PX Ranger low beam is hopeless. What's the fix?
- Thread starter John U
- Start date
discomatt
Well-Known Member
Just upgrade the globes to Phillips +, they come in +35, +75 and +130
+130 don't last very long ( I have used them in the Disco 1, might just be a LR thing but I doubt it) I run +75 and it makes a massive difference to light output without really annoying other drivers like other headlight upgrades, plus the massive bonus of they still work in fog and dust so heaps better than a HID or LED change
+130 don't last very long ( I have used them in the Disco 1, might just be a LR thing but I doubt it) I run +75 and it makes a massive difference to light output without really annoying other drivers like other headlight upgrades, plus the massive bonus of they still work in fog and dust so heaps better than a HID or LED change
Petunia
Well-Known Member
Better globes, yes and proper adjustment, but a light bar can not be used ''on road'' with low beam.
Les PK Ranger
4x4 Earth Contributer
..
Whatever you do, make sure it's legal and not dangerous.
In general, you can't upgrade to LED or other such high output globes, usually a vehicle has to have them from factory, with proper low beam shading.
Low beam is hard to fix !!
I had the same issues with my older PK Ranger, crappy yellow incandescent globes.
Never tried updating them, as I didn't want to blind oncoming traffic on highway drives with 200+ km/hr closing speeds !!
Yes, my additional lighting on high beam was like daylight out to 600m (more straight up the road) in a wide arc, why I loved highway driving in the wee hours with little traffic.
Hated switching to low as it was like turning off the lights altogether !!
I'd just slow to 80 if there had been previous animals (roos etc) sighted in the area.
Whatever you do, make sure it's legal and not dangerous.
In general, you can't upgrade to LED or other such high output globes, usually a vehicle has to have them from factory, with proper low beam shading.
Low beam is hard to fix !!
I had the same issues with my older PK Ranger, crappy yellow incandescent globes.
Never tried updating them, as I didn't want to blind oncoming traffic on highway drives with 200+ km/hr closing speeds !!
Yes, my additional lighting on high beam was like daylight out to 600m (more straight up the road) in a wide arc, why I loved highway driving in the wee hours with little traffic.
Hated switching to low as it was like turning off the lights altogether !!
I'd just slow to 80 if there had been previous animals (roos etc) sighted in the area.
John U
Well-Known Member
Too bad the globe change is so fiddly. From memory I'll need to remove air box on drive side and battery, battery tray, and relays on the passenger side.
If I can find them I think I'll go with +75 @discomatt mentioned if they last a decent amount of time. Can you recall where you got them Matt?
Does anyone know if RACV off the service @cookie64 mentioned the RAA offers?
Komang
Well-Known Member
My px low beam shine like sh@t auto adjust only up and down cant left right the angle
Have to loosen few nut and push it more to the centre so give me more light in the middle and tighting it back again.
Hate people who think can change the globe to better one with out considering blinding incoming trafic like @Les PK Ranger said need from factory shading
Have to loosen few nut and push it more to the centre so give me more light in the middle and tighting it back again.
Hate people who think can change the globe to better one with out considering blinding incoming trafic like @Les PK Ranger said need from factory shading
Every little bit helps, but don't expect miracles with those "Plus" headlights, they are all outrageously overrated in terms of brightness improvement.
I had a Pajero with H4 bulbs and tried many brands and even the most expensive ones improved the light output slightly at best.
Look at some youtube reviews and comparisons with real data. the improvements range from 5% to about 15% increase in brightness for the ones available in Australia. Whatever you get do one headlight first, then compare with the other side. It will be a bit brighter but will be surprised if you are happy with the result.. Keep the packaging and get them from somewhere reputable.
I suggest re-wiring with a decent cable and relay to your headlights. That alone will improve the brightness by about 10 - 15% then get 65 or 85 watt globes. Still legal and a genuine improvement in brightness. But you have to rewire first for this to work.
PIAA make good 85 and 100W H3 etc bulbs, You may be able to get them on Amazon.
Combined, these 2 actions will give you 50 to 100% improvement. Whatever you do. Change one side only first so you can see if there is any improvement and send whatever you bought back if you cant really tell the difference. Also the whiter than white incandescent ones are generally duller or the same as original due to the blue filter. They look nicer though.
I had a Pajero with H4 bulbs and tried many brands and even the most expensive ones improved the light output slightly at best.
