Spots and stuff

[thermidorthelobster]

The headlights on the TD5 are much better than on the old 200Tdi but still nothing particularly great;  mine seem to need adjusting upwards a bit, which doesn't help, because at the moment I can only see about a yard in front of the bonnet.

So I thought, how about putting some spots on the roof rack.  I'd want to wire in 2 switches on the binnacle, so I could turn them on and off independently, and also switch them in and out of the main beam control.  My idea was to run the cabling up the inside of the plastic trim at the corner of the windscreen, then up a roofrack leg.

But if I'm going to do that, I might as well stick a worklight on the back as well, and run the cabling up for a CB aerial.  And if the cabling is there, I might as well install a CB in the map pocket.  And lo, what started as a fairly straightforward 50 quid job suddenly comes to a couple of hundred quid and a lot more work.

Given I don't often use the vehicle off road, should I just be sensible and not bother?  :lol:

[Jas278]

My response "why dont you use it offroad "  thats what there for  :lol:

[thermidorthelobster]

I do sometimes (it's been to Iceland, it's going to Norway this year, plus laning in Surrey and Wales) but not enough to give a clear reason to fit the spots.

[landroverkeith]

theres always a reason to fit spots :)

[thermidorthelobster]

If anybody knows a good place online to buy rectangular spots, now would be a useful time to share your knowledge.  The usual suspects have a fairly motley selection.

[Jake]

David
Why not upgrade your head light bulbs and loom for better vision?
Mine are now 50% brighter
I have a pair of these and one of these (which is a doddle to fit)
My Td5 lights are now nice and bright and there is no need for spot lights  

[iomlr]

or fit a HID kit? there ment to be a massive improvement?

[thermidorthelobster]

That's definitely a possibility, Jake.  One appeal of spots is to have a more scattered beam.  I've started by adjusting the existing headlights up a bit;  I'll see how that goes and think about upgrading the bulbs.  Where does the loom fit?

[Jake]

Where does the loom fit?

There is a head light bulb style plug (male) that goes straight into the (female) head light plug from either one of your existing head lights.
You'll need to connect the positive and negative.
Put the relays into they're correct places
Then just plug the head lights into the new looms head light plugs
Now just make the wiring neat and tidy.
Done.
Only takes about an hour too.
 :D

[smith335]

i fitted four spot to my roof rack on my td5.
2x spots in the middle and 2x fogs on the outsides.
i used round spots 55w each total of 220w
it gives a very good spread of light.

and it makes a hell of a difference,and i am glad i did it.

i ran the cables down the black trim on the side of the windscreen,and through a small hole that was there,then in to the engine bay for wiring up.
be warned i had a battle getting the black trim back on.perhaps because it was freezing when i did it,and the plastic did not want to flex.

i all so fitted a rear work light and ran the cable for that along the roof rack and down inside the black trim and in to the engine bay for wiring up.

hope this helps

[thermidorthelobster]

Thanks Aaron.  Did you fit new switches or do something cunning with the binnacle switches?

[smith335]

i fitted switches to the blank switches in the binnacle, by cutting out the middle just enough to fit a small rocker switch.

i fitted two, one for the front 4 spots (all on at once, big relay used)
and one for the work light.

i used the blanks as if i every remove the roof rack and spots,i can just replace the blanks,and theres no damage done to the dash.

hope this helps.

[Iain C]

Just bear in mind that technically speaking roof mounted spots are illegal to use on the road.

I still think they look good and it seems to be one of those "turn a blind eye" areas by plod, but just worth bearing in mind before you open your wallet!

[mike142sl]

 mine seem to need adjusting upwards a bit, which doesn't help, because at the moment I can only see about a yard in front of the bonnet.

Might sound like a really daft question BUT have you checked the headlight levelling switch next to the wing mirror switch? should be set to 0 with just normal load.

[thermidorthelobster]

Yeah, I've had a fiddle and both sides work, but even on the highest setting they look too far angled down to me.  Maybe when I had my rear suspension recalibrated (a couple of years ago!) they went out of tolerance.

I've tried using the manual adjustment to tweak them upwards a bit, will have to find out whether this makes a difference next time I drive in the dark.