86-upgrading headlights keep stock look

i know there are some older threads on here on how to upgrade the light output. My goal is simple, upgrade the light output, keep stock look (no blue LED), and keep it simple. I am looking for high quality and easy to install. I don’t want Chinese eBay stuff and I don’t want to piece together a kit. Looking for help with links or part numbers on what you suggest. I heard a relay kit is a must, but I am electrically deficient so I don’t know what that entails. I saw that gmachinz is one that is recommended and 9006 to 9012 might be good, but look8ng for confirmation and links to buy.

Thanks

Sylvania XtraVision is one of the best sealed beam lamps I've ever used.

Hella ECE E-Code H4 lamps are reputed to be very good as well.

They are GLASS LENS lamps not plastic that's going to get hazy and nasty after a few years.
They both stay inside the US DOT legal 35W/55W power ratings.
Sylvania XtraVision bulbs are fully US DOT compliant.
The Hella ECE lamps don't have a US DOT certification because the E-Code beam pattern is more focused than the DOT beam pattern. Bloody similar to the new HID lamps. It's an ivory tower egghead disagreement between regulatory bureaucrats over which pattern is better for a specific class of lights while ignoring the bigger picture... the fact that they accept a focused beam with a defined cutoff for HID lighting. You will likely avoid notice of the highway patrol types with ECE lamps for the very reason the DOT jackasses didn't accept them... because they have a well defined cutoff that largely avoids blinding oncoming traffic while focusing the light so the driver can see the road.

ECE reflectors and lenses are setup for Halogen bulbs. DO NOT USE HID lamps in them.

X2 for the Sylvania XtraVision. Supposed to have the same lifespan as the basic lamps, and I think they light the road in front of me exceptionally compared to a modern car without the blue stuff.

X3 Slyvania XtraVision.

The "relay kit" you speak of is retarded simple sold from LMC. It connects to your battery and has relays that attach with a self tapper to the core support. Plug your original headlight connection into the harness and then plug the harness to the light.

Done.

Couple that with the Xtravision bulbs and THAT is what you want.

No guesswork, no questions.
Do that, be happy.
Don't wonder.

Buy part # 36-3580.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=106

Thanks, appreciate the advice I will get the harness ordered.

Just to verify these are the xtravision bulb part numbers (high beam and low beam)you are referring to



SYLVANIA H4651 XtraVision Sealed Beam high beam

SYLVANIA H4656 XtraVision Sealed Beam low beam

Is there supposed to be an XV at the end of that? Not sure, but I thought there might be.

There are two different size rectangular bulbs on the 1980-1988 squares.

Two rectangular sealed beam lamps are 142mmx200mm (5"x7").
H6054XV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C18Q4Y

Four rectangular sealed beam lamps are 100mmx165mm (4"x6")
H4666XV High Beam https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO7AJ8
H4656XV Low Beam https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C18Q3A

I really dislike using unsealed relays in the engine bay. I've tried that and the relay and socket contacts eventually corroded.

I've rolled a couple of my own headlamp relay harnesses with four AC-Delco 15-8240 Multipurpose Sealed Metripack relays. Ask for a 1987 R1500 fuel pump relay at the parts store. GM used these a lot in the 80's & 90's so they're easy to find... Not as cheap as the Mini ISO but they're sealed and will carry the current. You can get Metripack 630 Mini ISO Cube relays but they are more money and not as common.

The 15-8240 relay plug uses low amp Metripak 280 to the coil and High amp Metripak 630 to the switched load terminals so it'll carry 30A continuous unlike the Mini ISO cubes that are really only good to about 20A... That's 40 Chinese Amps because they tend to exaggerate specs.
The plug you'll need is 12052287.
F & D are the coil. D is Hot F is Ground.
Switch terminals. E is common, A is Normally Open, C is Normally Closed.

I have the Hella lights in my truck. I did add a relay kit.

Low/high beam HELLA #003177801
High Beam HELLA #003177821

I did a headlight conversion kit, the one from lmc. They’re reasonably priced and pretty good quality, glass lense and a metal housing. It converts from sealed beam to a bulb style housing. Uses a 9007 bulb, and can plug and play into the factory harness, some modification to the headlight buckets are required but there’s not too much work to do to the buckets.

Light output is great, I was really impressed by it to be honest. I just have regular off the shelf bulbs too, you could do a bulb upgrade if wanted and get more output. They have a nice pattern as well, and a very stock appearance other than not having diffused glass.

These pictures were low voltage not running or fully mounted lol

I'm in the process of installing the autopal housings (with glass lenses) on my 82. It came with new H4 bulbs. I also bought a Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive harness so I can get power straight from the battery. This will allow me to keep a stock look with brighter lights.

Rusty Nail said:

X3 Slyvania XtraVision.

The "relay kit" you speak of is retarded simple sold from LMC. It connects to your battery and has relays that attach with a self tapper to the core support. Plug your original headlight connection into the harness and then plug the harness to the light.

Done.

Couple that with the Xtravision bulbs and THAT is what you want.

No guesswork, no questions.
Do that, be happy.
Don't wonder.

Buy part # 36-3580.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=106

Click to expand...

Very much this. I did this and upgraded the headlights to use H4 bulbs instead of the sealed beams and it made a night and day difference. Nice part about having the H4 bulbs now is I have way more headlight bulb options and the housing stays the same.

Hella E-code sealed beam conversion all the way. Plus a relay harness. You wont regret it!

LMC sells a conversion as well but its clear glass unlike the stock bulbs which are textured. At first glance the Hellas look stock aside from the H4 designation stamped in the middle.

Thanks for all the replies, I am going to get a wiring harness for sure. Will research the cost difference on the X3 vs H4 options.

So is the consensus sealed beams or bulbs? I’m really wanting to do this as well.


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This is what I got from using LMC. Look right?


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