yossarian19
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grass Valley, CA
So, in case anyone is thinking about lighting upgrades:
When I bought my Jeep, the lights were terrible. Couldn't tell if they were on. I was broke and ignorant, though, so I didn't do anything about it for at least a year.
Then I bought the Autopal H4 conversion. Lighting was... acceptable. In town or on lighted freeway. Out in the country, I'd routinely stomp the brakes as, say, 5 head of bull elk seemed to appear just in front of my Jeep. Couldn't see anything much past 25 feet or so.
Drove like that for a long time. Moved to the city and just didn't need much of a headlight to get around.
Coming back from a snowboarding trip a couple weeks ago, I again couldn't tell my lights were on. Worst part? Girlfriend is driving since I'd fractured my arm. The Autopal H4 conversion is, in my mind, a failure.
So I eventually get around to wiring up a relay system. And buying high power bulbs to put in the Autopals.
I ran 10 gauge power from the battery to the relays & 12 gauge from relays to headlights, each light with its own dedicated ground terminal on the fender.
Even the years-old cheapo Autopal-supplied bulbs got a LOT brighter. Much, Much whiter light. A very appreciable difference even in daylight, even in a well lit workshop... huge. Transformative.
I then put the Hellas in. Marginal upgrade. I mean, sure, they are brighter - but not as much as I'd expected.
I've got Cibie headlight housings on the way. I'll install them and see how much better they are than the Autopal housings.
In the mean time, I've gotta say that I think the H4 business was a waste. A good quality sealed beam with a good quality harness is probably all the light output I'd need. I'm hoping that with Cibie housings I really notice a difference, but we'll see.
Also: relay kits are tough to piece together as not many places seem to sell the needed parts. Google search "daniel stern lighting" and buy the $50 relay hardware kit from him. Much easier / faster and higher quality than screwing around on Ebay.
Will update with Cibies... and maybe some pics.
When I bought my Jeep, the lights were terrible. Couldn't tell if they were on. I was broke and ignorant, though, so I didn't do anything about it for at least a year.
Then I bought the Autopal H4 conversion. Lighting was... acceptable. In town or on lighted freeway. Out in the country, I'd routinely stomp the brakes as, say, 5 head of bull elk seemed to appear just in front of my Jeep. Couldn't see anything much past 25 feet or so.
Drove like that for a long time. Moved to the city and just didn't need much of a headlight to get around.
Coming back from a snowboarding trip a couple weeks ago, I again couldn't tell my lights were on. Worst part? Girlfriend is driving since I'd fractured my arm. The Autopal H4 conversion is, in my mind, a failure.
So I eventually get around to wiring up a relay system. And buying high power bulbs to put in the Autopals.
I ran 10 gauge power from the battery to the relays & 12 gauge from relays to headlights, each light with its own dedicated ground terminal on the fender.
Even the years-old cheapo Autopal-supplied bulbs got a LOT brighter. Much, Much whiter light. A very appreciable difference even in daylight, even in a well lit workshop... huge. Transformative.
I then put the Hellas in. Marginal upgrade. I mean, sure, they are brighter - but not as much as I'd expected.
I've got Cibie headlight housings on the way. I'll install them and see how much better they are than the Autopal housings.
In the mean time, I've gotta say that I think the H4 business was a waste. A good quality sealed beam with a good quality harness is probably all the light output I'd need. I'm hoping that with Cibie housings I really notice a difference, but we'll see.
Also: relay kits are tough to piece together as not many places seem to sell the needed parts. Google search "daniel stern lighting" and buy the $50 relay hardware kit from him. Much easier / faster and higher quality than screwing around on Ebay.
Will update with Cibies... and maybe some pics.