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Old Sep 24, 2019 | 08:37 PM
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Tech articles?

So I was looking for options on replacing a burned out headlight. The old sealed beams are kind of hard to find and I was thinking of upgrading to sealed halogen. I remember reading long ago (and also today) that a relay should be installed to make it easier on the switch. Trouble is, I can’t find a tech article on it any longer. Am I looking in the wrong place or did the forum remove them?
 
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Old Sep 24, 2019 | 10:19 PM
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Painless Performance makes a headlamp upgrade wiring kit #30815.

Or Tom’s Bronco part #1473
 
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Old Sep 24, 2019 | 10:57 PM
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I don't know about any tech articles on them, but I assume you are looking for the relay and harness setup. LMC carries them. NPD has one that sounds like it upgrades the power available for newer bulbs too, though they are a little more spendy. I'm pretty sure if you look around there are others too.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2019 | 11:19 PM
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I can vouch that the one from Tom’s Bronco Parts works well. Has a diode in the harness which allows both high and low beams to be on at the same time, also; or if you remove the diode, acts as conventional system.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 06:44 AM
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I read some older threads here regarding this, and they referred to tech articles on FTE. I’ve read some articles on other how-to’s before, but can’t find them now. No problem, I went to YouTube . I thank you all for suggesting to check out readymade harness at various retailers, I hadn’t thought of that. When I added auxiliary lights for my motorcycle, I put in a relay. Even though it hasn’t been that long, I couldn’t remember the exact wiring details, effectively making my own harness. I would think it would be cheaper, but I’ll check out the retailers to see if I can go that route. I guess the relay will even brighten up the original style lights.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 09:25 AM
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Unibody, it might be less expensive - maybe - but will not be as clean and neat. The harness comes with relays plus that diode, is all contained in nice vinyl “loom”, making for a nice installation that is discreet.

Also, search for a couple threads on combining that with the Hella E-Code headlights. Do those two additions, you’ll never have to worry about bad lighting again.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by ibuzzard
Unibody, it might be less expensive - maybe - but will not be as clean and neat. The harness comes with relays plus that diode, is all contained in nice vinyl “loom”, making for a nice installation that is discreet.

Also, search for a couple threads on combining that with the Hella E-Code headlights. Do those two additions, you’ll never have to worry about bad lighting again.
Yea, I checked them out. Pretty nice and clean, would be hard to top that with putting it together myself. Not to cheap, and I really wanted them for my ‘69 TBird that has quad headlights. I haven’t tried to look for the kits that will do quad, I’m sure the cost will practically double for those. The motorcycle was a pretty simple deal and was easy to hide the wires. I’ll be looking on Amazon to see if there is any price difference. How did changing a bulb get so complicated?
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by unibody62
I really wanted them for my ‘69 TBird that has quad headlights. I haven’t tried to look for the kits that will do quad, I’m sure the cost will practically double for those. The motorcycle was a pretty simple deal and was easy to hide the wires. I’ll be looking on Amazon to see if there is any price difference. How did changing a bulb get so complicated?
I suppose I could just do a two light conversion, as I rarely use the lights at all, even more rare to use the high beam.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 10:41 AM
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Another option would be to use LED headlights. They don't require the relay harness as they have very little current draw compared to conventional headlights, and nothing compared to halogen bulbs.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 66v8baby
Another option would be to use LED headlights. They don't require the relay harness as they have very little current draw compared to conventional headlights, and nothing compared to halogen bulbs.
I thought of that too, but There seems to be a difference in the quality of LED bulbs, from what I’ve read. I would want good ones, at least those that had good reviews.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2019 | 11:47 AM
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It definitely pays to do your research on the LEDs, quality is all over the place.
 
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