Improve Your Headlights!

If you have an older car, you may have sealed beam headlights. I did. I hated how my sealed beams were horribly dim, and didn't project at all. The low-beams were useless, and the high-beams weren't much better. I decided that it was worth some money to improve the headlights. Part of this decision was safety, which justifies the cost. My car has no airbags, and driving on Nebraska country roads there are often deer, which don't feel good on your car, and have killed people before.

I had a few options to upgrade my lights. I could buy some external driving lights from a company like Hella or KC. They are readily available in all shapes and sizes and are extremely bright. People often add them on their cars as additional fog lights, or even for off-roading. I decided that installing these on my car would be somewhat of a hassle. I would have to mount them, which involves drilling things. Then the new hole begins to rust (especially in the salty winters) and it creates more work. It would also put more load on the battery, and I would possibly have to install another relay.

I chose the second option, which was replace the sealed beam headlights with reflector enclosures. Then a normal halogen or xenon bulb can be clipped into the reflector and plugged right into the car's female plug. It was much less trouble, cheaper, and less things to go wrong in the future.

Step 1: Buy the Goods

I shopped around online until I found some good deals. I decided to go with a site called AutoAnything.com. They were much cheaper than other places, and included free shipping. I ordered two conversion housings and a pair of bulbs. I ended up cancelling the bulbs because I found some cheaper bulbs at my local Napa auto parts. The total costs ended up looking like this:

• 2 x Headlight Conversion Housings @ $22.68
• APC Xenon Super White Halogen Bulbs (pair) @ $15.99
• Total < $62.00

Comments

[comp_wiz101]

Nice instructable. The only thing I would add is that these H4 conversions are often available in two flavours: DOT pattern and Euro "E-Code". If your locale allows (Canada does), E-code lamp housings are a better choice. E-code housings more tightly control how the beam is presented, especially with regards to opposing traffic. This is great if you're going to a brighter bulb. More of the light goes where it's wanted, and less ends up in the face of another driver.
I converted a motorcycle over to motorcycle E-code pattern (7 inch round housing), and even with a 35 watt halogen it's head and shoulders above the original 55 watt sealed beam.

[opticalfx]

Two wrongs don't make it right...haven't we all heard this? Blinding someone for blinding you is like screwing for virginity. If you are that annoyed, follow the person and tell them about their "blinding others" issue. Half of the people who get flashed more than likely don't even know that their Aux lights are on. And yes DOT does state that any and all Aux lights should be turned off while on public roads but honestly how many people sit down and read the manual. Education helps more than punishment when the person doesn't know they're in the wrong.
Good job on the 'able

[Yerboogieman]

I cannot stand people who drive around with fog lights on, along with their headlights, so I drive past with high beams. Since, foglights and headlights are somewhat comparable to high beams. If the person is sitting behind me like that, i will either pull over and blind them, or turn on my left turn signal for a few miles.

[wrksnfx]

1) If a police officer sees you do this you can be arrested for for trying to cause some to have an accident.
2) You leave yourself open to lawsuit if you do cause some to have an accident and a witness happens to get your license plate number.
3) If said witness call the police if you think of taking off after you CAUSED an accident you can and DEFINITELY be CHARGE with fleeing the scene of an accident which has some SERIOUS repercussions.

So I hope this gives you the idea to NOT do stuff like that.

[c005jjc]

