Headlight Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Palf70Step** · 12-10-2003, 12:12 AM

Is there a way to put better/brighter headlights in my 82, without breaking the bank? I know on my 70 you can rewire then to run off relays to give it some help. Thought maybe they may have a halogen swap they woulkd work or some such stuff.

I guess might as well ask about the dash lights too. All the bulbs apppear to be working, but it still not very bright. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Prerunner1982 · 12-10-2003, 12:17 AM

as far as the headlights there are conversions, there are members here that have them i do not. if i am anywhere i need brighter lights i have other lights i can use..

as far as brighter dash lights, got to www.73-87.com there is an article there by Zilverado on what he did to make his brighter.. there are members who have done this, myself being one of them. it helps, i have another idea i am wanting to try when i get time... i will let everyone know if it works!

78SilveradoSWB · 12-10-2003, 12:17 AM

1. You can try the Sylvania Silverstar replacement headlight lamps which give near HID brightness for around $28 each.

2. Check this article regarding dash lights. Have done it myself and it works.

http://www.73-87.com/garage/dashlights.htm

Prerunner1982 · 12-10-2003, 12:20 AM

or you can just go to the more direct link he posted...

87Silvy · 12-10-2003, 05:02 PM

I have Sylvania SilverStar headlights on my truck and they are a tremendous improvement over stock halogens. They are a little pricy though, around $25-$30 a piece.

gldevall · 12-10-2003, 05:17 PM

ANybody done the H4 conversion? That what I am interested in. with the diamond back headlights.

Grim Reaper · 12-10-2003, 05:38 PM

I'm so disgusted with how bad my headlights are on my 88 that I have gone to the extreme. Hella 550 Drivings wired to com on with the low beams. Set of Hella Rally 1,000's with Eurobeam with 100watt H2 bulbs wired to come on with the high beams.

Sure do miss my H4's from My Supra.

**swervin ervin** · 12-10-2003, 06:13 PM

Buy some Silverstars and never look back. You won't regret it. I have them on my truck. Of course you could convert it over to HID. That is if you have 500 bucks laying around.

87Silvy · 12-10-2003, 06:19 PM

I agree, Silverstars are the way to go!!!

Low87on20s · 12-10-2003, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gldevall
ANybody done the H4 conversion? That what I am interested in. with the diamond back headlights.

I did the H4 conversion with the diamond back housings. I also rewired the whole headlamp system with 12 guage wire and relays because of the higher wattage bulbs.

The wiring diagram looked something like this....

Left/right high/low should be upper and left/right High is lower....

toytruck · 12-10-2003, 07:09 PM

low87-Nice! That should be a sticky

gldevall · 12-10-2003, 10:33 PM

So how did it work? Was it worth it? Do the silver stars do just as good?

Russell · 12-11-2003, 01:41 AM

When one of my headlights burns out, I'll be putting in Silverstars... My highbeams are very good on my 80, but the lowbeams just SUCK.

As far as painting the guauge panel, if you are spraying it, tape up whatever you don't want to get paint on, and if you are painting the back of the gauges, tape the edges, then tape some newspaper overtop of the needle and the rest of the gauge, as well as the electrical connections on the back, if you don't cover every single surface you don't want paint on entirely, you'll get silver spots all over that surface... I've done one before, and it made a significant difference... I'll be doing my dash on Tuesday night next week when I have more than a couple hours at night in which to do my work... Also gonna lube up my speedo cable while I am at it, and do some wire tracing to figure out what the three bare wires under my dash are suppost to be hooked up to...

12-10-2003, 12:12 AM	#1
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,844	Headlight Question Is there a way to put better/brighter headlights in my 82, without breaking the bank? I know on my 70 you can rewire then to run off relays to give it some help. Thought maybe they may have a halogen swap they woulkd work or some such stuff. I guess might as well ask about the dash lights too. All the bulbs apppear to be working, but it still not very bright. Any suggestions? Thanks __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

12-10-2003, 12:17 AM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	as far as the headlights there are conversions, there are members here that have them i do not. if i am anywhere i need brighter lights i have other lights i can use.. as far as brighter dash lights, got to www.73-87.com there is an article there by Zilverado on what he did to make his brighter.. there are members who have done this, myself being one of them. it helps, i have another idea i am wanting to try when i get time... i will let everyone know if it works! __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-10-2003, 12:17 AM	#3
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	1. You can try the Sylvania Silverstar replacement headlight lamps which give near HID brightness for around $28 each. 2. Check this article regarding dash lights. Have done it myself and it works. http://www.73-87.com/garage/dashlights.htm __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

12-10-2003, 12:20 AM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	or you can just go to the more direct link he posted... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-10-2003, 05:02 PM	#5
87Silvy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Texas Posts: 326	I have Sylvania SilverStar headlights on my truck and they are a tremendous improvement over stock halogens. They are a little pricy though, around $25-$30 a piece. __________________ 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

12-10-2003, 05:17 PM	#6
gldevall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 2,925	ANybody done the H4 conversion? That what I am interested in. with the diamond back headlights. __________________ Gary -1986 SWB: lowered 4/6, SOLD!!! -Best 1/4 mile: 14.51 @ 91.01 MPH -2001 Pewter Tahoe, billet grill, Corsa Sport Cat-back, K&N FIPK SOLD!!! -2004 Z-71 Extended cab with a flowmaster, BDS 6.5", 3" BL, 35x12.5x18 Trail Grapplers on Pro-Comp 18x9 wheels

12-10-2003, 05:38 PM	#7
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	I'm so disgusted with how bad my headlights are on my 88 that I have gone to the extreme. Hella 550 Drivings wired to com on with the low beams. Set of Hella Rally 1,000's with Eurobeam with 100watt H2 bulbs wired to come on with the high beams. Sure do miss my H4's from My Supra. __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

12-10-2003, 06:13 PM	#8
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Buy some Silverstars and never look back. You won't regret it. I have them on my truck. Of course you could convert it over to HID. That is if you have 500 bucks laying around. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

12-10-2003, 06:19 PM	#9
87Silvy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Texas Posts: 326	I agree, Silverstars are the way to go!!! __________________ 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 2005 Chevrolet Silverado

12-10-2003, 07:09 PM	#11
toytruck 5-7 dropped 87 CC Dually Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bay city mi Posts: 326	low87-Nice! That should be a sticky __________________ I rather be in my 77 Sanger Picklefork Jet Hydro!

12-10-2003, 10:33 PM	#12
gldevall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 2,925	So how did it work? Was it worth it? Do the silver stars do just as good? __________________ Gary -1986 SWB: lowered 4/6, SOLD!!! -Best 1/4 mile: 14.51 @ 91.01 MPH -2001 Pewter Tahoe, billet grill, Corsa Sport Cat-back, K&N FIPK SOLD!!! -2004 Z-71 Extended cab with a flowmaster, BDS 6.5", 3" BL, 35x12.5x18 Trail Grapplers on Pro-Comp 18x9 wheels

12-11-2003, 01:41 AM	#13
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	When one of my headlights burns out, I'll be putting in Silverstars... My highbeams are very good on my 80, but the lowbeams just SUCK. As far as painting the guauge panel, if you are spraying it, tape up whatever you don't want to get paint on, and if you are painting the back of the gauges, tape the edges, then tape some newspaper overtop of the needle and the rest of the gauge, as well as the electrical connections on the back, if you don't cover every single surface you don't want paint on entirely, you'll get silver spots all over that surface... I've done one before, and it made a significant difference... I'll be doing my dash on Tuesday night next week when I have more than a couple hours at night in which to do my work... Also gonna lube up my speedo cable while I am at it, and do some wire tracing to figure out what the three bare wires under my dash are suppost to be hooked up to... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

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