Foreign Headlight Conversion

[solidfrontaxle]

Alright, I searched the piss out of this one...

When (not if ) I get an 80 I want to swap out the headlights for the foreign four lamp square headlights (FJ62 style). I don't care what y'all say, it makes the Cruiser look 1000x better.

Where do I get parts and what is involved in the conversion? Am I better off getting 62 lights and bezels and fabbing something rather that ordering overseas parts?
Are the bulbs (or whatever I would need to replace when it burns out) easily obtainable in the US? I assume they are just the same as the 62 uses?

 

[mot]

Lemme take a stab at it...

I have seen someone who mentioned that the 62 stuff "might" work, but I'm skeptical/pessimistic about that.

You could obtain a set from someone like me or someone in the market which had the 80 with those headlights.

"If" you got the whole conversion deal, including the lights, bezels, and the corner markers from here, you would be spending close to/around $1000.

I "believe" they use the outer H4 (low/high) and inner H1 (high) beam bulbs, but I could be wrong.

At least with some models here in Japan which came with the outer H4 and inner H3C(?:fogs), wires/sockets were already bundled (and unused) not too far from the ones being used so it might make it somewhat easy.

Not sure if you have the similar deal (I kinda doubt it as I've read "treeroot" do a write-up on his aftermarket headlight conversion/fabbing.

ANYWAY, as you might have read the light output supposedly is not as good as the set-up you've got already in your truck.

Good luck!!

Mot

 

[solidfrontaxle]

Yeah, not all THAT worried about light output. I'm gonna throw offroad lights on it anyway. I just think the US 80 headlights look retarded compated to the overseas ones.
But I guess thats why nobody's done it? I'm kinda surprised.

 

[Doc]

Remember your lights will be pointed the wrong way and will blind oncoming traffic. (they are designed for driving on the opposite side of the road...)

 

[gotmud]

Remember your lights will be pointed the wrong way and will blind oncoming traffic. (they are designed for driving on the opposite side of the road...)

Doc, could you explain your reasoning a little more?

 

[barCruiser]

The "old school" headlights were only installed on cruisers for Australia and other countries that drive on the wrong side of the road (UK style). So, the old school headlights were designed for RHD vechiles only. For example, say you have two identical cars,, but they have opposing drives (one is LHD one is RHD) the actual mold and pattern of the headlight glass on the two cars will be different because the light needs to be spread in a different pattern depending on which side of the road you are driving on.

 

[Doc]

Doc, could you explain your reasoning a little more?

The "old school" headlights were only installed on cruisers for Australia and other countries that drive on the wrong side of the road (UK style). So, the old school headlights were designed for RHD vechiles only. For example, say you have two identical cars,, but they have opposing drives (one is LHD one is RHD) the actual mold and pattern of the headlight glass on the two cars will be different because the light needs to be spread in a different pattern depending on which side of the road you are driving on.

BarCruiser did a pretty nice job of it.

I'll add that *specifically* the light which rides along the middle of the road has a much more sharp outside 'cut off' point for the light so that it doesn't 'drift' into oncoming drivers eyes. So, puting a UK right or left side light on a US truck will change the light pattern (for the worse in the other drivers opinions).

 

[mot]

Eric and BC,

If we're talking about the squqre, quad headlights, then you should be able to get the same ones that people use on/in their 62's (and old Camaro's, etc...) for the LHD no problem.

If we're not, then then I don't know what the heck you're talking about!

 

[theferg]

So MOT,

You're saying that the 62s and 80s with square headlights use the same square lights?--as in same part numbers?

Is the wiring the same between the US style and the quad-light style 80s?

I don't see why this stuff couldn't be sourced out of wrecking yard from a market that got them...

For the record, I like the four lights as well and want to do this conversion at some point.

-Ferg-

 

[solidfrontaxle]

Are the corner lights way different? I couldn't keep them the same and just swap the headlights?

 

[Tapage]

Are the corner lights way different? I couldn't keep them the same and just swap the headlights?

Not sure but believe are the same .. actually here we have the 4 square light setup, and it's outer H4 and inner H3 ... anycase I was tired of this situatuion coz u are using the half of the ilumination potential of the hole setup .. so I made my new wiring getting the signal from the factory one, that let me controll the hole system exactly as I do before ..

