Possible to have 4 low beams on GMC? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Project1970 · 11-14-2002, 06:42 PM

Just a thought I've been kicking around for a while...does anyone make a headlight that would fit in my '70 GMC in place of the highbeams and be a combined low/high beam unit?

I know it'd involve some rewiring...but I think the extra low-beam light would be nice...basically, just have it so all four are on low normally, and then when I click the high beams on, the two go to high.

Hmm...or why not just replace all four and have all four go from low to high...

Hehe...all just thoughts, but I'd really like to know, since a LOT of my driving is at night.

ckhd · 11-14-2002, 06:48 PM

I think it would be a matter of two new bulbs and a little rewiring.

I set up my friend's '92 K3500 to have both bulbs on with the High beams. Simple matter of a bit of wire and a relay for him.

What you're talking about should be fairly easy, as long as the bulbs fit the buckets (I don't think they are different).

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2002, 06:51 PM

Externial lamp dimentions are the same.
Just replace the plug pigtail and wire to the other light.
I got a ticket for doing this on my 68 Cougar when i was a teen. (first ticket too) They said it was illegal to have that many headlamps on in the low beam selection. Luckily it was just a fix it ticket.

Fred T · 11-14-2002, 06:54 PM

Longhornmail is right, unless the law has been recently changed. It's illegal to have more than one bulb on each side burning on dim.

ckhd · 11-14-2002, 07:03 PM

What about this? I'm no lawyer, but the way I interpret this is that two is the minimum only. Not two and only two.

headlights

If you call them "driving lamps", this one is your loophole if there is a problem.

driving_lamps

I guess if you get a "fix it" ticket, then let's look at the law they refer to and fight it if we don't think it applies.

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2002, 07:08 PM

There are laws that describe a fog light, a driving light, and a headlight. This is why somw of the KC Daylighters are illegal for on road use, even though they are not as bright as a headlight. (some models...not all)
If you want more light, get halligons, and wire them up with a relay getting full system voltage to the lights. It'll be 100% better. much like a newer vehicle.

crazy longhorn · 11-14-2002, 07:28 PM

4 headlites?, the Chevs only have 2 ......& they are so brite , they have to wear ......

!

ckhd · 11-14-2002, 07:30 PM

I say do it anyway and fight it if you have to. All they will do is give you a repair order, and investigation into the referenced statute may show that they are full of bull.

If I had a GMC (or anything with four headlights), I'd go do it tonight, just to see what the cops would do and if they would write me a bullcrap hassle ticket that I could fight and get a cease and dissist order with.

Longhorn Man · 11-15-2002, 12:15 AM

It is a fed thing, don't you think they would have done it years ago from the assembly line?

11-14-2002, 06:42 PM	#1
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Possible to have 4 low beams on GMC? Just a thought I've been kicking around for a while...does anyone make a headlight that would fit in my '70 GMC in place of the highbeams and be a combined low/high beam unit? I know it'd involve some rewiring...but I think the extra low-beam light would be nice...basically, just have it so all four are on low normally, and then when I click the high beams on, the two go to high. Hmm...or why not just replace all four and have all four go from low to high... Hehe...all just thoughts, but I'd really like to know, since a LOT of my driving is at night. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

11-14-2002, 06:48 PM	#2
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	I think it would be a matter of two new bulbs and a little rewiring. I set up my friend's '92 K3500 to have both bulbs on with the High beams. Simple matter of a bit of wire and a relay for him. What you're talking about should be fairly easy, as long as the bulbs fit the buckets (I don't think they are different). __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

11-14-2002, 06:54 PM	#4
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Longhornmail is right, unless the law has been recently changed. It's illegal to have more than one bulb on each side burning on dim. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

11-14-2002, 07:03 PM	#5
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	What about this? I'm no lawyer, but the way I interpret this is that two is the minimum only. Not two and only two. headlights If you call them "driving lamps", this one is your loophole if there is a problem. driving_lamps I guess if you get a "fix it" ticket, then let's look at the law they refer to and fight it if we don't think it applies. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

11-14-2002, 07:28 PM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	4 headlites?, the Chevs only have 2 ......& they are so brite , they have to wear ...... ! __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-14-2002, 06:51 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Externial lamp dimentions are the same. Just replace the plug pigtail and wire to the other light. I got a ticket for doing this on my 68 Cougar when i was a teen. (first ticket too) They said it was illegal to have that many headlamps on in the low beam selection. Luckily it was just a fix it ticket.

11-14-2002, 07:08 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	There are laws that describe a fog light, a driving light, and a headlight. This is why somw of the KC Daylighters are illegal for on road use, even though they are not as bright as a headlight. (some models...not all) If you want more light, get halligons, and wire them up with a relay getting full system voltage to the lights. It'll be 100% better. much like a newer vehicle.

11-14-2002, 07:30 PM	#8
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	I say do it anyway and fight it if you have to. All they will do is give you a repair order, and investigation into the referenced statute may show that they are full of bull. If I had a GMC (or anything with four headlights), I'd go do it tonight, just to see what the cops would do and if they would write me a bullcrap hassle ticket that I could fight and get a cease and dissist order with. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

11-15-2002, 12:15 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	It is a fed thing, don't you think they would have done it years ago from the assembly line?

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