Integrated Headlights and Parkers

[Highway-Star]

I don't know if this is widely done but here goes:

I'm building a bullbar for my Sierra, and I am trying to position my parker and indicator lamps as high up as reasonable. I've found a place for my indicator (going LED, its all good); however the parker is giving me some irritance.

Anyway it struck me that you can buy aftermarket headlight with built in parker lamps. This would solve many problems if I replaced my standard parker and headlight with an integrated setup. I measured my lights, appear to be 7" (17?mm), and i checked Narva's website just for a sample, and yes they make them.

Questions:
Has anyone done this before, any difficulties encountered?
Who should I see about this? Auto-electrician, DOT (QLD for me), etc...
Wiring upgrades? If anyone happoens to know standard Sierra headlight wattage that would be great. What gauge wire required for such halogen light.
Anyone know legalities? If not I'll see DOT.
Cost, if its too much I'll figure out something else.
Any other comments appreciated.

BTW: one of my headlights has damaged foil as is, so headlight replacement is probably on my to do list anyway. I'm not after super bright driving lights, just integrated, with halogen bulbs.

Thanks for any replies.

[nicbeer]

have a look around and see what Watts u want.
could go for HID in high and halogen in low maybe in H4.

do a upgrade anyway of wires as zook ones are crap. make up a separate harness and put relays in there.

not sure on the legal side but i am using the in headlight style on mine also.

[Guy]

My HZ holden had the parkers in the headlights .. can see why it would be an issue.. so do heaps of new cars.
The lights are standards compliant thenI dont see how there could be an issue.

[HotFourOk]

As said, the wiring should be upgraded anyway, as voltage drops through the stock wiring is very high.
I rewired my H4s with 6mm wire and get pretty much zero drop now, with the resulting light output being much much better.

Just buy some good inserts like the Narva ones or such as the ones in the link below and use some 60/55 H4 globes (Just not super blue ones or anything rice boyish ).

http://www.brightlightautoparts.com/Hea ... CWLED.html
I think the Narva kit with T-10 wedge globe would be more 'legal' than this LED parking light. Worth a look though.

You will have to check with regulatory authorities for the legality of the headlight/parker combo, but as most cars have them as standard, I wouldn't see much of an issue.
The Narva kits are ADR approved with 60-55 globes, so you should be okay.
They are probably expensive, as most good stuff is... although it is an area not worth skimping on. Good lights can save your behind in some cases

[CWBYUP]

I personally would just check the lagality of changing them.

You would probably never get hassled for them but that dosent make the 100% legal.

I know in NSW if you change your park light arrangement its meant to be ENGINNERED .

Yes it sound stupid but thats what i got told when i asked about it for the GQ wagon as i was going to do a custom tube bar that also intergated the guards and wanted to move the park light / blinker.

Basically if you can still see them for all angles ( I think its 45 degrees to the front ) you shouldn't have any troubles, but again that dosent make them 100% legal.

[Highway-Star]

Thanks for the replies.

HotFourOK, those Narva 60/55 are the ones I spotted, I think anything brighter would just be anoying to other drivers (and kill my battery).

I have checked on parker light legalities a week ago (when i was still thinkin LED), and the inspector told me that as long as the light is ADR approved for its application (I think 49/00 for parkers?), and in the same position accros ways its legal. If the light is moved height-ways, that is generally irrelevant, and fine.

I might make time to drop in and see the auto-electrician up the road today, and see what he thinks, and how much he would charge to do it. I could probably do it, but I hate wiring, and if its done by him, it should be done properly.

[Andres]

I've put that Narva kit in my MGB (yeah, not exactly the outer limits usual) when I converted it to RHD (it was an american import).

They're blooody good! And the parkers work nicely too, lighting up the whole headlight softly.

Along with a re-wire, you'll love it. And the standard 55/60 (or whatever coming the pack) are fine. They make for headlights that are as good as anything anything on the road up to the last 5-10 years.

[HotFourOk]

the inspector told me that as long as the light is ADR approved for its application (I think 49/00 for parkers?)

The site states that:

Complies with ADR 46/00 when used with 12V 60/55W or 24V 75/70W globes only and ADR 49/00

So they seem good to go mate!

And yeh, If you're not 100% sure, get the auto sparky to rig it up for you...least you know its a spot on job that way.

Best of luck

[Highway-Star]

Saw the Auto-electrician today, he said that thats quite easy and legal to do, he has done similar for a couple of 4WDs before. Anyway, if I drop the car in, and get him to do the whole lot: all parts, removal of old, fitting of new Narva lights, new relay setup etc..., the whole lot should be just under $350.

I think this is the go, I'm busy for the next two weeks, but then I'll be planning on giving the Suzuki some new eyes. Then I'm clear to keep my front bar less cluttered, and get some seriously improved headlights (killing two birds with one stone ).

Andres; thats good to hear, hopefully I'll be agreeing with you in a month or so.

Thanks for the replies.

[Pinball]

i did it ages ago...

gives a semisealed beam and moves the parkers... love it

don't need to have auto sparky do it, mine runs on stock loom (upgrade would help efficiency) and was a straight "bolt in" with the Hella version

Spock

[Highway-Star]

UPDATE:

Got my new lights today, bought her home from the auto-sparky this afternoon, and took her for a spin round the yard, then around the block at 7:00 to check out what they are like.

They're great, low beam gives good visibility at short range, and when I whack it to high beam I can light up allot of road (I can see at least 150m down the road). I dont reckon I'll need spotties now . For those concerned, no I dont drive around town with high beam on, but it should be good for deserted unlit roads. Parkers are good too, got 4 parkers untill I replace my front bumper now.

BTW the lights ended up being Hella H4 Halogen lights (nearly flat face, little curvature...), with the upgraded loom and relays. Ended up costing $380, and they did a very neat job (that includes checking my battery [dead] and alternator output [good]).

Currently very happy, thanks to those who replied; I'm glad its been done as I'm spending more time in my car at night, then during daylight hours lately.