Headlight conversion question from a noob

[Salas415]

So I picked up a 72 swb4x4 and I wanted to know if somebody have converted hella off-road lights as headlight?
I know it's probably the best idea but would it work?

[BlackedOut67shorty]

Do relays first cause you will be disappointed, but those lights and relays will make an awesome combo

[Zeke's Garage]

Yeah the relay upgrade for your 'stock' headlights will be your best bet for safety and avoiding any local law enforcement hassles. But you can always setup your Hella's for use with your high beams. Once you get the relays installed, it's that much easier to add the others in without compromising the original wiring.

Welcome and good luck with it!

[Salas415]

Is there a thread on some one doin it I would love to do this and how would u use high beam?

[BlackedOut67shorty]

I got lmc relays and they were just plug and play, I think I have the installation on my build thread. Pretty straight forward process though

[Salas415]

Ok I'll look into the LMC online see what I can find and if I do conversion since it's an off road light that's only 1 1/2 wide I can just remove the stock buckets and just drill a hole for the Hella bracket that comes with the light correct?
And thanks for the reply everybody

[skorpioskorpio]

Hella has conversion headlights, is that what you are talking about? ...or are you talking about using Hella driving lights or fog lights as headlights?

[JonnyC10]

I used the Hella Ultra Vision ECE Conversion kit that came with Hella H4 bulbs. Also used an upgraded relay harness and its a night and day difference. Well worth the money.

[Salas415]

I'm talking about just using a set of Hella 500 I have in my garage and use those as a headlight

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by Salas415

I'm talking about just using a set of Hella 500 I have in my garage and use those as a headlight

Hmm, if it's a driving light it'll pretty much be like driving with your high beams on all the time with no low beam. If they're fogs you'll get a nice wide stripe and nothing else. A pretty bad plan that'll be worse than anything you have now, and will probably get you pulled over often.

[JonnyC10]

^^^ I concur.

[Salas415]

Ok thanks skorp how do I tell if it's a fog or a spot type? And would it really be that bad of an idea to do I don't drive it often at night since I work Ike 5 min away from work. Would it be that bad of a thing to do

[70cst]

Maybe this LINK will help.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=494279

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by Salas415

Ok thanks skorp how do I tell if it's a fog or a spot type? And would it really be that bad of an idea to do I don't drive it often at night since I work Ike 5 min away from work. Would it be that bad of a thing to do

Uh yea, it's a bad idea. Why go to the trouble of modifying your headlight bucket to mount lighting that sucks? Just regular halogen sealed beams would be a lot better and cost like $25 a pair.

But in answer to your question fogs generally have vertical grooves in the lens and driving lights curved grooves. Spots are clear no grooves.

Oh and on a 4x4, driving lights would be an instant ticket, and fogs would be comically bad.

[Salas415]

Alright so I read the link thanks 70cst but like all of us/(some) I'm tryin to make my truck cool but on a budget. And by buget I mean tight buget I work at a local wrecking yard and to be honest I have headlights but I don't have the ring holders that hold them to the bucket with the adjustment screws, so that's when I seen my hella 500s at my dads and figure I can use them since we haven't had a 67-72 come on cuz to my knowledge I need the 1inch wide rings right? But after I read the link they look great but it sounds like a lot of work to retrofit headlights with hid or projectors, not alone the bulbs are expensive if bought quality ones.
So I'll just wait till another 67-72 comes up at work and grab the rings. Unless someone know if there's an way to make 74-87 rings work since there a lot thinner???.....
Once again thank you guys for helpin me get my truck that much SAFER and road worthy

[leddzepp]

If you are on a budget, Txfirefighter has an excellent write up in FAQ on making your own relay harness dirt cheap from junkyard relays. Do this and get a pair of sealed beam Sylvania Silver Stars from your local parts store. The difference will be incredible and you won't waste a bunch of money chasing over-the-top lighting that is unnecessary on a truck that you drive occasionally at night.

[Salas415]

Thanks leddzepp I'll look him up, thanks everybody who helped out sending me some great info and opinions and options

[SS Tim]

Are you needing the retainer ring that holds the sealed beam to the bucket with three little screws?
Those are reproduced and run about $8.

[Andy4639]

Here is mine on the 71.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=630581

[Salas415]

Yes SS I just need the retaining ring I had no idea theyare tha cheap can I get them at my local nap or on the LMC web?
Andy4639 that looks clean most of the lights I've been lookin at say I have to modify the headlight buckets because of the desin of the back of the light it self