aftermarket head lights

[ofr57]

i was just wondering where others get there aftermarket head lights

I'm after some crystal type head lights for my serria .. just up dating the lights and there spose to be more reflective?

I have been to super cheap , cheaper auto , repco and they looked at me puzzled

I'm on the gold coast so if anybody know where to get some in the SE QLD would be good

cheers
ofr57

[droopypete]

1st upgrade the loom, wire relays the lot.
2nd get a set of quartz halogen sealed beams from a 75 land cruiser

heaps of bright white light that won't fill with water or mud on your next river xing.
Peter.

[BundyRumandCoke]

Your looking for some 7 inch Altezza headlights. Find a place that sells the Altezza taillights, and have a look at their catalogues. You should pay less than $100 for the pair. Well worth the investment, but make sure the rear of them is well sealed against water ingress.

[LuxyBoy]

NARVA are better. (sorry said Hella but they are narva)

Think i got mine from auto pro in beenleigh just passed the train bridge heading towards edens landing

[juls]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-7-ROUND-CRYS ... dZViewItem

A friend of mine had these in his datsun 1200 but I didn't really like the pattern they give off on the road. I had some 7" headlight casings I got from the wrecker out of a charade or soemthing with 100/90w globes (or there abouts, whatever the standard uprated globe is) with relays and rewired headlight wires in my 808 and they were much better. Best low beam ive ever had and the high beam was pretty good too from a single pair of headlights. Better than my mates crystal headlights too.

So that said, I'd prefer a set of good quality 7" casings and some decent globes to the crystal type 7" casing.

[Andres]

My 60 series came with the 'crystal' looking 7" headlights, and personally, I don't think they're that great at producing light. They look nice from the outside (on and off) but they don't really throw that much light.

Narva makes a kit for 7" halogen upgrades, which is similar, but doesn't have the 'altezza' or 'crystal' look. I have these in my MGB and they are FAR better than the ones in the Cruiser.

Of course wiring/alternator/globe etc will all have an influence too, but I've replaced the Cruiser globes with some pricey Phillips ones and they are still worse than the Narva setup in the MG. I can't imagine that the alternator in a MGB will push more current than a landcruiser (which reads >13V on the dash anyway).

I guess I should check the wiring in the Landcruiser, but regardless, I'd still suggest the Narva kit. I think the reflector/lenses are just designed to throw light a lot better.

[HotFourOk]

I buoght the Crystal Altezza type headlights for my Rocky and they stayed on for about a month.

The beam pattern was horrible and had bright and dark patches all over the place.
They also are universal for LHD/RHD, which mean they do not have the cutoff on the right side and higher left side like is needed in Aus.

I bought some IPF inserts and they are awesome with the beam pattern being perfect, even with the required right side cutoff.
These teamed up with a 6mm loom with hi/lo realys and Phillips +80s make for very nice night driving.

But as said, a thicker loom and relays will be one of the best upgrades for your lights. Remember, don't go bling and put blue globes in.. THEY ARE CRAP!

[grimbo]

just do as droopypete said, best bang for the buck upgrade for a Sierra

[sierrajim]

My 60 series came with the 'crystal' looking 7" headlights, and personally, I don't think they're that great at producing light. They look nice from the outside (on and off) but they don't really throw that much light.

Narva makes a kit for 7" halogen upgrades, which is similar, but doesn't have the 'altezza' or 'crystal' look. I have these in my MGB and they are FAR better than the ones in the Cruiser.

Of course wiring/alternator/globe etc will all have an influence too, but I've replaced the Cruiser globes with some pricey Phillips ones and they are still worse than the Narva setup in the MG. I can't imagine that the alternator in a MGB will push more current than a landcruiser (which reads >13V on the dash anyway).

I guess I should check the wiring in the Landcruiser, but regardless, I'd still suggest the Narva kit. I think the reflector/lenses are just designed to throw light a lot better.

The ones that were in your cruiser were old Hummer H2 lights that i had on the shelf.

I personally would buy Hella over Narva any day of the weel when it comes to headlights.

