Range Rover Classic Headlights

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R

rads

Guest
Think its time to replace the headlights.

One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
impression of a goldfish bowl.

Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
moment.

Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
difference which requires I replace like with like?

If I do have a choice, what should I fit?

Thanks

David

1986 3.5efi RR Classic
 
I just replaced my sealed beam units with H4 halogen replaceable globes and
lenses, heaps better, plugs straight in to standard loom.
Richard


"rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
> 1986 3.5efi RR Classic


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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OK, you may be interested in my site - I just added a bit about relaying RR
headlamps switches as they have a tendancy to melt.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/williams73/40_01_Body_03_RR_Relay_Switches.htm

Yes, Early RR's used sealed beam units, rated at I think 55/40W.
Later models used 'halogen' bulbs in unsealed lense/reflector units, with I
think 60/55w bulbs (This increase is enough to stress early switches, hence
the need to relay)

Would reccomend the later Hally kits. Cost about £25 form most of the
specialist, and they mount in exactly the same way, and are directly
interchageable.

What I would say though is check which mounts you have, and thier condition.

Early models had steel 'bowls' and they have a habbit of rotting. Later ones
have plastic bowls which are a lot better - BUT I believe that the bowls are
a special moulding for the RR and designed to go with the later horezontal
slat grill.

If you want to go to plastic bowls, on an eraly RR I'm not sure if you can
use the plastic bowls for an MGB/Mini/BL Whatever in place of the steel
ones - down to checking the parts book I think.

Any way - usual problem is that when you come to remove the lamps, the
retaining rings crumble, and leave you with three screws solidly attached in
the bowl, and attempts to remove them result in breaking the bowl.

So, while its only £25 or so for the lenses and bulbs, it can be another
£100 odd to replace all the fittings to mount them up!

Best of luck with it!


"rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
> 1986 3.5efi RR Classic


 
rads <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David

Halogens every time - fantastic improvement, 10 minute job (depending
on state of fittings), no wiring changes necessary.

Rich
 
On or around Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:16:26 +0100, rads
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
>One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
>impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
>Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
>used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
>moment.
>
>Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
>difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
>If I do have a choice, what should I fit?

Wipac "quad optic" kit used to be good, I think they still are available.
they fit the lucas sealed-beam style lamp housings as a direct replacement.

Personally, I'd got for the Phillips "vision plus" or other equivalent
60/55W halogen bulbs, these are good too. resist the temptation to put
100/80W in unless you also upgrade the switch and wiring, or fit relays.
100/80 bulbs (which are incidentally illegal for highway use in the UK) take
more current and should have fat wires - you can wire 'em through a relay,
of course, and trigger the relay off the normal headlamp wiring, but
honestly, the 60/55 vision plus (Osram is "silver star" or somesuch) which
are advertised as "50% brighter" are pretty damn' good. If you want more
main beam light, fit a pair of spots - these days, one of the biggest
irritations on the road at night is all the super-extra-bright dipped beams
- some of these cause quite bad dazzle even though they're properly aimed -
and although you can see better in the it that's illuminated, the extra
dazzle factor means that your eyes are less sensitive to dimly illuminated
things out of the light patch, which doesn't exactly add to road safety
overall.

that's my pet whinge of the month over...

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"The boys are dreaming wicked or of the bucking ranches of the night and
the jollyrodgered sea." Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) Under milk wood
 
On or around Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:16:26 +0100, rads
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
>One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
>impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
>Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
>used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
>moment.
>
>Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
>difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
>If I do have a choice, what should I fit?

Wipac "quad optic" kit used to be good, I think they still are available.
they fit the lucas sealed-beam style lamp housings as a direct replacement.

Personally, I'd got for the Phillips "vision plus" or other equivalent
60/55W halogen bulbs, these are good too. resist the temptation to put
100/80W in unless you also upgrade the switch and wiring, or fit relays.
100/80 bulbs (which are incidentally illegal for highway use in the UK) take
more current and should have fat wires - you can wire 'em through a relay,
of course, and trigger the relay off the normal headlamp wiring, but
honestly, the 60/55 vision plus (Osram is "silver star" or somesuch) which
are advertised as "50% brighter" are pretty damn' good. If you want more
main beam light, fit a pair of spots - these days, one of the biggest
irritations on the road at night is all the super-extra-bright dipped beams
- some of these cause quite bad dazzle even though they're properly aimed -
and although you can see better in the it that's illuminated, the extra
dazzle factor means that your eyes are less sensitive to dimly illuminated
things out of the light patch, which doesn't exactly add to road safety
overall.

that's my pet whinge of the month over...

