I'm at the point where I need to make a decision on headlights, should I go with late model lights installed in the 48-50 stock housings chromed
OR go with aftermarket halogen or similar kits.

What have most out there done ? Pics ?

 

you can buy 12 v halogens that go right in where the originals fit. I really like them.

 

I tried the halogen replacement bulbs. They were OK. They are a bit brighter yellow light.

I really like the HID lights I bought from LMC. They throw light a lot farther down the road, come with white or blue bulbs and look pretty cool.

 

would either system require upgrading the harness, and using relays to install ?

 

The halogen bulbs I got from napa, were bright and not yellow at all. Of course I put these in a 63 international pickup with a new alternator, but this should not matter.

 

I put halogens in my 55, and ran a relay driven harness to support them. the harness is all hidden in the grill. the relays are behind the headlight bucket, and are waterproof as well.

one fused wire from the battery to the relays ( I ran 12 gauge), one ground, and the old headlight wire to trigger the relays

you could really do it with 1 - 5 pin standard relay, (why didn't I think of that earlier?!)

power in = pin 30
power out---- wires to both lights
low beam power = 87a (default)
high beam power = 87 (switched by 86)
controls ---
trigger ground = 85
bright light power = 86

when 86 is not powered, the relay flows 30 to 87a
when 86 IS powered, the relay flows 30 to 87

this does 2 things..

1 - removes the load from the headlight switch to light wires
2 - removes the load from the battery to fuse box main lead.
I put my fuel pump, airbag pump, radiator fans and headlights on relay controlled circuits to drop the load to the fusebox.

Sam

 

These are the HID lights I was talking about. They need a relay harness, which is a small extra cost. The blue bulbs look cooler reflecting in the bowl, but don't throw a particularly blue light.


The entire harness fit inside the driver side bucket.

 

I think I am using the same headlight shells. I don't have the blue bulbs connected, looking for some green ones!..

Sam

 

I have some relays left from my donor CV; will look into using one or two of them (power locks and windows) which I didn't want.

 

sorry, further thinking shows why you need two.. cause otherwise hte low beams would be on all the time.. doah..

Sam