I Want Brighter Headlights

[FLATBEDFORD]

I have one, but haven't installed it yet, because I have to take the fender off to fix a rusted cab mount. I didn't want to have to take it apart. The kit is super nicely made. He includes complete instructions. It looks like it should be a quick and easy install.

[Fordnatic]

I don't know if they are still available...but Hella made some replacement lights that I have used for years. It was before all the new cars had a different headlight for each model. The Hella's were available in small (4 light) and large (2 light) square and round standard sizes. You could use what ever bulbs you wanted, as I recall they came with 55/65, and the biggest available was a 95/130 watt. The light pattern is 100 times better than the factory type sealed beams. Dim was set up so if you shined it on a wall, the left half of the pattern was a straight line, and from the center out towards the right it angled up-giving you more vision in the ditch without blinding oncoming cars. They worked much better in fog and snow because the light stayed lower like a fog light. They were not DOT approved, and had a flat face instead of convex. I've got them on both my bumps and had to rig up the relay to power them, long before there were any kits available. I highly recommend them. It would be interesting to see if they are still available, since virtually ever new vehicle takes a specific light now.

[PhilthyF100]

With all the older cars still on the road it'd be a fair bet that they would be. We can still get them here. Alot of the trucks in our fleet (International garbage trucks) use them.
I've had the flat lensed halogen's in my dentside since i've had it. Started driving the '69 last week and realised just how appalling the factory lights are. Will be adding Halogens and relays asap.
Had to do the relay upgrade on the '76, went away on an interstate trip with my drag car on the trailer, left at 1am, lights were flickering by 1.15am

[heep70]

I used the Hellas once before. Kept cracking them. They said it was because I ran the high watt bulbs so I trired the low watt bulbs and they still cracked. $50 buck a wack and crappy customer support was enough for me. I now use the silver star lights and they work just fine.

[fordman]

a relay is the best way to go period. high dollar euro bulbs and all of that won't give you the full power a relay will give you to your old bulbs.

[heep70]

Yes, the relay thing is what really makes the difference.

[PhilthyF100]

Most of our stuff is 'Narva' brand now. Not sure if you guys have that there?
I'll be having a look on the shelves at work tonight, see whats available to suit my truck. It's all Hella and Narva stuff.
80% of our trucks have the same size lights as my bump.
that's if i can make it past the shelf with the turbo's on it haha.. that takes some effort

[shaggys_bump]

I tackled this same issue also, my lights were horribly dim so i took them out and ordered new euro style replacements that came with halo's and a blue accent light in the housing. I also ordered 3 sets of different bulbs, 2 sets of NOKYA bulbs "Arctic Purple 10,000K - 135w/100w" and "Arctic White(i think) 8000K - 110w/85w" and also "APC offroad 100w/80w" to try to find the ones i liked. I installed the housings (fairly easy) and hooked up the halo's, I started with the Actic purple bulbs very weary of melting the harness seen on another one of my vehicles and soon realized they were too bright for the original harness(only in for two or three mins). I then replaced them with with the arctic white and thought they were going to work great, the next morning i realized that our trucks had a breaker circuit in the switch, on my way to work (5:00am VERY DARK) my lights went out completely. long story short i ended up making my own relay system for about 15$, mounted it on my wheel well and replaced the bulbs with the APC set and they work GREAT! very bright and no failures..............YET.

Hope this helps

[Redcap]

Has anyone got a headlight wire harness upgrade from lmc or 390nut? If so how was it to install? I might get one from lmc, and try it, 390nut seems to be waitng on parts or something, I already forgot what it said.

I have a first-gen harness from Paul (390Nut). It installed very easily and was very high-quality. It is my understanding that he has made several revisions to the harness, making it even better.

[rjewkes]

yes. as others have stated the harness is awesome. install easy. two years running the euro style lenses/housings and the harness from Paul(390nut) no failures and my lights are as bright as the new cars lights.

[kaptnkaos]

I have gotten one of each style from Paul (390nut)...
I have the old style on my bus "Olde Skool", and the new style on my '68 CS

The installation is super easy. You have to drill one small hole in your inner fender to mount the relays.
I used that for my ground as well. The other lead goes to the solenoid.
You disconnect the stock light plugs.
Here's where the first generation and the later model changes.
With the first gen, the old light socket on each side plugged into the the new light sockets, then the headlight plugged into it.
The later version, only the old socket on the p'side plugs into the harness, on the other side, the headlight just plugs directly into the new socket.
i Just taped up the old socket and stuffed it back out of the way.
The whole upgrade takes about 10-15 minutes tops.

KaptnKA S

[Supermike]

Hey Kapt'n ... how'd you mount yours? Did you mount it like Paul showed in his included sheet, or did you do it otherwise? I seem to have a lot more wires and "stuff" in the way of where Paul shows to mount it. Trying to decide where might be the best place and am curious where others have chosen.

[390Nut]

Supermike: anywhere that the power wire will reach the solenoid will work, it doesn't HAVE to be on the upper part of the inner fender. Some have put them on the flat, horizontal part out in from the solenoid, others have put the relays back behind the solenoid, towards the hood hinges.

Whatever works best for you, as long as you get a good ground.

[sport71]

Lights and wires both.

[Supermike]

I FINALLY got around to installing my harness I got from Paul (390Nut) probably 1-2 years ago today! LOL! I mounted the relays right next to the solenoid toward the hood hinges, as mentioned. because I already had too much going on the flat part (it's a Camper Special thing...). Anyhow, there was plenty of clearance for the hood to close up.

As far as I can tell, they're brighter. They light up, so that's a good thing! haha! Will know if they are brighter once I try 'em out in the dark, but they SEEM quite a bit brighter.