Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 6, 2021 | 08:45 PM
  #1  
Thomas Warm's Avatar
Thomas Warm
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Headlights

I'm trying to get some new headlights for my 86 f150, its got some cheap O'Reilly's Sylvain halogens on it and im at a stumble, does anyone know any bright headlights i can get that keep that classic look

Trying to keep the classic look while getting something brighter as it is easy to outrun these go 50mph+
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2021 | 06:51 AM
  #2  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
I run the same bulbs in my truck and I think they are pretty good evevn at 70 MPH the speed limit here and no street lights.
The only difference maybe between you and me is I run the head light relay kit.
This did make the head lights brighter as they are now getting a full 12 volts. Stock the power has to go through a lot of old small wiring, fuse box, head light switch & dimmer switch before hitting the head light bulbs.
The relays use battery power to power the bulbs and all the old small wiring, fuse box, head light switch & dimmer switch is used to turn on / off the relays.
BTW I light the head lights better on my pick up than my 02 Durango

If you do go with another type of bulb you will need to do the relay kit so I would do that first and see how you like it.
I also think there is a post in here on head lights like you asked about, do a search.
Let us know how you make out.
Dave ----

ps your head lights adjusted right?
If to high it will not light up the road then again you cant hunt squirrels at night
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2021 | 10:11 AM
  #3  
kh0432's Avatar
kh0432
Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 318
Likes: 13
From: Baltimore
I replaced mine with Hella 003427811 conversion kit. They look like an H6064 bulb but uses newer style halogen bulbs that insert from the back and use the same plug. Once you put them in you don't have to remove the headlight to replace the bulb, they just clip in the back.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2021 | 11:31 AM
  #4  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Get some DOT certified conversion housings like those Hellas(do not buy a cheap chinese kit off Amazon.. the light pattern will be useless) and put LED bulbs in them. LED headlight bulbs have come a long way, even if you don't use the most powerful bulb available these will produce 2-4 times more output than your factory sealed beams.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2021 | 01:57 PM
  #5  
dagwood57107's Avatar
dagwood57107
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 9
I went with this housing, LMC relay kit and ceramic wire:
Amazon Amazon

Amazon Amazon

Amazon Amazon

 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2021 | 06:36 PM
  #6  
cadunkle's Avatar
cadunkle
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 27
From: NJ
Used to be Cibie, but they stopped making many of them when the dies wore out. Now Koito seems to be the hot ticket. Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

I have a pair of Cibie H4 reflectors on my '86, with larger gauge wiring and relays of course. Headlights are better than most new vehicles, though projector setups take the cake. I also run Cibie H4 reflectors on several of my motorcycles. Good quality H4 reflectors is the way to go. Avoid the cheap Chinese junk (safety hazard) and get quality reflectors and Philips or Osram H4 bulbs.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2021 | 03:36 PM
  #7  
Onions.n.Butter's Avatar
Onions.n.Butter
Mountain Pass
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Saskatoon, SK
I have the Hella H4 conversions on my '86 and absolutely love them. Our shop truck has Sylvania Silverstar Ultras and they are awesome as well.

Highly recommend doing the relay kit/conversion as well. Headlights are way brighter,and the switch will last forever instead of catching on fire. Win/win/win
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2021 | 06:05 PM
  #8  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
I had a set of Cibie lights with the 4H bulbs on a 86 full size Blazer and did not like them.
On low you could not tell they were on when street lights were on in the city.
I dont remember the highs being much better but when I used them I also used Dick Cpek off road driving lights with them, back roads of VT.

I think because of them is why I am turned off of the after market lights with 4H bulbs but thats me.
Dave ----
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 9, 2021 | 07:11 PM
  #9  
2five7's Avatar
2five7
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 253
Likes: 88
Another vote for the Hellas. We put them in my sons 83 and they are a vast improvement from the stockers. Much better beam design.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rblank
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
0
Jan 28, 2019 09:08 AM
fordka
Ford Truck Parts for Sale
0
Oct 29, 2016 02:27 PM
SCRWDRVR
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Mar 23, 2016 08:06 PM
stylin86f150
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
30
Mar 26, 2010 03:03 PM
keith56_cruz_cab
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Sep 30, 2008 08:05 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:18 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE