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new glass headlights

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tanof, Dec 24, 2011.

  1. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    Hello,

    I have cheapie plastic headlamps (four light setup) with replaceable bulbs. The light pattern out of these is very poor. I would like to find a set of glass headlamps with replaceable bulbs. I would also like to get some with internal turnsignals. My main concern is the headlight beam pattern. I need more range and spread with my low beams. If possible, please include pics of the low beam at night.

    Thank you.
     
  2. metal man
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,955

    metal man
    Member

    I don't understand. What are you working on?
     
  3. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    An OT 66 Pontiac Catalina with stacked headlights. The setup is just like the 65-67 GTO and the 63-64 full size Pontiacs.
     
  4. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

    You have come to the right place.....
    NOT !!
     
  5. JohnEvans
    Joined: Apr 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,883

    JohnEvans
    Member
    from Phoenix AZ

    Go get the stock sealed beams ,maybe up grade to the Halogen ones. Pitch what you have now !
     
  6. Heo2
    Joined: Aug 9, 2011
    Posts: 660

    Heo2
    Member

  7. I didn't even know they made plastic headlights for those cars. The halogen bulbs give a good bright beam and aren't that expensive, you might have to look a little more for the round ones though.
     
  8. wingman9
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 804

    wingman9
    Member
    from left coast

    Hella H4 conversion lamp for low beam and H1 for high beam is the way to go. I run them in my '65 Vista Cruiser. They aren't cheap but the first time you see something that you would have hit with stock headlights they will pay for themselves. Personal experience. Make sure to use a relay to hook them up. You can get them from Amazon and sometimes they show up on ebay. Try to get the DOT version because the European Code ones don't have the locating tabs.
     
  9. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    Wingman, do the Hella conversions come with replaceable bulbs? What do you mean by "locating tabs"?
     
  10. brad chevy
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 2,627

    brad chevy
    Member

    Just go down to the local truckstop,they have what you are looking for on the shelf. Sealbeams that are Halogen. If you don't know what locating tabs are on a headlamp good luck putting them in.
     
  11. jvo
    Joined: Nov 11, 2008
    Posts: 295

    jvo
    Member

    I haven't been "on the road in a truck" for more than 14 years now, but last truck I was in I used some Sylvania 4 lamp headlights that did exactly what you want. The glass pattern was cut to light up right out to the fence line on a 2 lane road, almost straight sideways on low beam. Since most of us drive on low beam most of the time they are really the answer. THis of course was a rectangular headlight. Not sure if they made them for round headlights or not. Check with a good supplier that knows what they are talking about. They used to make them and they probably still do.
     
  12. There are "tabs" molded into the glass parabolic section on DOT lights to locate the units properly in the headlight buckets. They also differ from low to high beam so you cannot install the wrong bulb into the buckets.

    Decent sealed beam halogens will be the cheapest but reasonably effective way to upgrade your lighting. The smaller 4 lamp round lights are getting harder to find but they are still generally available. You shoud upgrade to a relay to provide full voltage and save your old wiring as others have mentioned.
     
  13. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    That is the thing. I don't want sealed beams. I want to be able to use a high powered bulb. The problem I have is that the housing I have sucks and I want a good brand or setup that I can put H4 or whatever bulb needed in it. I had some old T3s, but I want to get a bright white light (or one with a slight blue hue), instead of a yellow light.
     
  14. telecustom
    Joined: Feb 17, 2009
    Posts: 336

    telecustom
    Member
    from Langey, BC

    I like Hot Rods...
     
  15. brad chevy
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 2,627

    brad chevy
    Member

    Dang dude,Halogen sealed beams are what you need.With all the help you are being given I for one don't think you have a clue as to what you want.
     
  16. outlaw256
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 2,022

    outlaw256
    Member

    why in the hell do you want a replacable bulb? seal beam halogen is what you need.get it and be done. any parts store can still get them at least real parts stores. ge still makes them and i think phillips does too.
     
