h4 Bulb Recommendations

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Tinker said:
Re power vs light: watts are a measure of power draw (volts x amps) whereas candlepower is a measure of light generated. For a given bulb they are related. For differnt bulbs, no. So it is possible for a lower wattage bulb to generate more candlepower.
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Sure is. But not if you compare comparable bulbs. If the company who sells an 85 watt bulb that they claim puts out "100 watts" of light, was to make a bulb just like it that drew 100 watts... It would put out more light. The only way you get more light with less power is with different tech. So the claims of "100 watts of light from 85 watts of power" are meaningless. I could compare a modern bulb to Edisons first attempts with carbonized cotton for a filiment and get some really impressive claims. But it wouldn't mean anything. ;)

Now if all the folks selling bulbs would offer a standardized rating of light output and bulb life (toss in resisitence too vibration while you're at it), then we could all make informed choices. But that ain't gonna happen. :(


Mark...
 
Just installed my new Cibie lenses w/ Osram 70/65 bulbs.

Holy Daylight Batman!

I also upgraded the wiring harness w/ relays and a combo of 14 and 12ga wires.

The difference is tremendous. Hopefully I'll snap some "after" pictures tonight when I aim the new lights... but I didn't do any real "before" shots, so it won't be that clear how much brighter it really is.

To anyone out there thinking of upgrading: do the harness first. It won't make *as* big a difference as the new lamps, but it is cheap and a good idea for when you add the lamps anyway.

One of my cheif criteria was that I didn't want to be blinding people- we don't have many sidewalks here and plenty of people in the road, I didn't want to be "that guy" blasting everyone in the face when I drive through town. I'm happy as can be with the Cibie's- great cutoff but TONS of light down low
 
I too just installed a set of Cibie E4s. I was running Hellas, but last year I hit yet another deer and broke one. I've been running just a generic halogen one on that side. So instead of buying a replacement Hella, I thought I would give the Cibies a try.

They look great. The low beam light doesn't seem to have any "hot" spots (very even light distribution). I'm currently using some 55/60 Japanese Xenon bulbs I "borrowed" from my 40. Still going to make a harness and try brighter bulbs though.
 
I thought you could by a harnerss for around 30 bucks. I remember the seeing two for toyotas and there was always discussion on which one to get. Are these still available?
 
After all the time I (wasted?) spent on wiring up the harness, I would have been happy to go back and pay $30.

Of course, like many/most cruiser jobs, now that I've done the work, I could do it again pretty quickly. Still not sure if I could get the parts for enough less than $30 to justify doing it myself...
Heck, the darn h4 sockets that I got from Daniel Stern were something like $10 each. But I'm sure that his $45 kit is of high quality compared to the "average" kit out there.
 
I run the HellaH4s 80/110.
Longest lasting bulbs I have found.
The IPFs seem to be better light, but are a bit too pricey compared to how long they last.

One major problem with the brighter H4s; during a snow storm, the light gets reflected off the falling snow and creates an almost complete white-out condition.
Anyone have any solutions for this problem? Any driving lights that you think work well in this kind of situation?

Thanks,
Kevin R.
 
kevinmrowland said:
I run the HellaH4s 80/110.
Longest lasting bulbs I have found.
The IPFs seem to be better light, but are a bit too pricey compared to how long they last.

One major problem with the brighter H4s; during a snow storm, the light gets reflected off the falling snow and creates an almost complete white-out condition.
Anyone have any solutions for this problem? Any driving lights that you think work well in this kind of situation?

Thanks,
Kevin R.
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Any/all driving lights will have this problem. That's why fog lights exist. It's not the yellow that makes then "fog" lights" (you can find them in white if you look some), but the wide pattern with a very sharp cut off. When aimed properlythe pattern stays low and the light that reflect back at you doesn't glare off the rain/fog/snowfall. Does the same for oncoming drivers (doesn't glare in their eyes that is).


