Headlight Harness & Relay "Upgrade"
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Well, the spring modification list and collection of parts has begun. This morning I purchased the following items.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331269820878?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181907013959?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331269820878?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181907013959?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
Sous I hope you'll be as pleased as I am with this set up. And it comes in real handy when you are over 50 yrs old and the eyes aren't as good as they once were. The cool part is you will only have about $100 in this upgrade.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I was thinking that too. But I stiil have a set of SilverStar Ultra's as back up until I get the new 80w/100w. But weren't you saying Barney runs these bulbs and he has had good luck? Even if not I can buy 3 sets of these for the price of one set of SilverStar Ultra's
Sous I hope you'll be as pleased as I am with this set up. And it comes in real handy when you are over 50 yrs old and the eys aren't as good as they once were. The cool part is you will have about $100 in this upgrade.
Sous I hope you'll be as pleased as I am with this set up. And it comes in real handy when you are over 50 yrs old and the eys aren't as good as they once were. The cool part is you will have about $100 in this upgrade.
I only bought one pair of the headlights simply to test the 80/100w setup. If they die at a very early age I may invest in some higher end Silverstars or something, but for just under $7 you can't go wrong.
I had mounted HID's on my 2008 Hayabusa and they were nice, but very finicky and could be a pain in the ***. I don't want that with my truck. I want things that are easy to use and do what they are supposed to. The other day when I was driving to work and sitting behind a car and the headlights were dimming just slightly as the truck idled I told myself I needed to fix that.
Then, a couple of days later this post was created. It was fate that I had seen this post and decided to press on with the harness upgrade myself.
Sometimes you do get what you pay for, and sometimes you get away with murder on prices. Maybe this will be like the Dorman up-pipes of headlights, I guess I will find out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
Yes Ed, but Barney got his from the first site posted along with the harness. So I'm not sure what these E-bay lights are exactly, they mitt be the same but I'm not sure. I would of bought two sets on either site just in case. That's me guys, I don't like to mix and match while on the road for sure. But those lights on the first site have great reviews. The harness on any light will make a big difference on these early trucks.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
Thanks Chet for clearing that up for me, if Barney bought from the first wiring harness site they sell the Hella 80w/100w. I have used Hella products in the past and they do make quality products. On the Hella 80w/100w it says "For Off Road Use Only" But if they are aimed correctly I don't think you'll be blinding others. I would like to test the Hella's against the cheap ones to see if they are both as bright and see how long each last.
*** And as a matter of record for myself I installed these cheap bulbs in July 2015**** Time will tell.
Sous I always try to have a back up plan just in case things go wrong. So of all else failed with these wiring harnesses you can unplug them and just go back to the stock plug. That and having the old bulbs handy for the what if on the side of the road. When I use to have money to blow I always bought the best parts money could buy, back when I was single. Now having a family and all I don't always have the money to buy the best. So I try to get by on what parts I can afford. Honestly at 1/2 the time that bites me in the butt. But then there are sometimes the cheap parts work out just fine.
Kinda a crap shoot!?!
*** And as a matter of record for myself I installed these cheap bulbs in July 2015**** Time will tell.
Sous I always try to have a back up plan just in case things go wrong. So of all else failed with these wiring harnesses you can unplug them and just go back to the stock plug. That and having the old bulbs handy for the what if on the side of the road. When I use to have money to blow I always bought the best parts money could buy, back when I was single. Now having a family and all I don't always have the money to buy the best. So I try to get by on what parts I can afford. Honestly at 1/2 the time that bites me in the butt. But then there are sometimes the cheap parts work out just fine.
Kinda a crap shoot!?!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Nice review. 
I had debated this for a while with my 99 F250 V10. I ended up with some 02+ style lamps from 1Aauto which were actually Eagle Eyes brand, Sylvania Silver stars and sealed the head lamps with the RTV pictured below. This setup has been on just over two years with absolutely no complaints.
RTV
Before:
After:
Front end shot:
Sous- if you're having flickering lights it may be something other than the lighting. I would look at cleaning your grounds and battery terminals.
I had debated this for a while with my 99 F250 V10. I ended up with some 02+ style lamps from 1Aauto which were actually Eagle Eyes brand, Sylvania Silver stars and sealed the head lamps with the RTV pictured below. This setup has been on just over two years with absolutely no complaints.
RTV
Before:
After:
Front end shot:
Sous- if you're having flickering lights it may be something other than the lighting. I would look at cleaning your grounds and battery terminals.
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Brett Foote
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The lights don't really flicker, it is just a very slight dimming when sitting at idle and it is cold. I hadn't noticed it until just recently, that is how slight it is.
The batteries are new, the terminals are clean. I will probably inspect and clean the engine grounds if needed when installing the harness. I am confident that this will be an improvement over the setup I am currently running.