Look at some youtube reviews and comparisons with real data. the improvements range from 5% to about 15% increase in brightness for the ones available in Australia. Whatever you get do one headlight first, then compare with the other side. It will be a bit brighter but will be surprised if you are happy with the result.. Keep the packaging and get them from somewhere reputable.
I suggest re-wiring with a decent cable and relay to your headlights. That alone will improve the brightness by about 10 - 15% then get 65 or 85 watt globes. Still legal and a genuine improvement in brightness. But you have to rewire first for this to work.
PIAA make good 85 and 100W H3 etc bulbs, You may be able to get them on Amazon.
Combined, these 2 actions will give you 50 to 100% improvement. Whatever you do. Change one side only first so you can see if there is any improvement and send whatever you bought back if you cant really tell the difference. Also the whiter than white incandescent ones are generally duller or the same as original due to the blue filter. They look nicer though.
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Les PK Ranger
4x4 Earth Contributer
..
I just want to ask, do your headlights still have perfectly clear acrylic surfaces ?
When you park in the sun all day, driving highway speeds a lot (sandblasting the coatings finely over time), or do a lot of night driving (generating heat onto the lens), this all affects the factory UV coating over time.
One of my biz components here is headlight restoration, getting the surface back to a sound level, clear again, and new UV coating applied.
When they age and go a bit yellow / cloudy, that's the old factory UV coating coming to the end of its life, and if not restored properly, can lead to the acrylic starting to craze . . . once that happens it's new headlight time.
If the lens is even slightly cloudy, it blocks around 10% of light, when they get more opaque perhaps 50%, and the light is diffused, not concentrated where it's supposed to be.
The factory coatings usually last from 6 - 10 years depending on the factors above, PX (1 ?) are well into that range, so thought I'd check.
I just want to ask, do your headlights still have perfectly clear acrylic surfaces ?
When you park in the sun all day, driving highway speeds a lot (sandblasting the coatings finely over time), or do a lot of night driving (generating heat onto the lens), this all affects the factory UV coating over time.
One of my biz components here is headlight restoration, getting the surface back to a sound level, clear again, and new UV coating applied.
When they age and go a bit yellow / cloudy, that's the old factory UV coating coming to the end of its life, and if not restored properly, can lead to the acrylic starting to craze . . . once that happens it's new headlight time.
If the lens is even slightly cloudy, it blocks around 10% of light, when they get more opaque perhaps 50%, and the light is diffused, not concentrated where it's supposed to be.
The factory coatings usually last from 6 - 10 years depending on the factors above, PX (1 ?) are well into that range, so thought I'd check.
John U
Well-Known Member
2014 build with 145000km.
I haven’t done heaps of night driving. I’m guessing it wouldn’t have done heaps before I got it.
cam04
Well-Known Member
I had a 2013 PX1. It had a bingle and got one new headlight A couple of years back. It wasn’t until then that I saw just how degraded the other one was. Doesn’t matter how much light you create if it can’t get past a crazed headlight cover. I concur with Les’ post above and would recommend starting with getting the surrounds repolished.
Toyasaurus
Well-Known Member
I had the same problem with my LC100.
I bought upgraded sockets for the globes, phillips +50 globes
Then wired direct via relays from the battery with much heavier wire, then readjusted the lights.
I also replaced a headlight that was a bit black on the mirror.
The result was an increase in low beam by about 80%, hi beam I have a lightbar.
I bought upgraded sockets for the globes, phillips +50 globes
Then wired direct via relays from the battery with much heavier wire, then readjusted the lights.
I also replaced a headlight that was a bit black on the mirror.
The result was an increase in low beam by about 80%, hi beam I have a lightbar.
John U
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Sounds like a good first step.
@Les PK Ranger who is the company that does the headlight restorations? Do they deal with polishing the mirror also?
Forgot to mention, car is always parked outside.
Les PK Ranger
4x4 Earth Contributer
Hi John,
I do the outer headlight restos as part of my PDR biz, there are many around the country doing same, probably scores in each capital.
Note: Anyone can polish headlights up, some are cheap (I've seen $50 - $90 !), and are poor value for ~ 20 mins work.
The really important difference with a good pro job is the restoration should have all the old coating removed by progressive sanding, with protection of surrounding paintwork, to a very fine finish, then polish, isopropyl wash, and a good quality UV liquid coating applied afterwards.)
From your previous post, re 2014 model, I'd say the outer acrylic is still fine ?
No yellowing or slight haze on the outer ?
If so, they're fine still.
These lights are sealed, and while I believe some can be taken apart, there is not many that can have the silver reflector part worked on.