[clm434]

I'm in the process of collecting parts to fit a set of HID projectors from a BMW into 7" rectangular headlights. Going to use the "crystal" type lens as all I need is the clear covers, the reflectors are useless to me.

Probably not going to be great for water crossings but the ute hates anything more than 600mm deep so not like it matters.

[GUJohnno]

I used to have some Hella inserts in my truck but the reflector housing deteriorated within about 2 years.

I have now fitted some of the crystal lights as in the link above (actually that's my store) and I am fairly happy with them. There probably are better around, but it's hard to beat the value.
We have had guys using these for about 2 years with 90/130 watt globes in them and still going strong.

[Mark2]

I used to have some Hella inserts in my truck but the reflector housing deteriorated within about 2 years.

I have now fitted some of the crystal lights as in the link above (actually that's my store) and I am fairly happy with them. There probably are better around, but it's hard to beat the value.
We have had guys using these for about 2 years with 90/130 watt globes in them and still going strong.

What are the crystal lights like with HID's?

I have a set of crystal lights which were given to me (not yet fitted) and I'm thinking of buying a set cheap of H4 sliding hi/low HID"s to put in them.

[GUJohnno]

I can ask a few questions.
The guy we get the lights from also sells HID kits. Many comp guys are using his gear.

[gumtree]

I buoght the Crystal Altezza type headlights for my Rocky and they stayed on for about a month.

The beam pattern was horrible and had bright and dark patches all over the place.
They also are universal for LHD/RHD, which mean they do not have the cutoff on the right side and higher left side like is needed in Aus.

I bought some IPF inserts and they are awesome with the beam pattern being perfect, even with the required right side cutoff.
These teamed up with a 6mm loom with hi/lo realys and Phillips +80s make for very nice night driving.

But as said, a thicker loom and relays will be one of the best upgrades for your lights. Remember, don't go bling and put blue globes in.. THEY ARE CRAP!

i also have the ipf inserts in my sierra and the phillips 80% more light globes. low beams are great but highs seems to be dispursed all over. i tired to make a upgraded loom but didnt work as the guy at the shop gave me wrong relays im pretty sure and didnt bother to fix it after that.

yes those blue globes are crap. if anything next time id go the ipf fatboy globes for $155. they use normal current so can run on stock wiring and have light equivilant to 150/190 watts!

[amtravic1]

yes those blue globes are crap. if anything next time id go the ipf fatboy globes for $155. they use normal current so can run on stock wiring and have light equivilant to 150/190 watts!

Dont waste your money with the fat boy globes. The 80-110 watt IPF globes are much better. One of my globes blew after the headlights filled with water and I replaced them with fatboys. A huge waste of money. I have since gone HID and would never go back to halogen.

Ian

[GUJohnno]

I went on a trip last year with a guy that had HID's in his headlight. The light output was fantastic.

Problem was, when we got up the mountain, it was all enshrouded in fog and then he couldn't see a thing.

So I guess there's a good and bad about upgrading the headlights.

[gumtree]

yes those blue globes are crap. if anything next time id go the ipf fatboy globes for $155. they use normal current so can run on stock wiring and have light equivilant to 150/190 watts!

Dont waste your money with the fat boy globes. The 80-110 watt IPF globes are much better. One of my globes blew after the headlights filled with water and I replaced them with fatboys. A huge waste of money. I have since gone HID and would never go back to halogen.

Ian

whats wrong with the fatboys?

and how much is the total setup cost of the hid's and do u need to upgrade the wiring?

[midi73]

I just bought some 55 watt HIDs for $310 with 2 year warrenty, and I can get the crystal 7" for around $40 each, I think, waiting for stock to come in. So am yet to fit it all up to see how it goes.

[amtravic1]

whats wrong with the fatboys?



They are ridiculously overpriced and I found did not produce anywhere near the light output of the standard 80-110 globes. Very disappointing. I took them out and have them sitting in the garage somewhere.

Ian

[Mark2]

yes those blue globes are crap. if anything next time id go the ipf fatboy globes for $155. they use normal current so can run on stock wiring and have light equivilant to 150/190 watts!

