Has anyone upgraded the 80's headlights with new inserts?

What brand have people used? and have they given a good improvement/value for money?

Whilst the XGT's are excellent on full beam if I have to flick them off I am back to candle power. I have upgraded the headlight looms to ensure a good 12v is getting to the globes. Been looking at the IPF's, but they are $100 each!

Just going through the process myself right now. I have ordered new lenses and halogen globes 55/100W for the low beam sides from repco. Yes I know the 100's are illegal but they were the same price as the 55/65W and the 55/65 are out of stock. Cost me $151 for 2 lenses and bulbs. I will report back after I have installed and tried them.

I recently added a 35watt HID xenon kit to mine. mine is a jap spec import with combined Hi/lo head light (no seperate Hi beam) the lights were like candles to start with.
combined Hi/Lo HID kit cost me about $300 on ebay. the kit I got was a GExenon (General Electric). kit included wiring harness and relays etc, was a real easy install, basically just plugs into existing lights harness and wire into power supply, screw brackets for ballasts onto inner guard. the harness had all terminals and connectors on the ends ready to go. took me about 1.5hrs all up. the worst part was taking both batteries out to make it easier to mount the ballasts.
the HID lights make an incredible difference Lo beam lights up signs and reflectors 500-600metres down the road with Hi beam even better! This has made such a difference that I wont bother fitting driving lights to mine unless I am planning a long trip.
Had to adjust the focus of the lights down and to the side of the road from what they were at. was pissing people in front off big time!! Is ok now though.
the quality of the focus from the Toyota factory reflector and lense is obviously not as good as modern european car built with HID lights, but light output is far better than standard!

downside for me is that one of the ballasts has just failed after 6months use they have 12mnth warranty, am yet to see how dealer responds.
finding spares might be a bit of an issue after warranty expires
I was a little wary about buying these on ebay coz theres lots of dodgey looking chinese ones listed. I thought buying GE brand kit was a reasonable prospect, so am dissapointed that Ive had a failure so soon.

Came across a kit (from Hobzee i think) that replaces both lights with H4 units and gives you alternate wireing, like 2 lows or 1 low and 2 highs!
Will post the thread when I find it.


Here tis...
[web]http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190150512551&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:PIC&ih=009[/web]

Apparently he's doing a loom to assist in the rewire to H4's as well, sounds like a grand plan.

My inner high beam lenses take a H1 bulb. So I just got a HID kit from ebay and inserted them into the inner lenses - they run high beam only so thats good. Havent done anything for low beams. I used to have IPF lenses in my old cruiser and they made a marginal differance, I wouldnt get them again unless my existing lenses got cracked or broken

Oh yeah I should have said, I originally switched the stock lenses over for sealed units. I got sick of water seeping into them during trips, almost every trip and blowing the globes.
I havent blown a globe since, but these new sealed lenses are SOOOO BAD that i started looking for alternatives.

Point is, I can imagine upgrading to HID's and having them then fill with water!! Can you seal them, has anyone else had leakage issues? (The lights guys nothing else )

You need to be careful about putting HID's in for low beam, apparently they are illegal (or so I read on the net doing my research). There is too much glare due to the lenses not being designed for them. Even Hobsee would only sell me HIDs for hi beam with those lenses he is offering on Ebay. Do some research before you spend your money. An article I read also recommended buying only Phillips and Osram bulbs are these are the ones supplied OEM and have the longest life, in some cases up to 10 times the life expectancy of Chinese knock offs.

here is a link to a seller of HID kits in Aus, read towards the bottom for the disclaimer regarding the legality

http://www.xenonoz.com.au/faqs.php

I put the IPF Fatboy bulbs in mine, and the difference was huge. My cruiser had sealed beams so I needed lenses as well.

The globes were a bit pricey, $157.00 for a pair, but they work really well. They are gas filled, so they are only 50/60W, but the output is the equivalent (so they say) to 190w low/150w high. Yes, I have that the right way. The low beam is brighter than the high beam, just not focused as far. No need to upgrade wiring.

I'm happy with them, and toyota man thinks they are alright when I was travelling behind him a few weeks back.

Just want some spotties now. I like the idea of hid in the inner lights.

I don't know if they are the best or good value for money, but I'm happy with them.

I had thought of the HID route but dismissed it for legality issues, dont like to tempt fate with the Cops with a 3" lift and 33's AND HID's.

I have read that the fatboy IPF globes are very good but a little pricey.

I think I may give the IPF inserts a go, they come with 80/100watt globes, unless I can convince ARB to swap out those for the fatboys and I pay the $$$ difference.

Thanks for the advice people.

Update on my lense upgrade. The Repco supplied ones are Narva lenses. Went in OK, (once I figured out how to remove the plastic shrouds) and after a test drive I am happier with them. They don't necessarily light up any further down the road but they are much better focused and have a much more even throw.

Since I burnt out my main relay I've been paranoid about the thing going again.

So it is going to be a separate relay for each side. Which means 80/130 and 130 spots, add the Rallye 4000's and I should be right for night time visibility.

How much did the Nava Lenses cost Sports Junkie?

$151 for 2 lenses and halogen globes

Hmmm, wonder if they will do them without the globes, I wont need them.

I asked the same question and in typical style it turns out that individual lenses with no bulbs are $80 ea so it is actually cheaper to buy the kit