Has anyone cut the lens off from a sealed beam headlight?

[chewychevy67]

I had a brain fart this morning. I ordered new led headlights for my 67 and got the classic look lens. It looks great but I wondered if you could cut the front lens off of a original t3 headlight and use it on my T4 bulb back housing ? How would you cut the sealed beam in half? Diamond bit?

[Steeveedee]

I know a guy who tried it for some reason or other back in '77. A lot of busted bulbs is all he got for his troubles. I think that the type of glass eventually cracks when it is nicked right, like safety glass does.

[truckster]

It's annealed glass, so you could cut it in theory. It would be pretty difficult. If you used a fine diamond blade and a lubricant like water to keep the glass cool you might be successful. Aside from keeping a straight cut, the biggest problem I can see is the heat resulting from cutting and the temperature differential that would create. That's what's going to cause the glass to break.

[firedemon]

I saw a video somewhere where someone took a piece of string soaked in alcohol wrapped it around a bottle of jack lit the string for a few seconds then droped it in watter and it split where the string was burning . dont know if it really works but might be worth a try

[chewychevy67]

I found this thread from hotrod magazine. I want to do this now. https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1006...rs-conversion/

[67ranchhand]

That is a good thread. My truck still has both t3 headlights in it. I have not drove it at night but I did have it in the driveway at night with the headlights on and they are very yellow and dim compared to my 2006 truck. I want to leave the t3’s in for the original look but I know I will be driving this at night and it will not be good visibility. Wish they made a t3 upgrade.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

I found this thread from hotrod magazine. I want to do this now. https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1006...rs-conversion/

I guess there's the answer. Looks like a pretty good little project.

[Stocker]

Looks like an interesting project with a chance of shattering some glass as noted above. Depending on your desired result, consider this: The beam pattern is determined by the bulb, the reflector, and the lens. The T3 lens fluting is different than the fluting on an E-code H4 headlamp, so the beam pattern will be altered. No telling what the end result will be. If you go ahead with this, will you post before & after pics? Good luck, it'll be interesting to see how it turns out!

[chewychevy67]

I agree, the lens is made for the lights to work properly and with that being said I probably won't do this but it would be cool on my truck because I have such a stock looking truck with no modern upgrades appearance wise these will stand out a bit and if the t3 lens was on the H4 case it would still be stock appearance.

[Stocker]

If you haven't already done the relay mod, it's worthwhile. Full voltage to the headlamps makes them brighter. Add some good E-codes like Cibies and you'll have excellent safe lighting for those night drives.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Stocker

If you haven't already done the relay mod, it's worthwhile. Full voltage to the headlamps makes them brighter. Add some good E-codes like Cibies and you'll have excellent safe lighting for those night drives.

I second this. The relay mod made a much bigger difference than I expected. $30 well spent.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I had a pair of 7'' halogen headlamps, I left on a '67 Suburban for years. When I took them off, the lenses came right off. They were originally epoxied on I guess.
For my purpose, I glued them back together with Blue RTV [what I had around]. I used one for a week until new headlamps came in from RockAuto. The other fell off my tailgate and broke. I think they were Sylvania.
Look at the edge. If it's not a solid glass piece, it may separate easily. The Tungsten lamps are sealed, and if air gets into the ''capsule'' the filament burns out quick. But halogens had a small quartz-halogen capsule inside the reflector housing that is self-contained.
Of course, it won't say T-3 on the outside.

[clay68c10]

Chewey; what lights are those?

[chewychevy67]

They are from octane lighting. They are super nice with the LED's. Much brighter than sealed beams.

[chewychevy67]

Well I'm going to give this a shot hopefully over the Xmas break. I ordered some diamond wheels today and I think I know how I'm going to cut them to Get a straight cut. I'll post here when I do this and we'll see how it goes.

[BigBird05]

I would try to cut it with a tile saw.

[maverickmk]

Subscribed, I want to see how this goes

[gmc684x4]

Try Googleing hid conversion those guys split open many types of headlights by putting them in the oven warm up the glue that hold the lens on and separate them

[chewychevy67]

I Wil post the results. I will try it on a different bulb first. I may try a few ideas. I just hope something will work. If you have any links to videos or such where ppl have split these bulbs please post them.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

I Wil post the results. I will try it on a different bulb first. I may try a few ideas. I just hope something will work. If you have any links to videos or such where ppl have split these bulbs please post them.

Here is another article for idea's.

Link:https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ights.1209713/










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[KQQL IT]

My ancient Cibie lights fell apart.
Replaced with some Hella H4 and a relay harness
way better light output

[darkhorse970]

Subscribed

[Ol Blue K20]

Subbed to watch too.

[Thealien]

Also subscribed

[georgieb51]

What is the relay harness mentioned by a few fellows?