If yours affected ?
I would have thought it would not be, but you do see some flaking over many years etc.
In general, anything that an outer clear acrylic lens can't fix, it's new headlight time, and SOME aren't terrible dear, especially as there are many aftermarket headlights through parts wholesalers available.
Eg. say an OEM light is $300, there are perfectly good aftermarket lights that might be say $150 or less.
So there is a time where you say it's best to get new complete lights.
Les PK Ranger
4x4 Earth Contributer
Happens a lot with crash repairs Cam . . .
If Johns headlights are dull like this example on the left in the before / after photo . . .
. . . then a restore is a great start.
PM me John if you'd like any advice on someone local that can do that for you (not sure where you are), I can detail further what to ask them to ensure it's done right.
Toyasaurus
Well-Known Member
Les, that makes a big difference.
Very nice.
Very nice.
TimNWVic
Active Member
I polished the headlights on my old 2014 BT50 using this kit from Autobarn:
www.autobarn.com.au
Took an afternoon but it wasn't hard, just follow the directions, be patient and fussy.
I stuffed up though by finishing the job and it looked great, then a couple hours later I went to the shops and got an unexpected sprinkle of rain - the new coating hadn't dried properly and it got a few spots on it.
A bloke at work has that vehicle now, a few years later, lights still look good (apart from the rain spots). Been parked outside at work, and carport at home faces west so headlights are in the afternoon sun.
I also put the higher output globes in them (Autobarn person said they were still legal). This all together made a huge difference - I did this after a night drive in the Riverina that was dangerous the low beam was so bad.
Invision Headlight Restoration Kit (Heavy Damage) - HRK01 | Invision | Shop our Full Ranges by Brand | Autobarn | Autobarn Category | Autobarn
Headlight restoration, not just for old vehicles. (Heavy Damage) As vehicles age, the plastic headlight lenses deteriorate as a result of abrasion and UV exposure. The headlights become a dirty yellow colour with an opaque surface. This surface damage can dramatically reduce the light output and...
www.autobarn.com.au
Took an afternoon but it wasn't hard, just follow the directions, be patient and fussy.
I stuffed up though by finishing the job and it looked great, then a couple hours later I went to the shops and got an unexpected sprinkle of rain - the new coating hadn't dried properly and it got a few spots on it.
A bloke at work has that vehicle now, a few years later, lights still look good (apart from the rain spots). Been parked outside at work, and carport at home faces west so headlights are in the afternoon sun.
I also put the higher output globes in them (Autobarn person said they were still legal). This all together made a huge difference - I did this after a night drive in the Riverina that was dangerous the low beam was so bad.
Les PK Ranger
4x4 Earth Contributer
I polished the headlights on my old 2014 BT50 using this kit from Autobarn:
Invision Headlight Restoration Kit (Heavy Damage) - HRK01 | Invision | Shop our Full Ranges by Brand | Autobarn | Autobarn Category | Autobarn
Headlight restoration, not just for old vehicles. (Heavy Damage) As vehicles age, the plastic headlight lenses deteriorate as a result of abrasion and UV exposure. The headlights become a dirty yellow colour with an opaque surface. This surface damage can dramatically reduce the light output and...
Took an afternoon but it wasn't hard, just follow the directions, be patient and fussy.
I stuffed up though by finishing the job and it looked great, then a couple hours later I went to the shops and got an unexpected sprinkle of rain - the new coating hadn't dried properly and it got a few spots on it.
A bloke at work has that vehicle now, a few years later, lights still look good (apart from the rain spots). Been parked outside at work, and carport at home faces west so headlights are in the afternoon sun.
I also put the higher output globes in them (Autobarn person said they were still legal). This all together made a huge difference - I did this after a night drive in the Riverina that was dangerous the low beam was so bad.
That looks like a decent home job kit Tim.
The Yellow-X cleaner is some sort of polish I guess ?
All the UV coatings need to dry well before getting them wet, I usually keep them overnight, or say 2 - 3 hrs later say for people to take home put under cover, and don't wash or get wet for a couple of days.
I usually spend 2 - 3 hours all up on headlight resto, have to little air random orbital sander to progressively dry sand the surface down to a final fine wet rub.
Still not sure if Johns headlights ARE needing such a resto, if still clear then obviously they aren't causing the issue.
If his globes are filament type incandescent like mine were, that's the crux of the issue, and changing globes out requires thought to not blind oncoming traffic.