HID Lights D2a

[brynbad]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has fitted HID lights to a D2a. The low beam is shocking on mine and would like to replace them at the minimum. Just seeing what are the different options? Ebay best place?

[bee utey]

There must be about 500 threads on HID light conversions by now. Try doing a search?

I suggest get some plus 50 or plus 80 halogen globes, at least they are legal, HID in your application is not.

[superquag]

There must be about 500 threads on HID light conversions by now. Try doing a search?

I suggest get some plus 50 or plus 80 halogen globes, at least they are legal, HID in your application is not.

See above.

If the car is'nt fitted with headlight relays... rectify the situation.Traxide kit or roll your own(if you know how)
- This alone will make more current available to the lamps, plus ensuring your dip-switch lasts almost as long as Jap switchgear.:p:p:p

Clean your headlights.. Often. How about the inside surfaces, - Milky or hazy? Replace with top quality brand-name units which cost lot$. If you need to ask about evilBay, then the answer is 'No'

Get your electrics (alternator output/battery) checked.

Get your eyes checked.:eek:

[Graeme]

I found the low beam was satisfactory but fitted +50 to high beam. However since fitting HID to the D4's high beams I would suggest fitting HID to your high beams for much more light if you actually get to use high beam.

No dip switch wear as the switching is electronic (BCU).

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has fitted HID lights to a D2a. The low beam is shocking on mine and would like to replace them at the minimum. Just seeing what are the different options? Ebay best place?

PLEASE DON'T BECOME ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE INCONSIDERATE TOSSERS TO OTHER DRIVERS BY FITTING HID's WHICH ARE ILLEGAL ANYWAY.
do a wiring upgrade as previously suggested.
Illegally fitted HID's in vehicvles that were not designed for them is just Road rage onto other drivers.
RANT OVER

[gavinwibrow]

See above.

If the car is'nt fitted with headlight relays... rectify the situation.Traxide kit or roll your own(if you know how)
- This alone will make more current available to the lamps, plus ensuring your dip-switch lasts almost as long as Jap switchgear.:p:p:p

Clean your headlights.. Often. How about the inside surfaces, - Milky or hazy? Replace with top quality brand-name units which cost lot$. If you need to ask about evilBay, then the answer is 'No'

Get your electrics (alternator output/battery) checked.

Get your eyes checked.:eek:
I contacted drivesafe about his relay option (he's a very busy man) and he told me the D2a has H7, not H4 globes and that the relays he has would require not insignificant modifications (and suggested a thread here to see what could be done). I'm afraid this electrical talk is all double dutch to me, but I'm also keen to upgrade my low beam if possible whilst not blinding others and if it can be done legally - and not overly expensive. Even a high beam upgrade would be nice, even though I have good spread, depth and intensity already.
It would be great to get some concensus from the gurus here on the best way to go.
Anyone up for the challenge?

[brynbad]

Well then, has anyone upgraded their headlights another way in a d2a? I contacted tradxie and they said it was a difficult job to redo relays in one! Would you be able to put 100w bulbs in the high beam without Melton the casing? Or has anyone managed to put in a relay for these?

[OffTrack]

Well then, has anyone upgraded their headlights another way in a d2a? I contacted tradxie and they said it was a difficult job to redo relays in one! Would you be able to put 100w bulbs in the high beam without Melton the casing? Or has anyone managed to put in a relay for these?

It's not that the relay is an issue. The problem is the way the wiring loom connects to the D2a headlight unit.

The Traxide kits are designed to work with three pin headlight connectors which carry high/dipped/earth to the globes. One plug connects to the existing wiring to switch the relay and then power runs on heavy duty cable from the relay to plugs which connect directly to the headlight globes.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/823.jpg

The D2a's use a nine pin connector which also carries wiring for the side lights. I'm not certain how the headlight units are wired internally or how accessible the globe sockets are.

Based on this information it would appear that you'd need to:

- cut the harness to access the headlight wiring to operate the relay
- replace the head light units internal wiring to globe plug and possibly change the plug.
- find a way of routing the heavy duty wiring into the headlight globe socket or patch it back into the harness before the 9 pin plug.


