XHighOctanex Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Hey everyone, I have read through JacksonRally's socal wheeler thread over and over and everytime I look at his headlights I want them. My passenger light has been broken for a long time and water gets in and for how much I like the rounds I don't car for fixing the stocks. It came down between the DL quads or the hella quads and the hellas were chosen. My question is, has anyone else actually done it? They look perfect on the loyales and was wondering if anyone else had a little write up or knowledge into the swap. I have the bosch relays to swap in I have just been lazy, other than that figured it's just some wire finessing and mounting of the lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 Hey everyone so I got 1 side mounted and wired in for the most part. My issue now is that the car thinks that side is blown out, I learned last time I blew a headlight that the car switches to high beams when a bulb is blown. So now on low beams the 1 light is getting extra power and is very bright, and the dash has the high beam indicator on and when I turn on high beams it dims. Everything works but the car is confused. Could this be because I only have one side done and it can tell there is a difference in power between the driver and passenger side? It seems to be like when you put LEDs as turn signals in a car that is unable to run them, the turn signal simply wont work until you adapt it to use them. Is there something I can wire in to do the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 This was just the mockup you can see the inner light is turned Another mockup but I believe they were tightened down to the mount in this picture the mount just wasn't bolted down. (trying to find where they had to be to fit below the hood.) Testing the wiring. Bolted in and wired up, they're high because I can't adjust them forward under the hood, but I found the remedy for that. Since the metal I used for the bracket is so thick if I can just bolt it below the current points I have it to now it should drop it enough to let me aim them. I'll do it tomorrow morning before I start work most likely. You can also see how bright they are (because that one beam is getting full high beam power, I'm going to try and just wire in a resistor like for leds in the morning too). All in all I dig the look so much can't wait to figure out what combo works for this side so I can do the other side. Ps. you can see the grille is tilted, yes that's because the lights hit the hood but again that should be fixed in the morning I just have to bend a tab out of the way and swap the mount position, and no I will not be driving this at night until I am sure they are aimed correctly, I'm not trying to blind anyone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Way to go man.. my buddy would jealous for sure.. I installed 2 Daylighters and he went all out front back.. flashing ambers the whole Sam works! Lol! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 That's not a street-driven vehicle, is it? I'm sure those lenses are not designed for road use... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 That's not a street-driven vehicle, is it? I'm sure those lenses are not designed for road use... It's not my daily driven car no but when aimed right they shouldn't be much different than the hids and LEDs that blind me every other night. I'm trying to aim them quite far down to avoid issues with other drivers, I'll end up aiming them in a parking lot based off of being face to a friends car instead of just the standard aim at a wall trick. When they aren't on high beams they are actually not too super bright. I'll get pictures when I get the resistor in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) Oh good, so they're similar to other irresponsible and shoddy modifications. Just because the focal point is aimed down low, they will cast light up into the eyes of oncoming traffic. Here's a picture I took this winter of the stock lights in our '04 Outback with LED drop in bulbs: 20170106_194211 by Numbchux, on Flickr It does look good, and could probably be done correctly for street use with DOT or ECE certified housings....I don't like the idea of blinding cars coming at me at 100+ mph closing speed with a few feet of clearance between me and my family.... Edited July 25, 2017 by Numbchux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 Oh good, so they're similar to other irresponsible and shoddy modifications. Just because the focal point is aimed down low, they will cast light up into the eyes of oncoming traffic. Here's a picture I took this winter of the stock lights in our '04 Outback with LED drop in bulbs: It does look good, and could probably be done correctly for street use with DOT or ECE certified housings....I don't like the idea of blinding cars coming at me at 100+ mph closing speed with a few feet of clearance between me and my family.... Exactly, I'm not here to blind anyone just get a better vision and look on my car. Worst case this isn't my daily driver car and is definitely not driven much at night besides on trails and what not. I'll make sure I adjust them as best I can to avoid being on the same level as lifted trucks with hids or leds who don't adjust the lights and just end up shining straight in everyone's back windows lol hate those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Those lights are not DOT approved, nor are they listed as or sold as headlights. I guarantee regardless of how you adjust them, you are going to get a ticket. CA is strict on vehicle mods. It's a great idea if it's strictly off road, but on the street, you're going to blind people. The beam for those does not have a tight focal point. They are designed to cast a wide beam around the main focal point. Just sayin'. Numbchux is right. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 Those lights are not DOT approved, nor are they listed as or sold as headlights. I guarantee regardless of how you adjust them, you are going to get a ticket. CA is strict on vehicle mods. It's a great idea if it's strictly off road, but on the street, you're going to blind people. The beam for those does not have a tight focal point. They are designed to cast a wide beam around the main focal point. Just sayin'. Numbchux is right. Like I said I'll have to see what I can do with it, with lo power they really aren't much different than my stock lights, if I can get the wiring situation correct I believe there is a chance. I'll get a pic later when looking at the stock light and the Hellas the hella is only a little brighter and on the wall in my garage is a very clear indication of the circle of direct like and then of course some wider but it doesn't look bright enough to hurt. I'll get lots of pictures to compare when I get them aimed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 On Hella's website they do mention these as dot compliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 You're missing the point. They are off road lights. State law prohibits the use of off road lights on public streets and highways. It doesn't matter if you put them in a 'headlight' position. DOT compliant is not DOT approved. it means that Hella says they meet the requirements of DOT, not that DOT approved them. If it does not say DOT