V50 Electrics : Dipped beam halogen to xenon retrofit

[SonyVaio]

Good question! Now I've no idea of the answer but it would make sense for them to be.

[Jon TDI]

Originally Posted by danielg1980

Yeah big shame, the dipped beam aren't great even with the oem xenons. Did the small metal tabs bend out ok from the assembly? That's the only thing I'm worried about in terms of swapping lenses, the metal doesn't look that great and I'd be worried about it snapping. ��

Yeah they bend ok if you're careful.
There is also a retaining ring behind the lens, which needs to be carefully levered out of the way. Then the lens can be dropped back, swivelled around, & pulled out.

[danielg1980]

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

Good question! Now I've no idea of the answer but it would make sense for them to be.

It would be nice and helpful if they are the same as it would obviously increase my chances of finding newer ones that are in better condition, my reflectors aren't bad but with clearer lenses and new reflectors I'd like to think the improvement would significant. I've also started switching the side lights on when driving so as to try and preserve the reflectors as much as possible.

[Jon TDI]

Originally Posted by danielg1980

would both the lens and reflector be the same for halogen and xenon?

The lenses are the same - just get the same diameter & away you go.

The reflector bowls & bulb holders are usually part of the same assembly, so you would need an adapter to house D2S bulbs in a H7 holder or vice versa.

[danielg1980]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

Yeah they bend ok if you're careful.
There is also a retaining ring behind the lens, which needs to be carefully levered out of the way. Then the lens can be dropped back, swivelled around, & pulled out.

Cool, if I'm able to find any clear lenses do you think it would a good idea to bring the assembly inside and warm it up a bit to try and prevent and cracking/breaking? If you've got any pics of the assembly being dismantled that would be a big help as well.

Good luck with you're conversion! ��

[danielg1980]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

The lenses are the same - just get the same diameter & away you go.

The reflector bowls & bulb holders are usually part of the same assembly, so you would need an adapter to house D2S bulbs in a H7 holder or vice versa.

I was thinking that the back end would be different, but wasn't sure if you would be able to remove/swap that over from the old to the new? Removing the need for an adapter, then fit new clearer lenses, assuming the front lens holder is the same?

[Jon TDI]

Originally Posted by danielg1980

Cool, if I'm able to find any clear lenses do you think it would a good idea to bring the assembly inside and warm it up a bit to try and prevent and cracking/breaking? If you've got any pics of the assembly being dismantled that would be a big help as well.

Good luck with you're conversion! ��

Don't think it matters that much, but working in the warmth is always a bonus!
I'll see if I can take some more pics tomorrow.

[danielg1980]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

Don't think it matters that much, but working in the warmth is always a bonus!
I'll see if I can take some more pics tomorrow.

I shall just have be careful then ;-)

Thanks

[Jon TDI]

So, a couple more pics (not very exciting I must admit!).
First shows the 3 mounting points that hold the projector in the inner headlight. (2 white points at the top & 1 black at the bottom right).
The bottom right mounting point is a little awkward to get to, but you need to push the inner housing off the motor adjuster & then it gives you more room to get a torx driver into the screw.
Second picture shows the projector & lens retaining ring. The tabs on housing just need to be carefully bent back & then the retaining ring can be levered down.

These clear lenses are a direct fit to the Volvo projectors:-
http://www.retrofitlab.com/clear-len...h-zkw-r-1.html

Think I'm going to order a pair of them & see what they're like.

[danielg1980]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

So, a couple more pics (not very exciting I must admit!).
First shows the 3 mounting points that hold the projector in the inner headlight. (2 white points at the top & 1 black at the bottom right).
The bottom right mounting point is a little awkward to get to, but you need to push the inner housing off the motor adjuster & then it gives you more room to get a torx driver into the screw.
Second picture shows the projector & lens retaining ring. The tabs on housing just need to be carefully bent back & then the retaining ring can be levered down.

These clear lenses are a direct fit to the Volvo projectors:-
http://www.retrofitlab.com/clear-len...h-zkw-r-1.html

Think I'm going to order a pair of them & see what they're like.

Those lenses look good, let me know if you get a set, they aren't cheap but what price can you put on safety?! I think I will try and source a set from a breakers yard and see how easy/hard they are to come by and what kind of price they want from them.

I've got the lens assembly out before to clean them and the near side is a pig, I managed by using a size down on the driver head at an angle. Horses for courses though, just a bad design. Thanks for the pics though, 2nd one makes it a lot clearer, don't know why but I thought the edge of the lens would be a lot thicker.

I hope everything goes well with your project!