Headlight upgrade options?

[rcx106]

I'm finally looking at upgrading the headlights on my Vitara. A few years ago I used the car in the Carpathian mountains and the headlights we so bad they were just dangerous.

I think HIDs are out. They p**s people off, and I can't find any aftermarket self levelling ones, plus I've been told that the Police around here have been clamping down on them.

There's not upgrade headlights available that I can find.

I've found some universal projector headlights. I'd need to make brackets for them. Maybe this is the route to take?

I'm fitting some flood lights on the roof, they are for off roading, to light up around teh car. I don't see the point of fitting axillary spot lights because isn't that what the headlights are for?

[rcx106]

I know that legality is being argued by some people, but I really don't want to go for HIDs. I don't want to be arguing with police. My vehicle is questionable enough already without giving them more reasons to pull me over.

I'd rather get tips on other alternatives that could work.

[rcx106]

Despite all arguments, I've heard of Police stopping HID users and DFA have issued an advisory saying that HIDs need to be self levelling to be legal. That's enough for me not to fit them. Also I'm constantly being pulled over and I don't want to give them more ammunition.

Note also an MOT test is not a full legal check. There are loads of things that are illegal but still pass the MOT test.

I've just ordered a pair of Hella 90mm universal fit projector modules like these:


Need to make a simple bracket:



Then fit the parking light, and turn signals.

Edited by rcx106 on Friday 11th July 23:51

[rcx106]

Over the weekend I found that Hella do an affordable (£200) universal self levelling kit which uses an ultrasonic sensor and motor attached to the original manual level adjusters. So this allows HIDs to be retorfitted while meeting the legal advice given on the .gov.uk website regarding retrofitted HIDs.

Edited by rcx106 on Monday 14th July 19:32

[rcx106]

I've been using high performance light bulbs and they do make a big difference. I'm basically looking at fitting work lights on the roof of my 4x4 and figured I'll properly sort the headlights while I'm at it which is why I'm going all out.

Edited by rcx106 on Monday 14th July 21:41