Quad Headlight Conversion

[jeboa]

Has anyone installed a set of quad headlights from scratch?

I purchased a set of pods from fleabay a long while back - can't remember the seller now unfortunately. After finally getting round to purchasing the Hella units and getting them painted, I thought I would tackle the change this weekend.

Slightly gutted in that a 'simple swap' seems to be turning into a bit of a complication.

The quad pods are not the same shape as the original units. Not sure if this is a change from car to car thing? I've read that fibre glass shrinks slightly, but this seems to be a little extreme.

Would welcome any comments from any owners who had swapped pods over - even from the 5" to 7" units - does the perspex fit well on the new units, or did it need 'persuading' to fit?

Photos below to explain the issue:








Original Perspex on original pod is a good fit all round.







Large gap around the edge - up to about an inch.

[jeboa]

Okay - trial fit - I'm still not sure.....opinions....??

I can always go back if needed...

[carsy]

I have the twin lights. Although they were already on the car when i bought it. They look ok probably better than the originals. But for me the best look is the 7 inch conversion. I think this will be my next job. It really is personal preference but yours do look good.

[Mark_S_24]

I think it looks good, but I think you need the 7" conversion as they now look too large in comparison to the quads.

Mark

[Adrianw]

Looking very good , I was considering going to 7" clear conversion, but these have me thinking otherwise. I have seen griffith with T350 conversion and that just wasn't right

[jeboa]

Carsy - on your car do you have the dip beam at the bottom with the main beam at the top?

I am going to run in a new 12v feed on a relay for the main beams, so that they come on at the same time as the ones either side of the number plate.

Not sure it looks quite right just having the one unit on when in dip beam??

[carsy]

jeboa said:

Carsy - on your car do you have the dip beam at the bottom with the main beam at the top?

I am going to run in a new 12v feed on a relay for the main beams, so that they come on at the same time as the ones either side of the number plate.

Not sure it looks quite right just having the one unit on when in dip beam??

To be honest i dont know. The car is rarely out in the dark and on the odd occasion i`ve had the lights on i havent taken note. Unfortunately i cant check for you as the battery is disconnected at the minute for a few little on going jobs.

Have to say the more i look at yours, the more i am likeing. I think they seem to go well with your colour.

[jeboa]

Okay, finally finished (got a get a job that doesn't get in the way of time in the garage!!!).

In the photos the sidelight/HIDs look incredibly blue - this must be an effect of the camera as they are very much a normal white in real life (didn't go for the higher K HIDs, just the normal colour).

Have to admit that getting the pods to fit correctly was a complete PITA!!! Sikaflex 291i for the finishing (black) touch and used some stuff called GBPro 'Bond it' (Clear) to set them in place - as well as the clear inidicators.

BTW - anyone interested in clear indicators - there are some on Ebay clicky for 4.99 each, they are the exact same type I used to replace on tanks/Land Rovers when I was in the Army. Easy swap through the side access next to the radiator if you're not takinig the lights out, just need some silvered inidicator bulbs to go with them.

[V8Bart]

That looks real good. Love the hid lights was well.

[GasDoc]

I think it looks great- suits the car. Good job

[carsy]

Looks fantastic Martin, they really suit the car well done.

[GTRene]

nice job, makes it look made ready for this century

[jeboa]

Thanks everyone. If anyone wants to tackle anything similiar, drop me a mail and can give some pointers on where I went wrong, and how to avoid the same mistakes.

Next up, rear light conversion. Not 100% sure about this one, but will wait and see.....

Meanwhile, I fancy getting rid of the carpet on the door cards - carbon fibre (to match the dash), or black alcantara?



(Old photo, have since had the seats recovered and the centre console in black leather/red alcantara):

[V8Bart]

Love the seat colour combo, who did it for you?

[GTRene]

you have a griffith that looks way more modern with those seats and other interior updates and alcantara (I love alcantara)
I remember my old TVR 4.3 BV Griffith with the bad seats when you do a fast left right you almost fly out the seats

[SSPPGG]

what seats are those?

[jeboa]

The seats are originally from a T350, a local guy did a great job of retrimming - I would highly recommend him to anyone:

http://www.edgeautomotive.co.uk/

[JamesK]

I have the quad lights - were on the car when I bought the old girl. MY personal choice would be for the 7" for originality but the quad setup looks better in it's own right imo.

Those seats are fantastic! Lateral support wasn't high on the agenda for the originals I think it's fair to say!

[RichB]

jeboa said:

Thanks everyone. If anyone wants to tackle anything similiar, drop me a mail and can give some pointers on where I went wrong, and how to avoid the same mistakes. Next up, rear light conversion. Not 100% sure about this one, but will wait and see.....

Meanwhile, I fancy getting rid of the carpet on the door cards - carbon fibre (to match the dash), or black alcantara?

While I like the 'classic' look, like mine, I think that's an excellent modern look, I esecially like the dark carbon dask, not keen on the ali' look. Would like to see the new certre console in palce. Personally I ould keep the door cards black, probablt alcantara with that interior.

[gemini]

Now thats what I call a great conversion.
Keep the photos coming.
Rear lights will be tricky, without looking MG!