Another headlight question

[nzflash]

Hi all,

I'm based in New Zealand and was planning to convert my 99 Chimaera to Sportmotiv Mark 3 headlights. Unfortunately with shipping it becomes cost prohibitive..... nearly 800GBP before import duty and then there's fitting and paint on top.

So my question is what options are out there for a sealed unit headlights that will fit in standard pods?

I'd like to keep original look rather than modern projector style.

Keen to hear opinions and personal experiences.

Thanks in advance...

P.s. reason for change is tarnished reflectors and would prefer sealed units as a replacement.

[bobfather]

Unfortunately very little. All sealed units have lensed glass so you can't fit the original lens in front of it. I'd like to do the same and have been looking for a domed polycarbonate lens protector that is large enough to replace the original Lucas lens. They are all too small

[phillpot]

Lupo Headlights



Bit more info

[MuffDaddy]

There are various Bi-LED/projector alternatives for the 7" sealed unit. Quality can vary.

[Oldwolf]

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned MX5 NA headlights as an alternative, I've been and measured mine and they're 7" (same as Chim) and they're not expensive....
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/headlamp-standard-halog...

Mountings might be different but I hear a lot of people have silka'd them in anyway!

[QBee]

If what you are suffering is dim headlights in winter, have you tried brighter bulbs?
Ring make a set, Osram Nightbreakers, Phillips too, plenty at 150% brighter.
My reflectors are corroded too, brighter bulbs were all I needed.

Something like these:

lights

[bobfather]

Oldwolf said:

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned MX5 NA headlights as an alternative, I've been and measured mine and they're 7" (same as Chim) and they're not expensive....
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/headlamp-standard-halog...

Mountings might be different but I hear a lot of people have silka'd them in anyway!

There are many 7" sealed beam options. The problem with them all is that they need to sit vertical so that the reflector sets the beam at the required level. The Chim reflector sits vertical too but the lens sits at an angle and well forward of the reflector. You can't have two lenses, one of them must be plain glass or polycarbonate

[Oldwolf]

bobfather said:

There are many 7" sealed beam options. The problem with them all is that they need to sit vertical so that the reflector sets the beam at the required level. The Chim reflector sits vertical too but the lens sits at an angle and well forward of the reflector. You can't have two lenses, one of them must be plain glass or polycarbonate

Thanks, makes sense

[RochdaleGT]

why not install new reflectors or re-chrome the original ones?

plus good quality bulbs and your lights will be again ok.

if you install more powerfull bulbs you will blind other motorists and stress your wiring (bigger load).

[bobfather]

The original wiring is stressed with standard lamps resulting in partial dimming. If you temporarily run power to one headlamp directly from a battery you'll see a reasonable brightening. There are kits on ebay that use the original wiring via relays to switch direct battery feeds.

Having clean reflectors and Osram Nightbreaker lamps powered via one of these kits makes the headlamps plenty bright enough

Wiring kit here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265024500395?hash=item3...

Edited by bobfather on Saturday 19th June 08:49

[QBee]

RochdaleGT said:

why not install new reflectors or re-chrome the original ones?

plus good quality bulbs and your lights will be again ok.

if you install more powerfull bulbs you will blind other motorists and stress your wiring (bigger load).

The brighter bulbs are the same 60/55 watts, just brighter. No more power used. Try them.....

And every other bugger on the road blinds me with their half mile range laser beams of modern German LED headlights, both from in front and in my mirror. So stuff not given if I cause them a slight discomfort in return.

[QBee]

PS, avoid the 100 watt headlight bulbs - now they CAN melt your wiring

[nzflash]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think the first plan is to have my reflectors refurbished.

[Nzchim]

Hey, same boat here. I contacted all the mk3 headlamp conversions in the UK, Steve Edwards was Really helpful, But ultimately the shipping was prohibitive and just couldnt be justified. I ended up taking the lens’ off last weekend using a craft knife to cut away the sealant. I thought my reflectors were rusted out but it turned out they were in pretty good condition. The inside has some debris and the lens itself needed a good clean. Back together now and they look great. I still fancy the mk3 covers but will wait for a UK trip next year. Before I took them off I wondered if the new Suzuki jimmy headlights might be the same size?