1969 front headlights

[Luke87gt]

Hi all, I’m trying to adjust the headlights on my 69.

I see the X-axis and y-axis adjustment screws but that doesn’t seem to be the issue.

The issue is that the headlights are totally off center from the bezels/grill, probably 1/4” (the headlights would need to move outward in order to center the headlight in the bezel.

Appreciate any input on this, thank you!

[70STOVEBOLT]

Please post pics so we can better help you.

[dmjlambert]

The truck was not engineered to have tolerances within 1/4 inch. Anywhere on the truck.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

The truck was not engineered to have tolerances within 1/4 inch. Anywhere on the truck.

Tolerance in some areas -- within the same building....

[Luke87gt]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Please post pics so we can better help you.

Sure thing

Appears the headlamp needs to move outward by about 1/8 - 1/4”. Same on the other side.

[Stocker]

Yeah, that doesn't look right. Makes me think there's an issue with the mounting of the headlight buckets.

[nightmare]

Are you sure that the black bezels are on the correct sides?

[Luke87gt]

Originally Posted by nightmare

Are you sure that the black bezels are on the correct sides?

No not sure, that’s how the truck came.

I guess I can swap and see.

Interesting that his is happening on both sides (headlight needs to move outward in both cases)

[Steeveedee]

You should be able to see both adjustment screws past the cutouts on the bezels. If so, they are on the correct side(s).

[Luke87gt]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

You should be able to see both adjustment screws past the cutouts on the bezels. If so, they are on the correct side(s).

The lower/inner adjustment screw is right on center. The upper/outer adjustment screw is offset by 1/8” (which would make sense since the headlamp doesn’t appear centered to the bezel)

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to just swap the two bezels to rule out the previous owner putting them on the wrong side.

Do the headlight buckets have any adjustment at all?

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Y adjuster is above the headlight, X screw is towards the centerline of the truck(also towards my finger if that helps ;-) )

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Somehow the shadows on black on a grey day didn't make the most compelling image
This is driver's side

[Luke87gt]

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

Y adjuster is above the headlight, X screw is towards the centerline of the truck(also towards my finger if that helps ;-) )

Interesting!

Do you see at the bottom of yours, there’s a rounded side. My rounded side is on the right. That leads me to believe they very well could be swapped accidentally. Will check

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by Luke87gt

Interesting!

Do you see at the bottom of yours, there’s a rounded side. My rounded sound is on the right. That leads me to believe they very well cold be swapped accidentally. Will check

I can't see enough to tell, but if they're swapped, they're also rotated 90*, so what you're saying is plausible....assuming the pic is your driver's side light

Just another adventure in forensic restoration ;-)

[Luke87gt]

My pic is the driver side

So my expectation is that they need to be swapped and rotated 90deg

Will report back soon.

Edit: turns out the two sides were swapped by previous owner. I swapped them this evening and the gap improved.

The joys of discovering things on your 56yr old pickup lol

Thanks for the help guys!

[nightmare]

I'm glad it was a simple fix.

[Luke87gt]

Likewise!

That’s a clue for others. If your headlights seems to be too far inward on both sides, check that the bezels are not swapped from side to side. Good luck all!

[Luke87gt]

By the way, wondering if you guys have any recommendations for some bright aftermarket headlights that still look close to oem.

The amount of light these stockers give out is flat out dangerous lol

[Rust_never_sleeps]

First, put in a relay kit first. Your existing bulbs will be much more effective with a full 12V
I went ahead and put in basic parts-store halogens(Sylvania SilverStar IIRC) Whiter and brighter, but still look authentic(see above pic ;-) )

[Steeveedee]

Here's an A/B comparison for what the relays will do. Yes, the lights are on in the first pic.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=782071

[dmjlambert]

Headlights do get dim after some decades. I like Sylvania or Wagner H6024 Basic sealed beam halogen headlights. Walmart was stocking them but looks like they are out of stock right now. Typical price is $12 to $16 each or car parts store $20+. The fancy ones like SilverStar or XTRAVision are slightly brighter but burn out much more often.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sylvania-...-Pack/16913604
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H8QIU?th=1
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...f-1/syl0/h6024

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

First, put in a relay kit first. Your existing bulbs will be much more effective with a full 12V
I went ahead and put in basic parts-store halogens(Sylvania SilverStar IIRC) Whiter and brighter, but still look authentic(see above pic ;-) )

I'm using the same ones on my '67 with the relays wired under the hood for the headlights.
At full charging voltage, they're getting 13.5-14.5 volts straight from the alternator output.

I made a load center for the LS swap so I just put the headlight relays right into it.
I used a breaker rather than fuses for the headlights.

The terminal block is for all the LS wiring.

I have to remove the bezels to adjust them.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I too installed self-resetting breakers. One for high beam, one for low

[mkmc69]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

I'm using the same ones on my '67 with the relays wired under the hood for the headlights.
At full charging voltage, they're getting 13.5-14.5 volts straight from the alternator output.

I made a load center for the LS swap so I just put the headlight relays right into it.
I used a breaker rather than fuses for the headlights.

The terminal block is for all the LS wiring.

I have to remove the bezels to adjust them.
Attachment 2442763

Attachment 2442764

Very nicely done! Where did you mount your panel? Hard to tell from the picture.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by mkmc69

Very nicely done! Where did you mount your panel? Hard to tell from the picture.

It's on the driver side, back side of the core support. PCM is underneath it.
It has a cover that latches on, there's room for 2 spare relays and a little bag of extra fuses