swapping headlight assemblies
#1
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swapping headlight assemblies
i have a question to any one who can answer this how hard if it can be done at all is it to install the headlight assembly from a 1995 ls 400 on to a 1991 can it be done if so can someone give me a little insight on it if possible thank you
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Well assuming you're doing it for the poor light output of the 9004 headlights, if I'm not mistaken, '93-'94 LS400s had the infinitely better H4 (9003) headlight system, while the '90-'92 had the ****-poor 9004 system. The '93-'94 headlights should be an easy upgrade with the right harnesses (available at any auto parts store. You can also get upgrade harnesses and run higher wattage bulbs.... The '90-'94 models had glass headlamp assemblies too, right?
That said, the '95-'97 LS400's headlights are among the best standard halogen headlights I've seen (excluding the excellent H7 systems). The dipped beam pattern is just right, with ample foreground illumination and very long throw, along with a well defined cutoff that reduces glare to oncoming drivers. When the main beams are switched on, it looks like day, thanks in part to no less than four high beam bulbs (high beam filaments on the H4s, plus the 9005s). That said, the foglights integrated into the headlights are rubbish in the fog...
That said, the '95-'97 LS400's headlights are among the best standard halogen headlights I've seen (excluding the excellent H7 systems). The dipped beam pattern is just right, with ample foreground illumination and very long throw, along with a well defined cutoff that reduces glare to oncoming drivers. When the main beams are switched on, it looks like day, thanks in part to no less than four high beam bulbs (high beam filaments on the H4s, plus the 9005s). That said, the foglights integrated into the headlights are rubbish in the fog...
Last edited by RedAE102; 04-21-04 at 10:27 AM.
#4
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I tend to doubt that the 95-97 headlight assemblies could be made to fit your 91 LS without extensive bodywork. Many years ago, I looked into switching my previous 90 LS to using headlights from a 93-94 LS but was told that I would also need to replace the backing assembly, fog lights and side marker lights. At the time, I could not locate used parts and found that using all new parts was going to cost around $2,000. So I gave up on that idea and survived another 10 years with the 9004 lights. I ended up trying lots of bulbs trying to improve the light output. The higher wattage bulbs were a disaster - they exploded and caused a mess that was hard to clean out. The best bulb I found was the GE 9004HO which used a halogen/Xenon gas mix and came in an inexpensive two-pack. It was a clear bulb - not one of those blue coated bulbs like the ones kids use on their Hondas. But I have not seen the GE bulbs in the stores recently. The real problem is the pathetic "blob" beam pattern in the lens of the 90-92 LS headlights.
#5
I was actually thinking about doing an H4 harness upgrade, but I've heard that the headlight assembly itself is different and that the beam would be different. I'm not sure if the beam would necessarily produce more glare, maybe just less evenly spread or something. I want to know if anybody has tried it. I might just experiment and see what happens, especially with nice high wattage bulbs. Bad part, if it sucks I can't return the parts/bulbs.
#6
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Originally posted by dj.ctwatt
I was actually thinking about doing an H4 harness upgrade, but I've heard that the headlight assembly itself is different and that the beam would be different. I'm not sure if the beam would necessarily produce more glare, maybe just less evenly spread or something. I want to know if anybody has tried it. I might just experiment and see what happens, especially with nice high wattage bulbs. Bad part, if it sucks I can't return the parts/bulbs.
I was actually thinking about doing an H4 harness upgrade, but I've heard that the headlight assembly itself is different and that the beam would be different. I'm not sure if the beam would necessarily produce more glare, maybe just less evenly spread or something. I want to know if anybody has tried it. I might just experiment and see what happens, especially with nice high wattage bulbs. Bad part, if it sucks I can't return the parts/bulbs.
#7
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Originally posted by Kansas
I tend to doubt that the 95-97 headlight assemblies could be made to fit your 91 LS without extensive bodywork. Many years ago, I looked into switching my previous 90 LS to using headlights from a 93-94 LS but was told that I would also need to replace the backing assembly, fog lights and side marker lights. At the time, I could not locate used parts and found that using all new parts was going to cost around $2,000. So I gave up on that idea and survived another 10 years with the 9004 lights. I ended up trying lots of bulbs trying to improve the light output. The higher wattage bulbs were a disaster - they exploded and caused a mess that was hard to clean out. The best bulb I found was the GE 9004HO which used a halogen/Xenon gas mix and came in an inexpensive two-pack. It was a clear bulb - not one of those blue coated bulbs like the ones kids use on their Hondas. But I have not seen the GE bulbs in the stores recently. The real problem is the pathetic "blob" beam pattern in the lens of the 90-92 LS headlights.
I tend to doubt that the 95-97 headlight assemblies could be made to fit your 91 LS without extensive bodywork. Many years ago, I looked into switching my previous 90 LS to using headlights from a 93-94 LS but was told that I would also need to replace the backing assembly, fog lights and side marker lights. At the time, I could not locate used parts and found that using all new parts was going to cost around $2,000. So I gave up on that idea and survived another 10 years with the 9004 lights. I ended up trying lots of bulbs trying to improve the light output. The higher wattage bulbs were a disaster - they exploded and caused a mess that was hard to clean out. The best bulb I found was the GE 9004HO which used a halogen/Xenon gas mix and came in an inexpensive two-pack. It was a clear bulb - not one of those blue coated bulbs like the ones kids use on their Hondas. But I have not seen the GE bulbs in the stores recently. The real problem is the pathetic "blob" beam pattern in the lens of the 90-92 LS headlights.
I'm pretty sure you that you don't need to replace the side marker lights. However you will need to replace the backing assembly and the whole housing itself, so you might as well just try looking for a whole headlight assembly (headlight + fogs) in a junkyard or something. After the 9004 to H4 conversion, the "blob" beam pattern that you speak of is gone...resulting in a more evenly spread and wider beam pattern...I'm very pleased with the results.
Originally posted by dj.ctwatt
I was actually thinking about doing an H4 harness upgrade, but I've heard that the headlight assembly itself is different and that the beam would be different. I'm not sure if the beam would necessarily produce more glare, maybe just less evenly spread or something. I want to know if anybody has tried it. I might just experiment and see what happens, especially with nice high wattage bulbs. Bad part, if it sucks I can't return the parts/bulbs.
I was actually thinking about doing an H4 harness upgrade, but I've heard that the headlight assembly itself is different and that the beam would be different. I'm not sure if the beam would necessarily produce more glare, maybe just less evenly spread or something. I want to know if anybody has tried it. I might just experiment and see what happens, especially with nice high wattage bulbs. Bad part, if it sucks I can't return the parts/bulbs.
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#8
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Originally posted by BR1AN
I recently switched to JDM spec headlights (1 piece headlights/fogs) that use the H4 application on my '91.
I recently switched to JDM spec headlights (1 piece headlights/fogs) that use the H4 application on my '91.
#10
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Originally posted by BR1AN
Hey Robert, didn't you check out the Lexkost BBQ meet pics? I had them on my car at the time, but without HID bulbs.
Hey Robert, didn't you check out the Lexkost BBQ meet pics? I had them on my car at the time, but without HID bulbs.
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