Upgrading Headlights

[Dieselholic92]

Yes I know I should use the search function, but I’ve been trying it for 20 minutes and I wasn’t really happy with the search results. I finally had one low beam go out on my 72 GMC. I want to upgrade the lighting but I haven’t done much research on it. So I’m wondering what guys would recommend? Picture of my truck.

[jimijam00]

If search is broken, just scroll down the forum and you'll find 2 or 3 recent threads on the same thing.

[70cst]

This is a recent thread on upgrading the headlights.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=837539

[Richard]

If you want something with modern lighting capability, check this out https://www.dapperlighting.com/colle...s/products/575

[CastIron]

It seems like there's a lot less choices when you have a GMC with 4 headlights. I've purchased Hella H4 headlights (for the low beams) and some Hella relays, but haven't actually installed them yet. If they aren't bright enough with the halogen bulbs I may try an LED replacement. I've tried LED bulbs in 4 vehicles, but was disappointed in 2 of those. A high quality upgraded halogen in the Hella H4 lamps might be the best choice. And it's definitely one of the more affordable.

[70cst]

If the GMC takes 7" heaglamps - what I did was buy a set of Jeep Wrangler 7" headlamos and then purchased a pair of LEDS ... also puchased the

Per LocKDoc "Jeep JK Wrangler headlights are a direct bolt in swap for the old sealed beam headlights in our trucks. They even have the 3 lugs on the back for alignment and use the stock '67-'72 trim rings. The headlights have more dome to the lense than the originals." ...

With this being said: I ended up buying a set of used Wrangler Rubicon 2015 headlamps ($30) H4-H13 conversion pigtails ($8.00) - these are a direct fit. And .. AUXBEAMS LEDS 9008 for the headlights and 1157's Parking lights. ($52)

[MARKDTN]

Don't know about low beams, I would probably at least use a relay kit to get all the power to them you can. That helped a lot on my son's '97 Blazer.

Back in the day, aircraft landing lights use to be the hot ticket for high beams. Not DOT legal but if not abused can really help with times you can use the high beams. Would definitely put relays on them.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Back in the day, aircraft landing lights use to be the hot ticket for high beams. Not DOT legal but if not abused can really help with times you can use the high beams. Would definitely put relays on them.

Funny, I did this--and yes you have to use relays. When you flip these on at night, you can see a 1/4 mile down the road like it was daylight. It literally saved my butt one time as it lit up a herd of deer just standing in the roadway, the same roadway I was traveling about 50-55 mph down at the time

[Palf70Step]

Best thing in the world is to add/build a relay harness to give full 12V to lights. The quad/GMC lights are smaller diameter bulbs, so the Wranglers don't fit. Great for the Chevy's single lamp applications. Not sure who has a good build setup for the GMC style. You would be surprised at the difference a relay harness makes, even with stock bulbs

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Best thing in the world is to add/build a relay harness to give full 12V to lights. The quad/GMC lights are smaller diameter bulbs, so the Wranglers don't fit. Great for the Chevy's single lamp applications. Not sure who has a good build setup for the GMC style. You would be surprised at the difference a relay harness makes, even with stock bulbs

Thanks for the info - where is the best place to purchase the relay harness

Thanks

[HO455]

Take a look at the Daniel Stern website. Lots of information and he sells only quality products.

https://www.danielsternlighting.com/.../products.html

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Thanks for the info - where is the best place to purchase the relay harness

Thanks

I've got mine thru LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...dlight-harness

[Southcity]

Holley Retrobrights (LED). Yes they are expensive but they outperform H4 even with relay setup. They look like stock, plug-and-play, no relay required as LED draw is extremely low. In return, you get modern performing LED lighting which will last a very long time and a stock look. They offer 5 3/4 for quad headlight setups or 7" for single headlight setups. Ask me how I know, I run them on my 66 K10 Suburban with no relay, superior lighting performance. Tested them on my other 66 Suburban with relay setup, no light output difference. If you run H4 lighting, relay setup is highly recommended.


https://www.holley.com/brands/holley...nd_headlights/

[DDassow01]

I bought the LMC HD relay harness and it wasn't wired correctly for my stock 1970 GMC. I had to move some connectors around in the harness and then it worked properly. Much brighter and a very worthwhile upgrade.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=502522&page=4