I end using 3 rellays per side ( maybe someone with more experience - knowledge in electrical stuff can do better ) and 4 H4 100/90 Bosh bulbs ..

Right now I'm with one hella and one bosh headlamp .. just to figure which it's the better option .. let me take some pics tonight and I will post it back here

 

[gotmud]

Eric and BC,

If we're talking about the squqre, quad headlights, then you should be able to get the same ones that people use on/in their 62's (and old Camaro's, etc...) for the LHD no problem.

If we're not, then then I don't know what the heck you're talking about!

Maybe we're missing something here, Mot.

Wouldn't standard 4656 and 4651 sealed beam units not work? If so, they can be used on either side of the vehicle.

 

[theferg]

Not sure but believe are the same .. actually here we have the 4 square light setup, and it's outer H4 and inner H3 ... anycase I was tired of this situatuion coz u are using the half of the ilumination potential of the hole setup .. so I made my new wiring getting the signal from the factory one, that let me controll the hole system exactly as I do before ..

Tapage, what are the chances of finding all the parts in a wrecking yard down your way?--minus the lights of course--sounds like we can get them in the US already...

-Ferg-

 

[mot]

So MOT,

You're saying that the 62s and 80s with square headlights use the same square lights?--as in same part numbers?

Is the wiring the same between the US style and the quad-light style 80s?

I don't see why this stuff couldn't be sourced out of wrecking yard from a market that got them...

For the record, I like the four lights as well and want to do this conversion at some point.

-Ferg-

Ferg,

You can see what I'm talking about by looking at the last pic that Tapage has posted above. Those square lights can be purchased by your local Checker, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc... (Although I would only get Cibie, Hella, etc...)

It's the bezel that holds them that are vehicle (80) specific. The one(s) used in the 62 "might" be close enough in dimensions, but most likely the mounting points and such would be different. You might be able to weld them on or whatever though.

Japan did not get those lights, so we would not see them in wrecking yards, although few people have them.

And finally, the corner marker lights are slightly different in shape, so you would need to get the ones specifically designed for the quad lights.

HTH's!

Mot

 

[Tapage]

Tapage, what are the chances of finding all the parts in a wrecking yard down your way?--minus the lights of course--sounds like we can get them in the US already...

-Ferg-

It's posible .. but keep in mind that are not common find 'em down here .. yes are many but are in 100% DD Cruiser and are still function fine .. and in the junk yards you found crashed Cruisers .. that are more prone to be crashed in the front ..

I know I buddye that it's parting out a 80 series .. so he myabe have those complete square asembly..

 

[mot]

Maybe we're missing something here, Mot.

Wouldn't standard 4656 and 4651 sealed beam units not work? If so, they can be used on either side of the vehicle.

I don't think we're missing anything here.

If the 4656 and 4651 are the square sealed (or not) headlights, then they will work as long as the light pattern of the low beams are for the LHD vehicles.

So what I'm saying is that as long as you can get the bezels where the headlights reside you can just pick up those square headlights locally and you'd be set, except for the corner markers which would not work.

Sorry if I'm a bit dense!

 

[Red Beard]

Tapage, what are the chances of finding all the parts in a wrecking yard down your way?--minus the lights of course--sounds like we can get them in the US already...

-Ferg-

I've always preferred the foreign headlights too! I always said they look more chevy, strong truck like. Its just way too much to switch em over. If Man-A-Fre recieved a truck from overseas for all those diesel conversions they're doing now, they would have these light set ups.. hm..

 

[RockDoc]

If you go four square, I would recommend the Bosch H4 and H1 units (like Tapage has?). I put them in my 62 (link in sig line) and love them. I have no interest in adding white aux. lights after doing this upgrade.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Also, FYI, there seems to be some perception that the US lights are not a "4 light" system. They are, and in fact are the better 4 light system where all 4 lamps are illuminated for high beam driving. Some systems cancel the low beam lamp when the highs go on.

So, do the conversion for cosmetic reasons if that's the look you're after but for superior illumination keep the US system and add the John Deere bulbs.

DougM

 

[solidfrontaxle]

AWESOME tech. Thanks guys. If anyone actually does the conversion, let me know how you did it. It would also be nice to know how close the 62 lights fit.