The batteries are new, the terminals are clean. I will probably inspect and clean the engine grounds if needed when installing the harness. I am confident that this will be an improvement over the setup I am currently running.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 32
From: Blairsville, Pennsylvania
The lights don't really flicker, it is just a very slight dimming when sitting at idle and it is cold. I hadn't noticed it until just recently, that is how slight it is.
The batteries are new, the terminals are clean. I will probably inspect and clean the engine grounds if needed when installing the harness. I am confident that this will be an improvement over the setup I am currently running.
The batteries are new, the terminals are clean. I will probably inspect and clean the engine grounds if needed when installing the harness. I am confident that this will be an improvement over the setup I am currently running.
When my alternator died Christmas Day, we made it home- barely. Then replaced the alternator with an upgraded one. BIG difference!
Gave some girl a jump the other day in her car and watched the voltage. Barely dropped and still over 13v
My thread about it still owes some pulley measurements, but haven't been back to wrenching on it yet, with this cold spell and stuff
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 0
From: Dustbowl, NV
Jaime- I'll try to get pics tonite. Went to the battery for convenience, and mounted the relays just in front on the radiator support. I think there was enough length for either alt or bat connection.
Bad Dog- They actually came with nice inline fuses. Not sure on the 'no hi watt' lights, unless it's a legal thing. The wire is at least 14ga, I'll look again tonite. And get pics!
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Or the alternator is weak and can't keep up at low revs. Watch the voltage with one of these...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The harness and new higher wattage bulbs in combination with a new alternator or fresh grounds should make for a big improvement over what I have now.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
Sorry guys, took the little lady to a Jonny Lang concert in Tahoe, and Valentines Day... but I'm back.
Jaime- I'll try to get pics tonite. Went to the battery for convenience, and mounted the relays just in front on the radiator support. I think there was enough length for either alt or bat connection.
Bad Dog- They actually came with nice inline fuses. Not sure on the 'no hi watt' lights, unless it's a legal thing. The wire is at least 14ga, I'll look again tonite. And get pics!
Jaime- I'll try to get pics tonite. Went to the battery for convenience, and mounted the relays just in front on the radiator support. I think there was enough length for either alt or bat connection.
Bad Dog- They actually came with nice inline fuses. Not sure on the 'no hi watt' lights, unless it's a legal thing. The wire is at least 14ga, I'll look again tonite. And get pics!
I bought the truck 2ish years ago and I am sure it is a 110 amp alternator. I am looking into getting a replacement now, but will check the grounds when the weather warms up a bit.
The harness and new higher wattage bulbs in combination with a new alternator or fresh grounds should make for a big improvement over what I have now.
The harness and new higher wattage bulbs in combination with a new alternator or fresh grounds should make for a big improvement over what I have now.
I had already planned to put a NEW not reman alternator for a 2004 F350 6.0 because a stock 6.0 alt puts out 140amp. All it takes is reclocking the alt housings, alittle grinding on alt bracket and I used the smaller 7.3 pulley all for the same price of a new 110amp alt. Personally I am very pleased with the 6.0 alt it keeps voltage at 14v to 14.6v. To keep track I use a little plug in the cig lighter type works great, different brand then David. But same idea.
And between the 6.0 alt, clear len housing, headlight relay and 80/ 100w I am finally happy with light out put. And noone had flashed their lights at me. Hope I am NOt crossing the line after re aiming them.
Nice review.
I had debated this for a while with my 99 F250 V10. I ended up with some 02+ style lamps from 1Aauto which were actually Eagle Eyes brand, Sylvania Silver stars and sealed the head lamps with the RTV pictured below. This setup has been on just over two years with absolutely no complaints.
RTV
Front end shot:
Sous- if you're having flickering lights it may be something other than the lighting. I would look at cleaning your grounds and battery terminals.
I had debated this for a while with my 99 F250 V10. I ended up with some 02+ style lamps from 1Aauto which were actually Eagle Eyes brand, Sylvania Silver stars and sealed the head lamps with the RTV pictured below. This setup has been on just over two years with absolutely no complaints.
RTV
Front end shot:
Sous- if you're having flickering lights it may be something other than the lighting. I would look at cleaning your grounds and battery terminals.
But just wondering why you used RTV ? Did you see a problem or just doing it preemptively to avoid a problem?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 147
From: San Diego, CA
I bought my headlight harness from GOS Performance about 5-6 years ago. It made a definite difference in my light output and has been trouble-free.
I do, however, replace at least 1 bulb a year. I have used Sylvania and Phillips bulbs and it doesn't seem that either one lasts any longer. I don't know if the truck just likes to eat bulbs or if the harness accelerates their life with more power. Just something to consider.