Where is post/thread on using Jeep headlamps for upgrading our trucks?

[luvbowties]

I searched, but did not find. Awhile back I recall a post about using upgraded headlamps from Jeeps (found in salvage yard, for cheap) in our old, two(not four)-headlight systems. Does anyone recall where that project is or who it was who posted it? Thanks, if u can help.
Sam

[Mater/10]

i remember it as well! but cant recall where

[Clyde65]

is this what your looking for?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457790

squares
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318973

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

is this what your looking for?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457790

squares
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318973

Thanks, Clyde65 for the link. I did a relay-upgrade awhile back on my '66 but wanted to find something the 'girls' could give pop for a present. Heard they wanna use a gift-certificate--read "check"--but needed to know how much (within range: too bad!) to have Mom tell 'em.

And thanks to you, Tincan1966, for the heads-up on the surgery required behind the grill-and-buckets to install these deeper lights into. I recall the shallow depth behind the originals from when I did the relay project. At least that's what I think you are referring to: making cutouts thru front of the fenders.

Sam

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Thanks, Clyde65 for the link. I did a relay-upgrade awhile back on my '66 but wanted to find something the 'girls' could give pop for a present. Heard they wanna use a gift-certificate--read "check"--but needed to know how much (within range: too bad!) to have Mom tell 'em.

And thanks to you, Tincan1966, for the heads-up on the surgery required behind the grill-and-buckets to install these deeper lights into. I recall the shallow depth behind the originals from when I did the relay project. At least that's what I think you are referring to: making cutouts thru front of the fenders.

Sam

No there is no cutting of the fenders, radiator support or any of that, just the headlight bucket itself, and I have only run into this with the aftermarket light (Chinese and Taiwan) sold on E BAy. They have a larger rubber dust/moisture boot that covers the connector. That is the hole I was referring to-the original one where the wire plugs into the headlamp.

theastronaut: I agree, using better quality parts is probably a slam dunk, but the thread refers to the cheap ones on E Bay.
Would you share your Cibie part number?

[tincan1966]

I word of advise here. The Ebay cheap headlight conversions DO work well(as long as you add relays to relieve the load on the dimmer switch)
BUT many of them will require you to modify your OEM bucket to accept the bulb.
This will include enlarging the hole in the back of the bucket to approx. 3"
Also, you will most likely need to make new cutouts to accept the locating tabs on the bulb housing, as for some reason, most of the foreign parts are backwards from the USA lamps.

Other than that, and these modifications are not complicated, it's a fairly easy swap.


If you are merely wanting better light from your OEM lamps, adding relays will increase the voltage to the bulbs and relieve load on the switches, making for better lighting.

[theastronaut]

If you use Cibie, Hella, or Bosch H4's you won't have to cut anything. Will have just as good of a beam pattern as Jeep headlights, or maybe even better. My Cibie's are better than our 2006 Trailblazer SS.

[theastronaut]

I have Cibie Z Beam's from the 70's/80's but those are discontinued; the currently available 7" rounds will fit the same. But yeah, they're not cheap. I bought my pair from a guy who got a spare NOS set when he bought a CJ7 project.

Just did a search and saw The Bus Depot has Hella H4's on sale for $60 bucks a pair. That's the best price I've ever seen on a pair of Hella's, I'll probably pick up a pair for my '66! Dad has a pair of Hella H4's in his '97 S10 (along with a relay harness and 80/100w bulbs) and they're amazing at night. The larger 7" reflector would be even better. At $60 a pair, that's cheaper than a single Cibie 7".

http://www.busdepot.com/0301600118