First of all, if you are worried about Yerboogieman blinding an oncoming vehicle because they are running their auxiliary lights...then what do you think they are doing to him? Some of these brand new Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks will actually hurt your eyes and give you a headache when you meet them and their auxiliary lights on! By the way, what you see on most new cars and trucks are called auxiliary lights…fog lights are amber in color to help drivers see thru the fog. Running the white auxiliary lights only makes it worse when in fog.
Try driving for 10 or 11 hours straight and every third vehicle you meet have their auxiliary lights on! Talk about causing eye strain and fatigue. If most drivers would read their owners manual and check out their state traffic code, they would find out that they should treat their auxiliary lights as though they are high beam head lights. If you meet other vehicles, you should turn them off since they don’t have a dimmer switch for them. Most auxiliary lights are brighter than low beam headlights and they only illuminate about 20 feet in front of the vehicle using them…but they cause an irritating glare. I have been using my high beams for years on drivers that run with their auxiliary lights on all the time. I don’t know why they think they are so cool when they aren’t. wrksnfx and lunchbox9864 both most likely run around with their bumper lights on blinding everybody and when someone throws the brights on them they get their feelings hurt because they can’t be cool if they have to turn them off. All I have to say is if you can’t see the road unless you are running those stupid auxiliary lights all the time…you need to stay home after dark and quit blinding everybody you meet on the highway! As for using my high beams to give you a taste of your own medicine…so be it. You get what you give!
Keep up the good work Yerboogieman and maybe those who think they are the only one's that matter will get the message...I am right there beside you giving it back to them! If they run off the road...it is probably because they were distractracted trying to figure out how to bright light you back and couldn't find the switch since they run around all the time blinding other drivers with those stupid bright bumper lights on!

[wrksnfx]

I have a C.D.L. class A license, so I know all about driving 11 out of the 14 hours that you are allowed on the road per (Department Of Transportation [D.O.T.] Rules). If you want to whine about traffic codes and enforcement, you would see that you can end up being the one charged if by your actions of aggressive driving also called road rage (which includes flashing your high beams at oncoming traffic) cause an accident and if it is seen by law enforcement officers or if the general public gets your plate number and report you to the police. I have family in law enforcement at the Local, State and Federal levels and I know whereof as I speak.

If the headlights of D.O.T. approved stock vehicles are to bright for you then that means you should either if your headlights are hazy then they need to be recondition or upgrade your older vehicles stock headlights to the newer brighter headlights or both this will offset the brightness of visible light of oncoming traffic w/o blinding them and cause you less eyestrain & headaches.

Before you whine about my vehicle's is too old to do this on it my response is bull, because I own a 1979 Ford Ranchero 500 and I installed brighter lights on it in the STOCK headlight buckets, without any problems and yes it did cost a little more than old stock headlights a worthwhile investment but if you want to argue about it then look at this way.

Cost of newer headlights vs. less eyestrain & headaches = less eyestrain & headaches

[c005jjc]

First of all, I was talking about the improper use of auxiliary fog lights with white lenses...the little lights on the bumpers of most newer vehicles. Most everyone thinks they are so cool running around at night with both the headlights on and the bumper lights on. A lot of states have laws stating if you run the bumper lights you are to treat them the same as high-beam headlights and turn them off if you meet other vehicles. More states will pass laws against blinding oncoming traffic with too much light. I didn't say anything about changing out headlights to the more brighter headlights of today but if you are using headlights that are too bright just so you can see better while blinding oncoming traffic then you are a very inconsiderate driver and what goes around comes around. As far as causing an accident when I bright light an oncoming vehicle for blinding me with the glare from their bumper lights...get real. I have been doing this for 15 years and no accidents have been caused and no cop has ever pulled me over. A school bus driver has to have CDL's to drive their 50 miles a day and just because you have family in law enforcement doesn't make you an expert on traffic code or traffic courtesy. You drive around blinding others with auxiliary fog lights (white lenses) and if you meet me you will get what you give and I don't care if you have your city, state, or federal cousin with you or not. Both of you better have your sunglasses on is all I have to say!

[wrksnfx]

I see you don't respond to reason so I'll be the mature person and leave, I don't argue w/ people of such deficiencies as yourself.

