Headlight/Hood Mod Thoughts

[KevinRS]

Well, I'm not looking forward to the shorter days, because my version of "occasionally" is basically "every other morning"

Whenever someone says "but it's just x outlier or y outlier" I think about how it wouldn't matter hardly as much if the lights weren't as bright as the white-hot fury of a thousand suns in the first place.

It's not outliers, it's there are lots of lifted trucks, and vehicles with brighter than factory, and probably misaimed lights. The occasionally is only because I don't often end up at an intersection with them right behind me, and usually only drive early enough for it to be a problem about once a week, and it's only a problem on the shorter days of the year.

 

[EV Trek]

It's not outliers, it's there are lots of lifted trucks, and vehicles with brighter than factory, and probably misaimed lights. The occasionally is only because I don't often end up at an intersection with them right behind me, and usually only drive early enough for it to be a problem about once a week, and it's only a problem on the shorter days of the year.

I hate the new Ford trucks that have all 4 headlights on at the same time, used to be low beams were just two lights and you could easily tell when someone had their brights on even when the car or truck only had two headlights. they need to go back to when low meant low.

 

[slate808]

I like how the hood cuts off the top of the headlights for a slightly more intimidating look, like a lowered brow on face that's focused or thinking.

I like that the hood cuts off the top of the headlights because that may shade the clear plastic lenses at least during the hottest / brightest times of the day. Hope that helps slow the uv oxidation of the lenses.

 

[WV Slateman]

I think if your lights are aimed properly you won't blind other drivers.

The reason is because the beams of light from modern headlinghts are designed so they direct light away from oncoming traffic while illuminating the road ahead.

This would likely be true on flat roads. There aren't many of those around here. My headlights blast oncoming traffic when cresting a hill, which is why I don't use the (slow to react) automatic high beams in my Camry.

 

[EVfun]

If you really want to convert the Slate to a rectangle headlight there is the Sylavnia H4666 headlight. This is a 5 inch rectangle headlight rated for use as a single headlight per side. It is the size of the old rectangle quad headlights but rated for use as one headlight per side. It was used on some Geo Metro cars from the '90's as well as some Dodge Dakota pickups from about the same time.

You will want to get a pigtail for the lights from one of those cars from a wrecker because the terminals have a slightly different location, so a regular plug for a 5 inch low beam for a quad headlight system won't plug onto the bulb. I had those on my 1993 Geo Metro.

 

[Luxrage]

If you really want to convert the Slate to a rectangle headlight there is the Sylavnia H4666 headlight.

Can't attest to their beam spread but they also sell LED conversion kits for those headlights that mimic the same housing but allow you to put your own LED bulbs in. I'd hope they are designed for the different throw LEDs give, but I've never messed with a set myself. would probably play nice with the current draw expectations of a more modern vehicle.

 

[WolfWings]

I have opinions about "modern headlights", but I'll try to keep them to myself at the moment. "Aimed" is a huge variable, "properly" is a huge variable, and "ahead" is a huge variable. I regularly have to cover my mirrors with my hand these days, or avert my eyes from ultrabright daytime lights like I'm avoiding looking at the Ark of the Covenant.

Honestly this has been the single biggest improvement in getting a 'rear view mirror' style dashcam with rear camera on my 2018 BRZ; the automatic gain control and such stops the portable sun-cannon tier headlights from being blinding at all anymore at night and I adjust my side-view mirrors to cover the sides a bit more aggressively so no more blinding there.

 

[KHN707]

Headlights - aim and glare - are part of the IIHS TSP award metric. Slate will have to use lights that are bright enough, with a focused enough beam, and get the aiming correct at the factory to get the award.

 

[mikehell]

Honestly this has been the single biggest improvement in getting a 'rear view mirror' style dashcam with rear camera on my 2018 BRZ; the automatic gain control and such stops the portable sun-cannon tier headlights from being blinding at all anymore at night and I adjust my side-view mirrors to cover the sides a bit more aggressively so no more blinding there.

Was this an aftermarket mirror/camera setup?

 

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

Headlights - aim and glare - are part of the IIHS TSP award metric.

I kind of wish that Slate wasn't shooting for that so hard. I wouldn't mind comfortable headlights. It's a sliding scale of "safest" anyway, not "safe". You can't win, you can only compete.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

Honestly this has been the single biggest improvement in getting a 'rear view mirror' style dashcam with rear camera on my 2018 BRZ; the automatic gain control and such stops the portable sun-cannon tier headlights from being blinding at all anymore at night and I adjust my side-view mirrors to cover the sides a bit more aggressively so no more blinding there.

The one feature I wish more cars had are auto dimming side mirrors. I’m fine flipping the rear view, but most of the time I just point my mirrors to the sky at night.

 

[KHN707]

I kind of wish that Slate wasn't shooting for that so hard. I wouldn't mind comfortable headlights. It's a sliding scale of "safest" anyway, not "safe". You can't win, you can only compete.

If your headlights CAUSE glare you get demerits and may not get an award. That's a good thing.

 

[WolfWings]

Was this an aftermarket mirror/camera setup?

Yeah, I went with one from wolfbox (no relation, but yes I tried them due to the name XD) that replaces the rear-view mirror entirely and attaches on the standard rear-view mirror clip, and ran the cable under-carpet to the trunk and up and out the trunk beside the rear-view mirror so my rear-view camera is now perfectly centered just above the license plate.

Since I was replacing the car radio with a non-touchscreen model already losing the 'factory' rear-view camera was a non-issue at that point.

 

[Brabbit]

...Hope that helps slow the uv oxidation of the lenses.

Working with Barrett-Jackson doing detailing and some mild restoration for their auto auction, the best "shop hack" that was taught to me for mild-heavy UV oxidized lights was using a high Deet bug spray, a neutralizer and then a sealant. Basically spray the bug spray onto a cloth or automotive rag, wipe the headlights down but be VERY careful you dont get it on any other vehicle part, wipe it off with a clean rag. After about 5-10 seconds, spray/mist with some distilled white vinegar to neutralize the Deet so it won't continue melting the headlight (if plastic) or ruin paint, rinse it completely with water until it feels 'slick' not 'tacky', then (if plastic light cover) seal it with a quality UV clearcoat. Super cheap and lasts. Most people mess up heavily by just doing the Deet wipedown and leaving it alone. There are better methods depending on how much elbow grease or money you want to go through.

 

[tubes]

Working with Barrett-Jackson doing detailing and some mild restoration for their auto auction, the best "shop hack" that was taught to me for mild-heavy UV oxidized lights was using a high Deet bug spray, a neutralizer and then a sealant. Basically spray the bug spray onto a cloth or automotive rag, wipe the headlights down but be VERY careful you dont get it on any other vehicle part, wipe it off with a clean rag. After about 5-10 seconds, spray/mist with some distilled white vinegar to neutralize the Deet so it won't continue melting the headlight (if plastic) or ruin paint, rinse it completely with water until it feels 'slick' not 'tacky', then seal it with a quality UV clearcoat. Super cheap and lasts. Most people mess up heavily by just doing the Deet wipedown and leaving it alone. There are better methods depending on how much elbow grease or money you want to go through.

Wow, that's a hack!

I wondered why all my Tervis tumblers became cloudy. I finally figured out it happened when I used them in the summer while working outside, right after I applied bug spray. The residual on my hands was enough to eat into the tumblers and make them ugly and cloudy.