Headlight upgrade to IPF H4 style with HID

[Weber Sarge]

Ok, enough of running around with one headlight and the previous owner's idea of turn signals ... and flip that stupid bezel ...!!!

The IPF 7" H4 conversion lamps are from Front Range, but they were for the JK specifically and I hadn't noticed that . So, as a result they didn't fit the original buckets that use the older style "small" tabs to locate the lenses correctly. Air cutoff wheel fixed that -

Just had to widen the indentations for the nibs on the headlight lenses (see the tabs above ) .

Bingo, now they fit perfectly ...

At this point, it's fairly warm out today (50*F !!!) so I put off installing the ballasts and wiring from HID Nation (Ebay) to instead install the new turn signals .

I read on one of the Cruiser vendor sites "never buy a freshly painted vehicle, they can hide too many sins" . Boy, was that an understatement . At least the original fender holes and wiring grommets are still there, unlike the rear body badge holes .

The turn signals are Japanese aftermarket and after looking at how they are built, not really happy with how they ground through the mounting stud . So, took 'em apart and soldered tinned marine-grade wire directly to the housings and ran a separate ground to the body under the hood .

Can't get the pics to load up off the phone, so I'll post up more progress later. Hope to wire in the headlights tomorrow...
Sarge

 

[Weber Sarge]

Ok, re-booted the Nokia , now it's happy.
Here's how the grounds were done inside the turn signals -

I used shrinkboot and high-temp wiring loom for under the fender into the engine bay, will get more pics tomorrow . At this point I'm only trying to do some simple upgrades to make it legal enough for some short trips to test tire sizes/gearing . Eventually I'll have to address the bodywork and especially the issues with the hardtop . Still have to find a passenger seat rail set and a whole hardtop seal kit .
More to come.
Sarge

 

[Weber Sarge]

Ok , I spent a bit of time today doing some research. There is a model-specific H4 7" conversion lense for the 40 series - IPF part number 920H .

IPF 920H Headlight Replacement Inserts

IPF Round Headlamp Insert 920H

Cruiser Outfitters

From the looks of the pics on both the vendor's sites as well as IPF it looks as though they all have that same wide tab to locate the lense in the stock buckets . Has anyone else ran into this with the IPF specific 920H part number ?
Sarge

 

[cockednlocked]

I'm new here to I used the hella h 4 lights and the autolock hid kit fit great and the light output is unbelievable much better than my 03 dodge RAM

 

[QuackAxel]

can you post pics of the ballasts?

 

[Weber Sarge]

Will do probably tomorrow when I get them mounted, way too cold/wet today to play outside.
Sarge

 

[Weber Sarge]

Will do probably tomorrow when I get them mounted, way too cold/wet today to play outside.
Sarge

 

[mr_manny]

I'm running the same setup, very pleased with lighting improvements

careful w/ballest mounting, dbl sidded tape was only designed for mall wheelin

 

[Bennett]

subscribed

 

[pc4400]

If you shove an HID set up into a reflector based lamp (as opposed to a projector base), how do you plan on keeping the light from blasting in every direction?
I'm all for improving lighting (and drivability) but you're no safer if your blinding everyone in all lanes. Do disrespect, I just see no reason for this unless you finish the job by retrofitting some projectors. your thoughts?

 

[UZJ40]

If you shove an HID set up into a reflector based lamp (as opposed to a projector base), how do you plan on keeping the light from blasting in every direction?

Thank you... without a projector or a bowl with a sharp cutoff line, you'll be like every other person out there that buys an HID kit for their car that's not meant for them and blind everyone else on the road. Especially if its in a taller vehicle. Projector lenses are the solution.

 

[mr_manny]

They have for a few years now, attaching deflector sheilds onto H4 HID bulbs.
These deflectors are designed to create a cut-off line, protecting on-coming drivers.

No on-coming drivers have been harmed or erritated from my HID lights

I am refering to the inexpensive low-beam Only bulbs...NO High Beam (don't have any experience with any other HID bulbs).

To bad real projector 7" round units are still very $$.

 

[Weber Sarge]

The IPF lamps are designed with a sharp cutoff built into the refectlor, should not be a problem with the aftermarket HID kit . BTW, this kit does have the added high beam buld above the HID element .
The main reason I'm using the IPF's is to avoid issues with blinding other drivers, I hate that . Frankly, I'm no fan of projector type lights due to heat and a beam pattern that is usually too narrow. The IPF's light up the sides of the road very nicely.
We'll see soon enough...
Sarge

 

[LRChops]

Ok , I spent a bit of time today doing some research. There is a model-specific H4 7" conversion lense for the 40 series - IPF part number 920H .

IPF 920H Headlight Replacement Inserts

IPF Round Headlamp Insert 920H

Cruiser Outfitters

From the looks of the pics on both the vendor's sites as well as IPF it looks as though they all have that same wide tab to locate the lense in the stock buckets . Has anyone else ran into this with the IPF specific 920H part number ?
Sarge

Are these a direct replacement? Any modifications to electronics required?

