New headlights for LX450.

[MikePL]

The thing is that I live in Europe and the American type of headlights is not allowed. So I am forced to change headlights. I have a few questions, and the first group of questions is the one that matters most to me as it influences the other questions.

1. What are the differences between the Lex and LC headlights and grille?
- Different mounts?
- Can LC headlights be mounted wihtout changing the Lex grille?
- If I wanted to use LC headlights and Lex grille, do I have to modify a lot?
- Do you have pics that show the differences?

2. I have seen lots of auctions like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-9...6QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33710QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Have you seen them in person? What's their build quality?

3. Maybe there is a cheaper solution? Frankly speaking I would like to have headlights with lenses as they are far better than reflectors, do you know of any other options?

Thanks for the info.

Mike

 

[mot]

I'm assuming that you mean the "textured" lenses when you say "American type" of headlights, compared to the multi-reflector or projector housing/lenses/lights.

I knew these headlights would pop up on e-bay sooner or later.

I have heard from a fellow 80 owner in Japan that these lights, while they look cool, their light pattern(s) suck(s). Unless you're planning on doing the projector swap with HID (projectors), I would not get them, IF you're wanting to improve the light output/pattern.

I do own a pair of the multi-reflector type headlights, and their pattern/output is fairly decent. Still, not sure if they're better than stock though.

I also have a pair of the Euro lights with H4/H1 bulbs and the performance seems maybe on par with OEM (at least for the JDM model with H4/H3).

The US-spec 80/LX came with the HB3/4 bulbs and their selections are limited, but people who have tried the HIR bulbs seem extremely pleasesed.

Anyway, not sure if your lights are the same as the US set-up or not, but I believe the shape of the headlights/grille are a bit different, so you might either have a gap between them or have to trim some pieces or something. (Haven't done it myself, so don't know for sure).

Anyway, don't know if I'm making much sense here, but here is what I'm trying to say, I guess:

-Don't get the projector headlights, other than for cosmetic reasons.
-Swap the bulb(s) with HIR's if you have the LEXUS headlights with HB3/4 bulbs.
-Be happy and stop bitching if you have the OEM headlights with H4 (low/high) with H1(high) or H3(fog). You can still upgrade bulbs on them, if you want them brighter, but if you're not satisfied with the light pattern, I'm afraid there's not much you can do.

Sorry if I'm not very clear.

GOOD LUCK!

Mot

 

[MikePL]

My problem is that I need Europe-certified lights (with H4 bulb pattern). If not, then I will have trouble when registering my car. Cosmetics are not as important to me as performance. In my previous vehicles I had projector lights and they are far better. Frankly speaking I can get projector guts from cars like Audi, VW etc... but I need a housing for them.

The most common way is to get your headlights to a specialist who sands away the texture on the glass and polishes it, but.... Sometimes the headlights crack and sometimes the polish is not so good. This is why I need an alternative in case I am without lights (forget about getting OEM headlights here for the Lex).

So what I need in fact is a reflector housing with a clear glass.

I plan to put HIDs inside and a lens assembly from costs $30 a pair. So even if those fancy lights are not so good, I could swap the internal optics.

You say that you own a few pairs of different headlights... Are they for sale?

BTW, I still would like to know the differences between Lex and LC fronts.

Mike

 

[mot]

Mike,

Can't comment on the exact difference between the OEM 80 and LX headlights. As I said the shape "might" be slightly different on them which might warrant swapping the grille as well. Hopefully someone will chime in.

I do own two different sets of the headlights, other than the OEM I have on my rig. You can see the "Euro lights" thread below for the LHD H4/H1 set-up:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=82714

I also have a pair of the multi-reflector lights with clear lenses which would work if you're doing the projector grafting/transplant. The light pattern is for RHD, but it would not matter if you do the projector grafting.

I thought that you could do the sanding the textured lense thingy if the lense was not made of glass, but the LC80/LX450 lenses are made of glass. Can you still get it smoothed out?

Anyway, I would be happy to assist you if you cannot source these headlights locally (I would think you should be able to pick up the E-code OEM 80 lights though).

Let me know and GOOD LUCK!

Mot

My problem is that I need Europe-certified lights (with H4 bulb pattern). If not, then I will have trouble when registering my car. Cosmetics are not as important to me as performance. In my previous vehicles I had projector lights and they are far better. Frankly speaking I can get projector guts from cars like Audi, VW etc... but I need a housing for them.

The most common way is to get your headlights to a specialist who sands away the texture on the glass and polishes it, but.... Sometimes the headlights crack and sometimes the polish is not so good. This is why I need an alternative in case I am without lights (forget about getting OEM headlights here for the Lex).

So what I need in fact is a reflector housing with a clear glass.

I plan to put HIDs inside and a lens assembly from costs $30 a pair. So even if those fancy lights are not so good, I could swap the internal optics.

You say that you own a few pairs of different headlights... Are they for sale?

BTW, I still would like to know the differences between Lex and LC fronts.

Mike

 

[mot]

Here is the thread on the multi-reflector ones I've got:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=84328&highlight=headlight

Mot

 

[MikePL]

But did anybody ever see the projector lights in person? They are the easiest 'source material' for a HID upgrade, whether it is only putting HID bulbs and ballasts or completely swapping the optics for a better quality (BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc.). With projector lights I just change the internals and in the worst scenario I have to widen the hole for the lens. With multi-reflector there is a lot of drilling and cutting.

Maybe also someone has access to these lights at lower prices. Come on, they are made in China so $300 is a lot for them.


I am really crazy about lighting so I really want to do it right.

 

[mot]

Mike,

"hoser" in the 100 forum has done something similar with his LX470.

I would suggest that you check out vendors in EU to see if anyone carries the aftermarket projectors for cheap. $300 for a Chinese/Taiwanese made aftermarket headlights seem a bit steep, but that is pretty cheap compared to the OEM set-up (I know you still need to do the HID conversion on top of that, but...)

Anyway, good luck and be sure to post your result/outcome!

Mot

 

[MikePL]

Here I'm back again. Some time has passed and here are the conclusions/questions...

1. I mush change the headlights in order to have the vehicle registered and avoid problems with the cops.

2. I have decided to polish off the ribbed center part of the headlight glass and put HID projector lenses inside.

3. There is no such thing as euro lights for the LX450 as it was only produced for the USA, so anything I get for the Lexus is USA spec, not euro.

Q1. Did anybody ever touch the projector 'bolt on' headlights sold on ebay? Is the outer 'glass' made of plastic or glass? If it is plastic, that's good news. I could cut off a portion of it, seal it and the FZJ80 headlights would fit into the LX450. If they are glass, then this is a problem.

Q2. Does anybody have stock (used and very cheap) Lexus headlights for sale? This is the worst case scenario (but the most probable). If my headlight cracks while polishing (which happens), I will have to buy another set of illegal (read useless) headlights and approach the polishing task again and again. Unless the projector ebay lights are plastic so I would buy them and trim a bit.

Q3. Maybe anybody has other ideas to solve my exotic problem?

 

[Grench]

Here is how I would approach this. I have not done it, so I don't know where the issues are. When modifying things, I usually try to mod the easiest part.

The grill is plastic. Pull it out, set it asside. Get eurospec lights for a Landcruiser. Grab them from a junk/salvage yard. Make those fit.

Use a rotary tool (dremel) to modify the lexus grill to fit.

Now if you break a headlight you can go to a Toyota dealer there to get a new one.

 

[cary]

Here is how I would approach this. I have not done it, so I don't know where the issues are. When modifying things, I usually try to mod the easiest part.

The grill is plastic. Pull it out, set it asside. Get eurospec lights for a Landcruiser. Grab them from a junk/salvage yard. Make those fit.

Use a rotary tool (dremel) to modify the lexus grill to fit.

Now if you break a headlight you can go to a Toyota dealer there to get a new one.

I second this approach.

 

[RavenTai]

the lexus headlights are narrower, so the grille and the grille cutout in the lower valance (where the turn signals are) is wider.

 

[mot]

3. There is no such thing as euro lights for the LX450 as it was only produced for the USA, so anything I get for the Lexus is USA spec, not euro.

You can certainly get the Toyota grille and slap on any headlight units for the 80, OEM or otherwise, on your LX, right?

Q1. Did anybody ever touch the projector 'bolt on' headlights sold on ebay? Is the outer 'glass' made of plastic or glass? If it is plastic, that's good news. I could cut off a portion of it, seal it and the FZJ80 headlights would fit into the LX450. If they are glass, then this is a problem.

I don't think anybody has, but I am pretty certain that it is not glass. So that must be good news.

Q2. Does anybody have stock (used and very cheap) Lexus headlights for sale? This is the worst case scenario (but the most probable). If my headlight cracks while polishing (which happens), I will have to buy another set of illegal (read useless) headlights and approach the polishing task again and again. Unless the projector ebay lights are plastic so I would buy them and trim a bit.

I'd love to see you do it.

Q3. Maybe anybody has other ideas to solve my exotic problem?

What Grench said...
The Euro-spec 80 headlights WILL bolt onto your rig no problem.
You just might have to trim your Lexux grille, there might be a gap, or even the worst case scenario is that you would have to just get the 80's grille. Problem solved.

But if it is the projector/HID thing you're after, then I would just get the e-bay stuff and go at it.

Good luck!

Mot

 

[MikePL]

Well, yes you are right that modifying the grill could be the easiest approach, but...

- I will have to spend cash on a set of euro headlights (around $300 over here)
- I will lose integrity of the grille (I need to cut deep into it)
- I will have to modify the lower portion of the front to accommodate the thicker lights.

