a simple lighting upgrade, but a darn nice one!

[clean525i]

i know its been done before, it's not anything new by any means, but i thought i'd share my experience with the forum.

if you're reading this thread, and still running your 9006 low beam bulbs, i highly recommend the following mod.
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/More_light.htm

well worth the time and effort
my own results attached below. puts significantly more light on the road.

before and after, respectively.

[jhennig]

I've done this mod as well. If you want better light output but aren't ready to step up to HID lighting, this is definitely worth your while.

[LouieD]

Yes, nice upgrade. I did this on the e30. There is another way of doing this that requires no modifications to the bulb. You can swap the metal bulb index/retainer from a set of high beams to the low beam housings as well as splicing the h/b plugs. Then when you blow a bulb you don't have to have modify the new bulb. It's PnP.

[TGreene]

Yeah, I am glad I saw this post. I have mismatched headlights, so I have to go do some searching and find out which ones I have, and maybe buy another corner to make them even.

My lights are really low, and I think it is dangerous. I have a really hard time seeing the road when there is oncomming traffic, even when my windshield is very clean.

Sounds like I need to match em up, bake em and clean em, use some nail polish or whatever I saw used in a thread about a month back, and see if I can do what you did clean525i.

[clean525i]

Originally Posted by TGreene

Yeah, I am glad I saw this post. I have mismatched headlights, so I have to go do some searching and find out which ones I have, and maybe buy another corner to make them even.

My lights are really low, and I think it is dangerous. I have a really hard time seeing the road when there is oncomming traffic, even when my windshield is very clean.

Sounds like I need to match em up, bake em and clean em, use some nail polish or whatever I saw used in a thread about a month back, and see if I can do what you did clean525i.

you seem to have a lot of the same problems as my e34.. poor lighting, deer punting.. except mine took out the hood, driver fender, the kidneys and metal grille, left plastic grille as well as the whole drivers side headlight. ran fine though!

i'd feel worse about my own deer punt, but my friend killed 3 deer (mom and two babies) at once in his mazda 323.... now, you wanna see jacked up deer damage... wish he'd taken pics!

[5mall5nail5]

Honestly for $65 you can get a good HID kit. The 9005 thing is a waste of time anymore IMHO

[bdejong11129]

Originally Posted by LouieD

Yes, nice upgrade. I did this on the e30. There is another way of doing this that requires no modifications to the bulb. You can swap the metal bulb index/retainer from a set of high beams to the low beam housings as well as splicing the h/b plugs. Then when you blow a bulb you don't have to have modify the new bulb. It's PnP.

Please provide link to the writeup...I am interested in either of these approaches....

[5senses]

Thanks for the pics cause i wouldn't have know the difference... In due time you'll want High Intensity Discharge lights..

[clean525i]

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

Honestly for $65 you can get a good HID kit. The 9005 thing is a waste of time anymore IMHO

i got the 9005's for $3 each from NAPA... lol. (normal price too).. have to ask at counter.

i'll do the HID kit eventually, but this way i dont wreck the car before they arrive! stock bulbs are freakin useless!

[LouieD]

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

Honestly for $65 you can get a good HID kit. The 9005 thing is a waste of time anymore IMHO

I completely agree that HID kits can be had inexpensively and would like to add that properly done will provide much better light that a few extra watts out of a high beam bulb, but in my case, I had all the parts lying around. So it it was free. And let's face it... it this economy $65 dollars it still $65 dollars and sometimes we have to get a bit creative to do minor upgrades and feel good about ourselves and our cars... and we have to do it on the cheap.

[ILoveMPower]

It's true HIDs are on the cheap nowadays but this is a great mod for those that don't want to deal with any wiring or having to put a ballast somewhere, or even wire in some resistors to rid of the low beam error. I did it a couple years ago but when one of my low beams stopped working I ended up throwing the bulbs away and replacing them - of course it was the LKM at fault. If the normal 9005 are not enough you can also go with some "HIR" halogen bulbs, but they are similar price to HIDS nowadays.

[h2oyo]

I didnt do the HID's but I really am happy with the smiley conversion. More light and I think it looks really good also.
Johan

[LouieD]

Originally Posted by h2oyo

I didnt do the HID's but I really am happy with the smiley conversion. More light and I think it looks really good also.
Johan

Smileys should put out a little more because of the difference in lens fluting. Another nice thing about Euro code lamps is that they use H1 bulbs which can be purchase in higher wattages.

[ltflint]

Originally Posted by clean525i

i got the 9005's for $3 each from NAPA... lol. (normal price too).. have to ask at counter.

i'll do the HID kit eventually, but this way i dont wreck the car before they arrive! stock bulbs are freakin useless!

Couldn't agree more. Had I known what a significant difference this would make, I'd have made it my first order of business.

[LouieD]

Originally Posted by bdejong11129

Please provide link to the writeup...I am interested in either of these approaches....

Sorry it took so long to respond. I found this set of lamps today and I used them as an example before putting them up for sale. Anyway, this is the way I put highs in my lows...

From a high beam lamp remove the retaining ring. The high side ring has a locating tab at the 6 o'clock position.

BTW it's a lot easier to remove the ring if the lamp has been removed from the panel. Just pry up on the ring gently.



Remove the low beam side ring the same way. Notice no tab.



Install the high side ring in it's correct position and squeeze it into place with some pliers. Use care when squeezing down on old plastic. (Sorry for the bad pic)


Test fit high beam bulb. It will fit a little loose. Adjust the retainer's tabs until it fits snug.


Notice the difference in the plugs. You'll need a set of high beam plugs off the donor car as well as the high side rings. Splice in the high beam plugs and reassemble. I prefer this method so I don't have to mess around with filing tabs on bulbs and the such. This way it's truly plug and play if I have to change a bulb roadside.


That's it. Too easy. Other than the bulbs this should be a free mod. At the yards I frequent they won't even charge me for these parts!

Good luck.