What replacement headlights are you using?

[Daddy'O]

I’m tired of non matching headlights and I don’t want to spend the money on T3s. What good replacements are available for a 1971 Chevy which won’t require wiring harness upgrades?

Thanks!

[dznucks]

The harness relay upgrade alone will improve the headlights you have. Upgrage the alt to more amps helps too.

Cibie's are very nice lights that plug straight into the harness pigtails. You can swap the bulbs to get different levels of low/high beam instensities.

[LockDoc]

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Here is a good thread on the Jeep conversion. It also includes the relay upgrade wiring diagram.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=447572

Or if you type "jeep headlights" into the GOOGLE search box at the top of this page, click on the circle in front of "67-72chevytrucks.com and click on the GOOGLE button you will find lots of threads on the subject. Just make sure the thread you are looking at refers to your style of truck. (Hits will include all years)

LockDoc

[Daddy'O]

Thanks for the replies - some good information for future upgrades.

I guess I should have clarified I want to stay stock. The truck is rarely driven at night but sometimes is. I would like my headlights to match & don't want to spend the money on T3s. Would like to know of a good stock replacement.

I really feel silly asking this question - but finding a replacement for a 41 year old truck is not as easy as I thought it would be.

Thanks!

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

Thanks for the replies - some good information for future upgrades.

I guess I should have clarified I want to stay stock. The truck is rarely driven at night but sometimes is. I would like my headlights to match & don't want to spend the money on T3s. Would like to know of a good stock replacement.

I really feel silly asking this question - but finding a replacement for a 41 year old truck is not as easy as I thought it would be.

Thanks!

I find sealed beam headlights on the shelf at Wal*Mart. Halogens will be brighter than stock. Halogens with the relay upgrade will make you wonder why you didn't do the relay upgrade sooner.

[Daddy'O]

At Wal*Mart – really? I would have never thought to look there. So they have the old fashioned incandescent sealed beam headlights?

I love this site. Only problem is it makes me spend money. I really like the headlight relay harness upgrade after reading more about it. I will most likely try it out on my son’s truck as he drives more at night than I ever will in my truck. And then I’m sure I will spend more money upgrading mine – lol.

Thanks for everyone’s input!

[So.Cal.Super]

I put a set of these in.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLA-002395301/

I swapped one out the first night because one of mine died and I was taking the truck to dinner. you could see the difference between stock and the hella was so much better. What I like is I only have to replace the bulb down the road. and it bolted in with no problems even though our truck years are not listed.

[So.Cal.Super]

here are a couple of the plug shots.

[leddzepp]

Sylvania Silverstars. Got them at O'Reillys. Big difference over the T-3's. Incredible difference with a relay modification.

[Daddy'O]

Thanks - for the info.

All right everyone - you've sold me on the headlight relay harness. Is anyone using this one from classic parts?

http://www.classicparts.com/Headlamp...ctinfo/52-298/

Thanks!

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

Thanks - for the info.

All right everyone - you've sold me on the headlight relay harness. Is anyone using this one from classic parts?

http://www.classicparts.com/Headlamp...ctinfo/52-298/

Thanks!

I rolled my own harness. There really isn't much to it.

Another thing nobody has mentioned about the relays is the fact that you will no longer be asking marginal, 40 year old wire to handle a bunch of current. This situation creates heat which over time is hard on the headlight switch. After you install relays to handle the juice you'll never replace another headlight switch.

If you're bored, before you install the relay harness, turn on your headlights and measure the voltage at the light. Then do the same thing after you get that harness installed.

[Daddy'O]

I agree – does not look like too much involved in building your own harness. But for $40 I think I’ll get a one already built. I’ll take the voltage measurements like you suggested. What differences did you see between the stock and relay configurations?

You know – before we replaced the wiring in my son’s truck I noticed his lights weren’t that bright. Now with the new harnesses installed I do notice a difference and he only has the sealed incandescent lamps. We’ve decided to upgrade his truck with the relay harness and probably the halogen lights leddzepp suggested. I’m really anticipating a big difference. Like I said earlier, my son drives more at night than my truck ever will. But if the improvement is as drastic as everyone is saying you can bet my truck will be next inline for this upgrade.

Funny - I was only looking for replacement lamps for my truck and I discover this great information. I love this site!

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by mrein3

I rolled my own harness. There really isn't much to it.

Another thing nobody has mentioned about the relays is the fact that you will no longer be asking marginal, 40 year old wire to handle a bunch of current. This situation creates heat which over time is hard on the headlight switch. After you install relays to handle the juice you'll never replace another headlight switch.

If you're bored, before you install the relay harness, turn on your headlights and measure the voltage at the light. Then do the same thing after you get that harness installed.

Hey Wayne,

x2 on the roll your own. I actually bought a couple of relays and upgraded/rerouted my exisitng harness. It works like a champ and makes a noticable difference at night. I've heard the pre-made harness tends to be not long enough.

Also upgraded to Sylvania Halogen Sealed Beams. I bought mine at Advance for about $15 each.