Something worth pointing out when it comes to XJS headlights & upgrades - the (I think) pre 1979 euro style Cibie lenses are different to the ones after that date. They both have glass lenses, but the pre 1979 have a totally different reflector internally (a separate one for the high beam) & the glass itself is much more clear with less of the fresnel lensing.
You could legitimately do a HID projector retrofit behind the older style lenses if you wanted, & as they have separate bulbs for low/high beam, the retrofit of LED bulbs into the standard unmodified lenses would also produce different results compared with the H4 dual filament bulb in the later ones.

 

I know that legislation is different in the US and other countries. However, in the UK you can not retrofit a LED bulb into the headlight of a post-1986 car. It contravenes the UK Vehicle Lighting Regulation Act. And also as from 2021, it's now a failure point within the MoT (annual inspection) manual.

I am currently writing an article for the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club that details the legal poistion and the replacement of LED sidelights & brakelights on an XJS.

Paul

 

Paul
Are you OK to fit them on a 1985 car?

 

Greg,

you would TECHNICALLY still contravene the UK Vehicle Lighting Regulations Act which says that a car first used before 01/04/86 doesn't have to have a Type Approval stamp on the bulbs but DOES have to have a minimum wattage of 30w for Dip & Main Headlight bulbs. But that's almost unverifiable / unenforceable anyway.

The key thing is that the UK MoT Testers Manual does not require them to automatically fail for LED fitment unless the car is first registered / used after 01/04/86.

I spoke to my local MoT tester. He said he would have to fail my 94 XJS if he thought LED headlight bulbs were fitted. But he couldn't fail my 79 XJ-S unless he felt that beam pattern etc was wrong.

Paul

 

If youre in the US you shouldnt have a problem. If youre in the UK… I feel bad for you guys will all the MOT dancing around you have to endure.

 

Brewtech,

It's just poetic justice! After all, we've had our cars for 40 years the way they were designed, with the proper unrestricted engines and headlights etc!

Whereas you've had to put up with the useless smog and EGR compromises, forced twin headlights, ugly side marker lights, ungainly big bumpers, auto seatbelts etc etc .

So I guess it's our turn to suffer now!

Paul

 

youre absolutely right! Our DOT has been a pain in the **** for far too long. Luckily my 94 has the euro lights and its practically the way it was intended to be. MoT stuff is like our smog check systems in California. It’s like sitting in a doctors office waiting for your diagnosis.

 

Now if only those dam plastic lens didn't go coffee coloured after a few months....

 

I had mine buffed out and clear coated at a body shop. No more **** in headlamps every so once in a while