Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Headlamp upgrade UK Grand Cherokee Overland CCFL projectors

9K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  nsmithson 
#1 ·
Upgraded my headlights this weekend as I wanted a more modern look to my Jeep.

These were originally LHD units for the US market so I had to open them up, remove the projectors and flip the masks 180 degrees.

Took me about an hour to remove the bumper and install the units in the freezing cold but I'm pleased with the results :lol:

The photo with lights on is the Halos and LEDs only which shows how bright they are.
 

Attachments

See less See more
5
#4 ·
Be carefully as there are several stipulations for fitting Hid lighting in the UK . They must be auto levelling and have headlight washers.
 
#5 · (Edited)
There are so many cars out there with HID upgrades now, some using reflectors and they seem to be getting away with it.

I'm over the moon with my projectors even with the stock Halogens, they're just awesome and the cut off is razor sharp.

Will give some 5000k HIDs a go, I'm sure they won't draw too much unwanted attention.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
 
#6 ·
Update.....

Got an 08 bumper from eBay and just got it back from the body shop freshly painted.

Will take some photos this weekend and will then look into the HID lighting, 5000 or 6000k.

I originally wanted a 08-10 menu overland but they're very rare in the UK so I've sorta made my own :)

Sent from my MZ601 using Tapatalk 2
 
#10 ·
Got my 5000k HID's installed now and they colour match the LED's and CCFL rings.
The cut-off is razor sharp and visibility is greatly improved, especially road signs and markings.
The ballasts haven't thrown up any fault codes and there's no radio interference whether analogue or digital.

Overall, I love the look and performance. :D

Sent from my MZ601 using Tapatalk 2
 

Attachments

#11 ·
Hi,

I'm looking at upgrading the headlights on my UK WJ and have run into the same problem with all the aftermarket lights being LHD. I could order RHD projector lenses and just fit them into the stock headlights, but I'd really like to upgrade the whole headlight as the ones on my WJ are looking a bit tired.

Was converting them to RHD really as simple as just flipping the mask round 180 degrees? Did you know this would be possible to do on these lights before you ordered them?

I don't fancy getting new lights sent over from the US only to find that I can't convert them to RHD.

Any advice would be welcome.
 
#12 ·
Hi Matt,

Only just seen your message.
Just about all headlamps are bonded together using hor melt sealant. If you can open them up I'm sure you will be able flip the cut-off mask over. Wear gloves when you do this and ensure you don't get dust and fingerprints on the optics.
Mine are still looking as good as they did the day I Installed them, no leaks or fogging.
One thing which has been an issue has been the the CCFL inverters interfering with the front parking radar. I had to replace them with error free shielded inverters.
Good luck and don't forget to post some project photos for us.

Best regards,

Paul.
 
#14 ·
Matt B

Did you manage to do your WJ in the end?

I'm considering the same Mod but cannot find any confirmed UK spec projectors for the WJ nor can i find anyone who can say 100% that the US spec projectors for the WJ have enough adjustment for UK regs (without the flipping mask job)
 
#15 ·
Hi,

Yes I did it and now have a very good pair of projector headlights on my WJ. It wasn't a very easy job as I had to order a set of headlamps from the US, which I think cost me about £140 inc shipping from the US.

When they arrived I then had to open up each headlight and flip the cut off mask over so that the beam pointed in the right direction for the UK.

I then re-sealed each headlight with silicon sealant and once this had set I popped them back into the Jeep. There was only up and down adjustment on them so I wasn't sure if the beam pattern would be ok, but I took them to a local garage and they adjusted them to the correct level and they're fine.

I then fitted some nice Osram Nightbreakers in them and now can actually see properly at night! Even with upgraded headlight bulbs in the original headlamps the range of vision was poor, but the new projectors are excellent.

I've had the car MOT'd twice since and it passed as the beam pattern is within the correct limits for the UK. I was a bit unsure if the headlamps would be legal as they are from the US, but no issues raised.

Only minor downside is that they don't have a motor in them to adjust the level when the Jeep is loaded up, so the level adjuster on the dashboard doesn't work, but one of the motors in the old lights had packed up anyway, so no real loss for me.

Matt
 
#16 ·
Hi Matt

Thanks for the information, good to know that someone has managed to successfully achieve this in the UK and have it pass MOT's

The cut off mask that needs flipping is this fairly obvious what needs doing? is it a case of just flipping it upside down or does the one from the left go in the right?

What bulbs do the replacements run (im guessing not the standard 9006xs/9005xs straight base)

I'm not too worried RE opening them as i have some cool plans to implement a DLR strip with a sequential led indicator strip (like the new Audi lights have)

Cheers
Neil
 
#17 ·
Hi,

I can't remember exactly which way I had to flip them, but I think it was quite obvious. The ones I got had a step cut out in the metal mask which in the US would block some of the light beam from hitting oncoming cars on the left side of the road, so you just turn them around so it blocks the beam on the right hand side.

The bulbs they take are the curved base ones rather than the straight base (HB3 & HB4), which means you get a lot more choice of bulbs.

Matt
 
#18 ·
Matt,

Thanks again for the information (apologies for the delayed response)

Having done some more digging around on general cut off images i think i see exactly what you are referring to and it makes far more sense to me know.

As soon as the ££ lets me i think this job will be in order,

Cheers
Neil
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top