Run fog lights and low beams (with a good cutoff... Like the Cibies mentioned) and slow down.



Mark...
 
You guys who have recently purchased Cibies. Where'd you buy them? I busted on this summer and need to replace it.


Mark...
 
i got mine from daniel stern lighting
Not the cheapest online, but he answered a bunch of questions, which is worth a little extra in my book
 
What kind of bulbs can i get to upgrade my 62? The harness seems straight forward, i may knock that out as a project in the next month, but who makes the best replacement lights for 62 owners?

-Matt
 
Mark W said:
Any/all driving lights will have this problem. That's why fog lights exist. It's not the yellow that makes then "fog" lights" (you can find them in white if you look some), but the wide pattern with a very sharp cut off. When aimed properlythe pattern stays low and the light that reflect back at you doesn't glare off the rain/fog/snowfall. Does the same for oncoming drivers (doesn't glare in their eyes that is).


Run fog lights and low beams (with a good cutoff... Like the Cibies mentioned) and slow down.



Mark...
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Thanks Mark,
Figures if anybody here would know about driving in the snow when its dark out would be you.

So it really just comes down to the proper housing for the conditions?
I am really happy with the IPF housings in all other driving conditions. However, the snow is unbearable even with low beams on.
Thanks I guess I will shop around for some fog lights.

I've had good luck with these guys for other lighting needs. http://www.rallylights.com/index.asp
 
Driving lights actually work best mounted slightly high and then aimed downward a tiny bit. The beam is gonna spread out and there is no sense in tossing significant amonts of it up into the sky at longer ranges.
Level with, or even above the top of the hood is an ideal location in terms of lighting only, if you are not dealing with any other concerns.

Fog lights work better fairly close to the road surface. Top of a stock '60 bumper is not too bad. You want the level of the lights to be a good bit below the level of your eyes. And of course aimed so that the pattern does not raise up at longer range.


Mark...
 
For best effect, mount fog lights as low as possible. If you're contemplating a new custom bumper, you can cut out for them (leave room for adjustment).

Best way to keep 'em in one piece is to leave the covers on until you need 'em.

Had a pair of big rectangular Cibies with 100W bulbs on my 1st Audi years ago. It was great driving in mountain snowstorms at night: left the park lights on & just ran the fogs.

But I don't drive my 60s fast in the snow.
 
Hey Kevin-

Back when I was young and had my diesel rabbit (ok young and stupid), I had to cross the Cascades Mtns in pretty fair whiteout conditions. The only way I could see was with a pair of bright fog lights on and no headlights. And I had decent headlights (for the day.. say 1986-87). The key was mounting them low and aiming properly to keep the glare down.

That little rabbit got me home and I was the only vehicle on the pass that I could see from lack of tracks. Probably about 12" of snow on the highway and my 13r75 or so studded cheapo winter tires did the trick.

Fast forward and when I can get time to build my bullbar, I will have a pair of JDM/Kyoto round fogs from MoT to mount above the winch (not ideal location but protected from other impediments).

Cheers- Ken

EDIT- oh and I've got 80/100 (hella i think?) + 100s (xenon, no-names) in the FJ62.. in Hella housings using Wayne's harness. so bright..

(PS- you guys need to get yourselves out here! you know the West is calling...)
 
esh said:
(PS- you guys need to get yourselves out here! you know the West is calling...)
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Yeah, don't remind me, every other day Amy is asking what our next trip will be. Oregon is on the way to AZ (the way I drive;p ) So maybe en-route to the 07 Bash?
If not then we are taking all of summer-08 off, see you then (with my newly installed fog lights, and I figure since the ARB needs to be removed to mount the lights in, I should put a winch in at the same time:idea: ...........)
 
Mark W said:
You guys who have recently purchased Cibies. Where'd you buy them? I busted on this summer and need to replace it.


Mark...
Click to expand...

Daniel Stern Lighting.
 
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