Koito vs. Depo Headlamps

[Morganizer]

Is there any value in a pair of Koito headlamps? I had these replaced with a pair of Depo lamps, for North American compliance, but the mechanic warned me the ones in there were better. Can I use the bulbs as spares? Keep the housings in case I crack one? Anybody keen on Koito's?

[jessef]

The Koito one's are useless here in Canada on the road. Bulbs you can use.

[FalcoColumbarius]

In Japan, as I'm sure you are aware, they drive on the left side of the road and the Japanese headlamps are adjusted for this. If you use them here they will blind the oncoming traffic. You can use parts of them, such as the lamp adjusters, &c., you just can't use the lens as they are E43, which is not recognised in Canada because the flare is on the left side, instead of the right. There is a thread in the "Delica FAQ Section" called "Understanding E Codes" ~ it will help give you a better idea.

Falco.

[MrDuncon]

I have a pair koito lamps (i think these are the original ones) and a pair depos too.
All i can say, there is a big difference in the quality.

For example the height adjustment mechanism is not working fine in the brand new depo lights.

Koitos were made in japan, depos... somewhere else (china? taiwan? i cant remember).

(my blinker's brand is depo too, but these simple plastic parts works fine)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey Mister Duncon, how's it goin'?

I have a pare of Depos, which are made in Taiwan, pretty good really? Except the adjusters never work so I pillage the adjusters off the Japanese lamps, which are better, and put them onto my Depos. If you go to the Depo website, right on the first page there is a press release:

• Warning: This is the only official website of the DEPO AUTO PARTS IND. CO., LTD. Please note that there are unofficial websites register similar domain names (URLs) and defraud of money. The information contained in those unofficial websites is not guaranteed by DEPO AUTO PARTS IND. CO., LTD nor by MAXZONE AUTO PARTS CORP.. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I have come across counterfeit Depo headlamps, also counterfeit glow plugs that were allegedly from Germany but when we opened the "made in Germany" box, we pulled out glow plugs with metal burr all through the threading. They got sent back. Basically, as the consumer, one must be cautious as there are a lot of cheap knock-offs out there.

Falco.

[MrDuncon]

I will do the same Falco!

..and how's it goin? hmm.. i just made the big "brake replacement" and in my case that was a complete "front suspension and brake replacement". I will write a post with pohotos about the results.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Cool Mr. Duncon, I look forward to it, let me know when you post it up in L300 Tech.

Let me know how it turns out with the Koito adjusters on your Depo lamps, as well. Always interested.

Falco.