to replace my 7" 1984 lights. As there is no docs, does anyone know the replacement bulb number for a 928S4 H5 lights? thanks

 

I used the Sylvania Blue 55/65 W. The guy at the Napa parts counter mentioned that you can go to a higher wattage but be prepared to replace the plug/socket as the higher wattage will melt them.
I understand the Sylvania Silver Star Ultra is a bit brighter.

 

Do you recall the number? 9004, etc... thanks

 

I do not recall the Sylvania part #. I still have a NAPA bulb here, same wattage and that part # is BP9004.

 

It is indeed a 9004 bulb. (55/60) Higher wattage H5 Bulbs are always problematic because the connector has a much much smaller contact area than the H4 connector - so no matter how good of a connector you start with it will likely deteriorate over time - ceramic sockets are best but still not problem free. May be better to stick to stock wattages for this reason and also because brighter bulbs in H5's spill so much light you will annoy others on the road.... for good reason.

Alan

 

Perfect, this is what i was looing for...

rob