Upgrades for stock headlights.......

[TP from Cntl PA]

I was wondering how much of an improvement those light kits with the relay are over the stock setup from the switch is? I never had any problem seeing with the stock setup, but driving my K-20 in the dark is terrible because I can't see much of anything unless I have the high beams on all the time. I am getting it inspected tomorrow, and I am going to have my neighbor who's doing it aim them(Part of the problem I'd imagine), but I was wondering what I could do about this? Any recommendations on what has worked for you?

[BarryB]

Don't know if this will help, But my Uncle put a set of the lights that takes the H4 bulbs in his 66 oldmobile. He likes them because you can get those blue bulbs for it. and is good for driving in the rain. I don't belive they are all that much. Well thats my thoughts.

[jsbgump]

You can get some siverstar h6024 from your local parts store. They aren't cheap but are a great upgrade for a bulb.

[Longhorn Man]

The relay upgrade does wonders.
Aiming them will probably do a lot for you.

[GlennBrittain]

The relay upgrade also made a huge differance on my lights.

[Already Gone]

I live on the bald a** prairie flatlands and after doing the relay upgrade and just using halogen sealed beams my lights shine 30 to 40 % further and are that much brighter too. I'm no mechanic and I did the upgrade myself, it isnt that tough.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by TP from Cntl PA

I was wondering how much of an improvement those light kits with the relay are over the stock setup from the switch is? I never had any problem seeing with the stock setup, but driving my K-20 in the dark is terrible because I can't see much of anything unless I have the high beams on all the time. I am getting it inspected tomorrow, and I am going to have my neighbor who's doing it aim them(Part of the problem I'd imagine), but I was wondering what I could do about this? Any recommendations on what has worked for you?

Your stock wiring to the headlights is running 12 volts through about 20 feet of small gauge wire. Do this smiple test. Take a volt meter and with the head lights on go measure the voltage at the back of the plug on the headlight. You'll see between 10 and 11 volts.

If you upgrade to a relay, you'll have 12.5 or so at the light.

A pair of halogens and a pair of relays and you will wonder how you drove at night as long as you did with the stock setup.

[arkracing]

Is there a Tech Article/Thread on doing the upgrade??? If so you got a link for it?

[beater69]

These two links will help a lot.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=92228
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=182351
This one is how to do it on a budget and is pretty cool. This is what I am going to do. I've all ready been to the wrecking yard and got the relays. Tx Firefighter came up with it and it is perfect. I got the connectors that plug into the relay also, which will help keep the mod clean. Enjoy!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=188478

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by jsbgump

You can get some siverstar h6024 from your local parts store. They aren't cheap but are a great upgrade for a bulb.

i just replace my switch so thats what i'm upgrading too the light difference is amazing

[kbs71]

Heres an article i wrote awhile back. I've saved it cause this comes up about every couple of months and it's easier to cut and paste than look for the link.
The reason you want to install this is the Headlight switch contacts aren’t designed to carry the type of amperage that Halogen bulbs will pull.
There are several places to get good quality electrical parts and hardware. The terminals for the headlights are 5/16" and are available at Ron Francis http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....rta~partsort~2 P/N AM-8 you get 8 for $7.95. Or you can get 50 if you think you need that many. This way you can just buy bulk wire and make your own harness. The other ends are 1/4" and can be had at MAD Electric http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/flat-blade.shtml P/N 10-56F10 you get 10 for $2.99 or again 50 if need be. By the way the 5/16" terminals aren’t readily available over the counter. I tried every where to find them and finally had to order them from Ron Francis. He was the only one I've found that carries them. The 1/4" one can be had at NAPA and are easily found on the internet, they are used everywhere else I've looked on my truck for the female terminal end, and I've replaced a lot of terminals. Oh if your headlight sockets are burnt up or the terminals don't lock in place because the sockets worn out just go to any auto parts store and look for one. Auto Zone, NAPA, they all carry it. Here's the link to Auto Zones web page http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...ction=loadPage P/N 85810 for $2.99 each.
You can either buy the fancy wire from MAD or just go to your local Auto zone or NAPA and pick up some bulk wire. You'll need Brown, Green and Red and some Black. Then just make up your own harness. Relays, I really likes the ones at Parts Express http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=339-075 P/N 339075 for the socket and 330-077 for the relays you'll need 2 of each. Also fuse holders http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=070-675.
The H4 Lens can be had a JC Witless http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000165791 P/N ZX139317U $17.99 They also have replacement bulbs all different wattages.
It took me about 3 hrs to solder and make up the harness and about 2 hrs to install that was using all the parts I listed and bulk wiring. I also used from MAD http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/cn-1.shtml P/N CN-1 $6.99 each. Get several of these they work great under the dash on the fire wall etc.
The H3 bulbs are for single element lights i.e. separate hi/lo beam like the GMC's have. The H4 and the sealed beams that came with the trucks whether it’s a normal sealed beam or a halogen sealed beam use the same socket so they are interchangeable. When you start getting into the 9000 series they are all of the newer "weather resistant" type connectors from the later 80's and up. You can get and install a harness with the 9000 type socket and just run that type bulb in the H4 lens assy if you wanted. But I don't know why you'd want to.
It's easier just to use your original socket take a small screw driver and insert it into the end the that the blade from the bulb slides into the terminal to release the small clip that holds the terminal in place. Pull the wire and terminal out, and then replace it with a new one. This is if you’re building your own or the wires on your kit are too long, or you get the wrong kit and just want to try and use it with new terminal ends. Or you can splice the wire but that looks cheesy to me. If your gonna do it then do it right. Electrical work isn't hard it just takes a little practice and patience.
The H6024 or 6014 bulbs are sealed beams. In other words the bulb and lens are one assembly. Whereas the H4 lens and its corresponding H4 bulb listed under dozen of P/N depending on what wattage and manufacturer you choose is separate. The H4 designator stands for a design type. The lens is installed like your regular sealed beam headlight. On our trucks you have to trim out the headlight bucket for the back of the lens to fit. Then you just have to replace the bulb itself when it blows out. The bulb comes in a multitude of different wattages. In the Wiring Diagram below there needs to be a 30 amp fuse or Circuit breaker when it says “Direct to battery terminal”. This will protect your truck from a short that could possibly bun it to the ground.
I’ve done this mod on at least 6 different early 50’s to 90’s model cars and trucks.

[kbs71]

Forgot the wiring diagram.

[roger0080]

I just finished doing the relays + H4 lens & bulbs and all I can say is: just do it! You'll love it!

[gator2511]

I also did the relay,harness and socket mod. I put Hella lenses and h4 lamps in and the diff is amazing! I don't even have to use the off road lights in the woods anymore. Nice thing about the Hella is its bright on the ground in front of you and they light up the shoulders of the road but it lowers the light on the top side of the lens so you don't blind oncoming traffic. But on high beam they really light up! Not all Hella lamps do this, you need the right model. Thanks kbs71.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

The relay upgrade does wonders.
Aiming them will probably do a lot for you.

Just changing the relay on the core support? or some other relay?

[Longhorn Man]

there is no headlight relay on these, the power goes from the battery/alt, through the vehicle harness, to the switch, then back out to the headlamps.... installing the relays will reduce the 2 or so volts of voltage drop. Even with the normal halogon sealed beams... they'll be considerably brighter...and white instead of orange

[LUV2XCLR8]

Got a diagram / pic of what and where, I need visuals

[Longhorn Man]

scroll up

[Rokcrln]

I plan on doing the relay set up as well and I will be running the tri bar head lights with the turn signal built into them. I want to delete the turns in my 68 grill and these will do it.

Kevin
LFD Inc.