Hi, is it possible to convert left hand drive headlights to right hand drive/ i.e the beam direction? if so how hard is it? thanks Mick.
C2 headlights
- Thread starter mjp100drums
- Start date
There is a lever inside C2 headlights to deflect the beam left or right. I used it when I travelled through Europe and never got flashed.
The adjustment lever is designed as a temporary measure which blocks out the part of the beam that would dazzle on-coming traffic when driving on the opposite side of the road.
I think I'm right in saying when Rich Elliott moved to Germany temporarily, he had to purchase headlamps made specifically for LHD vehicles.
You will see either LHD or RHD on the sticker on the top of the lamp unit.
I think I'm right in saying when Rich Elliott moved to Germany temporarily, he had to purchase headlamps made specifically for LHD vehicles.
You will see either LHD or RHD on the sticker on the top of the lamp unit.
Well is the internal construction different then, or is it internal parts that are different and can be changed ?
I know the outer housing mounts are the same. Honestly though, parts are going to be almost as impossible as picking a random VIN number out of a hat and having that car turn out to be 100% unmolested and in show room condition with 0 miles on it. If you need LHD lights your best bet is gonna be ebay over here.
Side note though, Didn't your cars have some form of headlight leveling system with the little button on the dash? If that was on your C2 as well our lights wont have the internal workings for that. Ford decided we didn't need that for some stupid reason.
The story goes I saw a pair of C2 lights on a European site, obviously they were for left hand drive and I was wondering if I could convert them over to right hand drive without too much hassle!
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Could leave the tempory lever on as a perement fix?
Dobut they would notice at an MOT but worse case you could always swap the lights out pre-mot to get the pass?
Dobut they would notice at an MOT but worse case you could always swap the lights out pre-mot to get the pass?
Yes Dan but would they be working or lighting up as well as normal?
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Yes they will still come on like normal. You might just shine in the wrong spot of the road
Yes. Quite a few people over here have UK spec lights. There was even an Aussie spec set circulating around. From what I've seen they've been pretty much plug and play.
As for your MOT, Do they require your reflector to be white over there? I know some places are picky on that here. US spec lights have yellow reflectors.
No. They just have to show orange/amber when lit.
I imagine the reason why US-spec ones have to have orange lenses/reflectors is that coloured bulbs will eventually burn off the coating, causing the light to show white ( which is in fact an MOT failure here). Your DOT demand for oranage lenses is probably a protection against the fact that most states don't have a test that includes lighting.
Cool wasnt sure but I knew it was an issue for some so thought it called for a mention just in case. I know MOT for you guys is about as easy as going to a dentist to get all your teeth removed. Sometimes just as fun as well
Masterclass in headlamps lol
Your dipped beam produces a directed beam which is level up to the centreline of the road from which point it aims higher so as to light up the verge, kerb or pavement, this is what governs left or right hand drive lights.
Cougar headlamps are blessed lol with an internal mechanism that eliminates the bit that rises towards the pavement, thus producing a 'Flat' beam, this by no means makes the lamp legal for other countries, but it saves you splodging stickers on your lenses if you go abroad.
Personally I've wondered how difficult it would be to make that lever so it gives the kick up either way......it will involve splitting the lamps and a bit of metalwork, which tbh, i've always wondered why they just didnt do it in the first place........i'm guessing at type approval laws.
I will be trying this on my spare set once chris has finished with them.
Your dipped beam produces a directed beam which is level up to the centreline of the road from which point it aims higher so as to light up the verge, kerb or pavement, this is what governs left or right hand drive lights.
Cougar headlamps are blessed lol with an internal mechanism that eliminates the bit that rises towards the pavement, thus producing a 'Flat' beam, this by no means makes the lamp legal for other countries, but it saves you splodging stickers on your lenses if you go abroad.
Personally I've wondered how difficult it would be to make that lever so it gives the kick up either way......it will involve splitting the lamps and a bit of metalwork, which tbh, i've always wondered why they just didnt do it in the first place........i'm guessing at type approval laws.
I will be trying this on my spare set once chris has finished with them.
Once I have collected them, restored them, used them, and then returned them. I'm kicking myself for not taking them that day. It's not a real rush for me but I would've preferred to take them and give them back as quickly as possible.
Love your explanation, by the way - I wasn't sure whether it was a filter, diverting the bulb angle or what.
So would it be that piece inside the projector portion that blocks the upper half of the bulb area? Ive noticed that and always wondered why the blocked the top half off like that.
Yup theres a portion with a tag attached that you move to create the flat beam