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Author Topic: Better headlights  (Read 4021 times)

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Offline JonzWagon

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Better headlights
« on: January 06, 2012, 06:45:15 PM »
 I have a question about adding halogen headlights to my '80 pinto.  The stock headlights don't seem to be adequate compared those of modern cars. Seems to be a lot of halogen lights to choose from. Other than changing the headlights, do I need special wiring or relays or anything like that? I am sure some one has done that. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance....... .........John :) :)
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Offline bbobcat75

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2012, 07:05:41 PM »
i had a glass guy cut my old bulbs out and put in HID bulbs with power box and they are brighter then my wifes 2007 explorer.
just a thought for you, or you can get the plastic headlights and put in what ever style bulb you want.
 
never really messed with relays or re wiring.
 
just my 2 cents.
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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2012, 08:30:00 PM »
Anything more than stock style headlights could cause wiring issues. Old wire doesn't like a lot of amperage run thru it. You could install some of the aftermarket HID lights with a seperate harness. I have always used halogen lights without any issues at all.
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Offline dga57

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2012, 10:26:40 PM »
I upgraded to halogen lights on my two '79 Lincolns without a problem.  I think it would be an entirely different issue if you wanted to go HID.  Halogens should be a direct swap.
Dwayne :)
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Offline D.R.Ball

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2012, 10:51:18 PM »
Update the wiring harness to allow the use of the higher wattage and amperage systems...I know that the Datsun 240Z guys change the harness, our fuse boxes are of a similar type and might not hold up....
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Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2013, 10:12:20 AM »
I normally won't resurrect an 'antique' thread, but want to chime in with my personal experience, as I've seen, in my opinion, a lot of misinformation regarding HID's in older cars. *Warning: Depending on your locale, you may/may not have issues with the authorities if you retrofit HID's into older vehicles. If you do it right and get housings that are designed for them and keep the bulb-color in the 'white' spectrum (6000K or so), you shouldn't have any issues. (I went with 8000K, slightly blue to match the car, and have had no issues at all in over a year).

I don't have any hard/fast scientific data, but my real-world experience has been as follows (this with a tested and verified perfectly operating electrical system): At idle, with stock halogen-type bulbs, when I turned my headlights on, my idle slowed noticeably, and the light output was dim (and bordering on orange in color) until engine speed was increased. After my HID's were installed (using a housing kit intended for HID's and a 35 watt Hi/Lo kit), idle speed doesn't change at all, even during the 10-30 sec 'warm up' period, and the light output is steady across the board.

HID's function in the same manner as a household fluorescent, in that a low-amperage current is fed to the ballast, which then amplifies it and feeds the higher current to the bulbs. Their draw is less than a halogen, and in theory, safer than a stock replacement to your wiring (the harness plugs into one of the stock headlight plugs). And the whiteness of the light output is awesome compared to the yellow that a halogen produces.

My absolute favorite upgrade to date, after the hardened exhaust valve seats. lol :) Ymmv...but I highly doubt it. :)
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2013, 04:56:01 PM »
I run these in my semi & all my cars. They are bright enough for me, at least 2 to 3 times brighter than normal halogens.
 
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_silverstar-halogen-sealed-beam-sylvania_5080066-p?navigationPath=L1*14920%7CL2*15004%7CL3*15644
 
Since the wiring in my Pintos was never designed to deal with the amperage required to run these bulbs I bought several of these harnesses, 1 for each car. It takes voltage direct from the battery to power the relays & your headlight switch now only carries a few amps of current to trip the relays.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CERAMIC-H4-HEADLIGHT-RELAY-WIRING-HARNESS-2-HEADLAMP-LIGHT-BULB-SOCKET-PLUGS-7X6-/330813136469?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d05ffde55&vxp=mtr
 
I highly recommend this upgrade for anyone with 30+ year old wiring. Even if you don't run SilverStars it will save your headlight switch, wiring & bulb sockets from damage.
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Offline PintoMan1

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2013, 07:16:26 PM »
will that wiring harness work on the early round headlights?
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2013, 08:14:58 PM »
Quote from: pintoman1 on May 01, 2013, 07:16:26 PM
will that wiring harness work on the early round headlights?

Yeah, that one works with any 2 headlight system. He also has them for 4 light systems if you need them. I was planning to make this style harness when I stumbled on his Ebay listing last year. The relays & plugs were gonna run me what he sells these for. I bought 3 of 'em & the quality is amazing for the price.
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'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline PintoMan1

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2013, 07:20:16 PM »
sounds good pinto5.0    thanks!  good price too!
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Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Better headlights
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2013, 11:31:48 PM »
Quote from: pintoman1 on May 02, 2013, 07:20:16 PM
sounds good pinto5.0    thanks!  good price too!

Glad I could help. Yeah, you can't make 'em for what he sells those for.
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'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
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'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze
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