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shaggydog

Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue

Candle to Wipac- A how to guide

As there has been much discussion on how to upgrade your candle in jam-jar standard lights to Wipac Crystals with Osram Night breakers. The clocks went back last week and as such I am now driving home in almost pitch black darkness- so an upgrade was desperately needed.

I have recently made the upgrade so I figured I'd share it as a how to so everyone can see how easy it is to do.

Firstly you need your parts:

I ordered my Wipac conversion kit from Paddocks and the Osram Nightbreakers from Advanced Factors- who was very helpful in also sourcing some bulbs for my spot lamps! I decided not to go with Stainless Steel Bezels as I'm cheap however I am informed they can be bought from Ebay for a reasonable price.

Tools required are-
A Phillips head screw driver.
A packet of hobnobs (the chocolaty ones)
If you have Light Guards fitted like I do then you will need a suitable socket.
Disposable vinyl inspection gloves

First of all, remove your light guards if fitted

Click image to enlarge

The remove the indicator and sidelight lenses to reveal the white bulb holders unscrew the 3 screws and put them to one side. Remove the bulbs too- a good time to replace them.

Click image to enlarge

Gently pull the holders through the front cover and undo the 2 screws remaining (closest the grill) and then remove the plate and rotate it out the way.

Click image to enlarge

Undo the screw at the bottom right (5 o'clock) and remove, then rotate the lens clockwise and it should come free. Do not attempt to undo the screws at 9 and 12 o'clock as they are the adjustment screws (with a bit of luck they won’t need adjusting when refitted!)

Click image to enlarge

Unplug your lead from the back of the bulb holder and give it a blow through with some contact cleaner. I found a solenoid tucked in which I can only assume is for the Spot lamps so I gave it some separate inspection!

Click image to enlarge

The lens itself supplied from Wipac is very nice and well wrapped in plastic, the Osrams are in a purposely built and very German packaging which require a bit of getting into.

Click image to enlarge

I donned my inspection gloves and removed the spring clip on the rear of the lens and placed the new bulb in. They only fit one way so this is not difficult however- you must by no account touch the bulb glass as this will leave an oil residue on it which can cause premature failure- hence the gloves

Click image to enlarge

Swap over the bezels by undoing the clips with the screwdriver. If you have new ones - fit the new ones. They can only be fitted one way round.

Click image to enlarge

Here we can see a direct comparison between new and old respectively.

Click image to enlarge

Refitting is as easy as putting it all back together in the reverse order. Take special care when putting the bulb holders back into their holes as the rubber can tear quite easily.

Click image to enlarge

Turn the engine on and try indicators, side light, headlights, dipped beam and then test your alignment, if you’re lucky you may have gotten away without needing to adjust the alignment, but if you have been unlucky - top screw does up down, 9 o'clock screw does left right. I’m sure if you were to pop into your local MOT station they would adjust it for you!

Stand back and eat the hobnobs.

3rd Nov 2013 8:57pm

david mitchell

Member Since: 01 Jul 2012
Location: Meath
Posts: 418

Fair play.

Great detailed guide that I will use when I change mine this week

3rd Nov 2013 9:09pm

Ellisboy

Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Deep South
Posts: 539

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green

Nice tutorial Thank you

I've got the bulbs,so just need the lamps now.

3rd Nov 2013 9:13pm

Byronavitch

Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: NE
Posts: 115

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

They do look well and good instructions, so do they work or do they get blown out when its Windy

3rd Nov 2013 9:17pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20294

Take care handling the Crystal lamps themselves too, they are an awkward shape and even more slippery if wet. âï¸âï¸God Bless the USA ðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ âï¸âï¸

3rd Nov 2013 9:26pm

carrotbay

Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Northants, UK
Posts: 699

2008 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel XS CSW Auto Santorini Black

Did mine last Friday .. quite odd to be able to see where you're going .. sort of takes the fun out of the randomness of it!

2008 Defender 110 XS SW - M57N2 / 6HP28X

3rd Nov 2013 9:27pm

bm52

Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana

Thanks for the write up. If I recall if you have height adjustable lights you cannot twist them off due to the additional adjuster. You may have to remove the entire light unit and separate on the bench. BM52

3rd Nov 2013 10:30pm

3 Lions

Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Geelong, Victoria
Posts: 44

Are these the ones:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/390302730750?ss...4832wt_932

Col 1979 Series 3 109 FFR (ex Aust Army.)
2006 Defender TD5 110.
2012 Trackabout CT.

5th Nov 2013 6:03am

shaggydog

Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

@Bm52: I have no experiance with those so I'm afraid I couldn't comment but thank you for the heads up!

@3 Lions: They are indeed however I got mine via Paddocks

5th Nov 2013 7:32pm

3 Lions

Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Geelong, Victoria
Posts: 44

Thanks Shaggydog,

I have an Australian Defender uprated wiring loom to fit. Everyone on forums over here who have fitted them swear 100% the difference is amazing, Plus I bought some decent bulbs advertised on here from the UK.

So if I do the wiring upgrade, the bulbs and the wipac xenon headlights I should have a really good set up, compared to the bog standard light set up I have at the moment, which lets face it, the lights on Defenders are pretty poor.

Col. 1979 Series 3 109 FFR (ex Aust Army.)
2006 Defender TD5 110.
2012 Trackabout CT.

6th Nov 2013 8:02am

shaggydog

Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

Australian uprated you say?

I'd be interested to see this as my looms are mainly scotchlocks and bullet connectors from the previous owner which cant be helping matters....

Where did you find them or do you have to build them up yourself from scratch?

6th Nov 2013 9:00am

Tiger

Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 2265

Make the light switch a switch

Run high current cable down to the lights

Switch through a relay

6th Nov 2013 10:00am

shaggydog

Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

Just a quick update.

Wow what a difference it has made- I was slightly sceptical when I first did it thinking how much of a difference it will make but have now found it to be a huge difference!

Have just done my spot lamps too and found them to have made a big difference too.

Overall very pleased with the upgrade- money well spent.

16th Nov 2013 4:49pm

BigWheels

Member Since: 21 Mar 2010
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1405

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

So much difference for dipped beam as well

An equally good alternative to the Osrams are Philips H4 X-treme vision. They have chrome tips so blend in nicely with the reflector when not switched on. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X-treme-Vi...h4+x-treme

Osram do the Nightbreakers with gold tips as a Limited Edition http://www.amazon.co.uk/Osram-Night-Breake...+unlimited Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender

Last edited by BigWheels on 16th Nov 2013 6:08pm. Edited 1 time in total

16th Nov 2013 6:00pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20294

I have the Philips in mine, very pleased.

âï¸âï¸God Bless the USA ðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ âï¸âï¸

16th Nov 2013 6:01pm

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