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85' 760 European Headlight Conversion: [ALL/1998] posted by Henry T. Mui. on
Wednesday, 30 April 1997, at 9:20 p.m.
I'm interested to see if anyone has switched the two lamp highbeam/lowbeam headlights with the one European headlight system with the headlight and wiper system? Does my local Volvo Parts Department has them in stock or should I try to purchase then from the U.K. Volvo Club members? My nearest Volvo Parts Department is one hour away from where I live! Any suggestions?
Re: 85' 760 European Headlight Conversion: [ALL/1998] posted by Michael "Mic" Jue on
Friday, 2 May 1997, at 7:04 p.m.
Henry, I'm sure you know this already but Euro lamps of the variety that you mention are expressly illegal in most states here in the U.S.
OK, that caveat aside...
You will NOT find these lamps at a Volvo dealership due to the illegal nature of same. Best bet if you really want to get a set of these is to contact overseas friends and have 'em ship 'em to you. However, that is not without it's problems and associated cost factors.
First, they must pass customs and while some tend to think that customs agents won't think much about 'em as they are "just car parts", please know that they will enforce US DOT regulations just as they would other illegal contraband.
Secondly, even if you could get them from someone abroad, be aware that for the amount of lighting improvement you're anticipating, you're going to probably pay a big price for them as you also need all of the accompanying trim and mounting components. They are NOT a simple bolt in. (I recall that ipd once offered Euro lamps...about $600.USD...and that was 1982!)
And yes, I explored this option in the past.
My recommendation to you is to go ahead and get yourself a set of "semi-legal" European replacement halogen headlamps that will fit the car with no modification. Cibie, Hella, etc. are the popular brands and they both offer the lighting cutoff pattern of the European lenses. Equipped with 55/100 or even 80/100 H4 and H1 bulbs, these will rival the European lamps at FAR less cost and hassle. (BTW, Cibie may not be too readily available in the US any longer... but everybody sells Hella)
OK, these lamps don't look as cool as Euro lamps but they work and that should be the final arbitor of good taste. :=)
Mic '87 744T - 206k
Re: 85' 760 European Headlight Conversion: [ALL/1998] posted by Theddy Cassaras on
Saturday, 3 May 1997, at 3:41 p.m.
Just a little warning out of experience! I would not recommend the use of 100 Watt bulbs for headlamps with wipers, at least not in low temperatures. The headlight glass gets very hot when using these strong bulbs, and when you use the wipers and the cold water hits the glass it most certainly cracks. To change headlamp glass on one side on a 960 -95 cost me SEK 1.500:- which is about USD 200:- (in Sweden).
Furthermore, the system with separate lamps for full and dipped lights is much better than the old system with single lamps with double function for full/dipped lights. All new Volvos are made with separate lamps today.
Theddy