Alternative headlight bulbs?

Afternoon...

I’m looking to upgrade my headlight bulbs without faffing with fuses, wiring etc.


I was chatting to somebody at DATC and they recommended a halogen one but I can’t remember the full conversation (beer was involved).


This is what I’ve currently got:

The best option is to use adapter rings to convert to H4 bulbs then you can take advantage of the more efficient Osram nightbreaker/Phillips extreme bulbs.
But if your headlamp reflectors are tarnished you will not get the benefit of even the old tungsten bulbs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-P45T-R2-H5-to-P43T-H4-BULB-ADAPTERS-OPEL-VW-RENAULT-VOLVO-BEETLE-PORSCHE/282431058041?hash=item41c233f079:g:wc8AAOSwfVhaAs1k

And I don’t need to change any wiring, fuses or relays?

Bears Dad said:

And I don’t need to change any wiring, fuses or relays?

Click to expand...

No need to change anything else.

Cheers bud

I think you can remove the beam shield caps which clip in front of the bulbs as modern bulbs have them built in.
Can someone confirm?

I did that and passed MOT. Can't remember which possibly both. Jk and Heritage sell halogen bulbs that pop straight in no issues with rewrite etc. I removed beam shields as the new bulbs come complete.

Hubs said:

I think you can remove the beam shield caps which clip in front of the bulbs as modern bulbs have them built in.
Can someone confirm?

Click to expand...

Yep that is true. If the bulb has a painted tip, then you don’t need the shields in place. They are to stop drivers from being dazzled by the exposed filament of the bulb.


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bigherb said:

The best option is to use adapter rings to convert to H4 bulbs then you can take advantage of the more efficient Osram nightbreaker/Phillips extreme bulbs.
But if your headlamp reflectors are tarnished you will not get the benefit of even the old tungsten bulbs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-P45T-R2-H5-to-P43T-H4-BULB-ADAPTERS-OPEL-VW-RENAULT-VOLVO-BEETLE-PORSCHE/282431058041?hash=item41c233f079:g:wc8AAOSwfVhaAs1k

Click to expand...

I used these, but the ones Autocraft Engineering sell. They required a bit of tweaking with a Dremel, as firstly they wouldn’t fit into the reflector bowls, and then secondly, the bulb was rotated at the wrong angle. A bit of tweaking and they were all fitted snugly. Definitely worth doing, I went for some Philips bulbs that retain a slightly yellowish, period look, but are brighter than the normal offerings of a cheapo P45t bulb.


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I’m gonna have to get the Dremel on the bulb tabs as they’re stopping the plastic connector from fitting on the back.

Bears Dad said:

I’m gonna have to get the Dremel on the bulb tabs as they’re stopping the plastic connector from fitting on the back.

Click to expand...

Yep, I had to do the same! Just make sure that it will all still sit securely after cutting bits off - I’ll see if I’ve got the photos from when I did mine, but I had to have a good think about which bit to trim next.


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I’m just going to trim the silver sticky-outy bit!

I’m regretting not buying the JK bulbs now.
Even the bloody adapters need filing down for the connector cap to fit!

Ok. All fitted but now relay is stuck on main beam.

Could the new bulbs have cooked the relay?