Sanchez Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I own a 1973 Datsun 240z... Just to get that out of the way. I need to upgrade my headlights... they are honestly the worst headlights I have ever seen. All of the 240z's I have seen have headlights just barely on par with a first generation VW Beetle. I have the MSA Headlight Upgrade Harness to install but I really need to just get some new, non-sealed beams. This seems like a simple task, but it is not; it is unreasonably heard to find a decent upgrade that conforms to all laws and standards. In addition it is next to impossible to find straight forward simple answers as to these laws and regulations any where. (E marked/ECE headlights are illegal, but the bulbs are etc. It's just to confusing). I need this car to pass inspection still and one of the headlights just went out which prompted my idea to upgrade. So, if there are any Z owners in the St. Louis, MO area who is running a decent H4 set up legally or know any of the laws about this, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I am currently interested in the pair sold by John on www.h4lights.com which is a pair of Narva XB3 bulbs and the Autopal E-marked lamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suparman Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 http://www.dapperlighting.com/classic-headlights1.html, I know these are not officially on road use but these are acceptable in Colorado. I feel you on the no suitable options that are street legal. I am buying these thinking that at least I could see and they can not be any worse then some of the production lights out there for brightness and blinding other drivers. I asked the state patrol in Colorado about it and was told as long as they do not point up and blind people they don't care especially with the lackadaisical performance of the stock units. They also have an awesome cut off so you dont blind people. Probably not much help for where you are but it my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I believe the Hella conversion globes are DOT approved. It seems that just about any of the conversion globes that don't use a clear lens are DOT approved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmanco Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I have a 73 as well and did my own harness and upgrade to H4 bulbs before the kits were available. I run 85/100 watt bulbs adjusted reasonably. Given how low the headlights are on the Z, as long as the housing has a decent cutoff pattern, and you don't aim them too high, they don't look any brighter than modern HID lamps. I've run this setup for about 7 years now and have never had anyone even flash their high beams at me. I'd suggest you buy a quality H4 housing, adjust them to a reasonable height (park on a dark road and look at the headlights from the perspective of an oncoming car at 50 - 100 feet to make sure you're not blinding anyone) and you'll be fine, unless your local inspection actually measures... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 So I found out, had to ask a cop friend of mine, there is no law in Missouri about the legality of the lights. As long as they have a highway light and a city light, turn on and are correctly aimed, you should have no problems whatsoever. It also probably helps that you drive a classic sports car, I realized how few tickets I get from cops even when I go 10 or 15 over the speed limit or when I get pulled over (The only question I usually get is "What Year?"). So that is in St. Louis, Missouri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 Thanks for the help. I ended up just going for the H4 light special offered by John at h4lights.com (who by the way was extremely helpful and his product is amazing). Everything was fine until I got to the Headlight Relay Upgrade Harness. A previous owner removed the pair of the three pin plastic wire connectors for the passenger side headlight on the stock wiring. They for some reason hardwired that red wire which is used for the headlight. Where can I get just the little plastic connector/socket? And, can I just split the ugly hardwire and put the new sockets on and continue with the HLH as described? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 If you don't like the angled cut on the left hand side of your pattern, many "motorcycle approved" H4 setups from carello and other manufacturers will give you a cut straight across and won't be a problem with oncoming drivers as long as you have the cut below thier eye level. (you will actually want them aimed lower than that anyway or the high beams will be uselessly aimed above the roadway) I moved tons of them at electrodyne as we were the importer of carello back in the 80s. The big plus for carello is that they had H4 housing/lenses that were shaped exactly like normal sealed beams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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