 

[Weber Sarge]

These IPF headlights are a lense-only , you have to buy the H4 bulbs to go in them . Instead of replacing the whole assembly when they burn out these use an insert type bulb like late model cars . Just make sure if you pick higher power bulbs they are legal in your state and the stock wiring can handle the new load . The aftermarket HID kits I'm using have a huge amp spike at startup but a much lower draw once lit . I opted with this kit the 40a pre-wired relay that is fed directly from the battery . The system uses the stock headlight wiring to turn the hid ballasts on and off . Pretty much a plug n play setup...
Sarge

 

[pc4400]

The IPF lamps are designed with a sharp cutoff built into the refectlor, should not be a problem with the aftermarket HID kit . BTW, this kit does have the added high beam buld above the HID element .
The main reason I'm using the IPF's is to avoid issues with blinding other drivers, I hate that . Frankly, I'm no fan of projector type lights due to heat and a beam pattern that is usually too narrow. The IPF's light up the sides of the road very nicely.
We'll see soon enough...
Sarge

While projectors are not as wide as the typical reflector cutoff, they are really meant for driving. I've never had an issue with too much heat, yes thick glass can hold heat but hey it's glass. I am a huge fan of projector based lamps simply because reflector base lamps must remain low power to avoid blinding everyone. While your reflectors could be somewhat better with a narrower beam spread I can't see them having a good cutoff. But hey I could be wrong, so show some pics! Park the cruiser on level ground, about 10-20feet from garage door and take some pics at night. I'm sure we'd all love to see.

These IPF headlights are a lense-only , you have to buy the H4 bulbs to go in them . Instead of replacing the whole assembly when they burn out these use an insert type bulb like late model cars . Just make sure if you pick higher power bulbs they are legal in your state and the stock wiring can handle the new load . The aftermarket HID kits I'm using have a huge amp spike at startup but a much lower draw once lit . I opted with this kit the 40a pre-wired relay that is fed directly from the battery . The system uses the stock headlight wiring to turn the hid ballasts on and off . Pretty much a plug n play setup...
Sarge

Stock wiring really should only be used to trigger relay which is running power from battery to lights. This is the standard way of aftermarket HID wiring, don't go by the directions if this is chinese, they have no idea what they are doing.

SHOW PICS!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Ok, got some time today and the weather wasn't too bad so I got most of it finished up .

Here's the wiring looms I built for the turn signals -

I had to add some closed cell foam to tighten up the lenses against the buckets -

Bulbs installed with wiring plugs , tough to get them fished through the IPF's bulb guards (the large rubber grommet on the back of the housings).

Lenses installed into the buckets , ballasts temporarily hung and everything wired up . These use an inline fuse to draw directly from the battery and a hd 40a relay to feed the ballasts -

Low beams , in broad daylight - engine off, too .

High beam -

Night shot -

Tough to see in a photo, but the pattern literally sucks !

Due to a lack of a diffuser, such as pc4400 suggested really shows up. I have one broken adjuster which isn't helping but the pattern is all over the place. They light up well enough, but no control of where the light goes. Bright part of the pattern is from tree height to bottom of ditches and nearly 170* wide side to side . High beams are useless, their indexing against these lenses is off 90* so they light only about 30' in front of the vehicle .

I sent HID Nation an email and requested either a different style bulb or a refund . In the meantime, need to try to find those IPF majic J-bulbs from my other rig .....
Sarge

 

[pc4400]

Sorry to hear that. I did check out hidnation, yikes! Looks like one many Chinese importers, seriously $30 for an HiD kit, that's not going to last. You couldn't get one good ballast that money. I see these kits regularly in my area, usually one head is out. If you want I go on what to look for let me know, definitely name brand ballasts and a bosche relay. Not bosh (Chinese knock off) LOL. I've done lots of lighting and have learned to never trust a guy who simply imports from china, maybe Taiwan, Japan good Korea good but never ever china.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Yeah, and being a Union member in the Trades I should know better . We'll see if they actually step up and do the right thing .
Since we're on the same page , know of any H4 units out there that use a proper diffuser on the lamp ? I'm also concerned with the high beam indexing in these due to the hid/55w halogen combo , the high beam ends up on the ground .

In the end I'll probably just use either IPF's bulbs or the higher power Silverstars . Gonna put the GM CS144 upgrade in it anyway and at least re-wire the engine bay.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Ok, I actually got a reply from HID Nation this morning requesting pictures . So, took the old girl out tonight and did just that -

Distance is 150' , this building sits almost 10' higher in elevation than the point the truck is positioned on flat ground.

Same shot , just a zoomed view -

It's pretty easy to tell how bad the pattern really is , remember these are the IPF lenses with the E-code pattern.

Did some research today and plan to call Philips direct and talk to their tech department about their applications . I did find some higher quality kits in the $2-$300 range that use bulbs with diffusers and a solenoid retractor for the high range .
Any input on the retractable ones ?
Sarge