So the upgrade goes from being a straight forward plug and play operation which leaves the harness intact, to one that requires a number of modifications of the original wiring.

It's certainly doable, but much more involved than installing a Traxide kit and would require an understanding of what you were doing.

cheers
Paul

[biggin]

Well then, has anyone upgraded their headlights another way in a d2a? I contacted tradxie and they said it was a difficult job to redo relays in one! Would you be able to put 100w bulbs in the high beam without Melton the casing? Or has anyone managed to put in a relay for these?
Putting in a relay is a simple process if you know what you're doing.
I don't know if the assembly can handle the extra heat though.

I agree with bee utey. Put in the plus 50's (or 80's). They were good enough for me,. They are cheap and it takes two minutes to do.

If your not happy them, then no damage done.:D

[Slunnie]

But the traxide kit just plugs into the bulb socket. Surely if the D2a has 2 lights it would be a matter of splitting the high to the high and the low to the low then using a common earth wouldn't it. It surely cant be that complex. The 9 pin connect shouldn't need to be touched.

[OffTrack]

Apparently while there are two removable caps on the back of the unit that can be opened to change the globes, you need to open the unit to do anything serious with the wiring. This requires use of a heat gun to soften the seal to allow the halves to be prised apart.

Shouldn't be too hard, but I'll leave it to biggin to tell us how it's done ;)

[Slunnie]

Apparently while there are two removable caps on the back of the unit that can be opened to change the globes, you need to open the unit to do anything serious with the wiring. This requires use of a heat gun to soften the seal to allow the halves to be prised apart.

Shouldn't be too hard, but I'll leave it to biggin to tell us how it's done ;)
Interrupt the wires at the plug then.

[OffTrack]

Which is what I said in the first place. :angel:

That said I think you can actually do the upgrade without splitting the case, but you still need to tap into the original harness. There are some good pics of the headlamps showing interior wiring.

Discovery - headlight conversion to 2003 on lights - Land Rover Zone (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/discovery-headlight-conversion-2003-lights-71266.html)

The question was "why did Drivesafe say it was difficult to put a relay in a D2a?" I think the answer should be fairly obvious - because you need to modify the existing harness.

If you have the skills not to need Drivesafe holding your hand every step then upgrading the relays is a straight forward task.

cheers
Paul

[gavinwibrow]

Which is what I said in the first place. :angel:

That said I think you can actually do the upgrade without splitting the case, but you still need to tap into the original harness. There are some good pics of the headlamps showing interior wiring.

Discovery - headlight conversion to 2003 on lights - Land Rover Zone (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/discovery-headlight-conversion-2003-lights-71266.html)

The question was "why did Drivesafe say it was difficult to put a relay in a D2a?" I think the answer should be fairly obvious - because you need to modify the existing harness.

If you have the skills not to need Drivesafe holding your hand every step then upgrading the relays is a straight forward task.

cheers
Paul
Now I'm confused (easily) again. I understood that the original thread was talking about options to upgrade the already fitted D2a upgrade headlights to provide something brighter again ie replacing the H7s or whatever?

[OffTrack]

Yes but it was pointed out the HID upgrade is illegal. Obviously there are those who dont give a **** about other road users, and install anyway.

The discussion moved fairly rapidly to upgrading headlight wiring.

[gavinwibrow]

Yes but it was pointed out the HID upgrade is illegal. Obviously there are those who dont give a **** about other road users, and install anyway.

The discussion moved fairly rapidly to upgrading headlight wiring.
Ta. So, to go back a step, and fully accepting that the HID route is illegal (and not smart either) - when talking about the D2a upgrade headlights, is the concensus that there is little else that can be done to enhance particularly low beam, or does anyone have some bright ideas (sorry bad pun) for relays, legal replacement globes or whatever?

[Fluids]

Look into replacement globes ... all 4x are H7, and a while back I did a bit of a look around for better globes, and there seems to be a bit of choice.

