Headlight Lighting Question

[Randy88FJ62]

Since I bought an ARB bumper I have been looking at Aux lighting. I realized that there was no point at adding lights unless my existing lights were up to date first. I have read about the wiring harness upgrade and different bulb upgrades but I have an additional question.

Has anyone replaced the double FJ62 headlights with four new ones that are both driving / high beams? I think it would be really nice to have 4 headlights stock looking for regular driving that were able to go high beam as well. Is there a reason no one does this? Is it illegal or too much trouble? Someone has had to have this idea, I know I’m not the first person to conjure this up. So please, educate me.
-Randy

 

[ntsqd]

There are Hi-only halogen conversion lens-reflectors out there for the 4 light systems, they just are not common and may not be available for the rectangular lights. I had set for the small round lights. They usually use an H1 bulb. Might start with Susquehanna Motorsports or Daniel Stern Lighting. Alternately you could use a second set of 'normal' hi/lo's and drive all four elements on hi or only the 2 sets of hi's on hi.

I've not read any 62 specific relay threads, but I would wire the system such that both hi's were on a relay or a pair of them.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Thanks for chiming in. I welcome all thoughts and experience since I am horrible with electrical work.

 

[Marc311]

I'm not really sure what you are asking. Are you saying have 4 lights, each with hi/lo beams? The only problem I would see with that is you would have all 4 lights on when in the low beam setting. Even if properly aimed, people would be flashing you all the time because they see the 4 lights.

I can certainly attest to the harness/headlight upgrade. Even with just the two lights on my 60, you would be hard pressed to improve the quality any even if you added driving lights. Definitely one of my best mods.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Marc,
I am looking to have 4 lights work as your 2 on your 60 do. I would love the added light for regular night driving without having to put my hi-beams on. Is it street legal to have 4 headlights on at night? I will probably do the wiring harness upgrade no matter what but I’d love to have all 4 lights on all the time. I think it would be a great improvement using the stock locations.

This all goes back to the ARB bumper. I want extra driving lights and fog lights but I’d hate to clutter the front of my car with so many objects. I’d rather upgrade the existing lights and then add only 2 fog lights to the bumper.

Thanks again for the responses and any more suggestions fo companies to talk to would be great.

-Randy

 

[ntsqd]

I think if it were me that I'd go with the hi/lo's in both positions. Then I'd wire it so that only the normal lo's were on when on low beams. All four elements would come on with the high beams.

To have 4 lows on would, as suggested, earn you on-coming flashing you thinking that you highs were on.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I think if it were me that I'd go with the hi/lo's in both positions. Then I'd wire it so that only the normal lo's were on when on low beams. All four elements would come on with the high beams.

To have 4 lows on would, as suggested, earn you on-coming flashing you thinking that you highs were on.

I don't think the oncoming flashing would be a problem. If the headlights are angled properly then they should not affect people. Plus, I can always give them a quick flash to show them the real high beams.

That's exactly what i want to do.

So, next question: Sourcing. What are the best replacement types and best harness? Are there any good mud vendors that I can take my plans to?

 

[ntsqd]

Just keep in mind that whether or not you're blinding people if they see 4 lights lit up they'll flash you thinking that your highs are on. Conditioned response is not always logical.

 

[RockDoc]

Daniel Stern could answer your question about legality (I suspect it would be illegal), but I'm not sure if he is active right now. His website is (was) down, and he hasn't returned a recent e-mail I sent him.

FWIW, he told me it would be illegal to swap the headlight position so that the low beams were the inside units.

 

[ntsqd]

Stern's page just came up for me.

About 1/4 of the way down are the small rectangle headlights. He does carry a hi/lo and a hi-only.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

So does Susquehanna.
Hella 165mm Rectangular e-Code Headlights

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Thanks for the find

 

[RockDoc]

Here's my write up on those lights, if you haven't seen it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-...s-fire-headlight-harness-upgrade-my-62-a.html

 

[lovetoski]

I also recommend you talk to Daniel Stern. Good customer service, and for the things I've purchased from him, he's offered great advice.

