I am running the old sealed beam headlights and they're worthless. Want to switch over to new halogens but was wondering if the headlight switch will handle it. I am running a 1956 12v headlight switch.

 

Halogen lamps in the 6014 form factor are a more efficient version of the 6014 incandescent bulb. They don't draw more current than your existing set so you will be just fine.

 

Both bulbs are 55/60 watt bulbs and will work fine with the switch, I run mine through a '56 switch. Wire a relay for better, brighter results.

 

What he said /\. The relays takes all the current out of the switch. I am running relays on my '56 and the '73. When it comes time to wire, the '49 will get a relay system for lighting.

 

Thanks guys. I'll look into the relay.

 

LMC sells a Relay wiring harness assembly, if your wiring challenged then this is a pretty straight forward way to go. I used it on my 52, I think it cost around $35. Good with relays no matter how you do it.
good luck.

 

All headlights, horns and electric fans should be run off a relay for reliability. A relay is nothing more than a heavy duty remote switch activated by a second controlling switch. The relay contacts are designed to handle high current draw but need very little current thru the controlling switch to activate it.

 

You can buy one of the relay kits, several hotrod wiring companies make them. I went to the junkyard and grabbed some bosch headlight relays from a late model GM car with halogen headlights. It came with nice brackets also. I wired both high and low beams on the relays, since who knows what headlight technology will come along in the life of this truck.

 

here is a diy relay setup.
How to - Headlight Relays - NastyZ28.com

 

Gembone, similar to what I did. From the department of redundancy department, I wired my relays so I can easily bypass them if they fail.

 

here's where being old helps..... old FTE guy Steve Delanty wrote this years ago...

should help

Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights .: Articles


and if you need help understanding relays...

USING RELAYS TO CONTROL

later
john

 

I used Steve's tech article over 10 years ago. Probably the best electrical mod on my truck. Hard to believe how long it took Ford to wire their headlights adequately. This wasn't just a 40s-50s thing.

 

Not only the truck line. I bought a new 1967 Ranch Wagon and had the flashing light problem. The problem showed up late one night several hundred miles from home. Repair: Direct defroster duct to blow on the light switch.

 

I get a chuckle out of people using Bosch relays to upgrade their car/truck. They are absolutely the bane of the 944 world. The Bosch unit that powers up the ECU and fuel pump fails so regularly that it is advised to carry a spare in the glove compartment (a $45 spare). The one for the A/C costs $170 and is just as bad.

 

I'll let you know when the mod fails me. Ten years and counting. Spare five dollar relay under the seat just in case. Beats the heck out of crappy headlights Ross. 18GA wire don't cut it.