Headlight headache

Days are getting darker as winter is moving in on us - wish it was moving away. So, good headlights are as important as ever. One of mine thought it was time for a break, so it did. No problem, I'll just go get myself a new H4 light bulb and that's that. Right? Turns out fate had other plans. As I parked outside the auto parts dealer I popped the hood and was about to remove the broken lamp. That's when I found out that this vintage ride wasn't built that way. The light, reflector and glass was all one unit! I had no idea.

So that meant that I would have to replace the whole thing. Went searching the web and soon found out that it would cost way more than just changing a simple light bulb. Way more.

 Searched for alternative sollutions and was happy to find that Biltema sold a conversion kit for vintage cars, and it was pretty cheap as well! That meant that I could have original looking lights with interchangeble light bulbs - hello bright new future!

So I went over to Biltema in Södertälje and got the gear I needed - the conversion kit and a set of H4 lights.

As I got back home and took off the old lights I discovered this!

 

Turns out I didn't have a Daihatsu Taft after all, it's a Toyota 22!

Just kidding off course. I knew that this little truck was some sort of a joint venture between Daihatsu and Toyota. Also, I believe that some parts from the Taft are the same as on the Land Cruiser 40-series, like the outside door handles and some interior lights and knobs. 

Anyway, I took off the old units and mounted the new ones. It all went pretty smooth. Then I waited for the sun to set so I could try out my ultra modern mega lights. Off I went and was immediately very disappointed. The lights where super weak! Is it possible that my old units where so much better? Where they made better in the seventies? Should I just accept the fact that this is what you get nowadays? I was totally confused.

Then, a few days later, it suddenly crossed my mind, did I pick up a set of 24 volt lights instead of 12 volts at Biltema?

Sure enough, that's what I had done. No wonder the lights were weak!

So today I went over to Mekonomen in Strängnäs and got me a set of 12V Osram Night Breakers and the difference was like night and day.

Well, you can learn a lot by listening to smart people but you can also learn a lot by listening to dumb ones. Thanks for doing the later.