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I have the composite/angled sealed beam style lights. They are quite dim. What have others done for replacement to upgrade their lighting? Has anyone swapped to 6x7, if so do you need to replace the grill and other parts? I'm not looking to go with newer styles of the front such as 2008 or newer.
Swapping to the '08 and later style would require all new front end sheet metal; fenders, hood, grill and possible the core support too. Never done this but that's mostly a guess---should be a few posts here about that particular swap. But onto your main question........
For absolute ease you could buy the aftermarket composite assemblies for pretty cheap through eBay----the advantage there being a choice of bulbs to suit your wants.
Changing to the H6054 sealed beam lamps would require new bezels, buckets, retaining rings, retaining springs, adjusters and bulb socket too. The good news here is the core support works for both styles headlights.
Personally I hate the composite assemblies for the very reason you're probably changing yours---that discoloration from time and environmental effects. The Sylvania H6054 SilverStar lamps have been my go to choice since first discovering them some years ago. Even though I don't do a lot of night driving when properly adjusted they're very good at lighting the road.
Polish the lenses or replace them. You could try LED bulbs or something. One thing Inthink doesn’t help is all
Econolines used a standard switch circuit for the headlights.
in 2008 they made the headlights relay controlled which reduces the voltage drop before the load (light bulbs) so it makes them better.
My van has the H6054 seal beam headlights and they are easily the worst headlights I have ever had on a vehicle, this sealed beam has a 35w low beam element which is next to useless so my advice is don't go there. I swapped in aftermarket composite fixtures that use a 55/60w H4 bulb thinking it would be an improvement but it's no brighter because of the wiring. The headlight wiring is the problem with these vans so my advice is to add relays and heavy gauge wire and upgrade the bulbs if you want to stay with halogen or swap in LED or HID bulbs.
My van has the H6054 seal beam headlights and they are easily the worst headlights I have ever had on a vehicle, this sealed beam has a 35w low beam element which is next to useless so my advice is don't go there. I swapped in aftermarket composite fixtures that use a 55/60w H4 bulb thinking it would be an improvement but it's no brighter because of the wiring. The headlight wiring is the problem with these vans so my advice is to add relays and heavy gauge wire and upgrade the bulbs if you want to stay with halogen or swap in LED or HID bulbs.
I have all of the parts and pieces to retro mine, just waiting for a clear patch of sky here in Oregon to do the work. I have two pair of Hella Vision+ headlights with 140 x 100 watt Flösser H4's waiting on me to wire in a four pot relay pack from an '80's Ford pickup. This'll allow full battery power to the headlights and my Hella Jumbo fog lights. If you live in the northern states I do not recomend LED headlights. In the wintertime ice and snow builds up on the lens rendering the headlights virtually useless. Go with H4's they have the heat to melt that stuff.
Last edited by turbogus; Apr 25, 2019 at 12:41 AM.
Reason: additional information
Funny thing, even 'Easy bake' my '81 Econoline had weak headlights. For used 18 gauge wiring for the headlights. Then as now for my retro upgrade going with 10 gauge.
for the headlights. Then as now for my retro upgrade going with 10 gauge.
