Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:38:51 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] Contemplating H4 headlight upgrade?
In-Reply-To: <024201c4d177$04caced0$6001a8c0@C424264A>
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I would caution you about using an adapter from going from a 9004 plug to an
H4 plug. The pins in the 9004 bulb are very small and will not carry a lot
of current without voltage drop and thus lower light output. You will
notice that most reputable bulb manufacturers don't make 100W 9004 bulbs for
this reason as the terminals are just too small to carry any current for a
long time. My dad installed some 80/100s in his F150 and the terminals got
all brown from over heating in about 1 month - not something that I would
want. Also, over the long run, you risk more water damage as there are more
junctions and the chance of things vibrating loose.
If I were you, I would permanently install the H4 plugs and make a H4 to
9004 adapter for the once a year trip to the inspection place. This way you
are starting with large connectors for the H4 bulbs and you are minimising
the current drop. When installing the 9004s for the inspection - who cares
about any voltage drop as you are just doing this for the inspection. As
long as the lights light up and can be aimed, this is all they care about.
David Marshall
Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
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-----Original Message-----
From: Don in North Carolina [mailto:Don_Dixon@bellsouth.net]
Sent: November 23, 2004 8:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: [Syncro] Contemplating H4 headlight upgrade?
For those who are thinking about doing the H4 upgrade, either from Fast
Forward while David has the sale going ($430 CAD = shipping, ~$362.44 USD +
20, or ~$382.44 USD total for 86 to 91 outer lights) or elsewhere, I have
found a place that sells the male 9004 headlight plugs.
With these plugs, you can connect to your existing wiring and not have to
cut/splice your stock wiring. I plan to solder the male 9004 connector to
the H4 connector (provided in the headlight kit) and cover the connections
with heat shrink, for a waterproof seal.
I need to do this because in North Carolina we have yearly inspections, and
most inspection stations will fail you for e-code headlights. I'm getting
another headlight mounting bracket and the two inner lights, and will mount
the H4's on this. Then when the inspection time rolls around, I'll remove
those lights (4 screws) and remove the harness adapter, put the stock lights
in and I'm good for inspection!
The place that has the connectors is Susquehanna MotorSports. They are
selling for $6.75 ea, total with shipping for two was $20. A little pricey,
but these are very hard to find. The web page for the connectors is:
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/Connectors.asp
Don in Reidsville, NC
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro
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