Better round lights

[slotard]

I'm looking for a headlight upgrade on my '73 C20. I've gotten spoiled by more modern headlights in more modern cars, and was hoping to find a new setup that'll work better without changing the appearance too much.

I've swapped from refractor type housings (where the lens plays a major role) to reflector type housings (where the lens is clear) on motorcycles and it seems to help. Are there any swaps like that for square bodies? I'd be happy with a different grill, but want to stick to the round headlights and would rather not go with HIDs unless I can find a housing designed for them.

[dfrank]

Lmc truck sells what they call euro style headlights that look like the factory originals but use a modern style replacement bulb. They are very bright. I had them on my 86 for a while but took them off. The headlitht wiring harness is f'd up so when the high beam light is on the low beams are on and with the two stage bulb and 4 headlights it just pissed me off as the low beams where brighter than the high beams.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I'm sure the LMC ones are the same types you can buy on ebay, Amazon, etc. It's a conversion housing that allows you to use H4 bulbs.

[GMC Guy]

I was thinking about buying a pair of these..
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/60...ogen-Lamp-pair

[JonnyC10]

I upgraded using the Hella Vision Plus ECE headlights that come with the Hella H4 bulbs and an upgraded headlight relay harness. I tell what, probably one one of the best mods I have done to the truck to date.

[slotard]

GMC Guy, the problem with buying drop in HIDs is that the pattern they throw is poor in a housing designed for halogens. This can blind oncoming traffic as well as making "hot spots" that decrease your night vision.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130951094047 is about what I have on the motorcycle. I'm not sure if it would drop in without changes. It should provide better lighting, but isn't right for HIDs.

I might go with HIDs, but I'd need to do a proper retrofit rather than just drop bulbs in. I'm not sure if there are any high quality projectors mounted in 7" round housings.

[GMC Guy]

Originally Posted by slotard

GMC Guy, the problem with buying drop in HIDs is that the pattern they throw is poor in a housing designed for halogens. This can blind oncoming traffic as well as making "hot spots" that decrease your night vision.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130951094047 is about what I have on the motorcycle. I'm not sure if it would drop in without changes. It should provide better lighting, but isn't right for HIDs.

I might go with HIDs, but I'd need to do a proper retrofit rather than just drop bulbs in. I'm not sure if there are any high quality projectors mounted in 7" round housings.

or you could throw these in there
Amazon.com: Sylvania 9003 SU SilverStar Ultra...

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Some jeep model with mods fit the housing and I am thinking of those.

[67swb72klb]

just Google 7" headlight you will find a lot of options

[slotard]

The LED Truck Lites: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281437873317 look nice, but are a little more money than I'd like to spend.

There are some Jeep-ish headlights that come with HIDs http://www.ebay.com/370871749214 but I'm still concerned they may not have a good pattern. The price is reasonable though, and I could also try running typical H4s in them.

[andrewmp6]

.

There are some Jeep-ish headlights that come with HIDs http://www.ebay.com/370871749214 but I'm still concerned they may not have a good pattern. The price is reasonable though, and I could also try running typical H4s in them.[/QUOTE]

That ebay kit is total junk don't use any of it.The housings are the diamond cut/euro cut which won't focus the light.The hid part is cheap and using a hid in a none projector housing will blind people.For a good h4 housing hella brand or the stand autopal brand not the diamond cut ones.Get a h4 wiring harness with the relays that will help you get more power to the lights.The next step up is leds truck lite or jw speaker brand are nice but pricey.

[jjzepplin]

Subbed

[gmachinz]

Do a HD relay upgrade first-you'll notice a huge difference in light output.

[hatzie]

2008 Jeep Wrangler H13 Headlight assemblies are an improvement in reflector design. The convex Jeep lens looks like it belongs unlike the flat Hella E-Code assemblies that also have very good light output with Halogen bulbs. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318973

You'll need a conversion harness. A good H4 to H13 relay harness will get more electrons to the lights than the 40 year old 18ga wiring... Without chopping up the original harness.
Like this --->http://puredieselpower.com/products/...onversion.html

As far as HID conversions go I'll just quote another member that has the same opinion as me. "I'm by no means an expert on this, but every car or truck that the owner slapped some cheap-o HID replacement bulb into didn't work worth $h!t. The factory or aftermarket manufacturer sells their headlights with H4, H1, H7, etc....bulbs because the reflector and lens were [hopefully] designed to work with the light output of those particular lamps. Putting in an HID H4 replacement bulb will do nothing but make your lights look blue and annoy oncoming traffic with their horrible glare. If you want true HID performance lighting you need to look for a unit that is designed from the get-go for HID lamps. IMHO- projector (aka- ellipsoidial) headlights are precisely designed for this application. Below is an example of what I'm talking about. Can you pick up a set for $80? No way, more like $500-$600! So if you are serious about performance lighting you'll need to shell out some cash. If that's out of the budget- go get some nice Hella E-Code Halogen units and put them in with some Silverstar bulbs and the ever-necessary relay upgrade and you will have very good light output!"
--http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...8&postcount=11

[slotard]

I'll keep my eyes open fora set of Wrangler headlights, that's about what I was thinking of. Nice to know there's a good OEM one rather than ebay crap.

[cadillac_al]

FWIW my 76 GMC with plain old halogens is brighter than my newer Buick or Caddy so I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I'm sure I could probably get some blinding lights for my '03 Caddy that would make the truck lights look dim, but I'm happy enough with stock. You can't beat those big round spotlights imo.

[TexasJeff]

I added SilverStars to my truck and I am SUPER happy with them, they were about $24 a lamp, but they have been in the truck now for about 10 years with not one fail.

https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produ...aled-beam.aspx

[man7sell]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

I added SilverStars to my truck and I am SUPER happy with them, they were about $24 a lamp, but they have been in the truck now for about 10 years with not one fail.

https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produ...aled-beam.aspx

That sounds like a good way to go Jeff.

I have a couple of spot light relays that came with mt PIA spots on my FJ. I installed factory relays and switches so these were extras. I should try hooking them up to the truck headlights of more V's

[gmachinz]

Here's a generality about relay harness kits for headlights....nobody ever seems to produce numbers to put things into perspective so, as far as the relay headlight kits I build, I observe on average a 1.5V gain in voltage to the headlights which represents roughly a 25% increase in brightness-that is huge! That's why I suggest converting stock headlights to relay power first because oftentimes, you may not need anything more.

But no matter what style of bulb you decide on, a relay kit makes life much brighter! I just had my wifes cousin bring me his $75 HID kit he bought off Fleebay from a company called OPT7 and it was junk quality with inadequate wire material, 2 adapters were wrong size, etc. Buy a quality relay kit.

[slotard]

I'm picking up a pair of JK (07+ Wrangler) headlights for $40 locally. They use H13 bulbs, any suggestions for where to buy a relay kit triggered by the stock bulbs that powers H13s?

[gmachinz]

I can help you out. PM me if ya want-I've done quite a few of them already for members. I need some info about your charging system first tho.

[slotard]

Picked these up locally today. They're off a Jeep JK, which is what people suggested.

gmachinz, it has an alternator but I'll need to take a look at what alternator it is tomorrow.

[gmachinz]

Cool. Let me know if you need anything!

[wideopen1967]

Trucklite, I have one of these on my Harley RoadKing, http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lighting-...GNbBoCSejw_wcB

[roger97338]

I put a pair of these (http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1576&ppt=C0335) in my '75. They light up the road far better than any headlight in my Nissan or my Caddy...may it rest in peace.