- Thread starter
- #21
I have now modified my FJ62 headlight wire harness to accommodate H1 headlights with metal housings, so this is no longer an issue.
Semi-Scientific Headlight Bakeoff
- Thread starter slcfj62
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He's back! I hope vacation went well...
I replaced the Delta H4 housings in my rig with the Hella ones, so I should be able to send you a Delta one to test. I might run one Delta and one Hella so you can test one of each. How long would you need them for?
I replaced the Delta H4 housings in my rig with the Hella ones, so I should be able to send you a Delta one to test. I might run one Delta and one Hella so you can test one of each. How long would you need them for?
- Thread starter
- #23
Hey Jon, vacation was too short but awesome. That would be great if you could send one of each. I've only tested the one round headlight--a Sylvania Silverstar, so it would be good to have some more reference points. Depending on when they get here, I should only have them for 3 or 4 days.
How did you do it?
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- #25
The H1 headlights are now switched 12 Volts instead of switched ground. So metal housing H1s can be accommodated.
Not to belabor the point, maybe I am but I don't mean to, but is your design now the same as the Tangen harness of yore or did you come up with a alternative solution?
It's somewhat similar to Wayne's (which I built for my 62), but SLC was able to design his without using a diode or resistor. IMO that eliminates two possible failure points but the result is having to cut a (repairable) wire coming from the steering wheel switch in order to still utilize the high beam indicator. Honestly even though I'm proud of the work I did to design my Tangen harness, I really like SLCs and plan to order one from him at some point, using different terminals for the lights that I'll source myself.
- Thread starter
- #28
There are only so many ways to do headlight relays and I think I have now tried them all. I started out with switched 12 Volts, but that was an issue with randomly blowing a fuse when the Hi and Lo beam switch was moved from Hi to Lo beam. The fix was to cut a wire under the steering column. Cutting wires makes most folks a little nervous, so I redesigned the harness for switched ground--the same philosophy Toyota used for the headlight circuits. This eliminated the need to cut the wire. However, some manufacturers (Autopal, Hella) of H1 headlights (the High Beam only headlights in the FJ62) use a metal housing. This becomes a direct short to ground for the headlights in a switched ground configuration. (And yes, this will blow the fuse in any switched ground headlight circuit, stock wiring included.) So, the final iteration of my harness for the FJ62 is a hybrid switched ground and switched 12 volts. It does bear some resemblance to Wayne's harness as Spook mentioned. The FJ60 harness is switched ground only. Really, what my harnesses bring to the table is the high grade hardware for the Ultimate Harness, and the fact that you don't have to build your own.
Overhanger, if you were wondering whether I copied Wayne's design, I didn't know about it when I designed my first harness. My first harness design was out of desperation trying to get the stuff to work that I purchased from Daniel Stern. It's interesting that my final design is similar to Wayne's. I don't know what iterations he went through to get there, but his harness is a good one. I think by the time you purchase all the parts to build it though, you will be pretty close to the price of one of my ready built harnesses. I don't really make much money on the harnesses, it's just an opportunity to make a little money for my Landcruiser addiction without having to pass the cost of the hobby through the family budget. By no means could I support myself building these harnesses.
Overhanger, if you were wondering whether I copied Wayne's design, I didn't know about it when I designed my first harness. My first harness design was out of desperation trying to get the stuff to work that I purchased from Daniel Stern. It's interesting that my final design is similar to Wayne's. I don't know what iterations he went through to get there, but his harness is a good one. I think by the time you purchase all the parts to build it though, you will be pretty close to the price of one of my ready built harnesses. I don't really make much money on the harnesses, it's just an opportunity to make a little money for my Landcruiser addiction without having to pass the cost of the hobby through the family budget. By no means could I support myself building these harnesses.
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slcfj62,
The point of my questions was to learn more about your product and whether I could recommend it to friends when they need to upgrade their FJ62 lights. I know Wayne's harness to be fully functional and bug-free through personal use and I've heard from others that have similar experiences with it. Wayne only made a handful of the harnesses because of how labor-intensive they are to build and I am very glad to know that you are building a similar design because there certainly is a need for it. It's amazing what an improvement in lighting they make over the stock wiring scheme and I give you all the credit in the world for making your design work for all makes of lights. Good on ya!
