A question about lights on a 73T...

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911hillclimber
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A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Drove my 73T today very early in the morning, well before dawn. First time out in the dark for many years.

It was really terrible, and never again unless I can do something about the head lights and the dash instrument lights.

So, there must be some LED swappery that can be made in a minimal intrusive way to improve the ridiculous 911 lights?

Can someone please give me some practical experiences that will work?
Thanks in advance.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lightweight_911
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

I've just done this on my Elite - changed headlights, sidelights, gauge lighting, stop/tail lamps & rear number plate lights to LED's - very simple/staightforward.

I got everything I needed from Classic Car LED's - this link takes you to the headlamp conversion LED's I bought (I opted for the 'Warm White' version to keep the lights looking 'classic' - without losing any 'brightness') :

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collec ... 9353243743

Regulations were changed last year so this conversion is no longer 'illegal' :

"The MOT rules have been clarified from 22.3.21 to allow the use of LED conversions that pass the beam pattern tests for headlights for Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles (car, private bus and light commercial vehicle) first used before 1 April 1986 and all class1 and 2 motorcycles of any age."

.
Andy

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
911hillclimber
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Thank you Andy.
They certainly read to be exactly what is needed.
I thought led lights needed a 'black box' to work so always shy'd away from them. Worth doing the rear driving lights too if I can.

In the blackness and the huge rain this morning I felt very vulnerable and had a real moment on the motorway, just could not see a thing and nearly got into big trouble.

Cheap mod @ £75 or so.

I recall comments that the headlamp wiring was on the light gauge side so I hope the loom can handle these.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

That's the other advantage of changing to LED's - they require a significantly smaller current so put less 'strain' on the wiring ...

.
Andy

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
911hillclimber
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Not sure which rear leds to get from them, so have set an email.
Best do the dash lights too.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Gary71
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by Gary71 »

I did mine from ClassicLeds as above, front and rear.

They are still a bit crap compared to anything modern, but SO much better than stock.

I’ve just come back from Sheffield over the Peak District in dark, rain and fog and stopped to pull the alignment up for a bit more range.

Made the drive back actually enjoyable (in parts!) rather than just a slog.
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by anglophone1 »

Switched Jaffa 911 completely to LED a few years back - including the Cibies- a huge improvement -night driving doesn't just become possible - actually enjoyable!
Classic Car LED's has all you need!
I've gone the same route with Tango 914.
In both cases I ratcheted it up a notch by using LED boards rather than bulbs at the rear from https://www.spokeworksled.com/- even better still!
C
Clive
West Cork, Ireland

RGruppe #814
1978 SC/1984 3.2 Outlaw -Jaffa 911
1973 914 - on Webers - historic rally car- Tango 914
1977 924 2.0 on Webers street legal race car - Martini 924
Flachbau -in progress
911hillclimber
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Thank you all, encouraging.
Will look into the rear boards tomorrow. Also a re-check of the alignment after conversion at the front.
What have you done at the rear of yours Gary, and what did you use?

The Boxster's lights are stunning, never get the 911 close to that, but after this morning anything will be better...

Clive, your 914-6 looked fabulous today at Greatworths.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911GP »

I have dashboard lights and interior dome lights (festoon bulbs) from Classic Car LEDs and they are fine.

If you are looking for something excellent, Audette Collection in the US make very good H4 LED headlight units but at a price.

https://911bestinclass.com/collections/911-lwb
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by KS »

I run these (or similar, with the lens) as indicator bulbs in the rear of the 914. I prefer the look of all-red US-spec lenses and these are bright enough to show as amber when in use.
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/produc ... 15s-glb382
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911hillclimber
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Yes, the rears are tricky maybe, need to be 'amber' as side lights and RED for braking. In the conditions yesterday morning the modern car rear lights disappeared only a short distance in front of me, so want something intense as rear side lights.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by Gary71 »

This is what I bought

Image

And they are plenty bright enough. Even more so under braking!

Image
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by anglophone1 »

911hillclimber wrote: Sun Oct 23, 2022 10:28 pm Thank you all, encouraging.
Will look into the rear boards tomorrow. Also a re-check of the alignment after conversion at the front.
What have you done at the rear of yours Gary, and what did you use?

The Boxster's lights are stunning, never get the 911 close to that, but after this morning anything will be better...

Clive, your 914-6 looked fabulous today at Greatworths.
Thanks Graham- although Tango 914 isn't a six!
Clive
West Cork, Ireland

RGruppe #814
1978 SC/1984 3.2 Outlaw -Jaffa 911
1973 914 - on Webers - historic rally car- Tango 914
1977 924 2.0 on Webers street legal race car - Martini 924
Flachbau -in progress
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by hot66 »

im running LED headlight bulbs in the 964 . Ideally I'd build up a set of replacement LED headlights using a mixture of VW sealed beam assemblies matched to the Porsche headlight rims and something like the following

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Defender-Drivi ... B07Q2D9TWC

( not saying theyre the best ones to buy )

hybrid this with porsche parts

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/ ... drive.html
James

1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster

Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast ;)
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hot66
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Re: A question about lights on a 73T...

Post by hot66 »

... on a related note, coming back from Spa through terrible wet weather on the motorway, Ian and clive said they couldnt see my stock rear 964 lights !
James

1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster

Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast ;)
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