Griff headlights
Discussion
If you go 7 inch, modify the wiring circuits, even if you stay original, you can gain 100 watts on full beam. Ie 25 per lamp.
Use the original wiring for the near side and use that to trigger relays for the off side , the supply taken from the starter motor.
So half the voltage drop to the near side.
Use the original wiring for the near side and use that to trigger relays for the off side , the supply taken from the starter motor.
So half the voltage drop to the near side.
Edited by David Beer on Saturday 19th October 18:49
I drive my Griffith occasionally at night, and generally I was happy with the illumination from the main beam, but switching to dipped lights was almost like switching off. So something had to be done, but I was reluctant to go to the 7" lamps just for now and then use.
So I carried out the wiring modification David suggested above, for dipped beam. At the same time, I fitted a pair of Philips X-tremeVision +130% bulbs to the dipped headlamps.
The difference was substantial. I now find the dipped beam illumination to be on a par with the main beam, and I am perfectly happy with them so far. They've been in use for 6-8 months, although not used very often during the summer, and for £15 I've found it to be a great improvement for negligible expense.
In your case, as you already have the pods out, I'd certainly consider installing the 7" lamps, but I would suggest you try to find someone who's done it and see the results for yourself. People I've spoken to have found them to be a good improvement, but not night-and-day better. They are not a cheap solution, hence try to see them in action before deciding.
Others who don't drive a lot at night might find the wiring mod and +130% bulbs a worthwhile improvement. You can fit them to the main beam too, although I haven't felt the need to do so.
One other thing, while the bulbs were out I cleaned the glass and reflectors using a tip I found on this forum a while ago. I used a piece of cotton wool gripped with a length of bent wire, dipped in isopropyl alcohol, which I passed into the lamp after removing the lampholder (3 special screws - security Allen screws, you need the correct bit). I don't think they were very dirty, but it can't have hurt to clean them. You can do this with the pods in situ, accessed through the wheelarch aperture.
So I carried out the wiring modification David suggested above, for dipped beam. At the same time, I fitted a pair of Philips X-tremeVision +130% bulbs to the dipped headlamps.
The difference was substantial. I now find the dipped beam illumination to be on a par with the main beam, and I am perfectly happy with them so far. They've been in use for 6-8 months, although not used very often during the summer, and for £15 I've found it to be a great improvement for negligible expense.
In your case, as you already have the pods out, I'd certainly consider installing the 7" lamps, but I would suggest you try to find someone who's done it and see the results for yourself. People I've spoken to have found them to be a good improvement, but not night-and-day better. They are not a cheap solution, hence try to see them in action before deciding.
Others who don't drive a lot at night might find the wiring mod and +130% bulbs a worthwhile improvement. You can fit them to the main beam too, although I haven't felt the need to do so.
One other thing, while the bulbs were out I cleaned the glass and reflectors using a tip I found on this forum a while ago. I used a piece of cotton wool gripped with a length of bent wire, dipped in isopropyl alcohol, which I passed into the lamp after removing the lampholder (3 special screws - security Allen screws, you need the correct bit). I don't think they were very dirty, but it can't have hurt to clean them. You can do this with the pods in situ, accessed through the wheelarch aperture.
I had the 7” headlight upgrade done on my ‘98. It was an improvement, but not night and day. They do look better on the car though. The originals look too small.
Earlier this year I had Central TVR do an LED upgrade. That made a huge difference. The pod lights on dipped beam are much better. The high beam lights are the originals, but now both on dipped and full beam it is much better.
Someone recently told me LEDs are not legal, but it got through its MOT, so must be ok.
Earlier this year I had Central TVR do an LED upgrade. That made a huge difference. The pod lights on dipped beam are much better. The high beam lights are the originals, but now both on dipped and full beam it is much better.
Someone recently told me LEDs are not legal, but it got through its MOT, so must be ok.
Moose v8 said:
Have a 93 Griff is it worth doing the 7" inch headlight upgrade, and if so how easy. Headlight pod out already 
many thanks
Whatever you decide to do, once done it is worth checking the voltage at the headlight plugs when on dip and main many thanks The headlight wiring may have been modified to improve the vehicles lighting
If there is a drop in voltage to the lights it can be cured
Should you need help in curing the voltage drop post back here
Bananaman99 said:
Is it possible to modify the existing pods to acept the 7"headlights?
Guess anything is possible if you're handy with the fibreglass?Bananaman99 said:
And what lights have been used?
Think someone told me Golf Mk1 ? Why these rather than the 7" units used in Land rovers, Classic Mini's, MGB's etc. etc. I don't know?phillpot said:
Bananaman99 said:
Is it possible to modify the existing pods to acept the 7"headlights?
Guess anything is possible if you're handy with the fibreglass?I think someone did by cutting slots down from the lamp hole. Put a light unit sized disc in to spread the existing fibreglass and then reglass the new size.
Penelope Stopit said:
Whatever you decide to do, once done it is worth checking the voltage at the headlight plugs when on dip and main
The headlight wiring may have been modified to improve the vehicles lighting
If there is a drop in voltage to the lights it can be cured
Should you need help in curing the voltage drop post back here
You missed the two saturday posts i guess, a revisit from advice 15 years ago.The headlight wiring may have been modified to improve the vehicles lighting
If there is a drop in voltage to the lights it can be cured
Should you need help in curing the voltage drop post back here
Come on, Yamas ?, what car do you drive, we all await. Ok not relevant to this subject, or is it ?
Edited by David Beer on Wednesday 23 October 18:52
Edited by David Beer on Wednesday 23 October 18:54
David Beer said:
You missed the two saturday posts i guess, a revisit from advice 15 years ago.
Come on, Yamas ?, what car do you drive, we all await. Ok not relevant to this subject, or is it ?
Come on, Yamas ?, what car do you drive, we all await. Ok not relevant to this subject, or is it ?
Penelope Stopit said:
User Phillpot is blocked by my Firefox Greasemonkey addon
I suspect you David, and many others who dare to question Penny's knowledge or experience, have suffered the same fate? 
David Beer said:
Hi Lee, hope we are still talking ! Got a more recent pic ?
I think no one else is interested on this thread, but that’s PH for you !
Ha, Hi David! The top half has gone off to Central for respray work and a few other bits (although it's been very quiet for the last three or four months!). The latest I have is 'naked' pictures!I think no one else is interested on this thread, but that’s PH for you !
Unfortunately the car's been completely sidelined by a house move which is showing no signs of getting finished!
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