Headlamp replacement question
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Headlamp replacement question
I just replaced the headlamps in my 84 F250 with ones that have H4 bulbs. They look kinda dim to me, do I need to do something with the wiring harness to get better brightness? Is there a harness that I could buy to do this? I like the look of these lights otherwise I would just put the old lights back in.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
A lot of these gee wiz bang aftermarket lights are not even DOT approved for road use. They bring them in from China and sell them all day long though. If you want brighter lights, they do make relay kits for this, it makes the stock lights noticeably brighter. You can't hardly buy the parts and the wire and do it yourself for the price of this kit. It's at the bottom of the page in this link.
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
The relay kit in the link provided by Franklin2 works quite well. I purchased two and installed in my 1986 F150 and my son's 1984 F150. We have been using them for 5+ years with no issues. Although I have not needed a replacement, I would recommend the purchase of an extra relay, since they are different from the readily available Bosch style.
I am going from a faded memory, but I believe the voltage [before] at the headlight was ~11 volts and increased to ~12.5+ volts [after]. It made a marked improvement.
I am going from a faded memory, but I believe the voltage [before] at the headlight was ~11 volts and increased to ~12.5+ volts [after]. It made a marked improvement.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
You would have to go with a name brand such as Hella, they are who makes headlights for BMWs and Mercedes. I got a set on my truck from them they are real glass which is a plus you don't have to worry about hazing like plastic. The ones I got are also ECE approved not DOT approved but they seem to work good with the H4 bulbs.
The relay kit is a must have as well. Even if it doesn't brighten your lights it will at least take the load off your headlight switch making it last longer.
The relay kit is a must have as well. Even if it doesn't brighten your lights it will at least take the load off your headlight switch making it last longer.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 376
Likes: 4
I used the rampage brand conversion from bronco graveyard, and their HD harness. The harness moves the load off the headlight switch and on to a pair of relays. I recommend the harness for EVERY bullnose truck because the switch can catch fire in its factory configuration. Take the load off the switch, and it doesn't heat up and melt and burn.
The light housings themselves are metal with a glass lense that says it's DOT approved. They were provided with Phillips brand bulbs. They were made in Taiwan. They are quite bright, and a vast improvement over stock.
I had quite a discussion elsewhere about headlights. It can be a very heated discussion. Only those made in America or the EU are going to be truly DOT approved. Others might be, but you can't trust what China prints on a box or part. Many will throw light in funky patterns and may blind oncoming traffic. Hella and Cibbie are the two top trusted replacement brands.
The light housings themselves are metal with a glass lense that says it's DOT approved. They were provided with Phillips brand bulbs. They were made in Taiwan. They are quite bright, and a vast improvement over stock.
I had quite a discussion elsewhere about headlights. It can be a very heated discussion. Only those made in America or the EU are going to be truly DOT approved. Others might be, but you can't trust what China prints on a box or part. Many will throw light in funky patterns and may blind oncoming traffic. Hella and Cibbie are the two top trusted replacement brands.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
I used the rampage brand conversion from bronco graveyard, and their HD harness. The harness moves the load off the headlight switch and on to a pair of relays. I recommend the harness for EVERY bullnose truck because the switch can catch fire in its factory configuration. Take the load off the switch, and it doesn't heat up and melt and burn.
The light housings themselves are metal with a glass lense that says it's DOT approved. They were provided with Phillips brand bulbs. They were made in Taiwan. They are quite bright, and a vast improvement over stock.
I had quite a discussion elsewhere about headlights. It can be a very heated discussion. Only those made in America or the EU are going to be truly DOT approved. Others might be, but you can't trust what China prints on a box or part. Many will throw light in funky patterns and may blind oncoming traffic. Hella and Cibbie are the two top trusted replacement brands.
The light housings themselves are metal with a glass lense that says it's DOT approved. They were provided with Phillips brand bulbs. They were made in Taiwan. They are quite bright, and a vast improvement over stock.
I had quite a discussion elsewhere about headlights. It can be a very heated discussion. Only those made in America or the EU are going to be truly DOT approved. Others might be, but you can't trust what China prints on a box or part. Many will throw light in funky patterns and may blind oncoming traffic. Hella and Cibbie are the two top trusted replacement brands.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
You guys have convinced me to get the wiring harness and install it. Don't need things catching on fire if I can help it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I have the one from LMC ordered. I was looking at my existing wiring tonight and noticed that it has a four pin plug in. Hoping the new harness has the same, many of the pictures I looked at just had three pin plug ins.
Now that I look at it, the picture of the harness I ordered shows a three pin plug for hooking into the existing harness. How do I deal with that?
Now that I look at it, the picture of the harness I ordered shows a three pin plug for hooking into the existing harness. How do I deal with that?
Last edited by Gordon M; Aug 18, 2018 at 11:28 PM. Reason: Edit to add
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
I have the one from LMC ordered. I was looking at my existing wiring tonight and noticed that it has a four pin plug in. Hoping the new harness has the same, many of the pictures I looked at just had three pin plug ins.
Now that I look at it, the picture of the harness I ordered shows a three pin plug for hooking into the existing harness. How do I deal with that?
Now that I look at it, the picture of the harness I ordered shows a three pin plug for hooking into the existing harness. How do I deal with that?
Where are you seeing this 4 pin connector on your truck?
I also have 2 LMC relay kits, 2 different projects, and they are just like Rusty said - un-plug your head lights, plug the relay harness into your lights, the trucks head light plugs into the relay hardness, power & ground and you are set.
Son used 1 of my relay hardness on his YJ Jeep, other than where the power & ground is it worked.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I'm talking about where the relay harness plugs into the existing truck harness, not the headlights. The picture shows a three spade male plug. My truck has a four spade connection on the pass. side fender well that I assume is disconnected and the new harness is plugged in there so I can use the headlight switch to turn on/off, bright/dim. This is the connector I'm worried about.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Interesting, this 86 diagram does not show any connectors in the underhood area for the headlights.
Headlamps - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
This 81 diagram doesn't show any either, just splices.
Lights: - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
Headlamps - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
This 81 diagram doesn't show any either, just splices.
Lights: - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
I'm talking about where the relay harness plugs into the existing truck harness, not the headlights. The picture shows a three spade male plug. My truck has a four spade connection on the pass. side fender well that I assume is disconnected and the new harness is plugged in there so I can use the headlight switch to turn on/off, bright/dim. This is the connector I'm worried about.
The relay harness plugs in to the 1 of the 2 head light plugs you remove from the head lights.
The relay harness plugs into the head lights and the harness has a 3 spade male connectors that plug into 1 of the trucks head light female plugs you pulled off the head lights.
Again every head light I have seen has 3 wire plug or if you have a 4 light system the hi beam has a 2 wire plug.
From Ebay on a Google search
http://www.ebay.com/i/112046993532?chn=ps
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
OK, I get it now, the three spade plug goes into a headlight plug.
That makes sense.
Sorry, I was thinking it plugged into the wiring harness close to where I was going to mount the relays. Drrrr., nothin gets by me does it?!?!
That makes sense.
Sorry, I was thinking it plugged into the wiring harness close to where I was going to mount the relays. Drrrr., nothin gets by me does it?!?!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1bad67sbf
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Mar 28, 2010 11:56 AM