ok. many members seem to have tons of questions about jdm headlights, but many are repeated, or slight variations on previously asked questions. i hope that this thread will be able to answer many questions, and allow for members to peruse through threads on topics about other jdm parts available for the cb7 (whether honda oem in japan, or aftermarket in japan).
are these jdm headlights? they're advertised as such on ebay
while ebay is a wonderful place to do commerce, sellers are not always the most informed individuals. also, sellers have learned that the art of selling on ebay is including as many headliners in a description as possible, in order to get as many "hits" on their auction as possible.
the point of this thread is not these u.s. manufactured lights, or to compare these lights to the jdm headlights, so i'll move on.
what's the difference between usdm and jdm headlights?
well, there are quite a few differences:
first, you must remember that driving is done on the opposite side of the road in japan. this makes a difference in the focus of the beam pattern.
in the u.s., the beam pattern is towards the right, where most road signs are, and oncoming drivers generally are not
in japan, the beam pattern is towards the left.
so, using jdm headlights may annoy other drivers here in this country, as the beam pattern is towards oncoming traffic.
second, the headlights are nipple-less. why it is that our usdm headlights have nipples, remains a subject of controversy (some say it is the headlight making process in this country- that the machine must hold onto the light somehow; others say it is the difference in using glass on our headlights and plastic in japan).
third, there are one piece as well as two piece headlights. while most people who are in search of jdm headlights are looking for the one piece headlight, one piece headlights were only available on the sedan models. the two piece headlight system was available on the coupe models. again, if you've been paying attention, the two piece jdm headlights are different from the one piece usdm headlights in that they are nippleless, and have a different beam pattern.
jdm one piece headlight (blamethepunx)
jdm two piece headlight
why do some one piece headlights have chrome trim, and others do not?
typically, those one piece headlights with chrome trim are 90/91 headlights.
typically, those one piece headlights without the chrome trim are 92/93 headlights.
i say typically, because some say/claim that there are 92/93 headlights that have chrome trim.
rebels' 90/91 jdm one piece headlights
93accordex's 92/93 jdm one piece headlights (please note that they have a custom blackhousing)
what's up with the light output on the jdm headlights?
remember, the light pattern is different in the jdm headlights (favors the left) than in the usdm headlights (favors the right).
outside of that, there is not much difference in usable light between the jdm and usdm headlights.
will the jdm headlights cause glare for oncoming traffic?
what bulbs are used in the jdm headlights?
you cannot use the bulbs in the usdm headlights. the usdm units use 9006 (low beam) and 9005 (high beam) bulbs.
the jdm units use h4 bulbs (low beam) and h1 bulbs (high beam).
can i use an h.i.d. kit in the jdm headlights?
sure.
pic showing output from fliplyricist1's jdm headlights with hid kit
for more pics of his h.i.d. kit, go here
are the jdm headlights a direct bolt in replacement?
errr... kinda sorta. you can splice or solder the wires from the headlights to that of the car. of course, this will require cutting the wires to the usdm headlights to be replaced.
you may also have to shave a bit of the lower portion of the headlight off in order for them to clear the bumper:
Can i use 92-93 headlights on a 90-91 (or vice versa)?
see cpmike's first post down below. this thread may also be of some additional help.
ok, i know i want some jdm headlights. where do i find them?
baller on a budget sources:
www.ebay.com
thread on autosonic
full price vendors:
www.spwusa.com
www.nopionline.com
www.optauto.com
i have my jdm headlights. how do i change the bulbs?
how do i adjust the jdm headlights?
check the 2nd page for a pic and description from timmy0tool.
how do i clean the surface of jdm headlights?
for the one-piece headlights:
for the 2-piece headlights, you can use regular glass cleaner, or if brave, have them wetsanded.
are these jdm headlights? they're advertised as such on ebay
while ebay is a wonderful place to do commerce, sellers are not always the most informed individuals. also, sellers have learned that the art of selling on ebay is including as many headliners in a description as possible, in order to get as many "hits" on their auction as possible.
the point of this thread is not these u.s. manufactured lights, or to compare these lights to the jdm headlights, so i'll move on.
what's the difference between usdm and jdm headlights?
