Halogen Headlight conversion
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Austin, TX
Halogen Headlight conversion
Anyone converted to halogen headlights? I have seen 7" reflectors on Ebay and it sure seems like it would be an easy conversion. They seem awfully cheap though--$40! I can certainly see that this would be one area where you get what you pay for.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Hanau Germany
Halogen Headlight conversion
Hey 'fordguy,
... Halogen (H1, H3, H4) are (and have been for quite some time) pretty standard over here. We never had the sealed beam stuff (even so I think that that part of it wasn't so bad as you could not get condensation into your reflector). Most all cars in the 60s, 70s, ... had 5" or 7" round lenses. $40 for one reflector does not sound bad to me. However, guess you have to add the bulb.
For now I will be using some tricky French made 7" Halogen in my 54. However, both, the low and the high beam (with separate reflectors in one 7" housing) are yellow and I guess the cops will bust me quick. The I have to change.
... Halogen (H1, H3, H4) are (and have been for quite some time) pretty standard over here. We never had the sealed beam stuff (even so I think that that part of it wasn't so bad as you could not get condensation into your reflector). Most all cars in the 60s, 70s, ... had 5" or 7" round lenses. $40 for one reflector does not sound bad to me. However, guess you have to add the bulb.
For now I will be using some tricky French made 7" Halogen in my 54. However, both, the low and the high beam (with separate reflectors in one 7" housing) are yellow and I guess the cops will bust me quick. The I have to change.
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From: Austin, TX
Halogen Headlight conversion
Kai:
The stuff I have been seeing is Hella and Bosch. I thought you just needed a dual filament bulb for high and low beams. The kits I have seen is for two 7" single reflector units and bulbs and run about $40. The yellowish light is caused by the bulb isn't it? Can't you order a German compliant bulb? I haven't seen a two reflector 7" round unit but would like to check it out. Who makes it?
The stuff I have been seeing is Hella and Bosch. I thought you just needed a dual filament bulb for high and low beams. The kits I have seen is for two 7" single reflector units and bulbs and run about $40. The yellowish light is caused by the bulb isn't it? Can't you order a German compliant bulb? I haven't seen a two reflector 7" round unit but would like to check it out. Who makes it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
Halogen Headlight conversion
You can buy drop-in 7" sealed beam-style halogen headlights all day long at your local Autozoo, Wally World, or Billy Rae's Bait Shop and Auto Parts for $15 bucks apiece.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 528
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From: Hanau Germany
Halogen Headlight conversion
fordguy, hmmm, 'rage seems to have some info here, right ?
Over here in Germany (guess even all Europe) the reflector and the bulb are always separate. Yes, the bulb includes low and high beam and there's one standard connector for both. Hella and Bosch are the two top brands here. You say $40 for two incl. bulbs ? Man, that is cheaper than what we pay for our own stuff.
Don't ask me about my reflectors. They are really odd and there's no manufacturer label. It just says "Made in France" and the french used to have all yellow headlights (I think pretty mucg thru the 80s and then changed to white/clear). However, I find them way cool and will use them for now.
Over here in Germany (guess even all Europe) the reflector and the bulb are always separate. Yes, the bulb includes low and high beam and there's one standard connector for both. Hella and Bosch are the two top brands here. You say $40 for two incl. bulbs ? Man, that is cheaper than what we pay for our own stuff.
Don't ask me about my reflectors. They are really odd and there's no manufacturer label. It just says "Made in France" and the french used to have all yellow headlights (I think pretty mucg thru the 80s and then changed to white/clear). However, I find them way cool and will use them for now.
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From: Austin, TX
Halogen Headlight conversion
Originally posted by BlueOvalRage
You can buy drop-in 7" sealed beam-style halogen headlights all day long at your local Autozoo, Wally World, or Billy Rae's Bait Shop and Auto Parts for $15 bucks apiece.
You can buy drop-in 7" sealed beam-style halogen headlights all day long at your local Autozoo, Wally World, or Billy Rae's Bait Shop and Auto Parts for $15 bucks apiece.
Autozoo--special order item, not in stock. My favorite parts store BTW
Wally World--I must say it never occured to me. I have bought alot of things at WalMart but never truck parts. Perhaps I should try the Super Walmart
Billy Rae's Bait Shop and Auto Parts--Is this a national chain? We don't have one in Austin but we do have a Billy Bob's Bait Shop and topless bar. They don't sell truck parts though.