[c005jjc]

I didn’t know we were arguing…I thought we were exploring two different opinions. You opinion is that it is alright to blind oncoming traffic if it makes you feel safer…and I don’t think it is a courteous practice to follow and I let other drivers know their auxiliary driving lights are too bright. As far as me not responding to reason…that is why we are having this conversation. You think it is reasonable to blind oncoming traffic and I don’t. You are reasonably minded? I think not. And by the way, you have never met me so you have no clue as to what kind of deficiencies I have or don’t have. I have just been stating the facts and if it bothers you, then you are the one with deficiencies such as being inconsiderate to other motorist you share the road with. If you travel a considerable distance this Thanksgiving you will notice all the vehicles you meet and just how many run the glaring auxiliary driving lights on their bumper. It is a big problem and causes increased fatigue. Otherwise…I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! :-)

[wrksnfx]

I never said it was right or reasonable to blind oncoming traffic, but isn't that what you are doing to others yourself? I travel about 40+ miles a day and have never had any problem with people with them having on auxiliary driving lights, I have however had other drivers flash me their high beams when I just have on my regular headlights on because they think my stock headlights are to bright on my stock height pickup truck, which is beyond my control. May you have a safe and good Christmas yourself.

[Yerboogieman]

It's not only that, but those lifted trucks with improperly adjusted headlights. If I ever got into an accident with one, I would want to see reciepts for the upgraded brakes as it is rule of thumb that when you upgrade your suspension, wheels and tires, to also upgrade your brakes to be able to stop all of that.

[JAYDAWG40]

hahahah dude im for sure gonna use the turn signal idea thats awsome

[lunchbox9864]

So you go around intentionally blinding other drivers because you "cannot stand" those with fog lights? Good show old boy! So you'd risk the lives of EVERYONE on the road by "blinding" someone on purpose because you're intolerant and should no way ever be inconvenienced in any form or fashion? Congrats for being the reason everyone's insurance rates are so high! Thanks for that.

[Yerboogieman]

Making peoples insurance rates high? How about be safe and responsible and don't get into wrecks? I'm the guy who doesn't always have their foglights switched on and without HID lights. I also didn't improperly lift my truck 10 feet in the air with stock brakes and an open differential and improperly adjusted headlights.

Look at me, I have a big lifted truck to make up for other short comings in the bedroom.

[wrksnfx]

Well my truck is stock NOT lifted at all. If you don't like the fact that I drive a pickup truck, then it sucks to be you.

[Vinsu]

I think he meant by "blinding" that he gives someone a signal that his/her lights are too bright to be used when confronting other cars and to be turned down till no one is in front of you. I was taught this at driving school.

[Databanks]

The blue light could possibly be for parkers. Or for adding a blue tint to the regular halogens. I'm not saying it *IS*, just thinking of possibilities.
As for the colour, guess it will depend on the local laws - some states/countries will let you do it, some won't. I know those washer nozzles with blue LEDs are popular over here in Australia, but I know someone who asked a police officer about them and was told they're a flat NO because they distract other drivers at night (or so they're saying - guess that means truck drivers with vast arrays of LEDs on the side need to take them off, huh?). You'd be best asking your local authorities about them

[yo man]

cool old VW!

[Dingo Warrior]

 Check out my blog on how to repair headlights. It also tells you how to take them apart in order to modify them, etc: http:\\headlightheadlamprepair.blogspot.com

[Starstryke25]

A common problem with aftermarket headlight enclosures is that they get foggy. Take some Silicon PCV sealant or high temp silicon sealant and seal up any seams (aside from where the light bulb plugs in). A good one for those is where any clips or metal/glass or clear plastic contact. Use a rubber glove to hand squeegee any excess off and force more into the cracks. for a nicer look.

[bhvm]

In India, we are using 130/100 W H4 Headlight bulbs- Thats what we need to clearly see the potholed roads up here ;) Some cars also come with Dual chamber headlights, meaning 4 Such bulbs in tandem!! Thats something pretty bright!

[LasVegas]

Very cool Instructable! Did you need to align the lights after installation or were they close enough to the original bulbs that the alignment carried over? The blue lamps in the headlights are "Driving Lights" and should just be tied into the ignition system so they are on whenever the car is running. They aren't for driving at night, but to improve visibility to others during the day. I think they're required in Canada.

