headlights US to UK spec, a little help please!!

[Austin]

hi, i've had a good read through this http://www.bigbulli.com/Earlybay%20wiring%20US%20to%20UK.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which is pretty good, but i wanted to ask what this guy means but throwing away the US sealed headlight beam?? i bought some RHD hella glasses and thats all i thought i needed? am i wrong? do i need to buy the complete unit? any help would be great, hoping to get this cracked on saturday!! it a 69 US spec westy if this helps.

cheers

Austin

 

[Graham L]

Austin

Not sure what you have bought but the headlights fitted to a bus are sealed beam units and not ones you can take to bits and change the lens on so not sure what you have been told.

You also need to incorporate a sidelight into the headlamp bowl as running amber sidelights will fail an MOT, most people buy replacement units with sidelamps built in, MK1/II Golf ones are often used as they are readily available.

Don't be tempted to buy the cheap kit from JK as you will need to hack the headlamp adjusting ring about to get the sidelights to fit,

 

[dave]

it means the complete headlamp unit, you will need to replace it as you need the sidelight in the headlamp. U.S sidelights are in the indicator..

 

[r73]

yeah right about the JK ones - they are a cheap option but dont quite fit properly!
I think Heritage do some sealed beams units, or to be more specific semi sealed, ie there is a hole for a sidelight bulb.

Easy conversion - although I have to say I run the standard US spec sidelights and indicators :roll:

 

[deluxedude]

i got hella H4 headlamps from my local motor factors with sidelights bulb holders and bulbs for £30 for the pair 8) shop around, think there the same lights as minis too

 

[Analog]

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop...d=735&osCsid=c85dd2509817638903943705fcc740d5

and do as i did, keep the sidelights in the indicator, or you can order the pilot light ones

 

[Guest]

OK so put the sidelight issue aside, is there also a difference between RHD and LHD units ie the angle of the beam??

i'm asking as i have a bus and bug on the way over. The angle of the beam is different? for driving on the wrong side of the road?

I have these leds indicator units where the horn grills are in the bug but i think they will fail because they are dim on running but bright for flashing. :| .

 

[Analog]

yes, they are different angles, the pattern on countries that are RHD need to divert to the left away from oncoming traffic, whereas LHD countries they divert to the right

 

[Austin]

OK so put the sidelight issue aside, is there also a difference between RHD and LHD units ie the angle of the beam??

i'm asking as i have a bus and bug on the way over. The angle of the beam is different? for driving on the wrong side of the road?

I have these leds indicator units where the horn grills are in the bug but i think they will fail because they are dim on running but bright for flashing. :| .

i think all rhd and left hand drive units are the same, its just the glass that is different......... i think.

also cheers for the chat today Graham, took your advice, postman will be delivering stuff tomorrow.