A while back, I converted my 87 744na's headlights to full batt voltage and was very suprised by just how much better the lighting was.


Well, now it's time to do the next step and swap my headlights. I'm looking over E-Codes of all prices and these @ J. C. Whitney.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000275169/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000275169/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000275169

Anyone used these? If I'm reading it correctly, it will take H4 bulbs?

Whatt'a yall think?

Thanks,
Frank

hi, I actually bought a set off ebay for a much better price and it came with instructions on how to convert your headlihgt system over to h4 bulbs. I have this system on my 1986 Volvo 740 GLE and it works great. i have 90/100 watt bulbs on mine(bulbs do come with set. here is the link to go check them out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36476&item=7965766878&rd=1


now as far as the conversion you did to your headlights. how did you connect the system to your battery to make them much brighter?? I'm interested in knowing how you did this....if you got instructions on this, please let me know.
REspectfully,

Volve,
west jordan,Utah

your kit 'should' have come with the harnasses and two relays. Then your switch is simply energizing the relay, which in-turn completes the circuit from Batt voltage to light.

I think I'm going to try them. Their pattern's not going to be nearly as good as E codes, but it should still prove to be a very safe upgrade over the original. These housings with CID should b quite nice.


If by chance you didn't get the full harness and relay with yur kit, drop me an email & I'll help ya get batt (charge) voltage. If so, you'll have to correct the _AT_ in my email addy from the link.

Thanks,
Frank

It's an H4, but the beam pattern is hardly any good. It's form over function.

Spend a bit more for some Cibie's. They're worth it.

-- Kane
--

While I would never deliberately mislead anyone, take into consideration that any information and advice provided was at no cost to you.

Spend a bit more for some Cibie's ?? what are Cibies and where can i find them or more info on them?? very curious to know.

Cibie is one of the best lighting companies out there. I believe they made the factory optics (head and tail) for the entire production run of our cars.

The key with buying a sealed beam replacement is to buy a quality assembly that is preferrably ECE/E-Code. Cibie and Hella are two of the best companies out there, and while you could cut corners and get cheap immitation products that appear decent, comparing the beam to a *good* complex reflector like the Cibie H4 Low/Hi and H1 Hi units shows how incredibly superior they are... :D The same can be said for Hella's parts, though Cibie has been shown to produce a better part when it comes ot Sealed Beam replacements.

As for where to get 'em...
Try either Daniel Stern Lighting or Susquehanna MotorSports (a.k.a. RallyLights)

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/165mm_lo.asp

If you wish to learn more about this stuff, the information is all over the internet.

Brands not to buy: Autopal, APC, Crystalights, QuartzVision, and a bunch of others.
Stick to the name brands! If money permits, buy Cibie.
--
1980 240DL, 1984 240DL, 1988 740GLE, 1993 850 GLT

They aren't by Hella or Cibie.

I know they're not E code, I'm not after status. I'm after saftey. I REALLY preffer seeing the road in front of me and I coulnd't coming home this eve. lol


As to Cibies being worth it, I know they are, but I preffer to shop, just my nature. btw, they're also the ppl who made the factory tail lights.

A couple of things to interject here: What's the problem with your original headlight housings? Faded/crazed and yellow? If so, it's an easy and cheap job to clean them up so they look and work like new.

You can use some RUBBING or POLISHING COMPOUND to scrub through the haze until they are clear again. Follow up with a good rubbing of cleaner wax, and end with some UV protectant like ArmorAll or Aerospace 303.

Whether you use the new H4 housings or the stock ones, I'd recommend you upgrade the headlight bulbs themselves. In the 1960's and early 1970's all cars used a standard 'sealed beam' headlight with a tungsten filament, like a household light bulb. In the 1970's you could get the latest thing - HALOGEN headlights! And now, 30 years later, most cars on the road are still using Halogen bulbs, which are now very outdated. It's hard to get people to change!

I have a friend who will NOT install Halogen headlights on his car becasue 'they give too much light.' He says that the reflection from road signs blinds him. I think he needs to adjust his lights!

ANYWAY, in the mid-1990's European cars began using High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights. You could tell them from Halogen lights because they are so white as to appear blue in comparison with Halogen.

In about 2001, companies started selling a cheaper alternative to the HID lights but which gave the same bebfits of whiter light, MORE light, and also used LESS POWER than Halogen.

These bulbs are Xenon Gas bulbs, and are available in all the same sizes as the older Halogen bulbs. I installed them on my PV544. The housings I had to buy (7" round) came with Halogen bulbs, but I went to my favorite supplier on eBay and ordered a set of H4 size Xenon bulbs for about $25.

I can see at least 100 feet further than with the Halogen bulbs, the white light makes things stand out better (my tired old eyes can se all the help I can give them!) and actually they use significantly less electrical power than Halogen. My high beams now use 85 watts vs. 100 watts for Halogen, and the low beams use 65 watts vs. the 85 watts for Halogen!

Although you can find 'ExtraVision' and whatever Phillips Co. calls their version of the Xenon bulbs, I have tried many different brands and I like the Toucan Eurolite Xenon Gas bulbs the best.

Beware of 'special' bulbs that just use a blue glass tint to give off a blue light. Make sure you're getting Xenon Gas.

Welcome to the 21st Century! ;-)

Steve

" A couple of things to interject here: What's the problem with your original headlight housings?"

The fact that there are none. 87 740 has sealed beams.

"Whether you use the new H4 housings or the stock ones, I'd recommend you upgrade the headlight bulbs themselves."

Plan to, that's why I'm shopping for housings.

As to HID / Xenon, again, that's the point of the swap. My sealed beam lights provide VERY little usable light (though much better after the wiring conversion).

Thanks,
Frank