well, there are quite a few differences:
first, you must remember that driving is done on the opposite side of the road in japan. this makes a difference in the focus of the beam pattern.
in the u.s., the beam pattern is towards the right, where most road signs are, and oncoming drivers generally are not
in japan, the beam pattern is towards the left.
so, using jdm headlights may annoy other drivers here in this country, as the beam pattern is towards oncoming traffic.
second, the headlights are nipple-less. why it is that our usdm headlights have nipples, remains a subject of controversy (some say it is the headlight making process in this country- that the machine must hold onto the light somehow; others say it is the difference in using glass on our headlights and plastic in japan).
third, there are one piece as well as two piece headlights. while most people who are in search of jdm headlights are looking for the one piece headlight, one piece headlights were only available on the sedan models. the two piece headlight system was available on the coupe models. again, if you've been paying attention, the two piece jdm headlights are different from the one piece usdm headlights in that they are nippleless, and have a different beam pattern.
Originally posted by usc
jdm two piece headlight
why do some one piece headlights have chrome trim, and others do not?
typically, those one piece headlights with chrome trim are 90/91 headlights.
typically, those one piece headlights without the chrome trim are 92/93 headlights.
i say typically, because some say/claim that there are 92/93 headlights that have chrome trim.
rebels' 90/91 jdm one piece headlights
93accordex's 92/93 jdm one piece headlights (please note that they have a custom blackhousing)
what's up with the light output on the jdm headlights?
remember, the light pattern is different in the jdm headlights (favors the left) than in the usdm headlights (favors the right).
outside of that, there is not much difference in usable light between the jdm and usdm headlights.
will the jdm headlights cause glare for oncoming traffic?
Originally posted by BustedLX
You can not adjust the beam pattern of your headlights. It is the pattern the reflector was designed to reflect. I don't know if you even understand what Im refering to but I'll mention it anyway, If you already know forgive me for wasting your time.
LHD headlights have a cut off of light that reflects light up and to the right where street signs would be. That way even though the lights are focused to illuminate the ground you can still partially illuminate and reflect off street signs on the right. Ever noticed that when you drive you car?
Well RHD headlights have the same design only since they drive on the right the light is cut up and to the left.
So when you put RHD headlights on a LHD car you will glare to on coming traffic. Depending how your headlights are adjusted is how much you'll blind them. To compensate for this on mine I just aimed my headlights close to the ground then they would normally be. I never got flashed. But I know others that have.
You'll notice what I mean if you just park you car, turn on the headlights, and walk by it on the drivers side and you'll see it uncomfortable on your eyes.
There are no LHD one-peices!. All one-pieces are RHD.
You can not adjust the beam pattern of your headlights. It is the pattern the reflector was designed to reflect. I don't know if you even understand what Im refering to but I'll mention it anyway, If you already know forgive me for wasting your time.
LHD headlights have a cut off of light that reflects light up and to the right where street signs would be. That way even though the lights are focused to illuminate the ground you can still partially illuminate and reflect off street signs on the right. Ever noticed that when you drive you car?
Well RHD headlights have the same design only since they drive on the right the light is cut up and to the left.
So when you put RHD headlights on a LHD car you will glare to on coming traffic. Depending how your headlights are adjusted is how much you'll blind them. To compensate for this on mine I just aimed my headlights close to the ground then they would normally be. I never got flashed. But I know others that have.
You'll notice what I mean if you just park you car, turn on the headlights, and walk by it on the drivers side and you'll see it uncomfortable on your eyes.
There are no LHD one-peices!. All one-pieces are RHD.
what bulbs are used in the jdm headlights?
you cannot use the bulbs in the usdm headlights. the usdm units use 9006 (low beam) and 9005 (high beam) bulbs.
the jdm units use h4 bulbs (low beam) and h1 bulbs (high beam).
can i use an h.i.d. kit in the jdm headlights?
sure.
pic showing output from fliplyricist1's jdm headlights with hid kit
for more pics of his h.i.d. kit, go here
are the jdm headlights a direct bolt in replacement?
errr... kinda sorta. you can splice or solder the wires from the headlights to that of the car. of course, this will require cutting the wires to the usdm headlights to be replaced.
you may also have to shave a bit of the lower portion of the headlight off in order for them to clear the bumper:
Originally posted by cpmike
when i installed my 9091's, the bumper wouldnt fully sit against the car until i cut part of the mounting bracket off, seen in the pic below. i cut along the red dotted line (dont mind the red circle). i guess i should have used a dremel, but it wasnt outside with me, and i had a pair of wirecutters in my hands from when i did wiring... so i cut the plastic w/ them
compare the brackets from the jdm headlights to ur stock ones when they finally arrive, and see if you do in fact need to make the cut.