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"The boys are dreaming wicked or of the bucking ranches of the night and
the jollyrodgered sea." Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) Under milk wood
 
I just replaced my sealed beam units with H4 halogen replaceable globes and
lenses, heaps better, plugs straight in to standard loom.
Richard


"rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
> 1986 3.5efi RR Classic


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.736 / Virus Database: 490 - Release Date: 9/08/2004


 
OK, you may be interested in my site - I just added a bit about relaying RR
headlamps switches as they have a tendancy to melt.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/williams73/40_01_Body_03_RR_Relay_Switches.htm

Yes, Early RR's used sealed beam units, rated at I think 55/40W.
Later models used 'halogen' bulbs in unsealed lense/reflector units, with I
think 60/55w bulbs (This increase is enough to stress early switches, hence
the need to relay)

Would reccomend the later Hally kits. Cost about £25 form most of the
specialist, and they mount in exactly the same way, and are directly
interchageable.

What I would say though is check which mounts you have, and thier condition.

Early models had steel 'bowls' and they have a habbit of rotting. Later ones
have plastic bowls which are a lot better - BUT I believe that the bowls are
a special moulding for the RR and designed to go with the later horezontal
slat grill.

If you want to go to plastic bowls, on an eraly RR I'm not sure if you can
use the plastic bowls for an MGB/Mini/BL Whatever in place of the steel
ones - down to checking the parts book I think.

Any way - usual problem is that when you come to remove the lamps, the
retaining rings crumble, and leave you with three screws solidly attached in
the bowl, and attempts to remove them result in breaking the bowl.

So, while its only £25 or so for the lenses and bulbs, it can be another
£100 odd to replace all the fittings to mount them up!

Best of luck with it!


"rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
> 1986 3.5efi RR Classic


 
rads <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David

Halogens every time - fantastic improvement, 10 minute job (depending
on state of fittings), no wiring changes necessary.

Rich
 

"rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Think its time to replace the headlights.
>
> One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> impression of a goldfish bowl.
>
> Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> moment.
>
> Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> difference which requires I replace like with like?
>
> If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
> 1986 3.5efi RR Classic

Here in the states Rovers North sells a headlamp conversion. Hella's Vision
Plus. And with that "European Headlamp Technology" I'm sure you will be able
to find something, these are a drop in replacement. Brighter beams are
available...but you will have to upgrade wiring and add relays. Here's an
excerpt from their site (http://www.roversnorth.com):

Range Rover Classic Hella Vision Plus Headlamp Conversion.
High performance European headlamp technology in a "street legal D.O.T."
version. Most powerful, legally-approved headlamp on the market. These
headlamps provide a precise, focused beam pattern that turns night into day!
A direct replacement for factory headlamps on all Range Rover Classic,
Defender, Series models. 60 watt high beam / 55 watt low beam. 7" dia.




 


> "rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Think its time to replace the headlights.
>>
>>One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
>>impression of a goldfish bowl.
>>
>>Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
>>used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
>>moment.
>>
>>Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
>>difference which requires I replace like with like?
>>
>>If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>David
>>
>>1986 3.5efi RR Classic



I replaced the headlamps on my 88 RRC with Wipac Quadoptics. They are
non-sealed and take halogen bulbs. Drop straight into the existing
mounting ring and plug straight into the existing loom. I think that
Paddock sell them as a kit including bulbs.

Now, bear in mind that they are actually two types of Quadoptic - one
has a shield in front of the bulb (the Quadoptic kit IIRC) whereas the
other doesn't. I got the ones without the shield by buying them from a
carparts place because I reckon that as the halogen bulbs have a black
sheild tip I don't need anything else reducing the light output.

Both types IIRC have plastic backs and UV proof plastic lenses.

I haven't seen sealed beam units for years.

BTW Vehicle Wiring Products sell a bolt-on Quadoptic, i.e. like a
bolt-on spot light but a dip/main beam unit. I've been toying with the
idea of adding a pair of these to 'enhance' the dip beam lighting on my
RRC. (However a broken spring has pushed that idea further to the back
of the queue)

HTH

Richard



--


Reply to RJSavage at Bigfoot dot com

 
I went to the wreckers and bought a set of 7" halogen headlights - no idea
what they were from but they worked perfectly in the RR

Reason? My 1986 RHD Rangie was delivered to Australia (RHD country) with LHD
headlights. I noticed that the headlights were pretty poor - then I noticed
the beam pattern was wrong. When I checked I found out why. I asked the
origianl owner from whom I bought the RR anf he siad the lights were original.

