Upgrading the headlights | FerrariChat

Upgrading the headlights

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Journiacois, Jun 14, 2015.

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  1. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    On our outing last weekend, I was forced to drive at night for the first time. I was appalled at how poorly the headlight on the QV light the road. And when a car came at me and I shifted to low beams only, I could barely make out the side of the road, and that was with my fog lamps on as well. I am seriously frightened to drive at night any more, especially on the small country lanes around here.

    I have been looking on ebay and see that you can upgrade the wiring harness with a plug in that brings current direct from the battery and replace the OEM sealed beams with halogen versions. But I've also read that H4 lamps dont really give that much better vision.

    Has anyone upgraded their headlights and what things should I look out for or not do to improve the night driving capability?
     
  2. 308mon

    308mon Karting

    Oct 5, 2014
    169
    UK
    Some weeks ago I fitted Halfords Ultra Brilliance lamps to all my vehicles (dip and main beams). They were on offer (2 for 1, so 2 for £25 instead of £50) so decided to try them. So far so good. Noticeable and huge improvement over the regular lamps and give a nice crisp white light with good pattern plus a more modern look. Not sure of the OEM of the Halfords own brand but as they offer their own brand plus a similar Bosch branded item there could be a common link.
     
  3. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
    The Netherlands - NH
    Full Name:
    Tijn
    That is not entirely correct. We have several older cars and illuminating the road for good sight at night is always an issue when staying on stock lights. As you discovered it is not any differently with a High End car of that era :)

    We fit all our older cars with H4 uprated lights. In most we carry "Philips xtreme vision h4". In my Mondial it was one of the first things I did, as at night the illumination was poor. Fitted with Philips xtreme vision I have illumination like any modern car and I drove a lot on the pitch dark roads in Italy. 15 euro and you will be happy as a child! :D
     
  4. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
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    Tijn
    #4 MvT, Jun 14, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Thanks to you both for your info. Did you have to change the sockets into which the new halogens were plugged? I read that the halogens are so much hotter you should change to a ceramic plug. Are these lights also sealed or a halogen inside a reflector.

    I would also appreciate what is meant by a "more modern look" regarding the "halfords".
     
  6. 308mon

    308mon Karting

    Oct 5, 2014
    169
    UK
    The Halfords branded lamps (also the Bosch Gigalight Plus branded lamps) were a straight swap with no modification. These lamps use a Xenon gas and run at or below original type temperatures and are also safe for use on plastic reflectors.

    By "modern look" I mean the crisp white beam gives the vehicle an updated look (once you see the effect you'll know what I'm wittering on about).
     
  7. soucorp

    soucorp F1 Rookie

    Sep 20, 2011
    4,814
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    Mike
    #7 soucorp, Jun 15, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. soucorp

    soucorp F1 Rookie

    Sep 20, 2011
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    #8 soucorp, Jun 15, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Silverstar ultra is the Brightest option and runs about $50 a pair, I'm not sure which model to get for a Mondial, will need to look it up.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    I have always liked the Silverstars and have used them on my other, newer vehicles with good results.

    Question: The Silverstar H6024 light assembly is listed the entire light/lens and housing, not just a bulb replacment like I am used to seeing on more modern cars. It is also listed as having both high and low beam elements.

    Since our cars have four headlights, I assumed that two are the low beams and two are for high beams. Is this the case?

    Which Silverstar(s) would replace the headlights on my 1988 3.2?
    Alden
     
  10. 308mon

    308mon Karting

    Oct 5, 2014
    169
    UK
    The main beam lamps are type H1 whilst the low beam lamps are type H4.
     
  11. FCnew

    FCnew Formula Junior

    May 5, 2015
    687
    Hong Kong / Canada
    Full Name:
    Jonathan
    Thanks.
     
  12. FCnew

    FCnew Formula Junior

    May 5, 2015
    687
    Hong Kong / Canada
    Full Name:
    Jonathan
    That's good to know. THanks.
     
  13. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
    The Netherlands - NH
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    Tijn
    No Mods needed. You can plug them in directly like the Sylvania ones. I guess this depends on which continent you are like the use of oil filters :) Continental Europe is mainly Philips, which is basically the same as Sylvania (or the other way around) For us in Europe we can only get Sylvania directly from a US shop, Ebay or Amazon.

    Myself I am keen to keep all close to the original so I only changed the light source. I did see Mondis with angle eyes (BMW style) and xenon lights. Personally not my taste, but it gives you a heck of a beam, which they will notice on the other side of the galaxy!
     
  14. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    For anyone who finds this thread in the future the sealed beam assembly Silverstar H6024's are too large diameter and the H1 and H4 bulbs will not fit our US cars.

    US cars need the entire lamp assembly, not just the H1/H4 replacement bulbs.

