How to get new looking bright headlights on a '70 c10?

[Mrturner1]

Hey guys I was wondering how to make the headlights on my C 10 nice and bright like a new car or truck? Is it just a matter of changing the headlights or do you have to put a stronger charging system in and do a bunch of wiring?

[69chevytrucker]

there is a headlight post on here about putting a relay in so you can get power right from the battery when your headlights are on

[davepl]

You'll need a relay setup, but the biggest change comes when you switch away from sealed beams to a proper lamp+reflector setup (which is what new cars use).

I converted my truck to run H7 HID lamps. So that's two steps - you could stop at the modern lamp (like an H7) or continue to replace the lamps with HID modules, which is what I did.

They're not quite this blue in person, they just photograph that way.

[Stocker]

As said above, do the relay mod for sure. Also make sure all grounds are clean & tight, so that extra voltage can be put to good use. No other wiring or charging system upgrades needed.

Many different options available when it comes to replacement headlamps. Some better than others, and prices all over the map. I'd avoid the cheap stuff but that just my opinion. The only replacements that I have experience with are H4 E-codes. Of those, Hellas are cheaper and easier to find, but Cibies have a better light pattern esp. on high beam. Best price on Cibies that I have found so far is on Amazon. Read a few reviews there, most rate them highly. Their pic looks slightly yellowed but it's crystal clear glass.

[Mike C]

I did not do the relay mod on my '69 but I did do the Hella H4 conversion headlights and they work great. Excellent mod for about $80 from Amazon. My local 4 Wheel Parts stocks them as well.

You can get a pair of Halogen headlights at the auto parts store for less than $20 which will help, but as mentioned above, re-do our grounds and clean all the plug in connections well. That include at the horn relay and the high/low floor switch.

[Mrturner1]

Any particular relay setup? Or just a relay in general? I think I'd like to go a step further like yours Dave, HID's look great

[rx78nt1alex]

Here you go:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293913

[PeterHall]

We're planning on doing HID/projectors.

[davepl]

Just avoid the LMC "headlight upgrade harness" that comes with relays and a big yellow cable. A bunch of them have been wired wrong internally and I had to fix mine by removing all the wires and starting over, basically... high and low beam backwards, etc.

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by davepl

I converted my truck to run H7 HID lamps. So that's two steps - you could stop at the modern lamp (like an H7) or continue to replace the lamps with HID modules, which is what I did.

What are the headlight housings you're using? H7 is just a bulb would like to know what is holding it in your truck. I've seen a thread about using Jeep JK housings it it said they were H11. So I'm curious if you're using something different (more options is always good) or of that bulb info was wrong.

[joeydurango]

I did the relay mod and used Sylvania Silverstar sealed beams on my last K10, and that made a world of difference. On my current truck I've just swapped in Silverstars, haven't yet done the relay mod - better, but needs the relays.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

What are the headlight housings you're using? H7 is just a bulb would like to know what is holding it in your truck. I've seen a thread about using Jeep JK housings it it said they were H11. So I'm curious if you're using something different (more options is always good) or of that bulb info was wrong.

LMC sells buckets that accept the lamps:

36-0281 CUSTOM HEADLIGHT-7” CHEVY 67-68 (2) 43.69 34.95
36-0290 HALOGEN REPLACEMENT BULB WHITE (2) 8.69 6.95

Those are Chevy, they also have the 4-lamp GMC setup. I can't swear they're H7, they could be some other lamp style, it's been a couple of years.

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by davepl

LMC sells buckets that accept the lamps:

36-0281 CUSTOM HEADLIGHT-7” CHEVY 67-68 (2) 43.69 34.95
36-0290 HALOGEN REPLACEMENT BULB WHITE (2) 8.69 6.95

Those are Chevy, they also have the 4-lamp GMC setup. I can't swear they're H7, they could be some other lamp style, it's been a couple of years.

The bulbs aren't a big deal, I was just using it to try and figure out what housings/buckets you have. Either way thanks for the info on them, like I said always good to have more options.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

The bulbs aren't a big deal, I was just using it to try and figure out what housings/buckets you have. Either way thanks for the info on them, like I said always good to have more options.

OK.... you got the part where 36-0281 is the bucket, right? Don't mean to be pedantic, but I wasn't clear about it.

[Already Gone]

Herr is a link to MadElectricals instructions on relay system.Idid this setup on my last truck and it worked great.


http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...adlights.shtml

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by davepl

OK.... you got the part where 36-0281 is the bucket, right? Don't mean to be pedantic, but I wasn't clear about it.

Yup, got it. Much appreciated. Maybe I wasn't clear about that? Lol. Should we go round again maybe? Hahaha! Seriously, thanks.

[prodjay10]

Amazon has a kit for $35.

Anyone try it?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007K...a5L&ref=plSrch

[Jason Banks]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Amazon has a kit for $35.

Anyone try it?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007K...a5L&ref=plSrch

I have not tried any....but I have had these in my Amazon cart forever :

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OMEPEU/

[prodjay10]

Already Gone mentioned that it could be a low voltage. I'm gonna check mine out to see if that is the problem

[davepl]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Already Gone mentioned that it could be a low voltage. I'm gonna check mine out to see if that is the problem

Remember when checking voltage to do it right at the light connector while the light is operating - checking without a load will tell you nothing, and its a common mistake (ignore if you were already planning to!)

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Herr is a link to MadElectricals instructions on relay system.Idid this setup on my last truck and it worked great.


http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...adlights.shtml

I should have posted this link too.

http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/rly-1.shtml

[prodjay10]

Already Gone, would you be able to send us the instructions?

[prodjay10]

5 relays for $13

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017V...ijL&ref=plSrch

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Already Gone, would you be able to send us the instructions?

I couldn't find anything in my files but found this thread from 2006 with the instructions and if my old fuzzy memory is good I think this is the thread I used to do my relay wiring. I remember going to a wrecker and getting the relays from a scrap Dodge Minivan.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=182351