I'm wondering what you guys are using for headlight bulbs. A call to Autozone told me apparently the old style sealed beams are still available, and unless I get some good arguements for a change, that's the way I'd like to go...at least for now. So, what are you using?
I used whatever Rock Auto sold me for $8.60 each. They might be halogens, but made by Phillips for sure.
6014's too,but they were not very bright so I added the relay kit like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/361017529037?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT And WOW! major difference. I also added a 70 amp relay to the ignition switch accessory terminal since I added A/C and electric fan and fuel pump.
I used some ebay lights with Sylvania bulbs that were brighter than the old 6014's. I also use relays .
When it comes to lights brighter is better, aiming them properly goes along as well. I'll be running ''Lucas'' style tri-bars mainly because they were the lights of choice when I first started playing with cars but couldn't justify their expense when working for $1.25 minimum wage as a busboy. Run halogens and protect your car with a relay, last thing you want is to break down on a road trip for lack of one. Grab a couple extra ones (cheap at a pull-it-yard) and throw them in your road trip bag.
Just to make sure we're on the same page..you added the relay harness to the 6014's?...no bulb change? I'm a little confused because the ebay ad says for all vehikles (vehikle=kustom, lol...misspells are funny sometimes)with H4 bulbs, and I'm not sure what the H4's are.
H4s are pretty much the first generation halogens, the bulbs themselves are removable held in place by a spring clip. They draw around 55watts I've run them with and w/out relays with no problems in the past. If doing a rewire like on my 51 added the relays just for grins. Maybe just luck on my part. The set in my 51 was added to a 240Z we were club racing and wanted good lighting for a 24 hour enduro. Then pulled it and on a 66 dodge van that was my daily driver and pit vehicle. Then onto a 70 F100 and finally in my 51 coupe. And in it ran it for over a year before the car was rewired with mostly components pulled from an Audi at the u-pull yard. Other than the Z the rest were all daily drivers. Maybe I've been lucky but when they first came out they we touted as a straight replacement and no one was adding the relays. back in the early 80s.
Notice on the headers description it says "7" round" ? It makes it EZ plug and play with this kit so it would work on either bulbs.
Not to be a pain in the ****, Jeff, but I'm trying to read between the lines here....you are saying that you kept the old 6014's, and this kit made them brighter, correct?
Duh...the light finally came on (pun not intended)....I didn't realize the 6014's were halogens. Thanks Jeff.
Although the standard halogens 6014s are 55w on main beam I always go for the off road spec globes. My 55 has 100w main beam and 75w dipped. The problem with our cars is that the switchgear is usually old/used though serviceable. The problem comes from the condition of the inbuilt circuit breakers in the headlight switch. These are bimetal spring loaded and tend to get weak after years of service. This is why the relay kit works so well with the replacement light units - they provide a positive contact straight from the battery with very little voltage drop. I used a set of 90/130 H4 on one of my cars a few years ago - I called those retina fryers. You do need to make sure that your lights are adjusted correctly to getthebest out of them. With the higher wattage h4s installed and adjusted correctly (with relay kit installed) you will no need for extra driving lights.
Not to beat a dead horse, but I guess the difference between the 6024's that alot of the guys on the '57 forum are using and the 6014's that you guys are using, is the 6024's are integral like the old sealed beabs, where as your lens and bulb are seperate? lol.....definition: "beabs"...what you type when your brain is saying beams, but your fingers are saying bulbs
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