Shedding light in the darkness

[GregMilner]

Having previously gently mocked the thousands of grey nomads wedded to their 200 series Tojos, I now find myself at least partially understanding their acceptance of mediocrity.
The bride and I have just completed 11 hours in the saddle, and apart from a tedious 120km of roadworks between Nanutarra and Minilya roadhouses, it was a pleasure in the L322 - arrived in Carnarvon after 1100km from Pardoo with nary a niggle, sore back or tense leg, such is the comfort of these cars.
But...that last roadworks-delayed hour in the dark into Carnarvon was nerve-wracking to say the least. Even at 70kmh, I found myself on the edge of my very comfy seat, starting at every shadow in fear of Skippy or an uncooked few hundred kilos of McDonald's burger blundering into my terribly unprotected front.

Surely there MUST be a simple solution to the woeful throw of the L322's high beam? I've already upgraded the high beam globes to the max possible, and they are still pathetic. I long for those big Lightforce LED/HID beasts that adorn every other 4WD up this way...but how and where to mount them?

Okay, the simple solution is 'don't drive at night'. But sometimes, you get caught by circumstance.

[BigJon]

I have FyrLyt Nemesis on my 07 Vogue. A few hours in the shed making brackets and night is now day. Completely reversible installation with no visible mods to the vehicle structure.

Don't waste money on LED / HID when the best available lights are Australian designed and made halogen units.

At Easter last year I went to Alice Springs and back to pick up my Series 1. 17 hours up, 17 hours back with 4 days in Alice inbetween. Plenty of night driving and I was happy doing the NT limit towing a trailer, such was the light available.

[33chinacars]

I've got the standard FYRLYT's on my MY05 RR . Love them . Great investment . Haven't seen the 9000's so can't compare .

[Graeme]

I assume that you haven't gone the 55W HID conversion kit route. They really are easy to fit and totally transform night driving at least up to the 110 kph limits. I can see well for about a km which provides all the assurance that I require.

PS I regularly drive at night with plenty of skippies around.

[GregMilner]

No I haven't Graeme, but that's where I'm heading. Particularly with nothing to mount after market bit round ones to.

[Graeme]

The only disadvantage of HID high beam is that high beam needs to be switched off whilst oncoming vehicles are still a fair way off whereas switching off driving lights and leaving high beam on for longer provides more light than low beam for that little while longer, although normal high beam is pretty useless anyway. I have considered putting my high beams via a switch to allow bi-xenon high beam only but I got sick of switching driving lights on and off when I had them on the D4 prior to fitting HIDs to high beam and don't really wont to go back to that.

I rather vaguely recall the pathetic high-beams on the RRV so very quickly did the conversion and nowadays don't consider them deficient at all, indeed quite bemused that they are so good. Their reflectors produce much more of a driving light spread pattern than the D4's wide band across from side to side which were very good for verges but not so great for distance.

[RR44TDV8]

Greg, the conversion is a must.......I have built a little bracket for my driving lights that picks up the number plate mounting bolts but keep forgetting to fit it as the 55w conversion is so good. Used just standard lights with conversion on nullabor trip both ways and a week ago doing Adelaide -Sydney n one stint and a few days later, the return. And I so agree with your comfort comments.....1200 - 1400 km days are not uncommon in my Vogue and they are just so easy & comfortable......how do they do it?
I'm in your home town now...shout out when you get back,
Grant

[harlie]

I did the 55w HID conversion, and then installed a good pair of driving lights. The driving lights with no conversion are heaps better then the conversion.

[GregMilner]

Greg, the conversion is a must.......I have built a little bracket for my driving lights that picks up the number plate mounting bolts but keep forgetting to fit it as the 55w conversion is so good. Used just standard lights with conversion on nullabor trip both ways and a week ago doing Adelaide -Sydney n one stint and a few days later, the return. And I so agree with your comfort comments.....1200 - 1400 km days are not uncommon in my Vogue and they are just so easy & comfortable......how do they do it?
I'm in your home town now...shout out when you get back,
Grant

Got back last night Grant - give me a call, 0416 139 520.

[Graeme]

Harlie, what model is your RR? I would expect the MY10+ high beams to be better than earlier ones.

For the MY10+ I suggest that the locating tab on the globes be bent forwards at about 45 deg to lift the beam further away than where it needs to be for the weak halogen globes, otherwise there will be a bright spot not far ahead and not enough distance.

[CSBrisie]

Hmmm, can someone give me a little more detail on "the conversion"? is there a thread on it? (Grant you know I'm just going to get you to help me so you may as well volunteer....:p
cheers

[Graeme]

Some pictures from my installation..

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The globe wires were temporarily removed from the ballast connector to get them through the grommet. The grommet is fitted to the inside of the cap. A disused halogen globe demonstrates the bent tab.

[GregMilner]

Okay, that's where I'm going, thanks Graeme. Having a beer with Grant on Wednesday so I'm going to be grilling him on this too:)

[BigJon]

I would like to see the end result of this conversion, then compare it to my real driving lights....:D

[Graeme]

If the cheap conversion is good enough then why risk light fingers relieving the vehicle of possibly expensive lights leaving the vehicle with the inadequate standard lighting and perhaps damaging the vehicle in the process, having rocks smash them and possibly reduce air-flow through the various radiators. Skippies often jump from their hiding place when no longer dazzled by lights and manage to get onto the road at the last moment, so lighting-up 2 kms ahead seems futile.

If the conversion is not good enough then at least the high beam is better than standard for those occasions when it's inappropriate to use high-output lights.

[GregMilner]

Bit the bullet and ordered a High Powered PRO Slim 70w kit from Pro Vision in Sydney, should arrive today or Monday. They assure me it'll turn night into day. Here's hoping...

[Graeme]

Are they 4300K and will you be fitting relays or running from the standard supply for the 55W halogens?

[GregMilner]

From memory they're about 5,500K Graeme. They'll be run for the standard high beam switch.