Which H4 Lens should I get?

[cuban11182]

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the H4 conversion since I really don't want to spend the money for the JW Speaker LED lights. From what I've read the E-Code have a much better pattern than the DOT approved, and since They don't really look when I do my inspection, and I want the most light I can get, I'll go with E-Code. From what I've read the Cibie are much better than the Hella, but I wanted advice from those who have first hand experience.

Here are the two I'm looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G72SKQ...TF8&colid=3QLAZ0WRH7RMA&coliid=I1C43D600ZQ5IG

Amazon.com: Cibie 082440 Light Unit: Automotive

Also what bulbs do most suggest?

Thanks.

 

[hole]

This guy has alot of info about this upgrade. Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

If you dont do the relays/wiring upgrade at the same time, you'll never see the full potential of the bulb swap. Also, not all bulb housings are the same either. Cheaper isnt better on this upgrade. I'm running Narva 100w90 bulbs in the European housing sold by Daniel Stern. Doing the complete upgrade is an amazing difference from stock.

 

[cuban11182]

I have the headlight harness already. I'll look into the website you suggested as well. Thank you.

 

[73CJ]

I bought the Hellas 30+ years ago and still running them today. I use 100/55W bulbs but didn't use relays at first and melted the wires. Live and learn.

been looking at the H4 dual HID bulbs for giggles. Pretty cheap on eBay and whats $50 bet you these days?

Unless your stuck on new, check with motorcycle junkyards as they have been running 7" H4 bulbs since the 80s.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I wanted something with something that includes some built in LEDs, so I got this from eBay: 7" Round Chrome DRL Blue LED Halo Head Lights Conversion Kit H4 H6014 H6015 CO15 | eBay You can get the same thing without LEDs too or in different colors. Amber would give a great turn signal if you have the front covered up with a winch and bumper. With these you can add any wattage bulb you want. Any way you go will be a big improvement though. Rod

 

[cuban11182]

Thanks for the advice. From everything I've read, I should go with ecode chair lenses with some 100/55 h4 bulbs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[cuban11182]

No problem. I'm hoping to install them either today or tomorrow. I'll post up my review after I use them.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I wanted something with something that includes some built in LEDs, so I got this from eBay: 7" Round Chrome DRL Blue LED Halo Head Lights Conversion Kit H4 H6014 H6015 CO15 | eBay You can get the same thing without LEDs too or in different colors. Amber would give a great turn signal if you have the front covered up with a winch and bumper. With these you can add any wattage bulb you want. Any way you go will be a big improvement though. Rod

Are those DOT legal??
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

Yes. The LEDs do not hamper or inhibit the regular function of the headlight. Color is a separate matter. The use of the color is more important. Amber LEDs could be used for turn signals. The blue LEDs can only be used off-road in most states. In Texas, amber and blue are used for highway construction warning. My intent is off-road use only, and to accent my blue theme for my jeep. Finally, the wattage of the bulb is Limited by law in some states. Hope this helps explain. Rod

 

[Lumpy Grits]

PB-I can't find anything that sez they are DOT compliant.
Could you point me to where that notice is??
Just don't want to deal with 'fix-it' tickets. I hold a Ca. Class "A" CDL, and fix-it tickets go on my permanent record. Plus they cost $$$.
LG

 

[elwood blues]

By law, all headlights and tail lights must be DOT approved to be legal for use on all roads and highways in all 50 states of United States. Head or tail lights without DOT approval are intend for off road use only, and are not legal for use on all US roads and highways. So all DOT approved headlights and tail lights will stamp the word “DOT” on the lights to show law officers that they are street legal and complied with the transportation law. DOT stands for Department of Transportation. It is the federal agency that set standards for car lightings. In order for head or tail light to be DOT approved, the product must meet strict regulations, standards, specifications and tests. It is to ensure the product is safe to use in public, serve its purposes and provide adequate illumination.

SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is a world wide organization that sets automotive standards for the manufacturing, testing and design of car lightings. To be SAE approved, all headlights and tail lights must past certain standards, test procedures and material test; set by SAE to guide the quality of the product.

