| Author | Message | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 149 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.46 Rating: N/A |
AM finally getting this house craopla and a 10 year Honney Do list within sight of ending. So its TOY TIME! First thing I did was install a 4104 pair of drivers and pax opening windows. Should get some nice 75 mph air cond with both open in the breeze. Next on the list is creating a GRP (fiberglass ) front piece to hold 7 inch instead of 5 inch headlamps. I want to use the Long recomendation of Euro lamps with their far better useful output. I got an old set of stock GRP from Luke at US Coach , and can either modify them and install them , one of a kind. Or I can modify one , pull a mold and be able to hand layup as many as needed. IS anyone but me crazy about seeing AT NIGHT to be interested? A guess at the materials and man hours would be a pair of JUST the GRP replacements would run about $300 or so, and you would need 4, 7 inch buckets too. Any interest ? One of a kind is fine with me, FF | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 782 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
Save the time and effort and upgrade your existing bulbs. Many improved units available. Also you can install KC Dayliters or equivelant behind the holes in your front bumper. I have them in my 04 and they work great. The semi oval holes don't hurt the light output and cut off the top of the beam which will lessen glare off signs or other reflective surfaces. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1136 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.121.246 Rating: |
Hmmm... Now I'm wondering what a set of 4 big eyes on an MCI would look like....? Now you've done it! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 166 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 76.4.148.149 Rating: N/A |
buswarrior: thar ya go again,, thinking. It might look cool IYKWIM.LOL gomer | ||
| don (Bottomacher)
Registered Member Username: Bottomacher Post Number: 160 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.15.86.59 Rating: N/A |
A cheaper and quite effective alternative is a pair of 100 watt aircraft landing lights (not spots) in the high beam buckets, with corresponding heavier wire. I added mine above the turn signals on my MC9; great for deer as well as hard-headed oncoming drivers. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 787 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
That is what my 04 has in the bumper holes actually.Bulb number is GE-4537-2. The company called UNITY used to sell a pair of stainless lamp housings with these bulbs in them through JC Whitney. Unity makes the spotlights that mount on the windshield pillars for many years. | ||
| Kevin Black (Kblackav8or)
Registered Member Username: Kblackav8or Post Number: 90 Registered: 8-2005 Posted From: 71.111.134.68 Rating: N/A |
Hella is medium price and pretty good. Cibie is about the best and more expensive. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 187 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Bosch is another brand that I have used with success in years past. I especially liked the old 7" type in my old volvo's. Joe. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 188 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
That was years ago, and I can "see" now why F F wants more light because I dont see as well as I did then either. I have a set of square Bosch lites that I will be installing shortly. Joe. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1358 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160 Rating: N/A |
Fred - Here's the link to Cibie USA where you can order your headlights: http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm Click on the "SAE Standard Euro-Code Headlights" to take you to the correct page, and the very first lamp to come up is what you're looking for. You might want to try the 7-HCRA's for the outer lamps, that way you could run the small parking lights as a "daytime running light" when the master switch is on. And if you really want to get creative, put an Apollo VA behind the driver's side fog lamp bumper cut-out, and an Apollo SP behind the passenger side. Found in the auxiliary lighting section: http://www.cibieusa.com/cibie_aux_lighting.htm With all six burning, it will bring back memories of coming over the numbers at 150 knots with full flaps before touchdown on a moonless night. . .  PS: Use relays!! | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1359 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160 Rating: N/A |
Buswarrior - Fred really wants to do the 7" thing, but you can get similar results by just using the 5.75-HCR Hi/Lo and 5.75-HR Hi units. (If you want the "Daytime Running Light", use the 5.75-HCRA models in the hi/lo position.) If your MCI uses 24v lamps, you can get 24v bulbs from the same outfit. John - There is a big difference in the beam pattern between the E-code headlamps Fred is going to be installing, and the "upgrade" US-code lamps I think you're talking about. The E-codes are much sharper and virtually glare-less to oncoming traffic, not like the lousy, abundant glare pattern of US lamps. It's really hard to explain until you've actually been behind them at night and see the difference for yourself. It's all done with precision optics in the lens - they use the same halogen bulbs as the US lamps. Kevin & Joe - I've used Bosch, Hella, Cibie and Marchal over the last 40 years or so, and keep coming back to the Cibies. Yup, more expensive, but IMHO a better lamp. My mantra when it comes to upgrading the front-end lighting is "What price SAFETY?" FWIW & HTH. . . | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 791 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
