2000 V70 Headlight

hcritz · Post by **hcritz** » 25 Nov 2018, 17:10

Hey Folks...
I just picked up another v70...My GLT now has over 350,000 miles. I found a low mileage non-turbo southern car in great condition to replace my GLT when if finally decides to give up...That may never happen! LOL
I'm wondering of there are any headlight options for these cars...my 850 turbo has awesome headlights...the GLT never had great lights...this new one seems even worse. I have repainted the reflectors...and I'm looking at maybe some LED lights. Were there different lenses for the euro cars? Rainy dark nights are really unpleasant to drive in.
Any Info would be appreciated.
Thanks!!!
Ed

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 25 Nov 2018, 17:41

Try looking into the headlamp assembly from a ~2003 or so S70 - I think this model I used - was a direct bolt on replacement for my '99 V70. These are the "jewel" style ones with better beam pattern. They will use different bulbs as well. Was a night and day difference. There should be a post from me about it, if not I may be able to find the photos of before and after on my drive somewhere.

LINK FOUND:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78410&p=458106&hili ... ht#p458106

Post by **scot850** » 25 Nov 2018, 18:03

Me-thinks you mean C70. S70 last year was 2000.

Neil.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 25 Nov 2018, 19:40

Hi Ed, Ed here.

You have a few options. Cheapest would probably be to replace the whole assemblies with some new aftermarkets and use normal bulbs. Please do not use any LED or HID lights in any of the stock halogen light setups. It causes light to shoot everywhere and cannot be aimed properly.

If you want the best light, do a projector retrofit. I got a mini H1 HID projector kit from "The Retrofit Source" as well as clear glass lenses (C70 lenses) and installed them on the stock assemblies. I can link to the kit I got, and to the store I bought the clear lenses from. A bit expensive... yes, but with the amount of miles I drive, often at night, I have no regrets. The results speak for themselves:

: Build; 20170203_162150.jpg (128.9 KiB) Viewed 1002 times

: Installed; 20170203_171225.jpg (95.44 KiB) Viewed 1002 times

: Beam cutoff; 20170203_181827.jpg (62.73 KiB) Viewed 1002 times

: Low beams and fogs on; 20170203_181552.jpg (142.06 KiB) Viewed 1002 times

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 25 Nov 2018, 21:10

scot850 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2018, 18:03 Me-thinks you mean C70. S70 last year was 2000.

Neil.

Yup, you got me.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 25 Nov 2018, 21:11

ecbsykes wrote: ↑25 Nov 2018, 19:40 Hi Ed, Ed here.

You have a few options. Cheapest would probably be to replace the whole assemblies with some new aftermarkets and use normal bulbs. Please do not use any LED or HID lights in any of the stock halogen light setups. It causes light to shoot everywhere and cannot be aimed properly.

Also note that putting the wrong light technology in the wrong assembly is also a violation of FMVSS (Federal motor law for short.) That said, people will do what they do...

hcritz · Post by **hcritz** » 26 Nov 2018, 12:46

Thanks guys...some good options...I've never been happy with the lighting on the V70s...I drive a LOT...right at a million miles on my three wagons and night driving in the V70s is sketchy at best especially in the rain. I've thought about doing a retrofit projector in the original housings...the clear lenses would be a must for that.
The newer LEDs have made a lot of progress and some now have elements that mimic the filament location of halogen bulbs and focus properly. Not sure how the Bulb out computer would like the LEDs though.
I'll keep you guys posted when get to the light replacement.
Thanks!!!
Ed

hcritz · Post by **hcritz** » 26 Nov 2018, 16:46

Hey Ed...
What are you using in your High Beams???

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 26 Nov 2018, 19:33

I have LEDs in there. They're super bright and because they're high-beams, I'm fine with the bit of light scatter. The projectors also act as high beams (they have a shroud that is moved by a solenoid when you activate high beams). So I basically have two high beams. When you're out on country roads at night with no oncoming traffic, the results are incredible. Also useful for waging photon warfare with the idiots who drive around with terrible HID low-beams.