Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Ok, so I am probably gonna do the headight conversion to H4 bulbs. Gonna see how much better they are!
What bulbs should I put in there? The speed shop guy says regular xenon 60/55w bulbs. Should I go to 100/80w's? Or would this melt my wiring all to hell?
Also, from the PIAA website, you can get 60/55's that act like they put out more cause of their colour/coating etc.
What the heck should I do?
[link:www.piaa.com/h4bulbs.html|PIAA H4's]
What bulbs should I put in there? The speed shop guy says regular xenon 60/55w bulbs. Should I go to 100/80w's? Or would this melt my wiring all to hell?
Also, from the PIAA website, you can get 60/55's that act like they put out more cause of their colour/coating etc.
What the heck should I do?
[link:www.piaa.com/h4bulbs.html|PIAA H4's]
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
I have 100w/80w's , 80w/65w, & 60w/55w bulbs.
The low CP ones can be used with the headlight switch.
The 80/65w can be used with the headlight switch with a bigger alt. and the 100/80w bulbs have to used with a relay to go Battery direct power.
Your choice .
I just bought a replacement set of Bosch for $35 can two weeks ago,(there were being liquidated)from parts Source.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
The low CP ones can be used with the headlight switch.
The 80/65w can be used with the headlight switch with a bigger alt. and the 100/80w bulbs have to used with a relay to go Battery direct power.
Your choice .
I just bought a replacement set of Bosch for $35 can two weeks ago,(there were being liquidated)from parts Source.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
I can always count on you to set me straight mil!
I think that I have a stock replacement alt rated at 69amps. Too small to run the 80/65's?
Whats the 'CP' your referring too? Sorry!
I think that I have a stock replacement alt rated at 69amps. Too small to run the 80/65's?
Whats the 'CP' your referring too? Sorry!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Candle Power
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Mar-02 AT 01:33 AM (EST)]dumb dumb dumb! Of course its candle power!
Will I notice huge differences between standard sealed beams and the H4 60/55's?
No go with 80/65's I guess?
Will I notice huge differences between standard sealed beams and the H4 60/55's?
No go with 80/65's I guess?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 13
From: Kincardine, ON
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
I made this conversion a couple years ago and would never go back. You'll find the first big difference is a whiter light and crisper pattern for driving when on low beam. The tech article on the site for whiter/brighter lights is a good upgrade also. No matter what bulb's you use, you'll benefit from full voltage using relays. I use 100/55's. Nice clean (and legal) low beam, retina shearing high beam. Good luck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Mar-02 AT 11:32 AM (EST)]Thanks 77460!
Where's Kincardine? I go to school in Guelph and live east of Toronto.
Where's Kincardine? I go to school in Guelph and live east of Toronto.
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New User
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Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Mar-02 AT 11:51 AM (EST)]The pattern of light you will have is determined by the brand of headlamp you bought.
The old Marchal & Cibie headlamps have this pattern >--<
These have to be aimed perfect to avoid slightly blinding someone when you're approaching them.
The Bosch headlamp has this one ----<
You get a nice flat beam of light, and at the right edge gives you a high & low pattern.
This pattern to me, is the best as there is NO wasted light.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
The old Marchal & Cibie headlamps have this pattern >--<
These have to be aimed perfect to avoid slightly blinding someone when you're approaching them.
The Bosch headlamp has this one ----<
You get a nice flat beam of light, and at the right edge gives you a high & low pattern.
This pattern to me, is the best as there is NO wasted light.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Just did the conversion a month ago to my 79 F150. I am now running 85/80's and they are great, but the 85 watts on the high beam was too much for my wires. Low beam was no problem at all, but if I put the high beams on then the lights would flicker and turn off. I went to Jegs and bought a harness for $55 that has two relays and all the thick gauge wiring. It's a good kit. It is rated up to 100/90 so I can still upgrade later if I want. They sell another kit for $80 that is rated for 130/100's. A little too bright in the city but that is up to you. Your stock wires will be fine if you use 65/60's but I would (and did) run a harness if you are going much brighter, Good Luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 13
From: Kincardine, ON
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Kincardine is West of Guelph, right on the shore of lake Huron. North of Goderich and South of Owen Sound. To stay on topic, you'll find several places that offer good harnesses for the headlight set-up. But it will cost about half if you buy the relays and wire and do a decent job soldering and shrink wrapping joints. Saw your web page on your truck, very nice. I hope mine looks so good when I'm done. Who am I kidding, the work is never really done.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
mil1ion,
If I follow the instructions for the headlight relays in the tech section, will it be able to handle 100/80's without a bigger alt. or any other modification? Is 14 gauge big enough wire?
If I follow the instructions for the headlight relays in the tech section, will it be able to handle 100/80's without a bigger alt. or any other modification? Is 14 gauge big enough wire?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Headlight conversion.....bulbs?
Yep!
Looks like the one I did.
Follow those instructions and you will be able to see for miles.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Looks like the one I did.
Follow those instructions and you will be able to see for miles.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon