HELP ASAP! Converting Headlights from LH drive to RH drive

[Fai+H777]

I purchased a pair of headlights only to find they are made for left hand drive vehicles. Can the fitment be switched around so I don't blind people? Is there a way of adjusting them?

[Buellwinkle]

I think if you drive upside down you'll be OK. Oh wait, you're in the southern hemisphere, you are already driving upside down. Not much you can do, the pattern is molded into the plastic.

[Fai+H777]

Thanks for your response, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Buellwinkle]

There aren't too many right hand drive folks on this C forum (actually a whole bunch on the SLK forum but different headlights). You may want to try the MB forum noted below that is based in the UK as most members drive right hand drive cars. I doubt there's much that can be done but at least they can empathize with you.

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[raymond-]

B-
this is the unit he bought. this is not an instance in which the pattern is molded in
plastic. the point of contention is the cutoff...in which the 'rise' angles up and to the
right. he is looking to have it flipped horizontally, that is all.

HELP! headlights beam cant be adjusted!! - MBWorld.org Forums

[Fai+H777]

Originally Posted by raymond-

B-
this is the unit he bought. there is not an instance in which the pattern is molded in
plastic. the point of contention is the cutoff...in which the 'rise' angles up and to the
right. he is looking to have it flipped horizontally, that is all.

HELP! headlights beam cant be adjusted!! - MBWorld.org Forums

Raymond- Thanks for your help. To be honest I don't know what you mean by "the cutoff" but this seems like my only viable option.

[raymond-]

as i am picturing your view of the beam



some OEM headlights sold for variety of countries will have a switch in the headlight
to change between LH and RH drive. highly unlikely yours does but there is an oh-
so-so-so-slim chance yours may. it would be a simple mechanical switch.

the cutoff is simply a Z shaped flat piece of metal which blocks 1/2 of the beam
rendering the pattern you see. this is done to prevent full beam glare to drivers.
it keeps the light on the road.....reasonably low

the cutoff is usually riveted or screwed to the projector bowl. if you're lucky, you
may simply be able to unfasten and flip the plate around, thereby creating the
mirror image/pattern you need to be road compliant for your country.

if not, you then have the option to rig it so that it is refastened......or to trace
the shield shape onto a piece of metal.....cut.....and fasten to the projector and
reassemble.

since i dont know how the plate was fastened to your particular project i cant
advise the degree of difficulty. rivets are easy to drill out. metal plate is easy
to cut with aviation snips. disassembling the headlight is the trickiest part.
if you're lucky, you can simply unscrew the projector from the rear and hold it
in your hand and examine the cutoff plate.

spend a little time on HIDPLANET and you'll see oodles of photos of disassembled
projectors. nearly all i learned came from that web site.