Dont waste your money with the fat boy globes. The 80-110 watt IPF globes are much better. One of my globes blew after the headlights filled with water and I replaced them with fatboys. A huge waste of money. I have since gone HID and would never go back to halogen.

Ian

whats wrong with the fatboys?

and how much is the total setup cost of the hid's and do u need to upgrade the wiring?

You can get a set of 35w HID H4's with slider hi/low for about $140 delivered.
I'm sure these are not the best by any means but people are getting a reasonable run with them. You dont need to upgrade the wiring due to the much lower current draw and the igniters arent fussy about the voltage they get.

[Sammyboy]

I have fatboy globes fitted to my Holden Drover. After I first got my car, the sealed beam lighting was absolutely pathetic so I wondered whether or not to go for spotties or headlight upgrades? I got the headlights upgraded, which included new IPF reflector, wiring loom and the globes. It cost me just under $500 a couple of years back. I find that the setup to be pretty good. To me it's an interesting type of light, because the headlight beams just aren't there, it's all the objects that reflect from the beam that makes everything visible! I know that it sounds weird but that is my interpretation. The problems that I have with these lights is that they are extremely overpriced and the globes don't seem to be that tough. I have gone through about one globe every nine months! That's about $77 per globe which is way too expensive for me. If one of them blows again, i'm changeing brands!

[86slowsierra]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-7-ROUND-CRYS ... dZViewItem

i have these. cheap, easy and delivered to your door. they come with a fully sick blue parker light as well.

[NutterGQ]

I used the IPF inserts with various bulbs and love them, for $50 each brand new you cant go wrong, they don't brown or dull with 130w bulbs either.....as for IPF bulbs, never again bits of shit blew after 6 months when my $8 100/130w narvas lasted 18 months!.

I have done 2 H4 sliding type HID conversions on road cars and on both the sliders are flucked....so I'm sticking with these.

[Andres]

HID upgrade kits can be pretty annoying to other traffic as well. HIDs should have a very sharp 'cut-off' so that the light doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic. This doesn't happen with fitting HID inserts to conventional halogen reflectors. Well, not to the extent that it should.

Personally I think a good Narva (or IPF apparently) semi-sealed halogen beam upgrade with some decent globes, good wiring and relays will be very very nice headlight output. Supplemented with some nice spotties for country driving, and you're laughing.

Taking the time to do it correctly is so much better in the long run than having to push silly high wattage globes or 6+ spotties off the poor alternator. 2 headlights and 2 spotlights that are installed/wired correctly should be more than enough for anything short of a rally car / competition truck!

[dogbreath_48]

I liked my IPF fatboys - ran cooler than the higher wattage globes, so you don't need to worry about cracking lenses and they seemed to produce just as much light IMO - it almost seemed 'clearer'.

Having said that, after breaking one i didn't feel like dishing out another $150 for a pair so went with the IPF 80/110's (?) i think.

If you have your heart set on sealed beams, i understand Ti GQ patrols ran a higher powered high-beam?

Stu

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

have a look on ebay at hobzees 4wd shop.
i got my lights, which are led ring angel eyes ones from there.
they are good gear!

[grimbo]

have a look on ebay at hobzees 4wd shop.
i got my lights, which are led ring angel eyes ones from there.
they are good gear!

do you have a link?

[clm434]

HID upgrade kits can be pretty annoying to other traffic as well. HIDs should have a very sharp 'cut-off' so that the light doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic. This doesn't happen with fitting HID inserts to conventional halogen reflectors. Well, not to the extent that it should.

Personally I think a good Narva (or IPF apparently) semi-sealed halogen beam upgrade with some decent globes, good wiring and relays will be very very nice headlight output. Supplemented with some nice spotties for country driving, and you're laughing.

Taking the time to do it correctly is so much better in the long run than having to push silly high wattage globes or 6+ spotties off the poor alternator. 2 headlights and 2 spotlights that are installed/wired correctly should be more than enough for anything short of a rally car / competition truck!

Very true, adjusting the headlights down 1-2 turns of the screw helps but is still annoying, but still no worse than the new HiLuxs.

Hence, why I'm goin bi-xenon projectors.