TD Headlamp Replacement

GoodOldDad · newbie Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 3

Gemini TD Wagon.
Fitted with Rectangle Dedicated L/H & R/H Headlamps.
Owned by Student Daughter living on Austudy.
Vehicle Maintained by Dad.
Left Hand Headlamp is blown on both beams and requires replacing.
Second hand units are as scarce as hen's teeth, and the price of a Genuine New Unit is equal to gold in price.
I have been toying with the idea of modifying the headlight enclosure to take a smaller readily available sealed beam by utilising the mounting and adjusting hardware from some other make of vehicle.
I could start from scratch, but I can't help feeling it's all been done before, and I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction by suggesting a make and model of vehicle to start with. Cosmetics do not necessary have to be the top priority, getting both lights working economically for safety sake is the main concern

Maybe there is another better approach like a non genuine replacement etc, or even a conversion kit available, if so I am open to any suggestions.

Hoping You can help
Thanks
GoodOldDad

Gene FJ20DET · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: TD Headlamp Replacement

im pritty sure navara (cant remember how its spelt, they make spot liges and all lights for trucks and 4x4's)make a replacement headlight that isnt sealed so u can replace the bulb when the blow with out having to buy the whole unit. im pritty sure this is right. lol dont quote me on it. but i will be chacing them soon for my td
_________________

pig75 · tinkerer Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 72

just replace them with round TD lights

Frederick Stienheld · petrol head Joined: 05 Sep 2002 Posts: 2719

yep, you can just replace with the round tx-td lights. Then if you're feeling really nice you can put the surrounds around em too so there's not a big gap around the light. Also check out http://www.hotgemini.com/cgi-bin/workshop2.cgi?action=rt&tip_id=85 there's info there on putting in some non sealed beams so you can get some decent light out of em Smile

Racegem · backyard mechanic Joined: 30 Jan 2002 Posts: 987

First of all, Welcome to our little Gemini world Ron.

You have basically three options.
1) Second hand light assemblies are available from people selling them here from time to time. But they will be harder to find as time goes on.

2) Source the round lights from the base model TD, or any TX or TC Gemini. (75 to 77) The mounting hardware for the sealed beam lights will fit in the same screw holes. Then you have the option of replacing the sealed beam when it blows, or converting them to semi-sealed from a Hella or Narva kit. (Semi-sealed is where the globe is replaceable rather than the whole headlight, and they generally are Halogen or Zenon globes which are much brighter).

3) A semi-sealed conversion done to your own lights. Go to the wreckers and grab a couple of damaged headlights from a vehicle with replaceable globes. Any Commodore will do. All you need is the globe holder part. With a hole saw, cut out the filament part from the back of your TD lights. Glue in the holder part from the lights you got from the wreckers. Fit some new H4 globes. A bit of mucking around, but well worth it.

Cheers and good luck,

Yonnee.

GeminiCoupe · tinkerer Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 172

the japanese-style base model TE (round headlight) also had H4 insert headlights, although im pretty sure most cars from the 70s had similar headlight setups (same round H4 insert headlight, cars like escorts etc? correct me if im wrong)

GoodOldDad · newbie Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 3

Thanks Everyone for taking your time to answer my query.
Ihave printed them out and will digest each one further.
Thanks Again
GoodOldDad

Frederick Stienheld · petrol head Joined: 05 Sep 2002 Posts: 2719

hey I just realised the capitalised letters in your name spell GOD

GoodOldDad · newbie Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 3

Thanks Yonnee for your reply and those of the other blokes too. I find it amazing that information is so readily available so quickly on these type of forums/news groups.
In relation to your suggestion 3) converting existing light to semi-sealed.
Without having any of the items in front of me to visualise, I just wonder how critical is the depth of the globe into the headlamp as regards being in focus once the conversion is done, or will the dimensions of the parts concerned naturally fall into place to give satisfactory focus by using the best fit of the various parts.
In other words I am asking if the mounting depth into the reflector part of the light is actually critical in relation to obtaining satisfactory focus.

Hoping to hear further from you on this matter
Regards Ron
GoodOldDad

ExGem · tinkerer Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 110

You need a soldering iron they are not as sealed as you think. Have a look and have a think about it!!