Headlights

Liam · Post by **Liam** » 07 Aug 2006, 14:03

I am a big fan of the pairs of headlights on the pre-1986 volvo 240s. I was wondering if it is possible to replace the big singular headlights on my 1992 240 with some of the squared shaped ones.

airkooledchris · Post by **airkooledchris** » 20 Mar 2007, 11:52

sorry for bringing back an old thread, but there was no reply and as someone who is 'just' about to pick up their first ever Volvo, I was wondering the same.

im buying an 89 240 wagon, which I love *except* for those big ugly plastic headlights.

id like to switch to a quad style front, if they can be interchanged.

otherwise, I suppose I could pick up a set of glass ones off of eHay from the euro models.

thanks,
chris

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Mar 2007, 12:51

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo site.

sorry for bringing back an old thread

No apology needed. At the time of the original post, obviously nobody knew whether they would fit. With more members signing on every day someone may know now.

I have done some digging around, both then and now, and I feel that the lights would not fit without some modification to the bodywork. However, I can't be certain as we never had those headlights in the UK.

Bill.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 20 Mar 2007, 16:57

not only the bodywork..but would it not be necessary to change the wiring too because the single large light is high and low beam where the dual lights on each side did it separately?

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Mar 2007, 17:04

but would it not be necessary to change the wiring

Very valid point, which I missed. This proves the value of these forums, we can all come up with something.

Bill.

airkooledchris · Post by **airkooledchris** » 21 Mar 2007, 13:23

thanks for the reply, I figured it would be a bit more complicated than it originally seemed.

im not really all that worried about it, as I can certainly live with the looks of it for a while and just get to know the mechanicals before worrying about the aesthetics...

markvt · Post by **markvt** » 21 Mar 2007, 21:32

I can tell you after owning 240's with both models of lights, that the newer ones definitley light up the road better than the old ones and are as good or better than most anything that I have driven....and that includes a $78,000 MB.
For us older guys, illumination is very important.

airkooledchris · Post by **airkooledchris** » 22 Mar 2007, 13:58

when you say the newer ones, you mean simply the big plastic ones Vs the 4 square or round style ones right?

I checked the lights on the one im buying and they seem cloudy and dimly light, but I suppose there are things you can do to get more of a clear plastic on them and then upgrade the bulbs and possibly wiring.

my goal is also better illumination which it seemed was easier with the quad setup.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 22 Mar 2007, 15:47

the big square ones do get cloudy.. i heard of different ways of clearing them up (using CLR or other delimers) but i would suggest buying new lenses to replace them.

On the four light systems i would most likely purchase some of the brighter whiter lights made by various manufacturers. You should also know that quartzs lights do dim over time and tend to shoot out a yellow colour light .. so replacing them will help.

markvt · Post by **markvt** » 24 Mar 2007, 10:09

I know that my 92's plastic covering has clouded. I plan this summer to come up with a solution. I might try polishing them as a start. One other thing on bulb wattage....my conclusion is that the optics of the lens is much more important and the wattage. A case in point...I had a new Lincoln...lights were terrible compared to my 240. I put in off road bulbs...80w low beam and 100w high beam (I know illegal). The larger wattage made just about no difference....bad lense design just like their Mercurys and Ford-Crown Vics.
I've found out that Fords have terrible head lights, Chrysler a little better and General Motors the best. This was my jusdgment 4 or 5 years back.