[MD_Willington]

Yes, most if not all new vehicles in Canada have day time running lights. When I worked at a Dodge dealership we would have to modify the trucks when government agencies purchased them. The Ministry of Environment trucks needed the headlights modified so that they could run with the lights off as it is hard to sneak up on poachers etcetera when lights are on.

[Esmagamus]

Poachers? Bootleggers?

[MD_Willington]

Poachers = Yes
Bootleggers = No
Pot Growers = Yes
People Dumping Garbage in the forest = Yes

[spinach_dip]

looking at the last, or second to last photo on step 4, I would guess the small blue bulbs are there to make the lights look more like the current HID lights on late model vehicals.

[Lokisgodhi]

Yep you figured it out. They're called poser lights. People use them to mimic HID lamps. You usually find them along with turbo badges on normally aspirated engines and badges for performance versions that weren't imported into the US.

[intoon]

They were pretty close to the original alignment. They may have been slightly narrower. See step 2. The problem with those little bulbs is that they aren't very bright, and are blue. Any form of blue lights on a car are illegal because they could be mistaken for police/emergency vehicle lights. So I didn't bother wiring them in...

[spinach_dip]

cool, do these things have the standard three bumps that are on USA stock headlights? These three bumps are used to align the headlights.

[icanryme2002]

(removed by author or community request)

[trebuchet03]

If you're going to try and insult.... do make an attempt at spelling and grammar ;)

[icanryme2002]

Well I'm sorry, but the idea was trying to convey was that even though the bulbs are blue they shine white. Also they are called daytime running lights and they are mandatory in Canada. sincerely, icanryme2002

[Qtronik]

daytime running lights and they are not mandatory in at montreal in Canada but do not know all over canada...

[intoon]

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. I know that daytime running lights are white. If these lights were white, I would have wired them in. The point made here is that these small blue colored bulbs actually shine blue. That is the reason I didn't wire them in, and why they are illegal. They are meant for people who want to give their car a "modified" look.

Don't take that negatively, I'm only trying to clarify. :-)

As for the actual 55/60W headlight bulbs, they shine white, even though the glass is tinted blue.

And as for the law in Canada, you are probably right. I wouldn't know, though, because I don't live in Canada.

[Nachoman]

Here in Cancun, those small blue lights would be called 'marker lights' and be wired to the same bus as the amber lights on your bumper. Those things should be completely cool as far as they are the same colour on both sides, don't flash and you don't kill the amber lights in favour to these or, on the other hand, should be cool to flash as long as they were white. Better go and stop a cop next time you see one. He/she should tell you whether you are cool, "jaywalking" or actually committing an offense.

[Grimling]

I don't know about your countries , but in Belgium , cars get a full check every year , and they also measure how hard your lights shine , so i don't think it would be legal here :p

[Esmagamus]

You know, they do the same in Portugal. And you might as well have a candle inside the headlight, as long as you could light it up when measurements are taken, you are in the law.

[Lokisgodhi]

So get a set of standard wattage bulbs and swap them in whenever you need to have the car inspected. It isn't rocket science.

[aristoxenus]

On that note, don't forget that the downside to bright headlights is what they do to the vision of oncoming drivers. I wish US inspections would check headlight brightness, and that people's first reaction to that wouldn't be an idea on how to skirt the rule! If you need more light on dark empty roads, please deploy that DIY creativity for real, and try to figure out a way to do it without causing the low-beams to blind innocent bystanders driving home to their families. That way you can drive brighter and safer when you need to -- which probably isn't when there are other drivers in the path of your beams.

[_soapy_]

I suspect that, much like the UK, the regulations state that the power of the headlights have to be about 55W. They say nothing at all about the effeiciency, and so over here you get the latest cars with really new Krypton or Argon bulbs, and they throw twice the light of the slightly older cars. Then you get my old van, a VW LT35, which doesn't throw as much light as my LED headlamp! Mainly because those bulbs are very old and very yellow. I'll be doing this conversion. I am also trying to change the brake lights to LED, but I can't find them with the right connections, as they are split level. :-(