So the modifications turn out to be not as clean as they seem: cut center grill, cut grill under lights etc... A lot of guesswork and probably I won't end up with a sleek and slender front. And the most important thing... Having spent all that cash I will still have crappy euro lights with ribbed surface. This is the old type of lights and most of the output is lost. FreeForm (FF) are better and the best are projectors.

What I am trying to do is improve two aspects in one operation.
1. Make lights legal
2. Improve lighting quality

I have phoned a few companies today and here are the costs.

1. Headlight polishing $60 a pair
2. HID projector assembly $17 a pair
3. HID ballasts and bulbs $167
TOTAL: $244 (so let's call it $250)

If the headlights survive the polishing, the whole operation will be just bolting on the lamps and taking off. No drilling, cutting etc... All sleek and stock from the outside.

Even if I were a dummy (who I'm not, I suppose) and made an ugly conversion, my awful job would only be visible when I open the hood. Imagine what happens if my dremel slips while working on the grille. There's no turning back, baby

So after this explanation, which mod seems 'cleaner' to you? Are you still after the grill cutting? I know that if the headlight glass breaks while polishing the cost will rise, but let's be optimistic.

Just in case.. Is anybody willing to get rid of used LX450 headlights? The plastic can be smashed and all ugly, only the glass matters to me.

 

[Grench]

Drop HIDs into that Toyota/Lexus housing and you'll likely melt down the lamps and fry the wires.

As far as the uglies go with cutting the Lexus grill...

After you put in the toyota lenses (Try a salvage yard) you just need a grill that fits like a Toyota grill, but apparently looks are important.

HEY MOT!
Whatcha got for this guy in the form of a no logo billet grill that will fit an FZJ80? i.e. an LX450 with FZJ80 lights.

 

[mot]

So after this explanation, which mod seems 'cleaner' to you? Are you still after the grill cutting?

If it were me I would just get the Euro-spec OEM lights and do whatever necessary with the grille, sand it, chop it, replace it, whatever and be done with it. Or if I had to have projector HID's, I would get one of the aftermarket projector or multi-reflector headlight units and graft the HID (bixenon) projectors in, instead of polishing glass. But that's just me.

Besides, when did Europe ban the use of the "American type of headlights" anyway? Are all of the old vehicles with this particular design(textured/fluted lenses) of headlights are forced to change their headlights as well? Just curious.

BTW, I'm not sure if you need to replace anything other than the grille to get the Euro-spec headlights to fit. IIRC, the Lexus conversion kit offered in Japan does not include anything other than the headlights, grille, and the markers (the shapes of the markers are the same so you can keep your Lexus markers), so you would not have to worry about chopping anything if you get the grille, along with the headlights.

BUT it sounds like you don't want to go that route anyway, so I will quit wasting my breath.

Good luck with sourcing used LX headlight units, polishing them w/o cracking them, and grafting HID projectors. As I've said before I would like to see it done and see how well it performs (I'm sure it would perform admirably).

And Grench...




























No grille for MikePL!!!

 

[LX_TREME]

Hey... its 3.00am there no sleep yet? ohh by the way...do you want more aftermarket 80s grilles..i have plenty to choose from

 

[MikePL]

Mot, the difference between Euro and American is not in the textured glass but in the pattern that the lights project. There can be Euro ribbed lights, multi-reflector lights and projector lights. The same with American lights. Even if I bought an American vehicle with projector lights, I would probably need to change them. I will try to sketch the light patern..

DOT: straight cutoff line, like this
______

Euro: cutoff light goes from zero (not to blind oncoming traffic) to normal level and then rises (to improve visibility on the side of the road), like this more or less.

______/
/

Grench, there is no possibility to melt the lamp housings. HIDs consume just 35W of power as compared to standard 55W or more. I have a few HID lamps for exterior lighting and they are luke warm, while halogen would get extremely hot. Initial power consumption could be a stress for the harness, but I plan to use relays just to be on the safe side.

Mot (again), I appreciate your advice concerning the grill. I would do it that way if only grills were available here. I have searched the web and found nothing. When they are available their cost is over $200 The truth is that I have to stick with what I have. Mechanical parts are available here but forget about interior/exterior parts. I have nothing to lose with the headlights, they are useless here anyway.

 

[MikePL]

Mot, you seem to be enjoying that green bastard.

Here's a more civilized version that you can use and enjoy:

 

[mot]

Mike,

First of all,

OK, now we've got that out of the way, if you need a grille for the 80 I have a used one that the PO of my rig had purchased (fits '95-'98 80) I would be happy to part with it.

And thanks for the clarification on the different light projection. I had NO idea. I "thought" that the N. American (US/SAE) both had light pattern that rose to the right to light up the pedestrians and signs, just like they do on the left side of the road here in Japan (RHD).

Anyway, let me know if I can help you with the grille or anything else coming from this way.

Good luck!

Mot

 

[Live4SkimLC]

I am very interested in the grilles, where you get them at?