defender Headlight Upgrade.. Plastic refeltors how dare they!!!

I’ve just fitted new magnified lens/reflectors with 6000*KV HID lights. Wattage still standard.

They are a flat lens so putting on skins was simple. The lens seems to have an improved reflection to the OE on low.

While doing a little research into HID I was informed that running HID lights in cars without levelling devices was/may be illegal.

However if you buy the HID lights with low/high your OK. The low beam is in fact a standard halogen bulb. At least in the ones I got though I understand you can get HID low / HID high (different output) but again more cost.

The 6000KV is the “whitness” (new word) and refers to the Kelvin scale and little to do with improved visibility. The Kelvin scale is important for digital photography.

Anyhow I chose the 6000KV as above this you start going “blue”, increase current draw and pay more and this was of no interest to me.

However in terms of performance the HID light (high beam) is the equivalent of 130W halogen. Certainly lights up the world.

The other good thing about keeping halogen low is that when all the other whackers have their “blue” lights yellow will become trendy again. Strange how things go round.:)

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Originally Posted by Mikes defender

Can these reflect take the heat of larger wattage lights? or am i going to find a puddle of crome and plastic?

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I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

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Originally Posted by Scouse

I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

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Interesting Scott.
I've never been game to run anything other than 60/55w globes with plastic reflectors and lenses.

I'm sure mine have glass lenses, just plastic reflectors/bodies.

You're probably right, I swapped mine out about seven years ago and just can't remember.

I was also thinking along the lines of our GU Patrol which diffuses the light too much and as a consequence has the worlds worst headlights for country driving, particularly low beam.
Poor SWMBO goes from lovely Cibie spotties to darkness when driving between Orange and Gunnedah and here.

I put in the wiring upgrade, made it 8 years ago, used it on one vehicle and removed it before I sold it. It turned the Fenders lights from pathetic to fantastic, also put in a pair of Narva 7" headlights, with metal reflectors, very flat lenses, they dont fit the securing rings perfectly though. I think the pair cost $100 or there abouts, they came with 55/100 and they are brilliant! The whole thing is really worth while doing.
Mal

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Originally Posted by Scouse

I have Defender headlights (Wipac) in one of my other cars & I've had 100/130s in for the last 10 years. I've done a few interstate night trips as well as general city night driving & the headlights are fine.

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Thanks, This is just what i have been lookin for.. ill put the other ones back in.. Even if they do melt.. there are heaps of spares around to replace them with!!

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Originally Posted by malsgoing130

I put in the wiring upgrade, made it 8 years ago, used it on one vehicle and removed it before I sold it. It turned the Fenders lights from pathetic to fantastic, also put in a pair of Narva 7" headlights, with metal reflectors, very flat lenses, they dont fit the securing rings perfectly though. I think the pair cost $100 or there abouts, they came with 55/100 and they are brilliant! The whole thing is really worth while doing.
Mal

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Mal

The bit i can't understand is why landrover can't carry out such a simple mod can give such a huge difference.. I wonder if they have it sorted for the later models. lucas the prince of darkness and yellow headlights:)

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Originally Posted by scott oz

I’ve just fitted new magnified lens/reflectors with 6000*KV HID lights. Wattage still standard.

They are a flat lens so putting on skins was simple. The lens seems to have an improved reflection to the OE on low.

While doing a little research into HID I was informed that running HID lights in cars without levelling devices was/may be illegal.

However if you buy the HID lights with low/high your OK. The low beam is in fact a standard halogen bulb. At least in the ones I got though I understand you can get HID low / HID high (different output) but again more cost.

The 6000KV is the “whitness” (new word) and refers to the Kelvin scale and little to do with improved visibility. The Kelvin scale is important for digital photography.

Anyhow I chose the 6000KV as above this you start going “blue”, increase current draw and pay more and this was of no interest to me.

However in terms of performance the HID light (high beam) is the equivalent of 130W halogen. Certainly lights up the world.

The other good thing about keeping halogen low is that when all the other whackers have their “blue” lights yellow will become trendy again. Strange how things go round.:)

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Sorry, but your nearly correct...

HID headlights in a vehicle are illegal if it doesnt have self levelling and washers... No exceptions (in the eyes of the law)

And H4 Hi-Lo can have a HID for both, Using magnetic adjustment of the globes focal point.

Having a Halogen Low and HID high isnt a great solution as best gains using HID is in urban environments in poor conditions (rain etc)

Tombie2

You may well be 100% correct if the NSW regulations are the same in SA to NSW. My HID supplier was the one who said you need high / low not to breach the reg's but he's in VIC.

Yes I agree with you on the Halogen so my increse in brightness is probably due to the better lens (which are a direct replacement) with little parker lights if you wish to use them