Single headlights to dual swap?

[Hutch998]

Has anyone ever swapped their stock single headlights to the dual (stacked) headlights? I've got an 86 custom deluxe and it's got the single headlight with plastic turn signal underneath. I's it as straight forward as taking it out and swapping them? Do I need a different grill then too? Any difficult wiring to mess with? Thanks in advance!

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

History has a tendency to repeat itself.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12332&highlight=Dual+headlight

 

[Hutch998]

Instead of buying a new radiator support, could I just cut bigger holes for the lower lights? It seems much simpler to do that than replace the front end.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I wouldn't because the mounting won't be compatible. The single headlight core support has this larger oval in the bottom row. The dual headlight core support has a smaller circle. You might be able to fab a square metal plate and cut a hole in the middle that corresponds to the size of the dual light core of you have a frame of reference, but just get one off a junker in one of your local salvage yards.

 

[chengny]

Do I need a different grill then too?

Yes, since your under H/L parking/directional lights will be gone, you will need a grill that has provisions for relocating those lights.

Any difficult wiring to mess with?

There is quite a bit of modification required. But it is all up by the lights (nothing in the cab). It basically just involves several splices/extensions and installation of the proper terminals/sockets. The forward lighting harness is the same for both styles - leaving the firewall junction. Any changes are only at the ends.


It is way easier to surgically remove a quad light harness from a junkyard donor. The end result will be much nicer too.

 

[Hutch998]

Alright, I guess I need to go to the nearest junk yard. I'm probably just going to get a donor harness since my wiring skills aren't the best. Are the core supports a pain to get off?

 

[chengny]

Are the core supports a pain to get off?

Not really - after you have stripped the grille and fenders.

Bolt head is accessed here:

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Nut is accessed here:

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Those yellow and red things are supposed to be ratchets/extensions/sockets.


BTW - you might want to have some new hardware on hand. The rubbers and backing washers will probably be reusable but the bolts and nuts will be trash:

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Bolts are 1/2"-13 NC X 5". They don't need to be grade 8 or anything special but I would suggest using stainless.

 

[robert8096]

You only need to remove one fender. Unbolt the hood hinge from the fender you are going to move and support the hood. You can then unbolt the core support and slide it out. This makes it much easier to align the hood/fender gaps. If you have working AC the core support removal gets more difficult due to the lines running to the condenser.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

I did the same with my 81 (see signature pics). I bought a quad light setup including wiring from a forum member, and had it installed. The quad light wiring simply plugged right in with no mods and works perfectly. A definite improvement!

 

[smoothandlow84]

You will also need the highbeam switch on the turn signal stalk, or in a case like mine where the stalk mechanism was busted inside the tilt column.....wire a seperate headlight switch. Wiring a seperate high beam switch was a lot easier than screwing around with the column mechanism. Wired seperatly, I can have upper lights on(2), lower lights on (2) or both (4). The p.o. obviously forced the mechanism linkage inside the tilt column rendering it useless in the quad headlight conversion process. I also had to re wire the headlight sockets. At least he swapped out the core support for the proper light buckets. If you need quad bezels, I have an extra set to donate. Pm me if interested.

 

[TPISly-C10]

bring an old topic up! gonna do the dual light swap on mine!

First: found a rad dual core in good condition....and i'm lucky to have found one! $200
2- found all the part you need: 4 headlight kit with all the trim nut and bolt, 2- light bezel and all the complet wiring $60
allready got the Silverado grill on my truck so no need for that (and got a brand new gril in spare in case)

 

[TPISly-C10]

 

[TPISly-C10]

starting swap today!

 

[TPISly-C10]

tomorow time to put it all back togeter!

 

[TPISly-C10]

job done!