Just installed Hella 500's!

[Nitrous SSC]

All I've got to say is BLAM....these lights are really awesome!!

They fit perfect with their slim design and not having much of a front bumper on my 98'

at first I wasn't sure if they'd do well because they were only 55watt each but they are very very bright....they have a direct beam that goes for at least a 1/4 mile and provide a decent fog light effect for wheeling...

I do have some questions about them....

#1....the lense and case seperate from each other....would it be a good idea to totaly seal all of this with some RTV?

#2....exactly how tough are these lights? should I keep the cover on them almost all the time or just leave the covers off?

I'll post some pics later when I get my digital camera back...

Next up...2" body lift!

 

[section525]

Dude.. where the pics?? I finally got my cam installed.

Hows the Stang??

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Hope all is well...that E is a great cam....I love it in my stang thats for sure...

I got my timing chain cover back and its good as new and will be putting the car back together within the next week or so.....can't drive it anyway thou...roads are horrible now and the car isn't insured for road use untill march ....I did get the new intake on and man did she run good!

 

[bipolarbob]

Leave the covers on, I broke one of mine on my first mud pit run with them.The lens and case are seperate.Pull it apart and see, the lens is like an old sealed beam headlight, exept the bulb is replaceable.

 

[xlt-sport]

nitrous

congrats!

where exactly did you mount them?

i mounted mine on top of my bumper centered between headlights [on my '98]

they made a HUGE diff on my truck

did you get fog or driving? clear or amber fog?

i would definetly seal them after you get some nicer bulbs. i had to seal mine

i have some 100 watt clear h3's or 85 watt yellow h3's.

bill kemp has some of the 85 watt ones.

peter

 

[Bill Kemp]

I would'nt seal tham with anything. Hella makes good lights that, in my experiance, are well sealed. Besides the bulbs dont last forever and you gotta open them up to change them. Just make sure the seals arnt crooked and you should have no problems.
As for covers. I never use them but I dont go offroad. Onroad I want to be able to use the lights at all times. I guess if I was offroad and they could get broken I'd for sure put them on.
Lets see some pics....

 

[xlt-sport]

hey bill

i suggested sealing them was because, i had developed a moisture problem inside one of the lenses. i guess changing bulbs i didn't get things completely together.
instead of ruining my 85 watt yellow bulbs i put small bead of hi-temp clear silicone caulking where lens and frame meet the lens and frame.

i didn't have a problem with moisture after that.

after thinking about my earlier statement, i wouldn't seal them unless you have a prob

peter

 

[Nitrous SSC]

I took pics today and I'll post them tomorrow....I left the camera at my friends house...

We went fishing today up the canyon and left at like 5am (2.5 hour drive) so I had a perfect oppertunity to get them just the way I like them...I drove throu Very heavy fog (can't see more than 300ft in front of you) and I found that they do help in the fog a little bit but still throws a little to much light for the fog if you know what I mean...

I decided I'm going to put a very thin bead of RTV around the lense to the case....I had to do this on the hella's on my stang (mount the SAME EXACT way) because they kept getting moisture in them....it shouldn't hurt anything at all and won't make it any harder to take them apart...I'm just worried about high pressure car washes

I also decided I'll leave the covers off for daily driving and such because I used them alot so far....however when I go wheeling in the daytime or go on any gravel roads I'll put the covers on...

 

[MattStarr]

Nitrous SSC~~ Get some pics up man. I keep the covers on mine just to be safe on the highway, dont want to crack a lens. Heres a pic of mine!!

 

[Nitrous SSC]

 

[Bill Kemp]

Looking good Matt. Those bad boys should really light up the road. Nice clean installation....

 

[MattStarr]

Thanks BILL... i got the driving style lights and they are really bright.. they do a great job!!