    I ordered H6024's and they will not fit, look like they are about 1" too large in circumference. Probably 8" and we need 7" bulbs, but I did not measure them for now, will do later and report.

    I am going to return them and see what I can find that will work.

    Will report back to this thread since it comes up to the top in a search for "headlight."
    Alden
     
  15. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    #15 Steve Magnusson, Nov 27, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2015
    Yes, Sylvania wrongly lists the 7" size (PAR-56) 328 bulb for the Mondial 3.2 in their online application guide. Your "quad headlight" Mondial 3.2 uses the same PAR-46 headlight size (5 3/4") as a TR (and they seem to have that correct in their application guide = H5001 high beam and H5006 low beam).
     
  16. MondialNeil

    MondialNeil Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2007
    427
    Bucks,UK
    Full Name:
    Neil S Perry
    Put relays on them, 4 relays in all, I did, it made 100% difference. There is an old thread here somewhere.
     
  17. s38junkie

    s38junkie Karting

    Jun 18, 2011
    76
    Bloomfield, NJ
    Full Name:
    Mike K
    Thanks Alden. This is very timely information as I was just looking at upgrading my headlights. Please keep us posted on what you find.
     
  18. YELO T

    YELO T Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2012
    1,193
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Jonathan
    Philips Crystal Vision Ultra is a perfect bulb upgrade for the Mondial T. No modifications necessary, just plug them in. The light is bright white (not blue like other bulbs) and retains the original look of the car.
     
  19. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2008
    3,197
    Hong Kong
    Gérald

    Euro QVs don't have sealed beams.

    Euro QVs have halogen lights; 1 set of H4 combined lo/hi beams @ 55/60W and 1 set of H1 hi beams @ 55W= 2 lo-beams and 4 hi-beams all halogen.
     
  20. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    #20 Alden, Nov 28, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2015
    Having trouble finding H5001 high beam and H5006 low beams in anything other than the base halogen types, which is what came stock on the car, so no improvement there.

    I may look at the replacement housings that allow you to use modern bulbs in the lens.

    Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-3-4-Halogen-Semi-Sealed-Beam-Headlight-Conversion-Headlamp-60-55W-H4-Bulbs-/331417498488?hash=item4d2a05b378:g:4lsAAOxyjNlR1Px~&vxp=mtr

    Anyone try those?

    I don't really want the "diamond/crystal" type, too ricer looking for the Mondi.
    Alden
     
  21. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    Not available that I can find in a H5001/H5006.

    Also, please understand that our US cars do not use replaceable bulbs that you install from the back, you have to replace the entire headlight.
    Alden
     
  22. Rover1551

    Rover1551 Karting

    Aug 12, 2015
    77
    Tampa, Fla.
    Full Name:
    Alex
    My 76 Toyota Celica used the 5 3/5" headlights and I switched them to Hella z-beam units which utilized separate bulbs. I believe I also used 4 hi/lo units and added some wires so I could have all 4 on for high and low. People would flash me sometimes and regretted it when I blinked my highs!! Lol (I also had 2 Hella 1000 pencil beams as well switched with my high beams.) I plan on doing the same with the Mondial. But the Hellas go on the Tacoma.
     
  23. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
    1,096
    PB County, Florida
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    Aim your lights. With good upgrades, too many people are blinding oncoming traffic. Better light output makes this adjustment more important. If adjusted correctly, the better lighting should not cause issues.

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  24. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    He has all four on at the same time as low beams, drivers see that and think he has his high beams on, until he hits the switch!
    Alden
     
  25. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Ok Guys, I appreciate the advice and comments I have received since this thread was started last summer. I've looked at bulb options, spoken with mechanics and electrical specialists at Bosch. I think I know what I want to do. But there is one big problem

    One thing my mechanic noted was that the interior of my mondi headlamps has likely never been cleaned and in fact when I look at them, they are quite yellow on the inside of the glass. (I have a euro mondi with bulbs not sealed beams). Ok, so I thought that might be a good place to start when I replace the old bulbs.

    But then I run into my one big problem. I have yet to figure out how to access the bulbs and the headlamps. There are of course two screws that hold the headlamps in place when the lamps are popped up. But I cannot figure out how to shut the lamps off and leave them popped up. I have looked in the owners manual and in my shop manual. There seems to be no instructions as to how to access the bulbs. And I did not think to ask my mechanic the last time I was there.

    I've tried with the car running and shutting it off with the lamps up and on and they stay on. Just as they do with the key off. The lever inside puts them up with the lights on. I've thought of removing the fuse though have not tried that as I assume there has to be a way to access the lamps to replace a burned out bulb.

    I've looked at removing the lift motor and back plate with them down and the hood up, but that seems a bit extreme.

    So OK, I don my stupid hat in public and await en-lightenment from a charitable forum member.
     

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