LHD to RHD: Euro Projector/Discharge Headlights

[Citroënbender]

In relation to one of the slow moving repairs underway. Both RHD “xenon” type directional (swivelling) headlights with housings broken past practical repair. Hella manufacture. RHD units seem to be at least $100 dearer used than LHD.

What I’m wondering is, given the modular nature of these headlights’ design/assembly, is it readily possible to swap “handing” by components accessed through the standard openings?

This is something that others like PJ may have encountered; I’m hoping for informed comments. The Internet “research” I’ve done has (as usual, not surprised) turned up erroneous comments, half baked ideas and general defeatism.

[Toiler]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

In relation to one of the slow moving repairs underway. Both RHD “xenon” type directional (swivelling) headlights with housings broken past practical repair. Hella manufacture. RHD units seem to be at least $100 dearer used than LHD.

What I’m wondering is, given the modular nature of these headlights’ design/assembly, is it readily possible to swap “handing” by components accessed through the standard openings?

This is something that others like PJ may have encountered; I’m hoping for informed comments. The Internet “research” I’ve done has (as usual, not surprised) turned up erroneous comments, half baked ideas and general defeatism.

The "handing" will likely be defined by a fixed metal plate. If BiXenon this plate moves - it moves out of the light path when going to high beam. So I think it would be doable but I also think the "glass" will have to be separated from the backing section and the Hella (I assume) projector system dismounted to get the required access. I am basing this on the biXenon headlights by my toy SL - that although the rear access is reasonable as the ballast is mounted internally - I think no possible to re-engineer in place. Although if your hobby is building ships inside bottles you may be able to do it from the rear :-)

The other choice is replacing the entire Hella subsystem with a Chinesium Hyperboloid LED projector lens with a mating Hella mount.

[Citroënbender]

It looks provisionally feasible.

This is the left side damaged headlight, it is indeed a “Bi-Xenon” type as you identify them. Three motors control it - one flips the dipping blade down (failure mode is dipped), one with a feedback pot drives the large brass worm to swivel when turning, and not shown to the right is the up/down levelling motor controlled off the sway bars.

If I can remove two T-25 screws (one is visible to the lower right on the headlight reflector backshell flange while its mate is horizontally opposite) then the RHD backshell will likely come out the bulb access hole. Special tooling is probably limited to a fabricated cranked T-25 driver. When we get closer to a prospective headlight purchase I’ll make up a tool and see if this premise works.

[Tonz]

[I][Special tooling is probably limited to a fabricated cranked T-25 driver. When we get closer to a prospective headlight purchase I’ll make up a tool and see if this/I]

std 1/4" long shaft from a socket set with a flexi/swivel head thingy?

[Citroënbender]

I think it’s going to be a bit cramped for that. To braze a bit through a small piece of 4mm plate and cut a 1/4” square drive hole opposite (not unlike a crowsfoot bit) should work. Even potentially bodging by use of a ball tip hex key might suffice. It’s only got to come out once and go back in tight, once.

[prktkljokr]

The only difference from a LHD to a RHD is the lines in the lenses and adjustment of the beam, if it has a clear lens you might be able to just adjust to suit RHD.

When We drove the little RHD Getz from England to France, while we were on the train to Calais, we fitted stickers to the headlight to redirect the beam for the LHD countries we were going to drive through, if we had a headlight beam machine we could have adjusted it to suit, I don't even know if the stickers worked or if it was just a band aid .