Note: SAE approved headlights and tail lights are not street legal in US, until they are approved by DOT. In short, SAE guide the quality of the product, and DOT test the product to make sure it is fully complied with transportation law and approve for use in all US roads and highways.

Found here: What is SAE/DOT


This being said, being DOT approved, and being legal are 2 completely different things. Weather or not the halo lights in question are DOT approved or not makes no difference for weather they are legal or not. In some states, PA/VA/MD that I know of, blue lights are for emergency vehicle use only and will get you a fine if you're using them on the road. In PA, where I still hold an inspection license, I can fail your state inspection if they're on the vehicle at the time of the inspection.

Just my 2¢ on the topic

 

[Dan86CJ7]

MA inspector here. blues are deff a no no=fail. anything non factory like HID(unless factory)ect= fail,..just cause it says dot doesnt make it legal!

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The flip side is, exterior lighting can't be street legal without DOT approval.
State laws not withstanding.
BTW-Blue lights are only allowed on emergency vehicles in Ca.
LG

 

[Woolyworm]

I just installed the ones from rampage and am in the process of putting in relay setup with fuses. Seem to be well made, fit and finish is good. My understanding is as long as I'm running the 55/60 watt combo they are legal. Anyways, up here in Maine our inspections are a little more realistic than all day events - holy cow!


Wooly

 

[Peanut Butter]

I really struggled with weather to respond to this or not. The key here is what your state law is. Yes there is a federal law about DOT approval. However there are no federal DOT cops to enforce that. These laws are geared toward the manufactures. Some state laws incorporate the DOT requirements into their law. Others do not. To make blanket statements on what is or is not legal should be avoided. As another example, blue lights are strictly law enforcement in LA, but in IL they are for volunteer FD. In TX they are used on construction and highway equipment. By law in Texas they are not allowed except on a police vehicle, but you'll see them on fire engines too. The key to my explanation was Off-Road use. As far as the possession of them, I doubt may states have that law. Use vs. possession is different. one more point, not all lights are stamped DOT Approved. Most are, but some of the newer composite lights are not, their bulb requires that. One last point, how many of you have a DOT approved bumper? As a policeman for 10 years before joining the military, the only people that might have even been concerned would have been the state DOT certified police. I know I wasn't.

Moral of this story is that everywhere is different, what works for you may not work for someone else. Rod

 

[cuban11182]

Just had the inspection today and I passed.

I can't begin to explain how much better these lights are over stock.

 

[elwood blues]

That's good to hear. Would you post some pics of them when they're on?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I really struggled with weather to respond to this or not. The key here is what your state law is. Yes there is a federal law about DOT approval. However there are no federal DOT cops to enforce that. These laws are geared toward the manufactures. Some state laws incorporate the DOT requirements into their law. Others do not. To make blanket statements on what is or is not legal should be avoided. As another example, blue lights are strictly law enforcement in LA, but in IL they are for volunteer FD. In TX they are used on construction and highway equipment. By law in Texas they are not allowed except on a police vehicle, but you'll see them on fire engines too. The key to my explanation was Off-Road use. As far as the possession of them, I doubt may states have that law. Use vs. possession is different. one more point, not all lights are stamped DOT Approved. Most are, but some of the newer composite lights are not, their bulb requires that. One last point, how many of you have a DOT approved bumper? As a policeman for 10 years before joining the military, the only people that might have even been concerned would have been the state DOT certified police. I know I wasn't.

Moral of this story is that everywhere is different, what works for you may not work for someone else. Rod

Most airport crash/rescue vehicles run blue lights.
I was a LEO for 20 years-Unless you were traffic or commercial enforcement. You didn't deal with DOT issues much(thank god).
I run Hella's with illegal bulbs and 2, DC-9 nose gear lights on my front bumper inside my Per-Lux 200-T housings

 

[cuban11182]

These are bad pictures, but the best I could do this morning.

The first is a shaky low beam and the bottom is the high.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Very nice wide-even beam on both settings.
LG