Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ellis

I'm interested in converting the old Lucas sealed beam headlamps on my Land Rover 2a to a halogen bulb headlamp conversion.

Have any of you done this and is the conversion worthwhile?
My 2a has an alternator rather than a dynamo.

Thank you.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

kevin2306 · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:35 am Post subject:

I did it on my Lightweight, quite easy using the conversion kits from the likes of Craddocks etc.
I used a new upgraded loom for the lighting side which included relays etc.
Wasnt much work and quite cheap at the time but that figure has probably gone up a touch.
Totally worth while if you use the landy in the dark though as you can actually see whats in front of you!

kev

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:47 am Post subject:

I've done this on several vehicles over the years and it's well worth the small trouble and expense. It does annoy me though when I see the people who retail the conversions, and other self proclaimed experts, tell anyone who cares to listen that they need to fit an alternator conversion as well - this is nonsense. I've run my Herald for years on the original C40 dynamo, driven many many miles in the dark with heater fan, wipers and radio on as well as the lights - and the only problem I ever had with charging was down to sticking brushes in the dynamo.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4105 Location: South Cheshire

Ditto

My MGA has the conversion, I replaced the whole unit including the lens, there may be benefit to use a different lens and reflector to suit the bulb focus? Optics not so thing I know much about !

You can get 7" LED headlamp units, they are very expensive, but if they perform anything like the LED headlamps on my modern , worth a look.

Dave

Ellis · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:57 am Post subject:

Thank you gentlemen!
_________________
Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

Yes, I also swapped the "Dark Lords' sealed beams to H4. Easier than you would think, main wiring alteration was the sidelight, with different connectors.
I also chose to relay them in, as a matter of good practice.
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KA

Better three than four.

alanb · Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.

I see Holdens are doing a halogen sealed beam unit for around £11.00
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=1&pgCode=010&sgName=Electrical&pgName=Lighting&agCode=0002&agName=Light+Units+%2D+7%22&pCode=010.280
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old tourer

Morris 8 two seater

TFM150K · Joined: 12 Mar 2015 Posts: 1

Please excuse my ignorance, ka, but where do you fit the relays?

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

Choice of many options, I am sure there are electricians out there who know better than I but; I use two relays one for dip, one for main. Provide a fused live feed from the battery to the relays. Use the dip wire from the headlight connection to the switch side of one of the relays, then the 'on' feed to the headlights from this relay for dip, duplicate the wiring to the main beam relay, main beam wire to the switch side of the other relay, 'on' side to main beam on the headlights.
I am sure someone can explain it better than I, any offers?
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KA

Better three than four.