6024 Sealed Beam Conversion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 01-18-2008, 09:14 PM

Has anyone tried converting their sealed beam? There seems to be quite a few kits out there and if I am understanding their pictures, there does not seem to be much to them. They appear to be direct replacements with the benefit of being able to change just the bulbs with H4's.

If anyone has them, could you share which brand/source you used?

I might try them here pretty soon.

mobetta · #2 01-18-2008, 09:40 PM

I got autopals from ebay for $40, shipped. really like them for the $$. one bulb socket melted down, so I replaced the bulbs w/ sylvania 55/65 +30's. nice lites.

the autopals are european spec., nice metal reflectors, good optics. I did have one get busted out by a rock, but for the $$ it is not too big of deal.

or spend 3x for hellas, or even more for cibies or bosch. but then get good rock protectors.

stay away from that "diamond" cut crap like yer pic, they are not approved for use anywhere, AFAIK.

search e-codes here, tons of info.

tangofox007 · #3 01-18-2008, 11:31 PM

I recently bought a pair of Hella E-code lamps. Hella also make a DOT approved lamp (called Vision Plus), but everything that I read suggested that the e-code versions were the way to go. I still need to tweak the aiming a bit, but they are a definite improvement over the sealed beams. There is a vendor that sells Hella's on Ebay that are customer returns, etc. I bought mine there. The boxes were a little ragged but the lights were perfect. Here:
http://www.ptcfactoryoutlet.com/products-hella-refurbished.html
I don't see the headlamps listed now, however.

At about the same time, I put some IPF lamps on a Jeep. I think they are a slight bit brighter than the Hella's.

JimmyL · #4 01-18-2008, 11:54 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-123-European-Headlights-Hella-H4-300D_W0QQitemZ350014675733QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350014675733

toomany MBZ · #5 01-19-2008, 12:00 AM

I've bought two pair from here. ! Hella 7 inch Round e-Code Conversion Headlamps
Get the bulbs elsewhere, tho. Bulbs by fitting - H4
Or try auto parts stores.

sailor15015 · #6 01-19-2008, 12:02 AM

X2 for the Autopals from ebay. I also have a $40 dollar set and the improvement in light quality makes you want to throw rocks at the idiots who made the sealed beam pattern. They're so much better. This summer I'll be upgrading the wiring and adding 100/55W beams in the main lights and converting the fogs to 5 3/4" high beams with 100W H1 lights, again with upgraded wiring. This is the second reason I added a 115 amp alternator, the first being my electric main fan. I drive lots of backroads late at night going to and from work and my parents' house so I'll definitely use the extra light. Do yourself a favor and get the Autopal lights. You'll be very thankful you did.

neptune · #7 01-19-2008, 02:12 AM

I love my Cibies, but if I were on a budget I'd get Hellas from here http://www.rallylights.com/hella/7in.asp
Considerably cheaper than the Cibies, but still very good lighting. If you look a bit harder you can find 7" round H4 lights made by Lucas, Marchal, Bosch, Carello, and others. All of them are good quality lights and will be a great upgrade from sealed-beam DOT lighting.

I've only seen the autopal 4x6 lights and I wasn't too impressed compared to my Cibies. Their construction was cheaper, the beam pattern wasn't nearly as wide as the Cibies, and the bulb mounting hole was made from very soft metal. Still, miles better than a throw-away DOT light. Perhaps their 7" rounds are higher quality.

Whatever brand of ecodes you get, make sure to spend 10 minutes aiming them properly. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

E-Code lighting is not legal in most states. If your state has vehicle inspections every year and takes them seriously you may want to go with the Hella DOT 7" rounds.

After spending the money on lights I would invest in some 40mil headlight film or some clear plastic headlight covers. It only takes one rock to ruin your day.

pawoSD · #8 01-19-2008, 02:24 AM

I also have the Autopal from Ebay lights. They are ok.....not real high quality....one of mine got moisture in it, the other is perfect. They light up the road a lot better than sealed beams, thats for sure.

sixto · #9 01-19-2008, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptune

Whatever brand of ecodes you get, make sure to spend 10 minutes aiming them properly. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

Does that work for you? I aimed the SDL's Depos using those instructions and I couldn't see anything until I was right on it. I parked some distance behind a car and raised the headlights until the horizontal cutoff was just below trunk deck level (so the lights don't go into the cabin). Much better light distribution and oncoming drivers didn't complain. I took it back to Stern's alignment marks and it's pretty much at H-H level.

With the 300D again I find poor distance illumination. I haven't raised the beam because I'm waiting for better bulbs than the blue ricer junk that came with the TYCs.

FWIW, I'm with JimmyL. If finances allow, get proper Euro headlamps for your car.

Sixto
87 300D

neptune · #10 01-19-2008, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Does that work for you?

Yep. Though admittedly I've aimed the lights on the 240D a little higher than he says, I moved the B-B line up about an inch. I've aimed three sets of lights that way, and they all work great with the exception of the summer lights on my 242. I ended up doing exactly what you described with them. Not really sure why because my winter lights work great when aimed properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

FWIW, I'm with JimmyL. If finances allow, get proper Euro headlamps for your car.

I forgot to say so earlier, but I totally agree. If you're patient enough you can probably pick up a set of factory ecodes for not much more than a set of 7" round Cibies. Maybe even less if you like the early ecodes with the round reflectors.
These cars just look so much better with the lights that were intended for them.
Hers:

And mine:
http://www.neptune242.com/neptune/07front.jpg

tobybul · #11 01-19-2008, 08:08 AM

Thanks for responses, Fellas.....

Just curious, Mobetta, what is wrong with the diamond cut? I guess I'm kinda new to the types of lights so bear with me.

This was the site I stumbled into....

http://www.automotivelightingusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

http://www.automotivelightingusa.com/

Diesel911 · #12 01-19-2008, 10:14 AM

Ounce on a car and ounce on a motorcycle I have had a rock or some other object hit my head light and knock a hole in the glass. Both times were at night. Because my head lights had Halogen bulbs they did not burn out. In both cases sealed beams would have burnd out. I also don't see that sealed beams preform any better either.

tangofox007 · #13 01-19-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptune

If your state has vehicle inspections every year and takes them seriously you may want to go with the Hella DOT 7" rounds.

Or only have E-codes 364 days a year. It's not like the headlamps are welded to the car.

dieseldan44 · #14 01-19-2008, 11:55 AM

+1 for Hella E-Code H4 conversion kit for sealed beam

Got mine at Susquehanna Motorsports for $72 plus shipping.

Drastic improvement for a 1/2 hours worth of work.

JimmyL · #15 01-19-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Just curious, Mobetta, what is wrong with the diamond cut?

I think it is just because of the rice factor....