H4 To H7 Upgrade

[Robert]

H4 was not designed for both filaments to be used at the same time, but surprisingly the bulb doesn't fail and lasts like it would be in normal use.
My point is only that the upgrade from H4 to H7 in nonsense as there is no improvement apart from having low beam ON while high beam is ON.

 

[zombie_T6]

on my old T5 i did the wiring mod to run both lights on hi beam and it never seemed to effect the bulb life.

 

[YellowHound]

H4 was not designed for both filaments to be used at the same time, but surprisingly the bulb doesn't fail and lasts like it would be in normal use.
My point is only that the upgrade from H4 to H7 in nonsense as there is no improvement apart from having low beam ON while high beam is ON.

Thanks - wanted I wanted to know.
Hi beam on the H4s isn't too bad with uprated bulbs.
The low beam is appalling though.

 

[Robert]

... the upgrade from H4 to H7 ...

Sorry I have to correct myself.
I was not precise enough, my bad.
This is not upgrade, it is just waste of people's time and money.
I am not judging anybody who already did such a modification but my goal is to advise others who consider going that way.

 

[foggy3061]

Original VW twin H7 headlamps were the worst thing on my T6.
I have driven few T5s with H4 in the past and they were kind of okay.
I respect others decisions but really can't understand why people would even consider upgrade form H4 to twin H7? Same result can be achieved with one bit changed with VCDS or one extra relay added to keep low beam ON while high beam is ON.

You should try the H4 on the T6, they are absolutely horrendous and the H7 are definitely an improvement over them!

After coming from T6 H4 headlights (with stock and upgraded bulbs) to the H7, I think the H7 is a good improvement in both low and high beam (the stock H4 has a terrible beam pattern on low beam, high beam was ok).

 

[YellowHound]

Back to being confused....

 

[Spaghetti]

You should try the H4 on the T6, they are absolutely horrendous and the H7 are definitely an improvement over them!

After coming from T6 H4 headlights (with stock and upgraded bulbs) to the H7, I think the H7 is a good improvement in both low and high beam (the stock H4 has a terrible beam pattern on low beam, high beam was ok).

Totally agree. I had H4’s, but swapped for H7’s. The H4 is a single reflector for both low and high beam, so is not optimised for either.

I find the H7’s a significant improvement over the originals.

 

[Ed Webb]

Certainly appears those that have done the conversion have seen an improvement, myself included. I think the H7s are an improvement over the H4s and given a van with H4s I'd do the mod again.

 

[andy greenwood]

Certainly appears those that have done the conversion have seen an improvement, myself included. I think the H7s are an improvement over the H4s and given a van with H4s I'd do the mod again.

Would you say the H7's are better than the Transporter HQ drl's ?

 

[Ed Webb]

Would you say the H7's are better than the Transporter HQ drl's ?

Honestly couldn't comment as never had or seen a pair. I believe they are based on the H7 unit so won't be a million miles away from each other. IMHO the deciding factor would be OEM or aftermarket look.

 

[Mooncat]

Honestly couldn't comment as never had or seen a pair. I believe they are based on the H7 unit so won't be a million miles away from each other. IMHO the deciding factor would be OEM or aftermarket look.

Totally different units, the aftermarket versions use projector lenses for dipped. Don't forget that the THQ units look like the OEM LED units so certainly not an aftermarket look like some young oik would have fitted to a Corsa.

 

[andy greenwood]

Totally different units, the aftermarket versions use projector lenses for dipped. Don't forget that the THQ units look like the OEM LED units so certainly not an aftermarket look like some young oik would have fitted to a Corsa.

The transporter Hq units come with H7 super white 100watt bulbs. Is that ok for the unit? I would have thought the watts is too high ? Im trying to establish all the facts about the THQ units as im seriously considering ordering a pair

 

[Ed Webb]

Totally different units, the aftermarket versions use projector lenses for dipped. Don't forget that the THQ units look like the OEM LED units so certainly not an aftermarket look like some young oik would have fitted to a Corsa.

There you go, proof I havent seen them.

 

[Ads_Essex]

The transporter Hq units come with H7 super white 100watt bulbs. Is that ok for the unit? I would have thought the watts is too high ? Im trying to establish all the facts about the THQ units as im seriously considering ordering a pair

Legally, no. Have a search on 100W and I imagine you’ll find the relevant posts concerning it.

 

[Mooncat]

The transporter Hq units come with H7 super white 100watt bulbs. Is that ok for the unit? I would have thought the watts is too high ? Im trying to establish all the facts about the THQ units as im seriously considering ordering a pair

I did voltage drop tests in another thread comparing 55W and 100W. The conclusion was that the wiring is not the right gauge for 100W although a lot of owners are getting away with it without anything melting.....so far. If you do go along the H7 route (OEM or aftermarket) make sure you get the VCDS coding done to keep dipped on with main and do not use the additional harness so that the wiring is not being overloaded. As mentioned above the VCDS coding for this is a proper selection now so anyone can do it with no risk of screwing something up.

 

[Depron Donkey]

Got this message while coding H4-H7 dipped beam, any ideas?

Went for the “no” option and worked ok, just wondered why the message appeared and did I make the right option?

 

[Pauly]

I always click no, this keeps the workshop code/importer code set at the default factory value

 

[Hactus]

The subject of the H4 lights is a re-occurring theme on here so apologies for raising this again but they are c*$.

Firstly, I contacted VW customer service - the short version is they thanked me for my time, passed on my comments to VW for future design considerations and suggested I took the van to the local dealer.

My van has been to the dealer and they have checked that the lights are aligned correctly, are the correct units for market and that is about it. They have suggested changing bulbs for after market but have warned of the potential of causing damage to the lights or wiring and this would not be covered under the warranty - so my risk, but given many have already gone down this route it may be my next option.

I have had a long discussion with the dealer about changing them to H7 units but they are adamant it is not possible because of different harness, warranty, control units, etc, etc. even though I am offering to pay and that has a new build these lights were an option just not a dealer fit option - bull if you ask me.

So what is involved? Bumper off and then plug and play - is there a harness to change?

Any other advise would be greatly received about how I progress this with VW customer service or the dealer - PM me if needs be. Are there any workshop document reference numbers or part numbers I can quote to the dealer?

I want to change the lights to H7, LED is a step too far and too expensive. I am happy to pay the dealer to get this done but so far no getting anywhere.

 

[Pauly]

The H7 lights are a straight swap
The wiring is identical
The headlight fixings are identical
The electrical connector plug is identical

Its really that simple !
By default your dip beam goes of when you turn on the main beam, after fitting the H7 headlights you have the option to change one bit of coding in the main control module of the van and this will allow the dip beam to stay on when main beam is on allowing more light output when your on the dark back roads

 

[Pauly]

If you dont mind getting your hands dirty and you own a socket set and a couple of torx bits/screwdrivers you can do it yourself
It is possible to change them without fully removing the bumper but you cant see the fixing screws if you do it this way so i would recommend taking bumper off and you will need an extra pair of hands to remove/refit it