For example, I had the Hella e-code H4's on my 60 for a few years. Tried lots of different wattage bulbs. All were better than stock, but none were great in the rain. Dry weather, all good. Wet roads, especially blacktop, it was as if the white light just vanished into the backtop.

On a whim I called him. He sent me some tech info related to lenses, and how the available light is cast onto the road. Cibie's had the best performance and that's what he recommended. Even t hough I hated buying a second set of headlamps, I like to see well on dark rainy nights (which we have a lot of here in Seattle).

Holy cow - The Cibie's made as much of a difference over the Hella's as the Hella's did over the stock sealed beams.

my 2 cents...

 

[Randy88FJ62]

His page is very informative. Does he have a phone number or is all his correspondace through e-mail? I would prefer to call him if anyone has his number.
Thanks.

 

[lovetoski]

His page is very informative. Does he have a phone number or is all his correspondace through e-mail? I would prefer to call him if anyone has his number.
Thanks.

Shoot him an email. He answers lots of questions that way, but he does also provide his phone number, and I have talked to him on the phone...sorry though I can't find his number.

 

[Marc311]

I would think the easiest way to do what you wantis to buy a harness for a FJ60 and just splice in, parallel, an additional h4 socket off the two already present. I still don't recomment it, but it would be easy.

I think the others here will agree, you won't get 2x as much light by doing it that way. Good lenses and bulbs do such a good job saturating with light, it gets to the point of diminishing returns. I could see using two as a typical hi/lo and may be using your inside lamps for fogs (with yellow lenses). But from a driving light standpoint, anything more than two (or in the case of a 62 2 his and 2 lows) is a waste. Once you do the upgrade, you'll see.

I had planned on ordering from Daniel Stern as I had bought my harness parts from him. I think the Cibies are probably the best. But he dissappered suddenly with no contact. I assumed it was personal/health issue as sometimes happens with 1 man operations. Since I couldn't get hold of him, I bought IPFs from Kurt at cruiseroutfitters. REAL happy with the IPFs. It is possible the Cibies are even better, but I can't imagine they could be much better. I really don't use my high beams anymore.

 

[Godwin]

REAL happy with the IPFs. It is possible the Cibies are even better, but I can't imagine they could be much better. I really don't use my high beams anymore.

What bulbs are you using? I have IPFs setup with an auxiliary harness and Hella 90/130 bulbs. The high beams are great, but the lows are a dullish yellow and would like to find a bulb with good low beam output. My only complaint with the IPFs is the sharp upper cutoff.

 

[Marc311]

I used the 60w/80w bulbs. On the cruiseroutfitters site, they are part number IPFX51. They may not actually be IPF branded now that I look at them. They are $85 as opposed to $20-30 for regular H4 bulbs. Maybe that's the difference. The lows have a nice white light. Maybe those bulbs are really worth the extra money - I guess I'll need to spend some bucks again if I need to replace a burnt bulb. i assumed it was mostly the lenses.

There is a distinct cutoff, but where I have them angled I get good distance and nobody has flashed me yet.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Marc311, you bring up a good point. Maybe the reason I see no one running 4 main lights is the fact that it's not needed. All the old cars I've ever had have had poor headlights so I was thinking excessive. How about this thought then...
Could I replace the inside lights on the 62 with hi / lo beams and have the lo beams be fog bulbs? That would be cool to have fog lamps in the stock position. Legal? Doable? Or should I keep it simple...?

 

[Marc311]

Marc311, you bring up a good point. Maybe the reason I see no one running 4 main lights is the fact that it's not needed. All the old cars I've ever had have had poor headlights so I was thinking excessive. How about this thought then...
Could I replace the inside lights on the 62 with hi / lo beams and have the lo beams be fog bulbs? That would be cool to have fog lamps in the stock position. Legal? Doable? Or should I keep it simple...?

I don't see any problem at all with that. You would have to wire the fogs seperately since you wouldn't want them on all the time.

Also, I would put the fogs in the middle (HI) spots. I would do it that way so the driving lights were closer to the corners and so people don't flash you if they see the inner lights on (not as big of a deal). Yellow lenses would probably look better in the middle spots anyway.