Headlight options
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Headlight options
Hey yall, first off, I really don't know much about custom lighting and such things...but my 86's headlights are getting pretty sorry. They are way too dim at night and are that old yellow color. What can I do about this? The glass is clear so I think a need to upgrade the bulb or something, although I do not want any douchy blue headlights...I don't mind white lights though...anyway, if you can help me that would be great. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
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From: Covington VA
here is what i did. 1st post. The relays are a good improvement , and going from sealed beam to bulb more than doubled my output.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
As a practical matter replace the ground cables from battery to block, firewall, and frame. They undoubtedly are corroded by now. Part of the return path on older trucks at least, is through the frame and radiator support fasteners as well. If headlights are getting dim then other systems like ignition are starved for current as well, I'd fix that before adding relays.
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From: Virginia
The headlight wiring in these trucks is a known common problem. They barely made it big enough to do the job, and as it gets old it gets worse. I believe the relay kit you can get cheap enough from LMC Truck would give you a noticeable improvement.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
The ignition switches and the way they are wired was a problem in these trucks. It probably wouldn't hurt to replace the grounds and clean the surfaces up where the connect. However, the relays will give so much more dedicated current to the headlights that it will amaze you.
It is fairly simple too. I would go pull some at the JY.
It is fairly simple too. I would go pull some at the JY.
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From: Virginia
The relays take all that load off the old original wiring and the headlight switch. With the relays the old switch and wiring are just use for control, like was said the new relay and wiring will handle all the load, and they are mounted out under the hood. The power for the headlights runs straight from the battery to the relay to the light, a very short distance. It's a lot better than running down the same wire from the battery that everything else uses in the truck, all the way over to the headlight switch, through the dimmer switch, back through the firewall, and finally to the headlights.
If he makes sure he has halogen lights, or even upgrades to the Silverstar type bulbs, they should be even brighter.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
No. Not compared to new vehicles. If they are dim now and "getting pretty sorry" something else is wrong. Fix that first is all I'm saying. Plus, it will make the relays work that much better. Trust me.
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thanks for the input gents, you all make good points. I will inspect all of the ground wires on the truck make sure they are all tight and in good condition. I think that may have something to do with the dim headlights as well. I need to look into the relays further as well.
Franklin, what are silverstar style bulbs? is that a brand or...
Franklin, what are silverstar style bulbs? is that a brand or...
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Even just replacing headlights themselves will be noticeably brighter/whiter, they degrade slowly but surely.
All bulbs need a certain strike voltage and current to get in the sweet spot. That's why they are anemic now - measure the voltage drop across the cables and headlight wiring and you'll see. Do yourself a favor, skip the inspection and just replace the ground straps and battery cables (without regard to the headlight issue.) They are ready for scrap after 25 years. Barely adequate when new, corrosion takes its toll, etc. Again, that's not to say headlight relays aren't a good idea, but I'd remedy this first.
All bulbs need a certain strike voltage and current to get in the sweet spot. That's why they are anemic now - measure the voltage drop across the cables and headlight wiring and you'll see. Do yourself a favor, skip the inspection and just replace the ground straps and battery cables (without regard to the headlight issue.) They are ready for scrap after 25 years. Barely adequate when new, corrosion takes its toll, etc. Again, that's not to say headlight relays aren't a good idea, but I'd remedy this first.
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From: Virginia
Lead Driver
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From: Houston
I went with the Silver Star Ultra`s in my '82. I went with them cause they were the brightest and I saw how good the Silver stars were. They provide more light down road and for me couple that with my Hella ECE composite housings which also is designed to throw more light down road, its a win win.
As far as the relay goes, if you do go this route might I suggest you run a power and ground junction block just for powering and grounding your headlight relays. I did this to provide a solid ground for both my horns and headlights. I still havent ran the ground wire but I will be running a 12ga black wire from my ground junction block and bolting it to the ground wire where it bolts to the block itself. This is just added percaution on my part to make sure the horns and headlights has a good ground. The ground cable has been replaced along with the positive cable. Never messed with any of the other ground straps but the truck runs too damn good and the lights are bright for mine, I only upgrade cause my old composites were ancient and the reflector wore away on the back side of the bulbs.
As far as the relay goes, if you do go this route might I suggest you run a power and ground junction block just for powering and grounding your headlight relays. I did this to provide a solid ground for both my horns and headlights. I still havent ran the ground wire but I will be running a 12ga black wire from my ground junction block and bolting it to the ground wire where it bolts to the block itself. This is just added percaution on my part to make sure the horns and headlights has a good ground. The ground cable has been replaced along with the positive cable. Never messed with any of the other ground straps but the truck runs too damn good and the lights are bright for mine, I only upgrade cause my old composites were ancient and the reflector wore away on the back side of the bulbs.
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Thanks for the link, but I'm confused. Is it the whole headlight assembly, or just a replacement bulb? Sorry for the dumb questions, and can I buy them locally? Like say, oreilys or something like that..
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