Hi all, been rewiring my 1958 F100 and got to the headlights/tail lights/turn indicators. Was wondering if anyone has suggestions for upgrades? The lenses on the tail lights and indicators are cracked or broken so they need to be replaced but was figuring if I'm doing that I might as well upgrade the lights all around too.

Are LED bulbs the best options? Are there good kits out there for the 4 headlight '57-'60 headlights? Suggestions? Thanks all!

 

Any newer halogen bulbs for the headlamps will give you much improved visibility. I've considered LEDs for everything else, but they require a resistor at each lamp, or a special turn signal flasher (easier option) for correct flash cycle.

 

The best way to improve headlight performance is to install a relay kit. I have done that to my last two '63 Falcons and I will be installing one in my '58 F-100 as well. Once the relay kit is installed, a conversion to H4 headlight bulbs will give you late model car/truck headlight performance. This will require buying the correct conversion headlight housings. I have had good luck running PIAA bulbs.

As mentioned above, converting your 1157 bulbs with the appropriate LED bulbs can also make a difference. Make sure you do your homework and buy bulbs that utilize surface mount LED's. Most of the cheapie versions will not be as bright as your current 1157 incandescent bulbs.The down side to this conversion is you may need to run resistors to make everything work. In many cases, the resistors put more of a load on the turn signal circuit than the original conventional bulbs. The resistors will also get hot when subjected to long continuous use. An aftermarket turn signal flasher, made especially for LED bulbs should also be a worth while addition.

The turn signal circuit in your '58 truck was designed to operate with a certain amount of electrical load to function properly. When compared to a conventional incandescent bulb, which has a fair amount of resistance and gives off a lot of heat, the LED has virtually no load. When you install LED bulbs you have to make modifications to compensate. The aftermarket LED compatible flasher will help a bunch, but it may not always make everything work. The aforementioned resistors might have to be added as well.

While you are at it, I would also make sure have a good ground for both the parking and tail light housings. I run a separate wire from the light housing mounting bolts to the frame to make sure there are no floating ground issues. This could save you from having your turn signals act up.

Also, installing the proper LED replacement bulb in your rear license plate light housing is a good idea. Many of the dashboard can be replaced with LED's as well. Have fun!