[superquag]

Try here:-

Osram Night Breaker Plus NightBreaker Plus Philips Xtreme Power 80% 90% AutoBulbsOnline (http://www.autobulbsonline.co.uk/)

or here... H7 headlight bulbs for Cars, Motorcycles,Vans. Main and dipped headlamps. (http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h7-55w-headlight-bulbs/)

or even here.... Philips 12972-XVS2 H7 X-Treme Power 100% Kit (2 Bulbs): Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41z0YBtKUmL.@@AMEPARAM@@41z0YBtKUmL

.... for starters.:D

[gavinwibrow]

Try here:-

Osram Night Breaker Plus NightBreaker Plus Philips Xtreme Power 80% 90% AutoBulbsOnline (http://www.autobulbsonline.co.uk/)

or here... H7 headlight bulbs for Cars, Motorcycles,Vans. Main and dipped headlamps. (http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h7-55w-headlight-bulbs/)

or even here.... Philips 12972-XVS2 H7 X-Treme Power 100% Kit (2 Bulbs): Amazon.co.uk: Car & [email]Motorbike (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-12972-XVS2-X-Treme-Power-Bulbs/dp/B00440CWCG)

.... for starters.:D
Thanks. Aaaaargh! I don't even know what I am looking for apart from H7. I don't know enough and can't work out from the web info whether the individual mirroring background for each assembly determines the low/high beam throw and whether all lights are basically the same (just more intense) or what. I "think" from reading my D2a manuals we have 60/55 high/low as standard, but that could be for the pre-update rectangular lights, and might even be talking about H4 or others.
Will have to talk to the wise locally - oops, I'm doing that already!

[superquag]

Sorry, can't help you there... am in blissful ignorance regarding 'what' the D2a normally runs, or yours in particular. AFAIK, 60/55 sounds like a H4, as the H7 is a single-filament bulb.

If all else fails, attack your headlamps and see what's inside !

[banarcus]

D2a have H7s, all four bulbs. I've fitted HIDs and they work a charm.

[gavinwibrow]

D2a have H7s, all four bulbs. I've fitted HIDs and they work a charm.
I think we have gone full circle - the HID are supposed to be illegal (in a D2a scenario at least), irrespective of how well they might work.

Yes I realise the D2a has 4 x separate H7 bulbs - I was wondering what if any alternative brightnesses might be available to what is fitted, or whether it is a completely different technology to just swapping to larger wattage bulbs as you would do for a normal light at home, or for the old fashioned headlights of my youth.

I get the feeling that there are "brighter" H7 bulbs available, but as yet have no idea what I am comparing with, so yes, looks like pulling my standard H7s apart to see what I can find out - without touching the actual bulbs of course.

[OffTrack]

If the retrofit meets the following requirements the HID kits are legal. While a d2 can potentially have meet of the requirements - headlight washers and possibly the self-leveling headlights on SLS equipped D2's, no-one seems to go to the trouble of fitting an appropriate reflector, resulting in the install not meeting ADR's.

This is taken from the RACQ website:


Aftermarket HID conversions
Aftermarket halogen to HID conversions are available however their use on a road registered vehicle will generally result in contravention of the relevant ADRs. Typically these ‘conversions’ comprise ballasts, wiring and HID globes that plug straight into the existing lamp.

Halogen lamps and their globes must comply with ADRs 46 and 51, while HID lamps and their globes must comply with a different set of requirements within ADRs 77 and 78. Interchanging globe types (such as putting HID globes into a lamp designed for a halogen globe) prevents continued compliance of the lamp/globe assembly.

In addition, ADR 13 requires that all vehicles fitted with headlamps (including HID) producing over 2,000 lumens (a measure of light output) have a self-levelling system and headlight washers. These simple retro conversions don’t provide these features and are therefore illegal for road use and are likely to be excessively glary to other road users.

If the vehicle manufacturer offered optional HID lights for a particular model then retrofitting the complete system including lamps, globes and the features required by ADR 13 to that model should be acceptable. But ‘grafting’ a full system between models or makes would impose performance certification requirements in the new application and is unlikely to be viable.

[bsperka]

The standard Narva bulbs are now +30 (30% brighter than a standard halogen bulb). You can also get plus 50, plus 90 and plus 100. I tend to use plus 50, as they aren't too expensive and their life span is still good. I( use the standard white light bulb, rather than the blue, but apparently blue is better ??

With any of these bulbs, the life is a bit shorter, but the increase in light output is worth it. I use eziautoparts.com.au as an online store, but there are lots of others. Look under lighting, globes, performance globes. You can also get them cheaper from retail stores when they have 20% off sales.

Look up the detail of them at narva.com.au; btw, I understand that the Philips brand of H series bulbs are now also a plus bulb as standard (either a 20 or 30). All a lot confusing, isn't it????

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

If the retrofit meets the following requirements the HID kits are legal. While a d2 can potentially have meet of the requirements - headlight washers and possibly the self-leveling headlights on SLS equipped D2's, no-one seems to go to the trouble of fitting an appropriate reflector, resulting in the install not meeting ADR's.

This is taken from the RACQ website:
The only thing is it is not properly policed. Gone are the days of random road side police roadworthy inspections etc. Do police drive around blind at night and not notice it, or it's it just a case of too hard basket, we have better things to do and less paperwork. I even wonder how these improper systems get away with the pink slips in NSW, or how a mechanic testing for roadworthy can pass them. Or do the users know they are doing wrong anbd removed them annually to pass their roadworthy and then refit them after to annoy other drivers?

[banarcus]

Some people like to put bullbars on their Disco 2s that may affect their SRS airbag while others like to rip the catalytic converters from their vehicles. Others love to give their ride a 4" lift. A lot of mods that we do affect relevant Aussie design rules and I know that HIDs aren't everyone's cup of tea either. Mine work like a charm and I can see everything including the retinas of oncoming drivers :)

[Scouse]

Some people like to put bullbars on their Disco 2s that may affect their SRS airbag while others like to rip the catalytic converters from their vehicles. Others love to give their ride a 4" lift. A lot of mods that we do affect relevant Aussie design rules and I know that HIDs aren't everyone's cup of tea either. Mine work like a charm and I can see everything including the retinas of oncoming drivers :)I sort of agree here. I have HIDs fitted to both my Range Rovers & there seems to be good Chinese kits & not so good ones.

The set in the P38 are brilliant. The beam cut off is identical to the halogen globes (no adjustments done either) & the only visible difference is the much whiter light. The spot lights are still halogen & are now redundant with 4x HID globes in the headlights.

The set in my Classic are a 'not so good' set. The beam cut off is fine but the aim is way too high, even after adjusting full down. I needed to space the tops of the lights out to get a decent alignment.

I only use the 4300k sets. Blue lights do nothing for visibilty.



HIDs are like cruise control & armrests. Once you've had them, you can't go without :).

[Slunnie]

I sort of agree here. I have HIDs fitted to both my Range Rovers & there seems to be good Chinese kits & not so good ones.

The set in the P38 are brilliant. The beam cut off is identical to the halogen globes (no adjustments done either) & the only visible difference is the much whiter light. The spot lights are still halogen & are now redundant with 4x HID globes in the headlights.

The set in my Classic are a 'not so good' set. The beam cut off is fine but the aim is way too high, even after adjusting full down. I needed to space the tops of the lights out to get a decent alignment.

I only use the 4300k sets. Blue lights do nothing for visibilty.



HIDs are like cruise control & armrests. Once you've had them, you can't go without :).

Scott, do you recall where you got the P38's ones from by any chance?

[Scouse]

It was from a seller by the name of 'powerlightings' but that was 3 1/2 years ago.

He's still around though:
powerlightings | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/powerlightings/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686)

I used 55w kits to avoid the bulb failure message.




