Having just got my XJ-S back from "the deer incident", I'm surprised all over again at how comparatively dim the old sealed beam DOT headlight are compared with just about everything else on the road these days.

Since I'm not really up to rewiring the car, I'm attracted to options that look like they might be plug 'n play. The option linked below looks promising but I'm concerned the wiring might not be up to the task. Any ideas on what questions I should be asking to tell in advance if this will work?

5 3 4" H5001 H5006 H1 H4 Euro Conversion Headlights Set | eBay

Thanks,
Rhett

 

Offhand those look like they'd work.

I wonder about these bargain priced headlight set-ups, though. How's the quality? More specifically, are the optics any good? I dunno.

FWIW I've used both Hella and Cibies "E-Code" lights on my older Jags and was very happy....but they're more like $50 each as I recall

Cheers
DD

 

It's not the price of the lights that has me interested, it's the notion of having something I could just pop into place where the old-style sealed beam is now without having to do any rewiring of the car. $50.00 each is absolutely acceptable.

 

My experience is the 55/60watt bulbs are no problem for the existing wiring. I think that wattage is what Jaguar spec'd the wiring for.

Many report even better results by adding relays to the circuit. This is pretty simple, actually, although I personally didn't so so.

The 100watt 'high beam' bulbs have me wondering, though. That seems a bit much to me. I can't honestly remember at the moment what the Jaguar-spec bulbs were. The general consensus is that the Jaguar wiring is 'sufficient' (and not a bit more) for whatever wattage bulbs were being installed.

Someone with a better memory will chime in.

Meanwhile, Google "E-code headlights" for lots of choices from known high quality manufacturers. Lots of choices of vendors, too. I got mine from Performance Automotive Warehouse or Summit Racing....something like that.

Cheers
DD

 

The 100 watt H1s will be Ok, but uprate the fuse a bit or it will fail.

Greg

 

To about how much, do you think?

Thanks.

 

As on high beam the H1s and the main beam filament of the H4s are both on, I put a 10amp fuse in mine and that seems to be OK.

Greg

 

Thanks for that. I ordered what look to be somewhat better H4 replacements. I'll check back when I have results. Thanks again.

 

I bought the 2 of following H4 60/55 units to replace my outside/low-beam lights since that's where I feel I need the most illumination:

Hella H4 Headlamp Replacement w/ HD 60/55 Bulb - 5 ¾" Round

Should I replace the default fuses :
7.5 for low
10 for low & high

with:

10 for low
15 for low & high

....or is that too much?

Thanks,
Rhett

 

i stared at your post dumbfounded and then remembered that some XJSs have american lights lol.....I don't see why these wouldn't work, the H4s would be a nice upgrade

do you have an ammeter to see what kind of amperage the lights would run? That would give you the best indication as what fuse to use

 

Rhett
The same fuse feeds both bulbs (on my car at least). The only difference between the twin and the single headlamp wiring is a small bit of loom to piggyback off the H4 high beam to energise the H1s when the high beam is switched on. So on high beam the fuse is fusing both lamps each side - H1s and high beam mode of the H4s.

So the 10 amp does it on mine which are the same setup as you now have. Sensible to buy the Hellas, I bought some cheap ones and have just chucked them for hells as the beam pattern was rubbish on dip.

Greg

 

Hello,

Have you considered LED?

I have Trucklight's 7" in my Europa. they are brighter then my bi-x lights on my merc. use less then half the amps the factory sealed units used. Truck light doesnt offer a 5 3/4 p7 yet, however JW Speaker does. Both use an H4 connection and are plug n play.




A comprehensive review of the Trucklight vs JW speaker
Truck-Lite Versus JW Speaker – A Comparison of LED Headlights | Better Automotive Lighting Blog



Trucklight
Truck-Lite - Catalog Product : 7'' Round LED Headlamp, Complex Reflector Optics Design

JW Speaker
http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/he...-low-headlight

 

That LED option does look intriguing. I wish I'd seen that sooner. But, as I've got the Hella H4's in hand, I'll move forward with those today and see if there's much improvement.

Good to know there are other plug 'n play options though.

Thanks.

 

Finally got the H4 60/55w low beam replacements installed. As hoped, it was plug and play- no fuse changes needed.

They do look noticeably brighter (the H4 is on the right of the photo attached while still looking retro.

Now to the H1 high beam replacements...

 

i have these headlights aswell, although I think they may be a different brand, and I am really happy with how bright they are.

 

Good choice. Euro spec headlights of any brand are bound to be better than the ****-poor US spec lights, and should make your night driving a much safer and more enjoyable experience.
I have a set of Euro Cibies waiting to be installed, but, The LED option appears to be something I may want to have a closer look at.