Lights Please.

[Uncle_P]

In past cars I've upgraded the headlight bulbs and have had good results. Has anybody here tried the same with their 4.2? The fact that the lenses are plastic means that increaseing the wattage is a no-no, but what about switching to any of those bulbs that promise 30% extra light/blueywhite/longer range etc? Are the headlight bulbs easy to get to?, it's not a job I've had to do yet. When I changed the bulb on my wife's Alfa, I had to use a mirror and a torch to get the dratted clips off. The advice on their forum was to get a small child to change the bulb as Italian cars aren't designed with burly 6 footers in mind!

These are the ones I've been thinking about: http://www.amazon.co.uk/osram-nightbreaker-plus/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=osram%20nightbreaker%20plus&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aosram%20nightbreaker%20plus&page=1

Oh, and what fitment are they?

[Hoovie]

I fitted the Philps Extreme to my RAV4.2 2005 model and found them very good. I chose those ones as they came out best in a Autoexpress test and were a good price. The 'Blue' Lights tend to be a bit pointless and are more targeted towards the 'look at me, I think I am an BMW' Corsa/Fiesta/Saxo Boy Racer.

The fitting you need for the Rav4.2 is the H4 and they are pretty easy to fit as I recall. I wouldn't personally bother changing the sidelight bulbs (you often get free 501 lamps thrown in with the headlights) as THEY are fiddly and the awkwardness exceeds the benefit IMO.

For the RAV4.3, I fitted the Osram Nightbreaker (as per your link) to both the Dipped and the Main Beam and they make a big difference (no lights on the roads round here but lots of pheasants and rabbits instead!) so I would say they are a good choice too :)

[firemac]

In past cars I've upgraded the headlight bulbs and have had good results. Has anybody here tried the same with their 4.2? The fact that the lenses are plastic means that increaseing the wattage is a no-no, but what about switching to any of those bulbs that promise 30% extra light/blueywhite/longer range etc? Are the headlight bulbs easy to get to?, it's not a job I've had to do yet. When I changed the bulb on my wife's Alfa, I had to use a mirror and a torch to get the dratted clips off. The advice on their forum was to get a small child to change the bulb as Italian cars aren't designed with burly 6 footers in mind!

These are the ones I've been thinking about: http://www.amazon.co...r%20plus&page=1

Oh, and what fitment are they?

Hi Bill,

I've fitted Nightbreakers recently to our 02-reg 4.2. They are good & were easy to fit - probably the hardest bit was pulling off the rubber insulator on the back of the unit - it seems to sort of "weld" itself to the unit but Mr.T has kindly provided a little square protrusion which you grab firmly & pull. After that, it's a doddle; pretty standard: a spring clip in each bulb holder which, once released, allows the old bulb to come out. Replacement is a straightforward reversal.

I've fitted Ring xenon Ultimas to our 54-reg 4.2. Only difference to the 02-reg was that the connector blocks seemed a bit more awkward to remove & replace as the cables seemed shorter & there was less room between the back of the O/S headlamp unit & the ABS block. Can't think why because otherwise the under bonnet layouts on both cars are identical.

Both brands work very well and I'm pleased with them. Both are H4's & I bought them on the web from Autobulbs direct, who delivered them next day.

[Uncle_P]

That's all a great help guys, I'll be uprating my bulbs soon so will keep y'all posted on how I get on.

[local hero]

H4s are about the most common headlight bulb there is, so shop around, if you have access to a Maccess, they carry a good range of upgraded bulbs, at good prices, or google Autobulbs direct...Stew

[Manxrav]

Philips Extreme and Nightbreakers are both excellent choices. I have the Philips ones in my Urbancruiser, we are a bit like Dave (Hoovie) no streetlights dark as ow,t

Regards Clare

[Hoovie]

H4s are about the most common headlight bulb there is, so shop around, if you have access to a Maccess, they carry a good range of upgraded bulbs, at good prices, or google Autobulbs direct...Stew

As far as on-line goes, I recently (2 weeks ago) bought a set of Philips Extreme H4s and found Amazon.co.uk the best all in price (cost + P&P) if that helps as a target price to aim to beat?

I still have them unused actually ( the Suzuki Swift manual said H4s, but someone had fitted aftermarket headlamps and I didn't realise!)