Upgrading dual head lamps
September 15th, 2012, 06:35 PM
#1
XCELERATIONRULES!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Orwell,Ohio
Posts: 323
Upgrading dual head lamps
73 Buick project.
Looking to upgrade my dual head lamps without spending $200.
Anyone have upgraded bulbs or added driving lights?
I believe my head lamps are nearly original,and don't give much in the way of safety at night.
Thanks.
Looking to upgrade my dual head lamps without spending $200.
Anyone have upgraded bulbs or added driving lights?
I believe my head lamps are nearly original,and don't give much in the way of safety at night.
Thanks.
September 15th, 2012, 08:23 PM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Frisco Texas
Posts: 164
You can replace them with Halogen from any parts store. Make sure that the adjusters are in good condition and the headlights are aimed correctly. You should be able to see at night with these improvements.
September 16th, 2012, 12:40 AM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 383
I asked below in a post no one responded to. I have sealed halogens and they are sad. Looks like the best upgrade is H4's. Anyone have these?
Being less than pleased with even Halogen sealed beam headlights, I found where many of you have upgraded with H4 kits.
Hella seems to make the gold standard of quality, 5 3/4" replacements. Has anyone installed these? They have a 102mm depth (4") that looks close. The back of my headlamp mount plate has a fairly large hole the rear of the lamp passes through. I imagine the new lamps rubber cup tail will fit and not require metal removal.
How about relays? I think I'll wire for low-beam only with one relay to start. I'm around a 55/65w H4 bulb range. I'll leave the inboard sealed beams and additional H4 high-beam running off the factory switch/harness.
Being less than pleased with even Halogen sealed beam headlights, I found where many of you have upgraded with H4 kits.
Hella seems to make the gold standard of quality, 5 3/4" replacements. Has anyone installed these? They have a 102mm depth (4") that looks close. The back of my headlamp mount plate has a fairly large hole the rear of the lamp passes through. I imagine the new lamps rubber cup tail will fit and not require metal removal.
How about relays? I think I'll wire for low-beam only with one relay to start. I'm around a 55/65w H4 bulb range. I'll leave the inboard sealed beams and additional H4 high-beam running off the factory switch/harness.
September 16th, 2012, 08:21 AM
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
That is interesting, WK, as my old cars with halogen sealed beam units outperform the headlights on much later model cars with regular halogen bulbs.
How old are the ones you have on your car now? It is possible if they are very old, the internal reflectors could have tarnished or were not very good quality to start from. Do you know what the wattages are for the ones you have?
Be sure they are aligned well, too. Do this in a dark street that is not busy or an alley.
You might want to at least try a set of new HSBs before going the total custom route.
How old are the ones you have on your car now? It is possible if they are very old, the internal reflectors could have tarnished or were not very good quality to start from. Do you know what the wattages are for the ones you have?
Be sure they are aligned well, too. Do this in a dark street that is not busy or an alley.
You might want to at least try a set of new HSBs before going the total custom route.
September 16th, 2012, 03:32 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 383
Hmmm, you may have something here L-n-R. I have no history on these as they came on the car which is new to me. I aligned 'em with the garage door trick to raise them a few degrees. They seem weak on asphalt and disappear when the road is wet. The reflectors look okay but they could have 1000 hrs. on 'em?
I didn't know there are different wattage options. I'll look into that before going crazy with the spendy ones. Thanks!
I didn't know there are different wattage options. I'll look into that before going crazy with the spendy ones. Thanks!
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