Steve
The point of my questions was to learn more about your product and whether I could recommend it to friends when they need to upgrade their FJ62 lights. I know Wayne's harness to be fully functional and bug-free through personal use and I've heard from others that have similar experiences with it. Wayne only made a handful of the harnesses because of how labor-intensive they are to build and I am very glad to know that you are building a similar design because there certainly is a need for it. It's amazing what an improvement in lighting they make over the stock wiring scheme and I give you all the credit in the world for making your design work for all makes of lights. Good on ya!
Steve
Well, I just won these on Ebay
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices tp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270607836189&ssPage Name=ADME:B:EOIBSA:MOTORS:1123
They are 20 years old and are the h4 and h1 type. I'm more excited than I think I should be (They're headlights you know) and cannot wait to see the difference.
With my stock sealed beams, I noticed an immediate improvement in the color of the lights, from a dark yellow to a nice white. I also reaimed them correctly against a wall. My passenger light was aimed far too low and my drivers side low beam was to the left.
I will update with photos when I get it installed.
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices tp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270607836189&ssPage Name=ADME:B:EOIBSA:MOTORS:1123
They are 20 years old and are the h4 and h1 type. I'm more excited than I think I should be (They're headlights you know) and cannot wait to see the difference.
With my stock sealed beams, I noticed an immediate improvement in the color of the lights, from a dark yellow to a nice white. I also reaimed them correctly against a wall. My passenger light was aimed far too low and my drivers side low beam was to the left.
I will update with photos when I get it installed.
FWIW --
I'm just now installing an Ultimate Headlamp harness I bought from slcfj62 and could not be more impressed with the fit, finish, superior materials and design of the harness. Everything is top-quality marine-grade stuff and the relay box bolts to the ABV bracket like it was designed by Mr. Toyoda himself.
Rest of the install is pretty much a no-brainer on a FJ60, and I'm just waiting on some Cibies I ordered from Daniel Stern to get the full effect.
I plan to do a write-up when done.
Just my deux pennies and praise for a superior product when I see it.
S.
I'm just now installing an Ultimate Headlamp harness I bought from slcfj62 and could not be more impressed with the fit, finish, superior materials and design of the harness. Everything is top-quality marine-grade stuff and the relay box bolts to the ABV bracket like it was designed by Mr. Toyoda himself.
Rest of the install is pretty much a no-brainer on a FJ60, and I'm just waiting on some Cibies I ordered from Daniel Stern to get the full effect.
I plan to do a write-up when done.
Just my deux pennies and praise for a superior product when I see it.
S.
mot
That's a pretty good price for the set! Mr. Stern lists them $75 per light - without bulbs. What's the deal with the "city lights"? Do you need additional wiring and bulbs for that?
Jim
That's a pretty good price for the set! Mr. Stern lists them $75 per light - without bulbs. What's the deal with the "city lights"? Do you need additional wiring and bulbs for that?
Jim
Jim,
Yeah, I thought that was a good deal, too, assuming that they're the same/similar lights.
The city lights, I believe are connected to the marker/parking lights and light up when you turn the parking lights on. Not necessary, but kinda cool if you're into that kinda thing!
Hijack off!
Yeah, I thought that was a good deal, too, assuming that they're the same/similar lights.
The city lights, I believe are connected to the marker/parking lights and light up when you turn the parking lights on. Not necessary, but kinda cool if you're into that kinda thing!
Hijack off!
Yes, city lights option require wiring into parking harness. I opted out on those for the 7" round as just more bling and something else to go wrong.
Congrats!!
I am in need for a set of them and after searching I might have to cough up the $$$ and get this set or something similar...
It's more, but also is new.
Well crap, thos must have just gotten posted.
I hope the used ones that I have purchased are of good quality, I also hope they include the rubber boot for the back.
Just goes to show, everytime you think you're getting a killer deal, another one pops up.
I felt the same way, as luck would have it, Erik lives maybe 15 minutes away by car (35 minutes by 3fe lol) and hand delivered the harness. The uinstall was slick and the wire is heavy stuff.
I was so excited that I got frusturated at the fact that it would not get dark fast enough to note any improvements.
Got my Cibies, installed them and I am very pleased. One of those projects that went great from start to finish.
I was going to get the Cibies, but then I stumbled across the Silvania Xenarc (HID) headlight replacements.
I heard bad things about them (light pattern), but these are supposed to be the 2nd-generation of them. Not sure if they still suck or not, and they are $$$, with high-beam HID's as well (I don't like that).
Maybe I should just stick with the halogens...
I heard bad things about them (light pattern), but these are supposed to be the 2nd-generation of them. Not sure if they still suck or not, and they are $$$, with high-beam HID's as well (I don't like that).
Maybe I should just stick with the halogens...
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