Sorry if I "dumbed down" the board. I will try to do better in the future by asking off board
Tim
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
Halogen Headlight conversion
<<<Billy Rae's Bait Shop and Auto Parts--Is this a national chain? We don't have one in Austin but we do have a Billy Bob's Bait Shop and topless bar. They don't sell truck parts though.
Sorry if I "dumbed down" the board. I will try to do better in the future by asking off board
Tim>>>
Billie Rae's is an Alabama chain. Don't worry about dumbing the place up. This is just about where a lot of us like it.
On a serious note, halogens are going to draw more juice than the regular bulbs. If you have any trouble with your wiring or headlight switch, consider the Bosch relay upgrade that is in the tech section. I did it to my truck and it really works slick. My garage wall has never been brighter.
Notice my technique here. Say something stupid, follow it up with a little substance, then you can say something stupid again. I've been getting by with it here for years. I get suprisingly little off-line hate mail.
Sorry if I "dumbed down" the board. I will try to do better in the future by asking off board
Tim>>>
Billie Rae's is an Alabama chain. Don't worry about dumbing the place up. This is just about where a lot of us like it.
On a serious note, halogens are going to draw more juice than the regular bulbs. If you have any trouble with your wiring or headlight switch, consider the Bosch relay upgrade that is in the tech section. I did it to my truck and it really works slick. My garage wall has never been brighter.
Notice my technique here. Say something stupid, follow it up with a little substance, then you can say something stupid again. I've been getting by with it here for years. I get suprisingly little off-line hate mail.
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old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Halogen Headlight conversion
Those who do not reside in the GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA should not presume to have a sufficient amount of knowledge on Alabama chain store operation. Anyone who has lived in the GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA will certainly point out to you that it isn't Billie Ray's Bait Store and Auto Parts or Billie Ray's Bait Store and Topless Bar !!!!
Those of us who live in THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA all know that the correct name of the establishment is
"BILLY RAY'S BAIT STORE, RADIATOR REPAIR, RESTAURANT, AUTO PARTS, DISCOUNT CIGARETTE OUTLET, PARTY AND BEAUTY SUPPLY, CHIROPRACTIC SERVICE,LAST CHANCE FIREWORKS AND TOPLESS BAR.
it's on the access road next to "THE WALMART"
and has been a long time supplier of the finer tackle and kegs in this area...
and on the original subject... have you guys seen any use of motorcycle halogens in trucks and street rods.... nice clear lenses with shiny reflectors... really slick... wonder how they compare in output ???
John (fireworks...this week buy 1 get 4 free and $25 off at the emergency room... it's around back by the minner tanks)
Those of us who live in THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA all know that the correct name of the establishment is
"BILLY RAY'S BAIT STORE, RADIATOR REPAIR, RESTAURANT, AUTO PARTS, DISCOUNT CIGARETTE OUTLET, PARTY AND BEAUTY SUPPLY, CHIROPRACTIC SERVICE,LAST CHANCE FIREWORKS AND TOPLESS BAR.
it's on the access road next to "THE WALMART"
and has been a long time supplier of the finer tackle and kegs in this area...
and on the original subject... have you guys seen any use of motorcycle halogens in trucks and street rods.... nice clear lenses with shiny reflectors... really slick... wonder how they compare in output ???
John (fireworks...this week buy 1 get 4 free and $25 off at the emergency room... it's around back by the minner tanks)
Last edited by jniolon; Jan 21, 2003 at 08:08 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Iowa
Halogen Headlight conversion
Originally posted by cabby daddy
Fenders<
what is your email????
Robert
Fenders<
what is your email????
Robert
You can PM me through FTE but be advised the "jerk" filter is turned on at this time.
Love ya man,
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Austin, TX
Halogen Headlight conversion
John:
Checked out alot of stuff on motorcycle halogens and you were right. Very trick stuff but ALL I have found so far are marked "motorcycle" on the lens. In my home state (TX)if so marked you can't use it on trucks or cars.
I am going to buy a halogen conversion kit off ebay for 7" diameter and see what happens. Should run about $35 for the Diamond Cut Euro lens. I don't want plain ole sealed beams.
Tim
Checked out alot of stuff on motorcycle halogens and you were right. Very trick stuff but ALL I have found so far are marked "motorcycle" on the lens. In my home state (TX)if so marked you can't use it on trucks or cars.
