For those of you looking for some extra watts out in front of you on a dark night, try this. Grote Manufacturing Company makes chrome housings that mount easily with bumper brace brackets on the front of any 1967 through 1973 BMW 1600/2002/tii. A little more work mounting them is required for 1974 BMW and newer 2-liter cars.
The same holds true for the Bavaria, BMW 530i, and BMW 320i models. The housings, part number 64021, go for around $12 each. The bulbs which this housing holds are all highbeam-size units you would find in a four headlight setup. I use the 4537 aircraft landing lights, costing about $8 each, but the lighting chart shows the large number of bulbs which can be used.
BMW Auxiliary Light Guide
| Bulb # | Voltage | Watts | Color | Power | Horz. | Vert. | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4412 | 12.8 | 35 | clear | 11,000 | - | - | auto fog sae J-583 |
| 4412A | 12.8 | 35 | yellow | 8,800 | - | - | auto fog sae J-583 |
| 4413 | 12.8 | 35 | clear | 1,100 | 80i | 20i | tractor |
| 4413R | 12.8 | 35 | red | 200 | 80i | 20i | auto signal |
| 4419 | 12.8 | 35 | clear | 1,600 | - | - | trapezoidal tractor |
| 4419X | 12.8 | 35 | clear | 3,000 | - | - | trapezoidal tractor |
| 4420 | 12.8 | 30/30 | clear | 23,000 | - | - | m/c headlight |
| 4435 | 12.8 | 30 | clear | 45,000 | 6i | 5i | auto spot sae J-591 |
| 4436 | 12.8 | 35 | clear | 60,000 | 10i | 4i | auto spot |
| 4436A | 12.8 | 35 | yellow | 10i | 4i | auto signal | |
| 4436B | 12.8 | 35 | blue | - | 10i | 4i | auto |
| 4436R | 12.8 | 35 | red | 9,000 | 10i | 4i | auto signal |
| 4522 | 13.0 | 250 | clear | 290,000 | 12i | 10i | aviation landing M S22241 |
| 4636 | 14.0 | 80 | clear | 90,000 | 9i | 7.5i | auto |
The housing is also available in a gray enamel if you wish to paint it to match your BMW. Part number is 64011.
The bracket you would want for 1967-1973 2-liter cars is 43065. The rest of you, you’re on your own. Any auto parts store will have Crote catalogs, Yankee or Superior lighting catalogs which will have all manner of brackets you could make use of. The only real disadvantage I see in these lights is that they are not very theft proof, although you could double-nut them and the brackets and even safety wire them as a deterrent.
Although I did not list them, there are also similar bulbs available for those folks out there who have 6 volt BMWs. I would be very much interested in anyone who hooks up the 4420 lights and has them working with the high-low switch for the regular headlights.
Author: Joseph Chamberlain
I found a replacement bulb for H-4 quartz that is 110w on low beam and 130w on high. As I don’t drive often at night, also don’t drive with headlights on in the day (alt killer!) when I need the light it is there in spades! I also have Cibie Oscar driving lights with 100w ‘bright white’ bulbs, the combination on high beam rivals freight trains! The only caveat I have is if your car, on high beam, has the low beam on as well, have the relay changed so that only high beam is on. If you don’t the extreme heat will melt the bulb quickly. I have a headlight relay to save the switch which is a must. On my tii I have converted to xenon lights, though the cost is in the $200 range the saving for the reduced power needed to run them probably will pay for itself.
I found a replacement bulb for H-4 quartz that is 110w on low beam and 130w on high. As I don’t drive often at night, also don’t drive with headlights on in the day (alt killer!) when I need the light it is there in spades! I also have Cibie Oscar driving lights with 100w ‘bright white’ bulbs, the combination on high beam rivals freight trains! The only caveat I have is if your car, on high beam, has the low beam on as well, have the relay changed so that only high beam is on. If you don’t the extreme heat will melt the bulb quickly. I have a headlight relay to save the switch which is a must. On my tii I have converted to xenon lights, though the cost is in the $200 range the saving for the reduced power needed to run them probably will pay for itself.
Great info Bob. Thanks!
Great info Bob. Thanks!
I have looked for these housings on several occasions, and am having difficulty finding them for anything less than $28 apiece. Since I am looking to source 4 or more of these, the difference in price is difficult to swallow. If anyone knows where they can be had for less, more like the author’s $12 apiece, please email me at audi_o_phile@juno.com or call me at 770-364-5723.
I have looked for these housings on several occasions, and am having difficulty finding them for anything less than $28 apiece. Since I am looking to source 4 or more of these, the difference in price is difficult to swallow. If anyone knows where they can be had for less, more like the author’s $12 apiece, please email me at audi_o_phile@juno.com or call me at 770-364-5723.