livewakesnow

so im looking into the headlight covers. i have to get H4 conversion in order to use them right? Why cant i just use my stock headlights? Are they not bright enough to shine through? Im confused and troubled. Help Please

lifegrddude

You can use your stock sealed beams, but the headlight covers disperse the light so the beam pattern isn't as focused so you have less light intensity shining on the road itself. That's part of the reason the covers do not come with DOT stamp.

cm3

So does that mean that you will get pulled over for driveing with them on? And if you have the smoked ones, does any light shine through?

livewakesnow

are the h4 completely different headlights? are they just brighter bulbs? could i just buy brighter bulbs?

Carl's Z

You need to get the H4 lenses and bulbs usually come with them. I got mine from Ebay complete. Also, I have smoked covers now and have yet to get pulled over. I think it is because the H4 setup isn't as dispersed as was stated above. Go to my Cardomain site and check the pics (as bad as they are ). Link in signature...

livewakesnow

ya i was looking at your cardomain even earlier. p.s. nice car and i really like the rims

Carl's Z

Thanx. You got some pix of yours??

livewakesnow

i will in about a week hopefully. i think im gonna take some pics tonite. its in the shop right now having the head rebuilt, and all the gaskets and hoses changed, also some brake problems and cooling problems. im waiting for my new wheels to get in as well, but i will try and get some pics

WildmaN

Hey Carl: Did you take that picture at the car show last Friday? By the way verry sweet picture, your car looks great! I wish mine was running better.

DynamicJ

yep! Carl's Z has the whole "I'm from the 80's, Ready to kick your ***" theme

Carl, I havent seen the small window louvers/covers... awesome looking. I just picked up a set of the black plastic pillar covers at the junkyard, $1.75!

Fleaicous

livewakesnow what kind of rims are those and what was the price?

280ZX_AV8R

hey carl's z, Where did you get them side louvers?

Carl's Z

I got those from a friend here in town that's a Z fanatic from years ago. According to him, they're discontinued, even though many parts mags are still showing them available. I paid $80, but they're in great shape...

livewakesnow

i got konig rewinds they were like 549 i think? i got a tire and wheel package from MSA it was like 1000?

BigEkak1941

Now you have me confused. We are thinking of getting the clear lenses and have already purchased the diamond headlights with the hallagen (poor spelling) bulbs. Is that the same as the H4 mentioned above? I live in Texas & spoke with the Chief of Police in my town & he couldn't find anything making it illegal to have them on the car, but if the lenses will restrict the light that could make for some unsafe driving (but the car would be bad to the bone).

Bleach

The clear headlight covers should be fine. Some headlight covers are tinted or smoked. Those definatly restrict the headlight's beam.

Yes, your halogen bulbs are basically H4 style replacable bulbs.

jfairladyz

Most bulbs are legal. Though certain bulbs have a wattage that exceeds that of a street legal bulb. If its the covers you're asking about then YES those are illegal. They have to be DOT approved to be deemed street legal and the covers for the Z are not DOT approved. But like Bleach said they should be SAFE for street use.

WildmaN

It depend if the cop has nothing better to do. I look at it this way. As long as you can see good, and they can see your lights. I see no problem with it.

Bleach

Yes, all covers are illegal unless DOT approved. Same with license plate covers. Have you ever seen a license plate cover that bothered to try to get DOT approval?

But I think a cop is more worried about you just having your front plate and having headlights that work and aren't blinding oncoming traffic. Oh, and no purple or green bulbs.

jfairladyz

I care less if their illegal or not (the covers), I'm still gonna use em. The clear ones anyways. Riding deeper into Bleaches theory there, what are the odds of a cop pulling you over for having clear headlight covers. Probablly even slimmer than a cop realizing they aren't supposed to be on the car in the first place. Anyone ever tried to pass a safety inspection with them in place though? I wonder if they would check something like that. My guess is still no if they're the clear covers. And cops definitely like to pull you over for no front plate (still don't understand why we need one?). I've been pulled over a few times for no front plate in a few different cars and even once because a cop THOUGHT I didn't have a front plate. Even though it was mounted on the bumper in the factory location.