**It's been a while since I looked at HID lights. They're now up to 100w:eek:.

[Nicky]

For the D2a, the Narva brand Halogen H7 12v 55w with UV-cut glass, are within spec, and produce a 30% brighter white light. About $17 each, but worth it.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Some people like to put bullbars on their Disco 2s that may affect their SRS airbag while others like to rip the catalytic converters from their vehicles. Others love to give their ride a 4" lift. A lot of mods that we do affect relevant Aussie design rules and I know that HIDs aren't everyone's cup of tea either. Mine work like a charm and I can see everything including the retinas of oncoming drivers :)
We are talking about annoyance of illegally fitted HID blinding other drivers. A bull bar fitted or a cat removed won't affect other on coming drivers. They might work like a charm, but that's your point looking out of your windscreen looking ahead and marvelling at the light you produce, but I can tell you it's a different kettle of fish for approaching cars having to look at the light.
I think the test case will happen when some one runs off the road after being blinded by the illegal HIDs and charges are laid against the person that caused the accident., just like a woman that is serving gaol ( Jail) time for talking on a mobile and caused the death of another person. The judge made an example of her. But does that stop others from driving with a phone glued to their ear?
So far any one driving at night has not complained about being blinded by a bull bar or removed cat.
It's a never winning argument as long as these kits can be legally bought here in Australia or imported, there always seems to be this you can buy stuff, but not necessarily legally use it. As people just can't help themselves. They need to be banned and non compliance enforced.

[Mundy]

I thought the standard globe was H4 not H7. I'm sure that's what I've bought.

[Slunnie]

We are talking about annoyance of illegally fitted HID blinding other drivers. A bull bar fitted or a cat removed won't affect other on coming drivers. They might work like a charm, but that's your point looking out of your windscreen looking ahead and marvelling at the light you produce, but I can tell you it's a different kettle of fish for approaching cars having to look at the light.
I think the test case will happen when some one runs off the road after being blinded by the illegal HIDs and charges are laid against the person that caused the accident., just like a woman that is serving gaol ( Jail) time for talking on a mobile and caused the death of another person. The judge made an example of her. But does that stop others from driving with a phone glued to their ear?
So far any one driving at night has not complained about being blinded by a bull bar or removed cat.
It's a never winning argument as long as these kits can be legally bought here in Australia or imported, there always seems to be this you can buy stuff, but not necessarily legally use it. As people just can't help themselves. They need to be banned and non compliance enforced.
While at the same time we suggest 100%+ headlights as being a really good alternative.

[clubagreenie]

H7's https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1280.jpg H4's https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1281.jpg

The D2 runs Fig1 H4's (3 locating lugs). H4's as said are dual fillament, so hi/lo in one unit. H7's are individual per beam. Narva has 55, 70 & 80 in their std version H7 and 55w only in their variety of "performance" globes.

Personally I have 130/100's in my D2, but adjusted well. Give good range and also have both hi & low operate in high mode. Built my own harness to do this and each light has it's own relay for each beam and runs on large wiring (14v+ at lights). I'd go the 80w standards for high and 55w in a +100 or similar for lows.

[bsperka]

While at the same time we suggest 100%+ headlights as being a really good alternative.
It's how the lens reflects light differently with hids that causes the problem. +100 are at the same focal point as std bulbs; hid lights throw it out in different directions.

[Fluids]

I thought the standard globe was H4 not H7. I'm sure that's what I've bought.

D2 has 1 x dual filament H4 globe per light/side - Low beam one filament / high beam other filament.

D2a has 2 x H7 single filament globes per light/side - Low beam one bulb / high beam both bulbs.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

It's how the lens reflects light differently with hids that causes the problem. +100 are at the same focal point as std bulbs; hid lights throw it out in different directions.

That's correct, but people just don't get it.

A HID OEM light has a specially designed reflector.

So putting in HID's bulbs into a standard non HID factory light does not make it a HID light. Adjusting the headight does not make it an efficent HID light, as the reflector is not designed for HID bulbs.

The only way to have a HID is for some one to make a proper designed HID headlamp for Land Rovers, which I doubt it will ever happen in the aftermarket game.

I tried the 100/130 h4s, they burn out too quickly, I went back to standard with a wiring upgrade and lighting improved