This might explain why my headlights are so bad!

[peterdouglas]

A little while ago I was mentioning that my left headlight was brighter than my right headlight. Night vision really sucks too. A quick verification showed that the PO had installed a halogen sealed beam on the driver's side and an ordinary (non-halogen) sealed beam on the other side. That might explain part of the reason... but take a look at the pictures below:

left (driver's side) headlight. Note the rusted backing plate behind the headlight.

The other side isn't much better!

Since the metal backing plate is rusted out along the bottom, it's impossible to properly align the headlights. (anyone got a decent set of 60 series headlight backing plates they want to sell me)? While I'm at it, I also need the passenger side plastic headlight bezel and larger HJ60 side mirrors. Please PM me if you have any. I'm putting a wanted ad in the parts forum too. In order you take things off.. there's the plastic headlight bezel (which also contains the turn signal lens), the chrome ring which holds the headlight in place, then the metal backing plate that the chrome ring attaches to. It's the last piece I need, the metal backing plate. No point installing my new headlights until I get this taken care of. Incidentally, I just bought some Silverstar headlights. Several of you were very pleased with them. (The Roundeyes aren't going to happen - long story).

This is weird. On my truck there's no rust for a huge area, then it's all concentrated in one area! Anyone else ever have to replace their headlight backing plates before?

 

[alvarorb]

Peter,

Don't feel bad. The original Koito headlamps that came on the 60 series where powered by candles. New they were pretty bad. The first thing all my friends did when they got their 60s from the showroom, was exchange the headlamps for Hellas.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[peterdouglas]

Alvaro, I can't imagine what those OEM Koito headlights must have been like. Probably something like I've got now! Driving in town on streets with street lights or lots of traffic is OK, but driving on a lonely country road, or off-road, in the darkness of night is really bad. Looking forward to putting in those nice new Silverstar headlights!

 

[FJ60_cruiser]

sorry to hijack but what about HID's? I think they look ugly on a 60, but damm they are sweet, my brother just bought some 8000k for his corolla and it's a very good upgrade from what I think, they really improve the vision of the roads and streets, but I don't know how they are off-road . I've been thinking about putting hid's and honestly I'll maybe take that route the next month. all that stops me from buying them is their look on a 60 it seems to poser but all I care is the improve they make in lighting.

anyone in here running them? what do you guy's think about them?

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Peter-

I think I have the headlight parts you need - backing plates (2) headlight bucket (2) chrome ring (2) headlight surround (1) left side. Make me a reasonable offer and they're yours.

BTW, once it gets dark I'll test my newly installed Silverstar with the IPF harness.

 

[brownbear]

Save up Peter for some H4 conversion lights. I bought mine at Canadian tire for 94 bucks. Came with bulbs.

Also the Painless wiring harness will boost the voltage by not having voltage drops between the battery and the bulbs.

 

[peterdouglas]

Maybe in future I'll consider HID's. I know what you mean, they take away a bit from the look of a 60 series, but they sure make up for that with improved night vision. I was going to get the Roundeyes but there's been a mixup with shipping. I need headlights quickly, and was able to buy the Silverstars locally. Several people here on Mud have been really pleased with them, and they look stock in terms of appearance but far superior in night vision. I'll install them on my rusty backing plates if I have to, but ideally would like to get solid backing plates so that I can adjust the headlight alignment properly.

 

[peterdouglas]

Peter-

I think I have the headlight parts you need - backing plates (2) headlight bucket (2) chrome ring (2) headlight surround (1) left side. Make me a reasonable offer and they're yours.

I'll send you a PM.

Save up Peter for some H4 conversion lights. I bought mine at Canadian tire for 94 bucks. Came with bulbs.

Also the Painless wiring harness will boost the voltage by not having voltage drops between the battery and the bulbs.

Hmmm, sounds interesting. I just paid around $75 with tax at Canadian Tire for the two Silverstar headlights. I could return them and for a few dollars more get the H4 conversion bulbs. I didn't see them, but then again, I went in with the intention of getting the Silverstars. Do you have to get a wiring harness separately? I think the Silverstars can just be plugged in with no mods... quick and painless and from what I hear, decent lighting.

 

[justin85-60]

Anyone tried roundeyes? Just curious what they are like, I read something about them before and it seems like they could be a good route. They are like 100 bucks.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Silverstars with the IPF harness make a huge difference. Just tried mine for the first time. I'm impressed.

 

[brownbear]

Peter this is what the kit looked like at C-tire.

http://www.boschlightsandmore.com/products_headlight_conversion_kits.htm

It was 94 canadian.

 

[peterdouglas]

Anyone tried roundeyes? Just curious what they are like, I read something about them before and it seems like they could be a good route. They are like 100 bucks.

I really wanted those, even placed an order. Had some trouble with this order though, not sure what's happening. Looks like I need to look to another set of headlights now.

Silverstars with the IPF harness make a huge difference. Just tried mine for the first time. I'm impressed.

I've got the Silverstars now, no IPF harness though. I might consider upgrading to the better harness later and use brighter lights, but even the regular wattage, properly aligned once I get the new headlight buckets/backing plates, should be a big improvement.

Peter this is what the kit looked like at C-tire.

http://www.boschlightsandmore.com/products_headlight_conversion_kits.htm

It was 94 canadian.

Thanks. I called back the Canadian Tire where I bought the Silverstars yesterday. They only have the square headlights in stock and couldn't find a part number for the round ones. I called the other Canadian Tire and they guy really didn't know much. He said they don't sell those kits. Called the number on the Canadian Tire website, and they wanted to know what kind of car it was for. I told them, but it could be for a Jeep, a Pinto, or anything with 7" round headlights. Finally he got a a Hella part number 00-2395-301. I called the local Cdn Tire store and that number came up as an air filter.

I'll try the SBQ7 part number when I go back there today. The guy said to look through their Keystone Catalog. Plus, he said every store is independently owned and stores in BC carry different products. But they had the square headlight kit sitting on the shelf!!!

 

[Corbet]

here we go again, most all the info you need on H4 upgrades is in the thread below.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=12576&highlight=headlight+upgrade

 

[peterdouglas]

Thanks for the link, Corbet. That thread is pretty good, although a lot of the discussion is about upgraded wiring harnesses. At this point, I just want a quick and easy upgrade so will stick with the stock wattage. Maybe when the time comes to replace a bulb, I'll get brighter bulbs and get the wiring harness. Right now, I'm considering returning the sealed beam Sylvania Silverstar headlights and getting a Hella H4 conversion kit (since there's a place in town that has the 7" round in stock, and everywhere else would have to order, whether it be Hella, Bosch, or any other brand).

Sounds like a lot of people were happy with the Hella lights, so that's a good sign.

 

[Corbet]

Yes, convert to H4. Run standard wattage for now. Just don't waste any more money on sealed beams. Beam pattern is more important than wattage anyway. You should be more than happy with the Hella's. I chose the IPF inserts. IPF 55/60 bulbs and I get nothing but other people flashing their brights at me anyway. No need for more on the street.

 

[peterdouglas]

I just returned the Silverstar sealed beam headlights and picked up the Hella H4 conversion kit with 60/55w bulbs. (I believe they're Euro Spec, on the lenses it says E4 and on the box it says "European Technology"). I'm sure they'll be far better than the cheapo sealed beams I've got in there now. All that's left to do is get the rust-free headlight buckets/backing plates so that I can properly attach and align the Hella lights. Can't wait to try them out at night!