Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Morgan Headlight Upgrade

Now the darker evenings have arrived, I am definitely noticing the inadequacies of the stock headlights fitted to my 2009 4/4 Sport. I am sure I'm not alone in this and was wondering how others on here have upgraded their headlights to a more modern standard.
It must be the same for all older Morgans I'm guessing?

I know there is a "rush" to update Morgan headlights but..I still find the oe fitments on my 2011 +4 Supersports good enough for night time spirited driving.

Bit I eat a lot of carrots !!!

I was on the M25 a couple of nights ago and mine did not fill me with confidence.
I have the feeling not all Morgan headlights are created equal and yours must be better than mine?
Mine just don't cut it but with so many choices I was hoping for some opinions...

Some options:
1. Put in a better bulb. Osram Nightbreaker or even slightly better, Philips Racing Vision. Not a huge difference, but clearly notable.

2. Fit a (double) relay to the existing system. Now there is most probably less than 12 volts at the bulb filaments, you should be able to increase this with relays. Cheap solution, relatively simple DIY job or at the workshop
.
3. Change the OE headlamp unit (Wipac or Lucas) for a Cibie 180, can be bought at Librands. Very easily done home. You will not get more light, but the light you have will be much better distributed and focused due to better optics. Aprox.140 quid if I remember well.

4. Fit a LED H4 bulb, direct replacement. Osram, Philips and many more, for instance at BetterCarLightning. Much more light, vast difference. I do not think they are road legal in UK, though - but I wonder if anyone really notice, even at MOT. H4 LEDs are not cheap but they will last a very long time.

5. Change the whole unit for a dedicated LED version, for example as the new PlusFour and PlusSix has now. Most likely the best (and probably the most costly?) solution, but personally I dislike the look when fitted to a classic car.

You can of course combine the suggestions 1-4, but if you choose to put in a H4 LED, there is not much point in adding relays. LEDs draw little current and you will have light enough. Beware of the light pattern with this, though. It might be different and diffuse than ordinary bulbs (but not nessesarily) and possibly force you to fit Cibies to avoid glare. Your choice, depending your wallet, DIY skills and driving pattern. For me, I drive mostly in bright nordic summer days and nights, so I do not need that much, although it would nice with a little more, specially in tunnels.I am at no 1 at the moment, planning for No 2. I will look at the result and maybe or maybe not move on to 3 or 4., considering how good is good enough.

I have seen that Richard Wood uses these lamps.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/553072/re-led-headlights#Post553072

I had bought them too,

https://www.powerfuluk.com/vehicles...nder-headlights-full-led-chrome-rhd.html

and they have been working very well for almost two years. Before that I didn't see anything in the dark autumn because many oncoming new cars shine so brightly.
There are perhaps more classic looking ones, but I'm still waiting. The ones that look more classic and are technically as good as mine sometimes cost over 1400€ a pair. And in difference to LED bulbs these units are legal in Germany.


As a side effect this headlights make me look a little younger.

You think?
:-)

Anyone tried to get/fit angel eyes?
They may be a bit more in keeping with the classic look?
This may be a stupid idea...

Barry, there are loads of previous threads on headlamp upgrades, many include photos too, if you use the search box above, top left...happy reading

Land Rover units fit fine and I have the type Heinz has just shown. I'm also very pleased with them after two years of use. Probably little to beat them on main beam and very sharp cutoff on dip provided by the central projector style LED. Sidelight feed powers the DRL function which is provided by the six main beam outer LED's operating on very much reduced power.

I bought mine from Powerful UK, have a look at the range they offer which include "E" marked left or right dip and angel eye DRL's.

When I used to do a lot of night driving in the +8 I fitted 130/90 H4 bulbs. And they were fine.