Best headlights to use, NOT LED

[Itali83]

Hey guys, what is your favorite headlight to use that’s an upgrade from the factory sealed beams. I’m going to do the relay set up on my 4 eye 87 suburban. I have already beefed up my alternator and all wiring so load shouldn’t be an issue. I do NOT want led’s because I don’t like the look of them on an old vehicle. I’m ok with replaceable bulbs in a new glass housing though. What have you used and liked the best.
I have searched and found some information but thought this would be helpful to have it all in one post.

thanks!

ben

 

[Craig 85]

I used Hella on my truck. I have an aftermarket relay set up. The Hella fog lights really help fill in the side of the road and close to the truck when using low beams only.

Low/high beam #003177801
High Beam #003177821

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Turbo4whl]

Hella lights and fogs on this truck too. Relays are a must.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[78C10BigTen]

I always used silverstar ultras

 

[Crispy]

Another vote for Hella sealed beam conversions.

The relay harness is a big plus.

Also keep in mind that incandescent bulbs will fade over time so a relay kit and new sealed beams will yield brighter results.

Stay away from ebay sealed beam kits, the beam patterns are gar-bage. Autopal is as cheap as I would go. They arent bad if you dont run drop in HID or LED bulbs in them.

 

[Itali83]

My sealed beams are for sure old and I can literally see the faded back reflection side of the bulb so I know just new lights and relays would probably be a big change. I just figure that this is my family rig, I’m going to be changing them anyway, might as well go all out. I also drive to work at 2am on a couple roads with no street lights on it so I’d like to see animals before it’s too late. I’ve also got a set of fog lights that are cheap ones but take H3 bulbs and to help a lot with vision too.
Thank you and keep the suggestions coming.


Ben

 

[Crispy]

If you havent already, do the High 4 mod. Allows high beams on with low beams for those real dark back roads.

I did this on my 2000 OBS Tahoe. I mounted the relay for this near the firewall since you can tap all necessary wires near the bulkhead connector. Its independent of the headlight relay mod.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/exterior/quad_highbeams.htm

 

[Itali83]

If you havent already, do the High 4 mod. Allows high beams on with low beams for those real dark back roads.

I did this on my 2000 OBS Tahoe. I mounted the relay for this near the firewall since you can tap all necessary wires near the bulkhead connector. Its independent of the headlight relay mod.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/exterior/quad_highbeams.htm

you do know that all 4 lights are on with high beam right? The 88-98 trucks only had high beam lights on (inner lights) with high beam selected. The 81-87 four eye trucks have dual element bulbs in the top light and just high beam bulbs in the bottom. So with high beam selected, all 4 lights are on. I could tire it so the low beam filiment is on in the top bulb while high beam is selected but that seems a bit overkill. I’m not sure on the 89-91 square bodies if the outside headlight is a dual element bulb or not though.

Ben

 

[Doppleganger]

I've got Hellas but they discontinued the low beams. Only seller I could find (and I bet I contacted 10+) that had it is in Oregon and sells on Amazon. That was it. If you see them on any site, contact them first and ask if they have them IN STOCK. If not, you'll waste weeks while they look for them.

Plan B is there are other brands that pop up on ebay that are serviceable. Cibies were by far the best ever made - and once in awhile you can buy their OEM offspring under the Valeo label.

If you do bag the Hellas, do yourself a favor and get some Xpel sheeting for them...saves them from sandblasting or the errant rock.

 

[Crispy]

you do know that all 4 lights are on with high beam right? The 88-98 trucks only had high beam lights on (inner lights) with high beam selected. The 81-87 four eye trucks have dual element bulbs in the top light and just high beam bulbs in the bottom. So with high beam selected, all 4 lights are on. I could tire it so the low beam filiment is on in the top bulb while high beam is selected but that seems a bit overkill. I’m not sure on the 89-91 square bodies if the outside headlight is a dual element bulb or not though.

Ben

I didnt know that. I havent done it on my 91 yet but inside is high beam and outside is low beam.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I like the set I got from lmc! Updates to a 9007 bulb I think and a clear glass lens and I believe an aluminum back housing, they work just as good as modern headlights. And have a decent cutoff line not quite as defined as an led set but pretty good

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[77 K20]

Hella H4 euro beam pattern. Then you have lots of choices of bulbs and wattage for them.

This was the right headlight only:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Itali83]

Ok thanks guys. Next question. I’ve found some hella’s in stock. Now, are you guys using the stock hella h4 bulbs or some aftermarket bulbs. What gauge wire are you guys running with the relay set up?

Thanks

Ben

 

[Craig 85]

For now I'm running the H4's, I may switch if they go out. I bought a harness similar to the one below. The gauge I would say is 14 or 16 gauge for the lights and the main power leads could be a 12. I don't recall if my harness was already set up for H4 bulbs or the standard style. I know I didn't use the adapter included with the Hella's and I had to change the wire location in the plug for the hi/low beam to match the H4 bulb.

Lastly, my beam pattern is similar to 77 K20's in post #12. I bought the euro style lights (ESE), not DOT. I really don't notice anything different in the beam pattern.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Headligh...771704&hash=item1a8c23cca9:g:reIAAOSwHnpd-YEv

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Rusty Nail]

Sylvania Silverstar in my vehicles.