ENTHUSIASTS have been modifying the lighting on Land Rovers since 1948, but it’s only recently that LED technology has not only transformed the performance of headlights, but has also enabled the lights to become a distinctive design feature. LED headlights are now a common upgrade for Defenders, allowing older vehicles to benefit from the latest technology seen on modern Land Rovers. Old H4 lights with typically corroded reflectors and stone-chipped lenses are often replaced by modern LED units which, in comparison, have a similar laser-like quality to the beam pattern of a new Range Rover. They offer a whiter, brighter light than H4 filament bulbs, but with hammer-tough lenses. Yes, ORE’s Chris McCormack has indeed demonstrated hitting the lenses of these headlights with a hammer.
Here, Ian Baughan of IRB Developments editor Pat’s Defender 110 and shows us what’s involved. The first job when working on a vehicle’s electrical system is to disconnect the battery but, as we’ll be needing to locate a power supply during this job, we will need to temporarily reconnect it.