approved, then it's not street legal. Like Numbchux said, the cast off light is the issue. Short of aiming them straight at the ground, the cast off light around the focal beam will be high. Run them and get the ticket, just don't say we didn't try to warn you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 You're missing the point. They are off road lights. State law prohibits the use of off road lights on public streets and highways. It doesn't matter if you put them in a 'headlight' position. DOT compliant is not DOT approved. it means that Hella says they meet the requirements of DOT, not that DOT approved them. If it does not say DOT approved, then it's not street legal. Like Numbchux said, the cast off light is the issue. Short of aiming them straight at the ground, the cast off light around the focal beam will be high. Run them and get the ticket, just don't say we didn't try to warn you. You missed the part where I said I don't drive this car around the city much at night at all, like maybe once a month. I also have an uncovered lightbar directly above my headlights and 2 rear facing pods and a rear facing halogen all uncovered. I have never gotten a ticket for anything short of speeding or parking violations. I doubt a quick glance from a cop on a once or twice night a month will result in anything. And the beam against my garage is actually more focused than the headlight. I am leaving everything in a way to where I can throw my stock lights in and out/plug and play swapable in minutes for the off chance I want to drive far at night incase I'm worried about harming someone. But again looking at the light next to my stocks I don't see much of a difference in brightness or pattern, I'm almost disappointed honestly. I will get pictures side by side for comparison once I believe they are appropriately aimed for you to see in the next few days. Also as to the dot part I did f up a little on that the bulb is dot/sae approved not just compliant BUT the housing itself does not say anything. So might have me there. Lemme get some pictures up before you start thinking I'm gonna get tickets or anything because really if it's that bad like I said I can swap the stocks in in minutes no wires are being cut the hole thing is 2 bolts and a plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 I'm not dissing the idea. Like I said, I think it's great for an off road rig. I've just been down this road and ended up back at the beginning. Even Jackson said he was worried about getting a ticket and it was pointed out that the lights were listed by Hella as off road only. Yeah, the cops don't really care if they're covered even though they're supposed to be but they're really starting to crack down on aftermarket assemblies that aren't DOT approved because of all the complaints they get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 I was stopped once here in oregon by a state patrol.. and meanwhile we were discussing the current speed of the highway and why apparently I was driving slower than the post speed limit he pointed out my KC Daylighters and inquired about their function and use and that they needed a separate lumitation switch with the covers on while in public streets.. They put their weapons away and let me go about my buisness.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 I was stopped once here in oregon by a state patrol.. and meanwhile we were discussing the current speed of the highway and why apparently I was driving slower than the post speed limit he pointed out my KC Daylighters and inquired about their function and use and that they needed a separate lumitation switch with the covers on while in public streets.. They put their weapons away and let me go about my buisness.. Damn, I only know of one person in town that got a ticket for a lightbar once but he also drives around yelling at people on a PA and drives like a jackass most the time so he had it coming. Other than that the area I live in doesn't really care for lights, I have a buddy with a Toyota who literally just has basically led pods for headlights on his daily driven truck. Cops here are more looking for anything lowered, super loud, and out burning tires. Lately we've had a huge jump in side shows here and out in the cuts and hills, one dude flipped his 240 a couple ago and ever since every import style car meet in town has been shut down, but still nothing against the lifted guys for lights or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 I'm not dissing the idea. Like I said, I think it's great for an off road rig. I've just been down this road and ended up back at the beginning. Even Jackson said he was worried about getting a ticket and it was pointed out that the lights were listed by Hella as off road only. Yeah, the cops don't really care if they're covered even though they're supposed to be but they're really starting to crack down on aftermarket assemblies that aren't DOT approved because of all the complaints they get. I saw where he talked about hoping it wouldn't be a problem but where he didn't think the 55w would be a big issue and never saw anything after that so I assume he had no issues. Again he probably didn't drive the car around town at night a whole lot either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 I'm not dissing the idea. Like I said, I think it's great for an off road rig. I've just been down this road and ended up back at the beginning. Even Jackson said he was worried about getting a ticket and it was pointed out that the lights were listed by Hella as off road only. Yeah, the cops don't really care if they're covered even though they're supposed to be but they're really starting to crack down on aftermarket assemblies that aren't DOT approved because of all the complaints they get. Actually to remedy the whole thing I wonder if a Sylvania round is the same size, if it is I'll run those as low beams and the Hella's as high beams, that would be the best of both worlds. Legal low beams and I wouldn't be using highs around anyone else anyways. Good idea right? Anal saves me a bit of money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 I'm not dissing the idea. Like I said, I think it's great for an off road rig. I've just been down this road and ended up back at the beginning. Even Jackson said he was worried about getting a ticket and it was pointed out that the lights were listed by Hella as off road only. Yeah, the cops don't really care if they're covered even though they're supposed to be but they're really starting to crack down on aftermarket assemblies that aren't DOT approved because of all the complaints they get. Just for you my friend I went to oriellys on the way home found a set of 6 inch halogen in the back and got them, now I have to find cups in the junkyard or make my own and then run the Hella's as high beams and the Sylvanias as my lows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 To fit the sylvanias the easiest bucket to find seems to be an e30 bmw. Going to the junkyard today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XHighOctanex Posted May 6, 2017 Author Share Posted May 6, 2017 Got these buckets today for the low beams, off an 82 3 series beamer hopefully have them mounted this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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