[img]http://www.****.com/pics/jdmheads/cut.jpg[/img]
when i installed my 9091's, the bumper wouldnt fully sit against the car until i cut part of the mounting bracket off, seen in the pic below. i cut along the red dotted line (dont mind the red circle). i guess i should have used a dremel, but it wasnt outside with me, and i had a pair of wirecutters in my hands from when i did wiring... so i cut the plastic w/ them
compare the brackets from the jdm headlights to ur stock ones when they finally arrive, and see if you do in fact need to make the cut.[img]http://www.****.com/pics/jdmheads/cut.jpg[/img]
Can i use 92-93 headlights on a 90-91 (or vice versa)?
see cpmike's first post down below. this thread may also be of some additional help.
ok, i know i want some jdm headlights. where do i find them?
baller on a budget sources:
www.ebay.com
thread on autosonic
full price vendors:
www.spwusa.com
www.nopionline.com
www.optauto.com
i have my jdm headlights. how do i change the bulbs?
Originally posted by cpmike
dont unscrew anything... pull the rubber boot off, and theres a metal wire tab sticking up. if u follow it, its hooked underneath a metal clip (that has a screw in it)- push the tab down, out, and release it. the metal wire should open up and leave the bulb loose.
dont unscrew anything... pull the rubber boot off, and theres a metal wire tab sticking up. if u follow it, its hooked underneath a metal clip (that has a screw in it)- push the tab down, out, and release it. the metal wire should open up and leave the bulb loose.
how do i adjust the jdm headlights?
Originally posted by cpmike
those little wheels are adjusters. the plastic lip that surrounds the wheels shoudl have a notch in it on either side- stick a screwdriver (i think phillips head) down thru the slot and under the \/\/\/\/ shaped wheel, and turn the screwdriver to rotate the wheel.
yes, those are adjuster wheels
which one u should use, i have no idea.
those little wheels are adjusters. the plastic lip that surrounds the wheels shoudl have a notch in it on either side- stick a screwdriver (i think phillips head) down thru the slot and under the \/\/\/\/ shaped wheel, and turn the screwdriver to rotate the wheel.
yes, those are adjuster wheels
which one u should use, i have no idea.
Originally posted by fliplyricist1
the upper wheel right above the inner h1 lights is for the horizontal adjustment of the h1 lights
the big lower wheel in the middle is for the horizontal adjustment of the h4 headlights
the little tiny wheels on the end corners are for the left/right adjustment of the h4's
the upper wheel right above the inner h1 lights is for the horizontal adjustment of the h1 lights
the big lower wheel in the middle is for the horizontal adjustment of the h4 headlights
the little tiny wheels on the end corners are for the left/right adjustment of the h4's
how do i clean the surface of jdm headlights?
Originally posted by usc
Originally posted by timmy0tool
use mother's mag and aluminum wheel polish. yea i know it's for rims but they work wonders on plastic lenses as well, and they protect like a wax. they will get rid of that glazing that you described for sure!
use mother's mag and aluminum wheel polish. yea i know it's for rims but they work wonders on plastic lenses as well, and they protect like a wax. they will get rid of that glazing that you described for sure!
Originally posted by accordztech
try some plastix made by mequiars, its a white bottle that really works well on plastic, it gets faded ness out and like hazy stuff out and some bad spots that cant be taken out normally.
plus use it on all the lights that look dull and it will shine it up till it looks new
its about 5 or 6 bucks
try some plastix made by mequiars, its a white bottle that really works well on plastic, it gets faded ness out and like hazy stuff out and some bad spots that cant be taken out normally.
plus use it on all the lights that look dull and it will shine it up till it looks new
its about 5 or 6 bucks
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