Head Lamp Upgrade...

[WILMASBOYL78]

Looking to improve the head lamps on my 85 GMC pickup...square body truck with rectangular head lamps. Current lights don't do much by today's standards.

Looking for bolt in upgrades that are an improvement but don't break the bank.

Suggestions??

-wilma

[LT1vette]

HID's..... not LED's. Should brighten up your night..

[Lee Stewart]

https://i.postimg.cc/4xc0BX3Q/screenshot-10852.png (https://postimg.cc/k2nw53K2)

[LT1vette]

I don't think they make a quality lamp for LED's. The reflector on the 5" headlight "sprays" the light too much, blinding on coming drivers.
Do some research on the differences and make your decision. I changed mine to HID's and they are very controlled in their projection and cut off of the beam...

HTH..

[Lee Stewart]

I don't think they make a quality lamp for LED's. The reflector on the 5" headlight "sprays" the light too much, blinding on coming drivers.
Do some research on the differences and make your decision. I changed mine to HID's and they are very controlled in their projection and cut off of the beam...

HTH..

If you are blinding oncoming drivers using your low beams then your headlights are not set properly. They are aimed too high.

I have those LED lights in my car. HUGE difference from the factory ones. Much brighter and a whiter lighter as opposed to that dimmed yellow. Yes they do fan out more which is great - I see more of the road's surface L & R than I did before installing them.

All you do is change out your existing blubs for these new LEDs. HID is much more expensive and more complicated to install.

[LT1vette]

I think he has stock lights in his truck now and is looking for an upgrade. I installed HID's, complete kit for $88.
The LED's you show above still need the light assembly to install the LED.
The research I did said the quality of the reflector wasn't very good on the 5.75" round bulbs.
I see on google that his truck has the rectangle lights I missed in his post...

[WILMASBOYL78]

Thanks for the info...still a little confused. I looked up the HID products...price point was a lot more than $88.

Found these lamps...are they a consideration?

https://www.topgearautosport.com/170994/gmc-truck-1981-1987-led-headlights-conversion-kit-low-and-high-beams

https://www.topgearautosport.com/103440/1985-gmc-pickup-truck-7-inch-sealed-beam-headlight-conversion

[Lynn]

Tried doing some research on this for my 68 El Camino (four small round headlights instead of the 4 rectangular on Wilma's 85 GMC).

Could not find one comparison story, written or video, that wasn't put out by a manufacturer, meaning the bottom line is always predetermined.

Looking at these for a total of $400: https://www.headlightexperts.com/low-beam-h5006-sealed-beam-led-headlight-conversion-kit

Anyone have any experience with this company?

I am assuming I can find LED conversion kits that suck, and others that are fabulous.

Would like to hear from members who have done this on 60s 70s and 80s cars with specific brands. What did you like/dislike?

[Lee Stewart]

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[Lynn]

I can find comparisons for the three different bulbs in modern cars.

I can't find much on classic cars where the entire lamp assembly needs to be swapped out.

[LT1vette]

For sure, the reflective quality on the modern car headlights is way beyond what we are used to in a 60's vehicle. Also the demand to manufacture a light for so few vehicles hurts the product we are in search of.....
I thought of LED's for my 66 Biscayne, but after researching Chevy websites and Lighting sites, it was 60-70% in favour of HID's. I've had all the "latest" super lights in my vehicles and found these HID's to give the best light structure down the road.

[William]

Newer bulbs may not solve the problem.

Lights are often dim due a large voltage drop; designed to operate at 14v. Actual voltage at the bulbs is often under 12v.

Solution is to run power direct to the lamps via relay.

[BLACKLS5]

I agree with William on this. I put a relay on one of my Chevelle's and it made a big difference in the brightness. I was thinking it was a kit from someone. I may still have the box somewhere...

[William]

http://www.madelectrical.com/

[BLACKLS5]

Yes, That's the place.

[LT1vette]

Newer bulbs may not solve the problem.

Lights are often dim due a large voltage drop; designed to operate at 14v. Actual voltage at the bulbs is often under 12v.

Solution is to run power direct to the lamps via relay.

Yes, I did install relays too. One for each set of lights, high/low.

[Lee Stewart]

https://i.postimg.cc/PrXhCCK8/m.jpg (https://postimg.cc/BtVRyQrq)

comparison between LED 1157 bulb conversion from Sylvania, and stock original

[Salvatore]

Looking to improve the head lamps on my 85 GMC pickup...square body truck with rectangular head lamps. Current lights don't do much by today's standards.

Looking for bolt in upgrades that are an improvement but don't break the bank.

Suggestions??

-wilma

Drive that truck during the day. No headlite worries then Tommyyyy.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Drive that truck during the day. No headlite worries then Tommyyyy.

Sammy..

Why didn't I think of that :rolleyes2: