To find a vehicle test use the pull-down lists below.
On location, hunting for dinosaurs! While waiting for a massive Sauropod to wander across the barren...
Equipment Tests > Lighting Upgrade
Lighting Upgrade
Issue: August 2009
Words and photos by Mark Allen
On a dark and creepy night...anything could jump out in front of your 4WD and wipe out a well planned holiday in the blink of an eye - so why not upgrade your lights now?
On a budget, or simply don't want extra lights bolted to the front of your 4WD? Perhaps a headlight upgrade is the next best option.
With improved lighting you'll see further in front as well as out to the sides of your 4WD as you hurtle into the darkness of Outback roads and tracks. More light will mean less strain on your eyes and you'll no doubt notice a whole lot more compared to driving with standard manufacturers candles...err headlights.
Yes, adding additional aftermarket driving lights to your 4WD is the ultimate way to make night time jaunts easier and safer, but what if you simply can't afford extra halogen driving lights or heaven forbid the higher priced HID's?
Perhaps you simply don't want extra lights bolted to your faithful stead for whatever reason. If that's the case, there are a few ways to force those standard headlights to throw more light out.
WIRING
Utilising an aftermarket wiring loom, with larger diameter wires and improved terminals will allow extra currant to 'flow' to your lights, allowing them to 'burn' brighter. Replacing the headlight wiring loom is a relatively easy affair with many manufacturers suppling a kit that simply replaces the original - unplug and plug in the new, run the wires neatly around your engine bay and under the dash and you're done.
read on below advertisement
BULBS
There is a plethora of aftermarket bulbs that can be put in place of the standard headlight bulb. OE bulbs are (generally) lower wattages of 60 and 55 (high and low beam), as compared to some aftermarket bulbs offer much higher ratings of up to 130 and 90 watt. In general, the higher the wattage the brighter the light that is emitted.
Then there are the weird and wonderful array of differing coloured bulbs, variations of white light and different gasses available in aftermarket bulbs - not all of which are ADR compliant, so check the packaging to ensure your 4WD stays legal.
Be aware that upping the bulb wattage may have adverse affects on other components; higher wattage equals higher light output, which produces more heat, which may be too hot for your head light reflector and even standard wiring.
Some of the alternate 'colour' bulbs claim to emit a blue/white light, which is kinder to your eyes providing less eye strain while driving at night - a good thing. So, they are not necessarily brighter, but they are whiter or more like daylight in their colour. Additionally, many of these 'coloured/whiter' bulbs are still rated at 60/55 watt, so don't draw higher currants than standard, which means no additional heat on your wiring or reflectors - another good thing.
next page »
Words and photos by Mark Allen
On a dark and creepy night...anything could jump out in front of your 4WD and wipe out a well planned holiday in the blink of an eye - so why not upgrade your lights now?
On a budget, or simply don't want extra lights bolted to the front of your 4WD? Perhaps a headlight upgrade is the next best option.
With improved lighting you'll see further in front as well as out to the sides of your 4WD as you hurtle into the darkness of Outback roads and tracks. More light will mean less strain on your eyes and you'll no doubt notice a whole lot more compared to driving with standard manufacturers candles...err headlights.
Yes, adding additional aftermarket driving lights to your 4WD is the ultimate way to make night time jaunts easier and safer, but what if you simply can't afford extra halogen driving lights or heaven forbid the higher priced HID's?
Perhaps you simply don't want extra lights bolted to your faithful stead for whatever reason. If that's the case, there are a few ways to force those standard headlights to throw more light out.
WIRING
Utilising an aftermarket wiring loom, with larger diameter wires and improved terminals will allow extra currant to 'flow' to your lights, allowing them to 'burn' brighter. Replacing the headlight wiring loom is a relatively easy affair with many manufacturers suppling a kit that simply replaces the original - unplug and plug in the new, run the wires neatly around your engine bay and under the dash and you're done.
read on below advertisement
BULBS
There is a plethora of aftermarket bulbs that can be put in place of the standard headlight bulb. OE bulbs are (generally) lower wattages of 60 and 55 (high and low beam), as compared to some aftermarket bulbs offer much higher ratings of up to 130 and 90 watt. In general, the higher the wattage the brighter the light that is emitted.
Then there are the weird and wonderful array of differing coloured bulbs, variations of white light and different gasses available in aftermarket bulbs - not all of which are ADR compliant, so check the packaging to ensure your 4WD stays legal.
Be aware that upping the bulb wattage may have adverse affects on other components; higher wattage equals higher light output, which produces more heat, which may be too hot for your head light reflector and even standard wiring.
Some of the alternate 'colour' bulbs claim to emit a blue/white light, which is kinder to your eyes providing less eye strain while driving at night - a good thing. So, they are not necessarily brighter, but they are whiter or more like daylight in their colour. Additionally, many of these 'coloured/whiter' bulbs are still rated at 60/55 watt, so don't draw higher currants than standard, which means no additional heat on your wiring or reflectors - another good thing.
next page »