  17. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    I live in Albuquerque and regularly drive outside of town, mostly on side streets. On the way home, at night, there are sections of road which have no lights visible down the road or in the background. I want to get the brightest setup I can with four bulbs. Replaceable bulbs come in higher wattages (I already have a relay setup) and in white/daylight colors. I have seen the difference between standard bulbs and Silverstar bulbs in my S10. Sylvania does not sell Silverstar in a 5 inch size, only 7 inch size sealed beams. I wish they did, then I would not have to go through this headache. I would like to put Silverstar lights on my car. The problem is that the lenses I have does not disperse the light beam properly.
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2011

  18. You are overthinking this.

    If you want H$s just got a catalog from your favorite catalog speed shop and order a set of hella halogens. They will run you about 100 bucks give ro take for a 4 light system.

    I personally would just run sealed beams. Unless you are cruising at speeds in excess of 100 MPH they will do you just fine. You can get halogen sealed beams for that car pretty cheap and they will make more than enough light.
     
  19. BobbyV
    Joined: Jan 26, 2007
    Posts: 81

    BobbyV
    Member
    from Tulsa

    I'm looking for the same thing for my '60 Chev PU with a 4 light system. I was at a Petro truck stop the other day and saw 5.25" glass headlights with replaceable bulbs for $20 each. Going to bring an old halogen of mine with me friday and compare. Will let you know.


    Thanks,
    Robert
    Sent from my iPhone using TJJ
     
  20. outlaw256
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 2,022

    outlaw256
    Member

    man i live way out in the country in alabama. you want dark .we got dark. woods on both sides of the road and no moon. it black. and i cant see worth a crap at nite. and i run sealed beam halogen. and it lites up the road just fine.when we first put these in we could see 2 knats screwin 100 ft up the road.lol!!
     
  21. I have E codes in every one of my cars, never saw one with out locator tabs.
    Now Ecodes do not have the tabs for a aimer, but try and find one of those contraptions.

    I have been a big fan of Hella E codes side I lived in La. with all the deer crossing the road.
    Hit a big doe in an MGB at 3am and it will not be pretty.
     
  22. Ned Ludd
    Joined: May 15, 2009
    Posts: 5,426

    Ned Ludd
    Member

    I've got a philosophical problem with sealed beams: I despise sealed assemblies and won't have them it there's any other way. Hence no sealed beams; and if the reflector can come off the lens without damaging either that's all the better. Can't help much with your application, though, except perhaps to look at European quad set-ups of the '60s and '70s, many of which were separate-bulb type. They would probably need some clever adaptation.
     
  23. tanof
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 107

    tanof
    Member
    from New Mexico

    So.... no manufacturers or part numbers with reasonable prices. Hmmm.......
     
  24. www.summitracing.com do a search for the lights. Their searc function works real well. or call them 1 800 230 3030.

    Gonna run you about 100 bucks, get hellas.

    The only thing more I can do for you is go buy them for you and that just isn't happening.
     
  25. stealthcruiser
    Joined: Dec 24, 2002
    Posts: 3,750

    stealthcruiser
    Member

    When you get your swap figured out, search for a "headlight relay kit" retrofit.
    It's one of the best things you can do to an older headlight system, as the bulk of the power no longer routes through the headlight switch / floor mounted dimmer setup.
    The relay handles the load, and you get optimum juice to your lights!
     
  26. wingman9
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 804

    wingman9
    Member
    from left coast

    Go to Amazon, type in 'Hella conversion headlights' and it will become very clear. :D The Hellas do have separate bulbs. I run Hella H4 55/100w for lows and H1 100w for high beam in an o/t Camaro. When the brights hit it's like 'let there be light'!
     
  27. I'm running Hellas in my Willys pickup. They were free, someone gave me some King bees with them installed. Looked like shit in the king bees, but they are the tits in the jeep.

    If I hadn't had them I would have just run sealed beams.

    Problem with this post is that we are trying to educate the ignorant. I wouldn't bother explaining the hellas any more than my DI bothered explaining that if you fell off the obstacle it was going to hurt. :rolleyes:
     
  28. wingman9
    Joined: Dec 30, 2009
    Posts: 804

    wingman9
    Member
    from left coast

    Point well taken.
     

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