XJS headlight conversion
#21
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
To remove the old lights, release the 2 headlight adjustment cables that are secured to the inside of each inner fender. You can feed the cables through the fender and access the rear of each headlight via a panel in each front wheel well.
Remove the 3 screws from each chrome trip piece to remove those pieces from the headlight - one of them is on top, only accessible with bonnett up, and easier with a short screwdriver. Then there are 4-5 torx bolts (t30 I think) holding the headlight assembly to the frame. You'll need an extended length screwdriver with torx end to reach them. As I said, one of them on mine was very difficult to reach. On my car (LHD), it was the one at about 1 o'clock on the passenger side and 11 o'clock on the driver side (facing the headlight). Basically reverse the process with the quad lamps.
I tried attaching a few photos.
The following users liked this post:
SNG Barratt USA (05-22-2014)
#23
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I love my 95 XJS 2+2 convertable, 6.0 V-12. Just can't stand the Euro style headlights. Love the pre-facelift quad headlights. Solution: Just replaced my Euro style headlights with lights from an 88 XJS. Now have the best of two worlds, in my opinion. The reason I'm posting this, is, just in case any other post-facelift owners want to do the same thing, to let them know it is do-able. Most people I've spoken with are under the impression that the two cars were changed so much, that the lights were not interchangeable. The conversion is a direct fit, all the wiring is color coded the same, just the plugs are different, so I used spade connectors to connect the wires. If anyone is interested, I'll be happy to show pictures of the before and after conversion. Also help with any details if needed. Regards. Keith.
I have a guy who has the sealed beam lamps from a 1991, and in trade he wants my Euro styled ones, which like you, I can't stand the look of. Any pictures/ notes/ hints and or tips on doing this, I would GREATLY appreciate..... I will post some before and after's too.... Would personal e-mail be better for this? If so I will send it your way via personal through here, and let you decide.
Thanks,
Donovan
#24
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ha ha , I just swapped my 88 quads out for the euro glass lamps. Took me several tries to get two that matched well enough. It seems a big problem with these is the silver lining fades off especially top,and bottom in the back of housing. I actually used a piece of cloth on a metal rod and used chrome bumper spray to carefully re silver.
That alone greatly improved lite output. Then I changed bulbs to the newer sylvania hyper white bulbs and I can assure you the light is amazing! WAY better than my old quads.
I, personally, dislike the quads after hearing how much they remind friends of that movie Christine".
I have a set of quads with everything needed and I even have the cool led halo replacement bulbs as well. The led halo rings do need to be wired separately either to park lights or can be wired to stay on ad drl, ie BMW.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
That alone greatly improved lite output. Then I changed bulbs to the newer sylvania hyper white bulbs and I can assure you the light is amazing! WAY better than my old quads.
I, personally, dislike the quads after hearing how much they remind friends of that movie Christine".
I have a set of quads with everything needed and I even have the cool led halo replacement bulbs as well. The led halo rings do need to be wired separately either to park lights or can be wired to stay on ad drl, ie BMW.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
#27
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif)
Ha ha , I just swapped my 88 quads out for the euro glass lamps. Took me several tries to get two that matched well enough. It seems a big problem with these is the silver lining fades off especially top,and bottom in the back of housing. I actually used a piece of cloth on a metal rod and used chrome bumper spray to carefully re silver.
That alone greatly improved lite output. Then I changed bulbs to the newer sylvania hyper white bulbs and I can assure you the light is amazing! WAY better than my old quads.
I, personally, dislike the quads after hearing how much they remind friends of that movie Christine".
I have a set of quads with everything needed and I even have the cool led halo replacement bulbs as well. The led halo rings do need to be wired separately either to park lights or can be wired to stay on ad drl, ie BMW.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
That alone greatly improved lite output. Then I changed bulbs to the newer sylvania hyper white bulbs and I can assure you the light is amazing! WAY better than my old quads.
I, personally, dislike the quads after hearing how much they remind friends of that movie Christine".
I have a set of quads with everything needed and I even have the cool led halo replacement bulbs as well. The led halo rings do need to be wired separately either to park lights or can be wired to stay on ad drl, ie BMW.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
![Icon Headbang](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_headbang.gif)
#28
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The xjs was never supposed to have quads but the USA market wouldn't allow the single units due to dot regulations.
Reminds me of my 2010 XF lights. Jaguar was worried the XF was too extreme for traditional buyers so they tried to keep that hooded round headlamp appearance giving a surprised cat eye look! But the face lift sorted out that issue with the original concept sleek headlamps.
Sometimes I think Jaguar doesn't trust their own instincts for change. Look at the xjs, longest running model in jaguar history and most provocative leap in design from previous models. (Of course they couldn't afford to introduce a new model either!)
#32
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would say anything pre-Ford though would be original. Post Ford, not so much so why not? 32 three window coupe's tend to have Chevy transplants in them, the 95 XJS has a Chevy transmission, owned by Ford so. ?
#33
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ahh....quad headlights
did you chaps know that is was only standard fit on US cars , not one car produced for Europe had quads fitted, this was because US law didnt allow that type of headlamp when the car was being designed , so the ' euro ' headlight is actually the tru original for the XJS and had to be modified to sell to the US![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
but i will admit, they do look good with them fitted, but i wont be getting them for my car
BB
did you chaps know that is was only standard fit on US cars , not one car produced for Europe had quads fitted, this was because US law didnt allow that type of headlamp when the car was being designed , so the ' euro ' headlight is actually the tru original for the XJS and had to be modified to sell to the US
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
but i will admit, they do look good with them fitted, but i wont be getting them for my car
BB
#37
#38
#39
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Just outside of Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
9 Posts
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yes, from what I've seen, any pre facelift quad lights will fit any facelift car. My 95 XJS has 88 lights. A direct fit, except the wire connectors. And according to one of the earlier post on this thread, you can buy a direct fit wiring harness to make the swap.
#40
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have an '89 with euro headlights. I am assuming someone must have changed them in the past and I am thinking of returning to the quad classic look.
Anyone that has done this switch - was the light output significantly less with the quads than the euro? I see one post where the he said the euro seemed brighter, and another post where the quads were very bright even compared to a modern audi. Any first hand experience?
Second, if I'm doing this, I'll have euro style lights to get rid of. Anybody interested in a trade or purchase after my conversion?
Anyone that has done this switch - was the light output significantly less with the quads than the euro? I see one post where the he said the euro seemed brighter, and another post where the quads were very bright even compared to a modern audi. Any first hand experience?
Second, if I'm doing this, I'll have euro style lights to get rid of. Anybody interested in a trade or purchase after my conversion?