GMC high beam headlamp options

[87Skier]

I have Hella H4 conversions for my low beam/high beam outside lights, and now that one of the my high-beams is out I've been thinking of upgrading those too.

Last time I was in there, I thought the headlamp bucket looked shallow, so is there even room to run this: http://www.rallylights.com/h5001-hel...dlamp-kit.html. If not, what are you running?


PS: I have relayed my headlights, so increased current isn't an issue.

[Andy4639]

Never messed with a GMC headlight but I would think not with the back of the light pictured. My 71 has them and it was very tight and mine didn't have that back part.
Hopefully some one will know for sure.

[54blackhornet]

I too have Hella lights in my GMC. If you remove the bucket I think you could enlarge the opening, but I don’t believe there is much clearance between rear of bucket and core support

[87Skier]

The clearance to the core support is what I was worried about. I think with the regular lights there is only about 1" behind the light with the socket.

[Stocker]

I hope you can get a definitive answer from a GMC owner. If there's any way to make them fit, the results will likely amaze you. I once had a '66 Corvette with E-codes in all 4 positions including H1s for high beams. Can't recall the brand but they were not Hellas. Either Cibies or now-defunct Marchals. I do recall having standard 55/60W bulbs in the outer high/low lamps, with 55W in the high-only lamps. High beams were stunning.

[Mike C]

I just ordered two sets of 4... Hope to put them in mine and the kid's Jimmy's so will let you know. I have a '64 Corvette and most likely it gets them as well unless LED's come way down.

[markwc99]

I have installed a set (don't remember the brand name) last week in my
truck without a problem. I already had the relays installed

[Foureye71]

Subbing to this thread since I'm also a gmc owner whos is also sick of the candle sticks I have for headlights.

[Billhilly]

I've got them in my truck. They fit but the terminals/wires are snug for sure. I'm guessing (can't remember!) I cut a hex shape in the back of cup with a small angle grinder to get the highbeams to fit.

[87Skier]

Originally Posted by Mike C

I just ordered two sets of 4... Hope to put them in mine and the kid's Jimmy's so will let you know. I have a '64 Corvette and most likely it gets them as well unless LED's come way down.

Did you order the low/high beam for all 4, or did you get 2 low/high and 2 high only? I think there is a minor difference between the two styles.

[StingRay]

I have Bosch in all 4 holes of my 72. I did them 25 years ago but don't recall any issues getting them to fit. I have had to enlarge the holes on the buckets of few vehicles to get Euro style lights to fit properly but none have been very difficult to make work.

On a 4 light system the outer have two filaments and work on both low and high. They use an H4 bulb. The inner are different and only come on with high beam. They use an H1 bulb. You can also upgrade your bulbs to higher outputs but they are not legal for road use. You will get better results if you install a relay system so the lights get more current. The switches in our trucks have a circuit breaker and are maxed out at the stock amperage. Any bulb upgrades will require relays.

I worked for Cibie dealer when I was a kid and have been doing these kind of lights for 40 years. I still have a factory Cibie optical aiming machine that I saved from the dumpster at that shop 25 years later. I buy every Euro type light set that comes up at swap meets and on Kijiji (like Craigslist) and I get them cheap.

[markwc99]

I think using all 4 is good to use.

[87Skier]

Update: I bought the Hella H1 conversions for the highbeams.

There are a few things you should know: first the box says made in Germany, the headlights say made in Romania, the bulbs are made in India. Kind of rubbed me the wrong way with this.

The headlight seal and wire passthrough is weird. There are no instructions that indicate how it should be setup or how it should work.

The conversion harness is simply two wires that connect to your original headlamp connector.

The headlight buckets didn't require any trimming for the headlights to fit.

The headlights themselves are flatter than the sealed beam types, so they are noticeably different.

Lastly, the headlights are considerably brighter than the sealed beam type. I would say these are worth the cost (around $100 for a set).

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

Did you order the low/high beam for all 4, or did you get 2 low/high and 2 high only? I think there is a minor difference between the two styles.

Sorry for delay as I just saw your ?. I bought all 4 same and am going figure out how to utilize hi/low bulb in high Only for high beams. Will update some day when I get the ‘ol “round tuit”.