RJ-Aircraft landing lights don't need no stinkin beam pattern- they just bring the daylight out. . Yes you are right about the beam patterns, and they are available in Fred's headlamp size, so he doesn't have to change to larger single headlamps. BTW those landing lites, when installed in those semi-oval holes and adjusted, have the top of the beam clipped, and give a nice wide spread. Maybe not as nice as your europeon lamps, but a possibility. A lot of the problem of seeing at night these days, is the tremendous glare from bright lights on these newer vehicles. I've found that those yellow lensed hunting glasses cut the glare a lot at night, especially when it is raining. | ||
| JC Alacoque (Jc_alacoque)
Registered Member Username: Jc_alacoque Post Number: 53 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.127.205.107 Rating: N/A |
I have yellow clip-ons for my prescription glasses that I wear for night driving. They do cut the glare of oncoming head lights. I like them. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 165 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.140 Rating: N/A |
The problem folks is I prefer to keep sort of legal. I'm familiar with landing lights , but they could bring a ticket , as all out of state vehicles have a bullseye on them. With only 55W aviliable I figure any light will work better with a larger mirror than a small one. In reverse thats why MT Polamar is 20ft , not 3 ft in diameter, 7x pi is lots bigger than 5x pi. no? FF | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 100 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 66.45.165.58 Rating: N/A |
FF, Bigger might be better for gathering light, but would it matter when you have a fixed amount (55 watts) to reflect? Quality of components is another story. I don't know what is in our 4107, but they light up the whole countryside on hi. Only thing I have had that looked like these was in the wife's Volvo that had a function that turned on both beams at the same time to flash drivers that would not dim their's. Hmmm, maybe I should be checking the wiring out on the bus. Could be that is why they seem super bright. Can you say smoke! Don 4107 | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 190 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
FF I cant disagree with your reasoning. Joe. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 792 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
SORT of legal? Fred, How much space do you have between ledge above your lamp assys. and the top of your front bumper? On my o4, it is 9 7/8 from ledge to horizontal bar. On my 4905, it is 7 1/4; don't know what the 06 is; assume that it is probably the same?. The height of the headlight assy. including enclosure is about 8 1/4. You could probably make the seven inch lamp with trim ring and some way to adjust it down to maybe 7 3/4. Going to be a lot of work just to go to 7 inchers. Don't forget that you will need to cut out a larger recess for the back of the lamp housing also and 7 inchers are that much deeper. Sometimes doing it your way can be a pita. You should try some lamps that fit now. They might give enough lite to suit you. They also make many fine rectangular fog/ driving lamps that could be installed in bumper holes to add to your desired light output and pattern. Also lights low in those holes are really good at illuminating in fog and rainy weather. Hella makes/made a nice rect. fog/ driving lamp that I used on my Van a few years ago that were excellent. Good luck with your Polamar.Or you could find a nice 04 to swap for yours. I'd consider it but your coach would be too slow compared to my turboed 6-71. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 168 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.170 Rating: N/A |
I'd consider it but your coach would be too slow compared to my turboed 6-71. With an "empty weight" of under 24,000, and the mountain gears (4905 rear pumpkin) I would be happy to run a 4th gear hill climb any time. Changing to the 7inch diameter will be done by adding an inch to the depth (Airex scrap from boat building days) so the extra depth will be "No Problima" Still stuck with finishing trim on 3 rooms of new cielings , ah well. FF | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 793 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
It would be interesting...would have to add some weight to mine. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 192 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
RJ I rummaged through my box of headlites on sunday and came across a single "Marrella". That would make #5 of the various brands that are or have been available. Are you familiar with that one? Joe. |
