Lighting Options
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 41
From: Minnesota
Lighting Options
What options are available for Headlights? I have not looked at options in the past three years. With the halogen setup do you keep the same reflector and change out bulbs? If so are there any salvage yard options for our trucks?
What are those ultra bright tail lights about? It looks like they are halogen also. I bet you can see real well behind you.
Has federal law changed as to headlights? The last time I looked it was 55 watt low beams and 60 watt high beams. If this is true why are the halogen units any better.
Yes I am looking for an education in why one is better than the other. Installing relays does not even phase me. I was planning on relays where possible to help reduce the strain on the old wiring harness.
What are those ultra bright tail lights about? It looks like they are halogen also. I bet you can see real well behind you.
Has federal law changed as to headlights? The last time I looked it was 55 watt low beams and 60 watt high beams. If this is true why are the halogen units any better.
Yes I am looking for an education in why one is better than the other. Installing relays does not even phase me. I was planning on relays where possible to help reduce the strain on the old wiring harness.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Chris
You need 7" round reflectors. Smoke off the boneyard--I looked and could not find our size reflectors on a late model vehicle. They are all rectangular.
You can readily buy 7" relectors on Ebay. Mine cost $35. Look for DOT approved. Mine are not DOT approved and are a really cool faceted reflector but I think I can get them by the state inspection. Stick with street legal double element halogen bulbs and you should be OK. If it says "for offroad use only" it ain't going to be legal. I bought Sylvania bulbs and they look really good.
Tail lights and running light/turn signals are a different animal altogether. The ones you have seen are probably halogen. They put out ALOT of heat and draw heavy amps. Make sure everything can handle them. Might need to use relays. I am using double element LED's which are not as bright but don't draw near as many amps. They also run alot cooler. Look pretty cool though
Regards
Tim
You need 7" round reflectors. Smoke off the boneyard--I looked and could not find our size reflectors on a late model vehicle. They are all rectangular.
You can readily buy 7" relectors on Ebay. Mine cost $35. Look for DOT approved. Mine are not DOT approved and are a really cool faceted reflector but I think I can get them by the state inspection. Stick with street legal double element halogen bulbs and you should be OK. If it says "for offroad use only" it ain't going to be legal. I bought Sylvania bulbs and they look really good.
Tail lights and running light/turn signals are a different animal altogether. The ones you have seen are probably halogen. They put out ALOT of heat and draw heavy amps. Make sure everything can handle them. Might need to use relays. I am using double element LED's which are not as bright but don't draw near as many amps. They also run alot cooler. Look pretty cool though
Regards
Tim
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Chris
This is what i have. I know it says street legal but my understaning is that unless it is DOT approved it ain't legal. At least in TX.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...941723534&rd=1
Tim
PS--Jeeps and BMW's used 7" sealed beams. To assure quality try Bosch or Hella. Piaa also makes them
This is what i have. I know it says street legal but my understaning is that unless it is DOT approved it ain't legal. At least in TX.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...941723534&rd=1
Tim
PS--Jeeps and BMW's used 7" sealed beams. To assure quality try Bosch or Hella. Piaa also makes them
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Here are my tail light/turn signal, front running/turn signal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...941198368&rd=1
If you are running dual element lights currently you are "plug and play"
If you are currently running single elemenmt you will probably have to buy new tail lights. I couldn't figure out a simple dual element conversion.
Front single element are an easy conversion. Buy dual element sockets and knock or press out the old singles from the parking light doors. Bend over the jagged metal to bite the new sockets and press them in. Took me 20 minutes for both. Piece of cake
Tim
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...941198368&rd=1
If you are running dual element lights currently you are "plug and play"
If you are currently running single elemenmt you will probably have to buy new tail lights. I couldn't figure out a simple dual element conversion.
Front single element are an easy conversion. Buy dual element sockets and knock or press out the old singles from the parking light doors. Bend over the jagged metal to bite the new sockets and press them in. Took me 20 minutes for both. Piece of cake
Tim
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 41
From: Minnesota
What exactly is the city light for? Could it be used for a parking light or turn signal?
Originally Posted by f1fordguy
Chris
This is what i have. I know it says street legal but my understaning is that unless it is DOT approved it ain't legal. At least in TX.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=7941723 534&rd=1
Tim
PS--Jeeps and BMW's used 7" sealed beams. To assure quality try Bosch or Hella. Piaa also makes them
This is what i have. I know it says street legal but my understaning is that unless it is DOT approved it ain't legal. At least in TX.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=7941723 534&rd=1
Tim
PS--Jeeps and BMW's used 7" sealed beams. To assure quality try Bosch or Hella. Piaa also makes them
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Chris
Now that you point that out, mine do not have that feature. Guess I won't miss it since I don't know what it's for!!!!! Doesn't look like it would work for turn signals though, especially at night. It's probably some kind of daytime running light. Guess we need to ask a youngster. Anyone?
Tim
Now that you point that out, mine do not have that feature. Guess I won't miss it since I don't know what it's for!!!!! Doesn't look like it would work for turn signals though, especially at night. It's probably some kind of daytime running light. Guess we need to ask a youngster. Anyone?
Tim
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The city light socket can be used for a DRL, a turn light or parking lite, or the youngsters put colored bulbs in them to give a bluedot effect to the headlights.
If you need the very best in headlights, you can go for HID projector lamps, but they are pricey. Most of the H4 conversion housings I've seen do not have the little bumps on the front that register the alignment machine, so if your state inspection require checking/adjusting the alignment make sure you find a set with them, or keep a set of sealed beams around for inspection time.
If you need the very best in headlights, you can go for HID projector lamps, but they are pricey. Most of the H4 conversion housings I've seen do not have the little bumps on the front that register the alignment machine, so if your state inspection require checking/adjusting the alignment make sure you find a set with them, or keep a set of sealed beams around for inspection time.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 346
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From: Raleigh, NC
LED's for the taillights draw very little power and are quite bright. Note the brightness of the traffic lights and the rear ends of the 18-wheelers. I have heard that LED's for the headlights are on the horizon, but I can't imagine them bright enough to light up the road.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 221
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From: Michigan
Chris, if you are running typical 12 volt 2 lamp 6012's, you can buy the halogen replacements that look and fit like the originals. They look like a 6012 and plug in the same. I have them on my 56 and they're great...can really see good. Aim them down a bit though or you'll have blinded oncomers flashing their brights at you.
Norb
Norb
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
I used regular 12volt halogen headlights with relays. Works great. The stock taillights were too small and low to be readily noticed. So I added a "Line of Fire" under the tailgate. Much improved rear image! 
Good luck, John
Good luck, John