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Headlight upgrade

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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 09:31 AM
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Default Headlight upgrade

Hello

I need to replace the worn-out bits of the headlight opening and closing mechanism. [[i]Click click click over-run] I have seen a few 'how to guides' on Youtube and it seems a relatively straight forward job. While I'm doing that it would seem like a good idea to upgrade the headlights too. So...

Any advice on the best place to get bits to repair the opening mechanism [I live in France btw]

Any advice on the best lights to upgrade to?

UPDATE - Job done. Quite enjoyable. Excellent Youtube clips and taking my time did the trick.

Thanks

Last edited by LittleMark1965; May 6, 2026 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Job completed
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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 10:18 AM
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What I can tell you are right they are very easy did my C4 twice in 24 years of ownership, and few thing after obtaining the parts!

1. Mark how the lights sit, by marking brackets with scribe.

2. 5/16 punch to knockout the drift pin.

Take your time, watch U-tube they have good video's.

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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 12:28 PM
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Thinking about doing this and just replacing both motors with new. Also going to do the headlights. Trying to decide between holly retrobright and Morimotos.
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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 02:31 PM
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I plan to replace both of mine this weekend.
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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 03:13 PM
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The Morimotos and Retrobrights are undoubtedly nice. I went with these though for a more budget option and have been thoroughly impressed.

Amazon Amazon

HWSTAR New 180W 1000% Bright H6054 5x7 7x6 Led Headlights Compatible with Jeep Cherokee XJ Wrangler YJ Emark DOT Anti-glare Turn Signal Hi/Low Sealed Beam Ford Chevy GMC Toyota Nissan van pickup etc

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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 12:30 AM
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I got the projector style on the way... I wonder if Im guaranteed to have issues with the fog lights and hi beam indicator..... I didnt buy resistors...
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Allen17
Thinking about doing this and just replacing both motors with new. Also going to do the headlights. Trying to decide between holly retrobright and Morimotos.
Holley Retrobrites are PLUG N PLAY 0 ISSUES Fantastic light
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 81c3
I got the projector style on the way... I wonder if Im guaranteed to have issues with the fog lights and hi beam indicator..... I didnt buy resistors...
Yes.

AFIK you need to either use resistors or ground the fog light relay.

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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by 914nickd
Holley Retrobrites are PLUG N PLAY 0 ISSUES Fantastic light
By plug n play, do you mean that you do not have to install resistors on those?
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 05:39 AM
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Hello again.

Looking at the replacement lights, I don't think I want to go for the ones with built in indicators or daytime running lights. I'm more old school KISS - Is there any advantage of having the headlights with the 'other bits' built in that I'm not aware of?

Thanks for the advice so far - appreciated.
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by LittleMark1965
Is there any advantage of having the headlights with the 'other bits' built in that I'm not aware of?
Not that I'm aware of ... having DRL in an hidden headlight isn't that useful, is it?
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Old Jan 6, 2026 | 03:56 AM
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Yeah... Hidden DRLs!

UPDATE - So being in France I need white daytime running lights; the authorities don't seem to mind the yellow ones being on at the front as long as there are some white ones too. With the new replacement headlights, that have no DRLs built into them, I didn't have the required white lights. Ummm.... But then I discovered SWITCHBACK bulbs. These are twin colour yellow and white bulbs. I just swapped out the original indicator/DRL bulbs and put in the SWITCHBACKS. Now I have white DRL and yellow indicators and the Gendarmes are happy too.

Last edited by LittleMark1965; May 3, 2026 at 02:15 AM. Reason: New information
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Old Jan 6, 2026 | 12:13 PM
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I replaced my headlight actuator motors and headlights this past weekend. The entire assembly was taken apart to pull the new wires from the single harness through the headlight hinge. Doing that, a triangle bracket fell out. I’m not sure if I have it installed correctly as my headlight now only opens 1”. Thoughts appreciated.

I installed a plug-n-play adaptor for the headlights and that part seems to work.
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Old Jan 6, 2026 | 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Natty C
By plug n play, do you mean that you do not have to install resistors on those?
Correct
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Old Jan 7, 2026 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 914nickd
Correct
Thanks!

Found em...

​​​​​​https://www.holley.com/platform/chev...ts/electrical/


As an aside, I remember some time ago, probably a few years ago, where there was a scenario with a lighting upgrade that you had to change out a fuse to a higher amp one.

But I forget what that scenario was.

May not have had to do with the headlights.

Bugs me that I don't remember that scenario, too, because I think I've decided to instal LED bulbs all the way around the exterior.

The scenario that I cannot remember may more likely have had something to do with an interior lightng upgrade scenario.
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Old Jan 7, 2026 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ghlkal
Yes.

AFIK you need to either use resistors or ground the fog light relay.
Can you elaborate on the issue?
I upgraded my whole lighting system on my 95 many years ago with H4 Euro lights, new wires, relays, and ever since the fog lights don't work. If I activate the fog light switch it turns on the high beams, so it sounds like what you are describing. I posted a couple times on this years ago, but no one seemed to have the issue or know how to fix it.
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Old Jan 8, 2026 | 11:03 AM
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The plug and play installed between the headlight wiring plug and the headlight itself will solve that problem of the fog light circuit activations the high beams.

I picked mine up from an Amazon seller.
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Old Jan 8, 2026 | 07:01 PM
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Ordered the Holleys. Will post my experience
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Old Jan 8, 2026 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by yakmastermax
The Morimotos and Retrobrights are undoubtedly nice. I went with these though for a more budget option and have been thoroughly impressed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CQDCH7D...n_title_2&th=1

HWSTAR New 180W 1000% Bright H6054 5x7 7x6 Led Headlights Compatible with Jeep Cherokee XJ Wrangler YJ Emark DOT Anti-glare Turn Signal Hi/Low Sealed Beam Ford Chevy GMC Toyota Nissan van pickup etc

Do these require a resistor for things to function properly?
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Old Jan 8, 2026 | 10:07 PM
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Recieved my headlights and the resistors, will take a few pictures and report on function this weekend
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