2B1 Headlight Conversion

[BigElCat]

I hear what you're saying. My nose cap is two pieces, the base is just a 'broke' piece about 3/4" tall. It runs the width of the bumper. The block off flat piece attaches with about 3 sheetmetal screws. Easy removal.

Maybe it will be the winter 'bra'. Or maybe it will be year round. I have the grill opening blocked off on my Samurai year round, with no over-heat issues.

I'll show pics when I have the pieces done. My words are falling short.

[wrestler3025]

I would reconsider that. I would just "create some slots right away, as opposed to finishing the grille and then having to take it back off and fiddle with it again. You could do a unique opening and then tack on some good quality steel mesh on the back side, that way you will still avoid the cooling issues and you will have a sweet looking grille. Just my .02 though. Good luck!!

[BigElCat]

I work in a metal fab shop, run a CNC plasma cutter. The prototype grill will be 16 guage flat, no openings. If I have cooling issues I'll get creative with the slots. That's my plan anyway.

[deathegg]

So what will you be doing for the grille?

[BigElCat]

Here's the stock Festy parts I didn't use.
Here's the left side Aerostar set-up in the right side of the Festiva.
A close-up of the headlight adjuster. The small plastic thread insert can be found in the original Festy headlight set up. The square hole in the radiator support already exists, at least on my 1988 model L.
I used the tension springs from the Aerostar, there's an existing hole in the Festy sheet metal at the right location.

Here's the socket conversion. Grab these when you get the headlights.

[BigElCat]

5) glass does not turn yellow

Uhh...I was thinking headlight lenses from the newer vehicles are Lexan or some plastic. The ones with the replaceable bulbs always seem like they have condensation built up inside, or they're yellow and cracked. My 1988 Festiva is the newest vehicle I've ever owned. No kidding.

I'm biased against technological progress in general.

[BigElCat]

The round eyes are cool looking. I had everything needed to do the round eyes, but I always preferred the light pattern and brightness of the rectangles.

My 6054 conversion is done, except for minor adjustment of the light pattern. They work great!

I'll go ahead throw in few more pictures of the details...in case some other moneyless person wants to do this.

[goblazers_6]

you should go with round eyes

[CharlieZ]

BigElCat,
How you coming on the headlight swap? Any progress on corner lights and grill yet?

[getnpsi]

5) glass does not turn yellow

[Damkid]

3) The left front corner on this car is pushed back above the bumper, the original headlight would require much more extensive bodywork to be fitted than what I'm doing.

4) It's not costing me any money!

2 very good reasons right there :lol:

[FB71]

and those are all great reasons!!! Another great reason? Because you can!!!!

[BigElCat]

Just curious here, but why are you doing this conversion? they don't look too much different than the stock ones

They're going to look like they were meant to be there. My reasons are:

1) The car came with no headlights or grill, I need to do something.

2) The local junkyard did not any good Festiva headlights, and they're rather expensive to buy, up to $100 each new.

3) The left front corner on this car is pushed back above the bumper, the original headlight would require much more extensive bodywork to be fitted than what I'm doing.

4) It's not costing me any money!

[BigElCat]

The buckets are a pair that came out of an Aerostar. One right, one left. When installed on the Festiva, the left bucket goes in the right side hole. The right bucket goes in the left side. They just happen to fit this way, and it appears that they will adjust okay.

The Aerostar had the vertical adjustment screw toward the outside of the vehicle on each side. The Festiva has existing holes for the vertical adjustment screw toward the center of the car.

I'll take some more pictures as I go.

[FB71]

I think that's the replacement part number. The lights all have '2B1' cast into the glass, that's why I've been referring to them as 2B1. IIRC, the replacement Halogens are 6054H. I'll verify this next time I'm at Walmart. If this is accurate we could edit the title to the post to say 6054.

Gotcha. The 2B1 you're referring to is the code for the lens. Different countries use different focal lenses on the same lamp. 6054 is the standard number for that size lamp. The 'H' represents halogen.