I am going to buy a halogen conversion kit off ebay for 7" diameter and see what happens. Should run about $35 for the Diamond Cut Euro lens. I don't want plain ole sealed beams.
Tim
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
Halogen Headlight conversion
Tim,
You're in Austin here? That would explain your lack of ability to locate ANY parts here. I can go to any podunk parts store 40 miles out and get dern near anything I need...don't get me going.
So, Autozoo, O'Righty, PoopBoys, AdvancedAutoparts,SouthAustinAutoparts,etc. have ALL dropped the Halogen 7" sealed beams????????They used to have MOUNTAINS of them that you had to walk AROUND to get to what you were looking fer......
Maybe WallyWorld is the last holdout.
AdiosAmigos
Viva South Austin!
Brett
You're in Austin here? That would explain your lack of ability to locate ANY parts here. I can go to any podunk parts store 40 miles out and get dern near anything I need...don't get me going.
So, Autozoo, O'Righty, PoopBoys, AdvancedAutoparts,SouthAustinAutoparts,etc. have ALL dropped the Halogen 7" sealed beams????????They used to have MOUNTAINS of them that you had to walk AROUND to get to what you were looking fer......
Maybe WallyWorld is the last holdout.
AdiosAmigos
Viva South Austin!
Brett
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Halogen Headlight conversion
Fat fenders:
Thanks for the heads up on the switch/ current draw issue. Hadn't crossed my mind.
John:
I meet my last ex-wife at Billy Ray's, she was working up to be a dancer at the time and...Anyway, she turned out to be my cousin so we had to move to Oklahoma, where we started a Kudzo farm, but the...well, never mind You've probably heard it all before.
Brett:
Last I heard, south Austin was commonly refered to as, "Bubba-land". You still have all those Hyundia Racers down there? I always concidered them a driving hazard: Start laughing so hard when one pulls up that you can't drive straight.
stylesider
Thanks for the heads up on the switch/ current draw issue. Hadn't crossed my mind.
John:
I meet my last ex-wife at Billy Ray's, she was working up to be a dancer at the time and...Anyway, she turned out to be my cousin so we had to move to Oklahoma, where we started a Kudzo farm, but the...well, never mind You've probably heard it all before.
Brett:
Last I heard, south Austin was commonly refered to as, "Bubba-land". You still have all those Hyundia Racers down there? I always concidered them a driving hazard: Start laughing so hard when one pulls up that you can't drive straight.
stylesider
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,923
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Halogen Headlight conversion
I meet my last ex-wife at Billy Ray's, she was working up to be a dancer at the time and...
style....
I remember her .... she had that tatoo of the Farmall tractor on her... uh.. well anyway... did all her hair ever grow back after the fire in the beauty shop/discount cigarette outlet
how are kudzu prices in Texas ?? here in Alabama we stopped farming it... price was too low.... got a gub'ment subsidy and now we're making more money... but spend it on gas and bush hog parts trying to keep the kudzu from takin over the farm...
later
j
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Austin, TX
Halogen Headlight conversion
Brett
I am going to install the euro style halogen units. They call them Diamond Cut because of the facets in the reflectors. I could use regular ole sealed beams which are plenty available at the various parts stores. Actually they are becomming more difficult to find since most late model cars are using rectangular sealed beams or bulb and reflectors.South Austin!-- It's not a place it's a state of mind!
Style:
The rice rockets are alive and well in Austin, not just in Bubba land. It never ceases to amaze me how much racket 4 cylinders can make. They are putting these oversize round mufflers on them they make a god awful buzzing sound. Frankly my chainsaw sounds better. I especially like the tires that stick out a good 6 inches from the wheel wells. Wrong offset?
I am going to install the euro style halogen units. They call them Diamond Cut because of the facets in the reflectors. I could use regular ole sealed beams which are plenty available at the various parts stores. Actually they are becomming more difficult to find since most late model cars are using rectangular sealed beams or bulb and reflectors.South Austin!-- It's not a place it's a state of mind!
Style:
The rice rockets are alive and well in Austin, not just in Bubba land. It never ceases to amaze me how much racket 4 cylinders can make. They are putting these oversize round mufflers on them they make a god awful buzzing sound. Frankly my chainsaw sounds better. I especially like the tires that stick out a good 6 inches from the wheel wells. Wrong offset?