[LNP]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I've got mine thru LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...dlight-harness

I did too

[72SB]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I've got mine thru LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...dlight-harness

+2 on the Head Light Harness. I use Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, 5500k

ALL your lights will be brighter after relay install as the full volt load is taken out of the switch

plug & play install. No cutting any wires. Just mount 2 relays near the battery

[basketcase]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I've got mine thru LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...dlight-harness

Did it work right out of the box? Mine worked just fine for a time or 3 then quit. When I turn the battery on the lights come on, even when I had the light switch and the dimmer switch laying on the floor unplugged. They were both crusty and needed replaced. I determined that one of the relays is bad, maybe both. Sticking in the connected position so it got power whenever the battery disconnect switch was on. I'm looking for a quality relay that fits the LMC harness. I had the harness for a few years before I installed it so it's unlikely LMC would do anything about it. I think I'd be happier with a non-Chinese relay anyway. As for the landing light in the high beams of a 4-light system, they really light things up for a long distance. I had them in a 67 Corvette and still have them in my 59 Corvette. A relay is a must. The circuit breaker would pop then I'd have to let it cool down before I could use the high beams again.

Tom

[Dieselholic92]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Best thing in the world is to add/build a relay harness to give full 12V to lights. The quad/GMC lights are smaller diameter bulbs, so the Wranglers don't fit. Great for the Chevy's single lamp applications. Not sure who has a good build setup for the GMC style. You would be surprised at the difference a relay harness makes, even with stock bulbs

Thank you! I didn’t realize they don’t receive a full 12 volts. I would imagine there’s a write up for this somewhere?

[1967-C10]

rmsLighting.net exact drop in replacement with great prices !

[steves1967]

I used the Landcrusier kit.

https://cruiserteq.com/oem-toyota-ko...-elec81110kit/

The big thing is the wiring. The brightest/ best bulbs in the world won't be any good if you continue to use the old crappy wiring. Use new relays, new wiring and use the old wiring as the "trigger" for the new relays.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by steves1967

I used the Landcrusier kit.

https://cruiserteq.com/oem-toyota-ko...-elec81110kit/

The big thing is the wiring. The brightest/ best bulbs in the world won't be any good if you continue to use the old crappy wiring. Use new relays, new wiring and use the old wiring as the "trigger" for the new relays.

AND if you get a relay harness, you no longer have to replace your headlight switch every so often.

Before you start, turn the headlights on and measure voltage at the back of the headlight connector. Its been years since I rewired my truck to use relays for the headlights but the voltage was on the order of 10 volts.

That current has to flow from the battery to the headlight switch, to the dimmer (floor) switch, then out to the headlights.

All that small diameter wire drops the voltage. The byproduct of that is heat. This heat takes out your headlight switch.

When you re-wire the headlights to run straight off the battery through the relay you are turning your headlight switch into a relay controller.

After the re-wire again measure your voltage at the back of the light. It should be within 0.1 volts of the battery. (12.3ish when car off, 14.3ish with the car running).

I made my own "harness". It isn't hard. There are elevendy billion how-to articles on this site and others out there on the google machine.

FWIW, I use good old fashioned, fact-tree style sealed beams. With the battery voltage out of the relay you don't need the much more expensive alternatives others are talking about.

[cj847]

Originally Posted by steves1967

I used the Landcrusier kit.

https://cruiserteq.com/oem-toyota-ko...-elec81110kit/

The big thing is the wiring. The brightest/ best bulbs in the world won't be any good if you continue to use the old crappy wiring. Use new relays, new wiring and use the old wiring as the "trigger" for the new relays.

Do these have the locating tabs on the back? Do you have any issues with keeping them aimed properly?

[DA71Grande]

I have the octane 5 3/4 led lights in my gmc they are plug and play

[Dieselholic92]

Originally Posted by DA71Grande

I have the octane 5 3/4 led lights in my gmc they are plug and play

How do you like the led turn signals? I’ve been looking at those too. Thank you for the headlight suggestion.

[leddzepp]

Relay harness upgrade and a set of Sylvania silver star sealed beam headlights from autozone makes a HUGE difference and won’t drain your wallet.