Hella H4 lamps?

[trangerstx]

Ive heard about these, but what type do I need to order for my 1988 Ranger.

Thank you in advance.

 

[OilPatch197]

200mm Hella Vision Plus "E-code" version, NOT SAE version.

I can say they are.... DADDY LIKES!!!

http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744 with the 55/60 stock watt bulbs, no need to go brighter.(and NO need for fogs, they are THAT GOOD)

The quality is excellent, I got mine from Rallylights.com, highly recommended.

and be sure to aim them a little lower than E-code spec, as you load your truck bed, your beam pattern will rise.

The E-coded Vision Pluses are far superior to the "DOT approved" version.

The ONLY issues I had was that you plug directly into the H4 bulb, and the male blades on the bulb are shorter than say a sealed beam spade(because the housing boot), but I've only had to replug in one side twice, then again that plug could be suffering from deterioration and needs replaced..

and before installing the bulbs, they say don't touch the glass, I recommend you CLEAN the glass with a lint free cloth/rubbing alcohol, to remove as much oil as possible.

Honestly replacing the sealed beams with these E-codes is one of the best things you can do to your Ranger. BTW check out your Tail lamps as well, as they age they get SO CLOUDY and don't reflect very well, they are 18 bucks each, and a really easy thing to replace.

 

[ronclark]

Can't you get in trouble not having DOT Approved Lights for street use?

 

[strvger]

Can't you get in trouble not having DOT Approved Lights for street use?

yes.

 

[Roadkill]

You may also find that truckers will hit you with every light they have if yours are out of alignment and are aftermarket.

I don't care if people want to replace their bulbs. Just properly align the darned things.

 

[trangerstx]

Wow! What a source of info. Thank you again. You folks rock!

 

[OilPatch197]

Can't you get in trouble not having DOT Approved Lights for street use?

Oh yes you can, does your state have INSPECTIONS? My state does not.

The funny thing is you can use BOTH DOT and E-code in Canada, and you can have E-codes on motorcycles in the U.S., but no... you are restricted to DOT only for automobiles.

If you study lighting history, you will find that SAE/DOT regulations are WAY BEHIND the rest of the world. IMO I rather drive around with H4 headlamps than say.... blantantly illegal clear corners.

You may also find that truckers will hit you with every light they have if yours are out of alignment and are aftermarket. I don't care if people want to replace their bulbs. Just properly align the darned things.

Totally rock dude, and that is another advantaged to the H4 E-code headlamps, YOU CAN AIM THEM. With Dot headlamps, it's like aiming a flashlight, and can't be "properly" done without a aiming machine, which I know of nobody that has one, no local shops at least!

 

[LearjetMinako]

I aim my headlights by eye at night. Hi beams run semi-parallel to road, lo beams are aimed at road 50 ft out. Accord to my motorcycle book, place on hi-beam and aim the beam center 3 inches below headlight at 25ft out.

You don't need no fancy machince to do the alignment. Just some good measurements and a yard stick. And hopefully, a little common sense to know when the hi-beam is a little too high.

 

[ronclark]

I am in the state of WA and don't have any inspections. whats the worst that can happen running non DOT headlights?
From what I read E-code put 100% of the light on the road and DOT have to put some light up to light up the over head signs.
From Rallylights.com

E-code low beam headlamps have a wide beam that lights the road from side to side. They are useful at 300-400 feet. There is a sharp horizontal transition from dark to light about in about 2" vertically at about 25 feet. A wedge of light on the right side lights up roadside signs. On low beam you can expect about four times as much light on the road as a standard sealed beam and twice as much on high beam. Because of the tight beam control, these lamps can be aimed very accurately which facilitates the use of upgraded bulbs without offending oncoming traffic. E-code high beam headlamps focus their light energy far down the road - little light is wasted lighting up the side of the road near the car. These lamps are not certified for use on public highways in the US and are sold for off road and racing purposes only.

Vision Plus headlamps have a similar beam to the E-code lamps with the following differences; 1) They have the three aiming lugs on the face of the lens to allow machine aiming. 2) They have a portion of their light shining up, as required by DOT, to light up overhead signs. This part of the beams makes these lamp unsuitable for upgraded bulbs. 3) The have the DOT symbol molded into the face of the lens and are legal in all 50 states. 4) They come packaged with a 60/55 watt HB2 bulb to meet the maximum wattage allowed by DOT. Vision Plus Lamps are only available in 7 inch round and 200mm rectangular lamps.

 

[OilPatch197]

I am in the state of WA and don't have any inspections. whats the worst that can happen running non DOT headlights?

As long as you buy a reputable brand(Hella etc.) designed for youropee'an roads, you have nothing to worry about.

The issue is as long as you run stock wattage bulbs, proper aim, you will be fine.

There are some very VERY crappy headlamps out there, bought some "DOT approved" Pilot brands from AutoZone, they were sh!t. Ebay also.

Because your headlamps are a precision optical instrument, they need certain quality controls, as you can go cheap on marker lights/tail lights as they don't have to focus the light, they flood the light more.

With my 200mm Hellas, they have EXCELLENT GLASS optics, EXCELLENT metalized reflector, and I've had NO ingress of moister.

I am impressed, they were even better than my Hella 550 fogs(the fogs were not sealed as good and got a smokey tint on the reflectors, the 200mm headlamps are just as polished as day one!)