So for over 10 years it ran with LHD headlights.

Oh, I later changed to a horizontal grille so I fitted headlight buckets from
an old Hillman Minx instead of the bloody awful
original mounting system.

Ron


"Jack Kerouac" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Z3l_c.846$sS4.532@trndny03...
>
> "rads" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Think its time to replace the headlights.
> >
> > One has lost some silvering, and the other is doing a passable
> > impression of a goldfish bowl.
> >
> > Think that either sealed beam or "replaceable bulb" style units were
> > used at various times, have not yet checked what is in there at the
> > moment.
> >
> > Question is, can I fit either type, or is there some mounting / loom
> > difference which requires I replace like with like?
> >
> > If I do have a choice, what should I fit?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > David
> >
> > 1986 3.5efi RR Classic
>
> Here in the states Rovers North sells a headlamp conversion. Hella's Vision
> Plus. And with that "European Headlamp Technology" I'm sure you will be able
> to find something, these are a drop in replacement. Brighter beams are
> available...but you will have to upgrade wiring and add relays. Here's an
> excerpt from their site (http://www.roversnorth.com):
>
> Range Rover Classic Hella Vision Plus Headlamp Conversion.
> High performance European headlamp technology in a "street legal D.O.T."
> version. Most powerful, legally-approved headlamp on the market. These
> headlamps provide a precise, focused beam pattern that turns night into day!
> A direct replacement for factory headlamps on all Range Rover Classic,
> Defender, Series models. 60 watt high beam / 55 watt low beam. 7" dia.
>
>
>
>


 

"The Becketts" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to the wreckers and bought a set of 7" halogen headlights - no idea
> what they were from but they worked perfectly in the RR
>
> Reason? My 1986 RHD Rangie was delivered to Australia (RHD country) with
LHD
> headlights. I noticed that the headlights were pretty poor - then I
noticed
> the beam pattern was wrong. When I checked I found out why. I asked the
> origianl owner from whom I bought the RR anf he siad the lights were
original.
>
> So for over 10 years it ran with LHD headlights.
>
> Oh, I later changed to a horizontal grille so I fitted headlight buckets
from
> an old Hillman Minx instead of the bloody awful
> original mounting system.
>
> Ron
>


LHD head lamps vs. RHD Head lamps?

Never heard of such a thing. Sounds like asking the new guy on the job to go
fetch a pail of steam.


 
Jack Kerouac wrote:

> LHD head lamps vs. RHD Head lamps?
>
> Never heard of such a thing. Sounds like asking the new guy on the job to go
> fetch a pail of steam.

RHD headlights dip to the left, and LHD headlights dip to the right.


--
EMB
change two to number to reply
 
On or around Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:54:52 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Jack Kerouac wrote:
>
>> LHD head lamps vs. RHD Head lamps?
>>
>> Never heard of such a thing. Sounds like asking the new guy on the job to go
>> fetch a pail of steam.
>
>RHD headlights dip to the left, and LHD headlights dip to the right.

and centre dip headlamps dip to the centre, of course :)


but he's right. The dip beam pattern is asymmetric, making a longer beam to
one side, in order mainly to illuminate the edge of the road to a further
distance, the better to see pedestrians and suchlike.

Also the whole pattern shifts a bit left (for RHD ones) so that it points
away from oncoming traffic.

the older style headlamps didn't produce the sharp cut-off that the modern
ones have but still used to dip left or right, quite often. Mostly, if you
look at the headlamp glass, you'll see an arrow on it which tells you which
way it dips, and that arrow points tot he edge of the road on the side
you're driving.

 
If yoiu look at the headlights you'll see a pattern in the glas that gives a
sort of Y-shape (lying on it's side) beam. On RHD headlights the Y-shape is
the right so that the projected beam pattern is to the left to illuminate the
LHS side of the road (it's the mirror image) of the glass pattern..

On a LHD headlight, the Y-shap is to the left to project the peam to the left.

Ron

"Jack Kerouac"
>
> LHD head lamps vs. RHD Head lamps?
>
> Never heard of such a thing. Sounds like asking the new guy on the job to go
> fetch a pail of steam.
>


 
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