↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Candle to Wipac- A how to guide
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
shaggydog



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

United Kingdom 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 wont 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 Very Happy


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 youre 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. Im sure if you were to pop into your local MOT station they would adjust it for you!

Stand back and eat the hobnobs.
Post #279205 3rd Nov 2013 8:57pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
david mitchell



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

Ireland 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Fair play. Bow down Great detailed guide that I will use when I change mine this week
Post #279211 3rd Nov 2013 9:09pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Reply with quote
Ellisboy



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

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Nice tutorial Thank you Thumbs Up I've got the bulbs,so just need the lamps now.
Post #279213 3rd Nov 2013 9:13pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Byronavitch



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

England 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 Neutral
Post #279215 3rd Nov 2013 9:17pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



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

United Kingdom 
Take care handling the Crystal lamps themselves too, they are an awkward shape and even more slippery if wet. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #279222 3rd Nov 2013 9:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
carrotbay



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

United Kingdom 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! Shocked 2008 Defender 110 XS SW - M57N2 / 6HP28X
Post #279223 3rd Nov 2013 9:27pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bm52



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

United Kingdom 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
Post #279243 3rd Nov 2013 10:30pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
3 Lions



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

Australia 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Chawton White
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.
Post #279617 5th Nov 2013 6:03am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaggydog



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

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
@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 Thumbs Up
Post #279805 5th Nov 2013 7:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
3 Lions



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

Australia 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Chawton White
Thanks Shaggydog, Very Happy

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.
Post #279950 6th Nov 2013 8:02am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaggydog



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

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
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?
Post #279965 6th Nov 2013 9:00am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Tiger



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

2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Java Black
Make the light switch a switch

Run high current cable down to the lights

Switch through a relay
Post #279979 6th Nov 2013 10:00am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaggydog



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

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
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.
Post #282711 16th Nov 2013 4:49pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
BigWheels



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

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
So much difference for dipped beam as well Thumbs Up

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
Post #282733 16th Nov 2013 6:00pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



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

United Kingdom 
I have the Philips in mine, very pleased. Mr. Green ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #282734 16th Nov 2013 6:01pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums