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Old 09-14-2007, 07:22 PM   #1
1983shorty
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better headlights ?

i posted a question about aftermarket headlights quite awhile ago. cant seem to find it with search. somebody said they had better headlights you can get at napa i think. bluestars or silverstars or something ! cant remember now. going hunting next month and i want to get my lighting up to par. anyone ? for an 83 gmc 1\2 ton.
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Old 09-14-2007, 07:41 PM   #2
Ivan D.
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Re: better headlights ?

Sylvania Silverstar Ultra - bright as hell, you will see everything. Unfortunately my experience with them has been that their life is very short, like 9 months short, and having 4 of those suckers on my car it's like $100 at least once an year. I'm now using Sylvania XtraVisions, they ain't as white and bright as the Silverstars, but they don't burn out as often either. There's another great headlight, GE NightHawk, or at least that's what I've heard about them, never used them myself but I am planning on purchasing a pair for my truck upon one of my next paychecks.
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Old 09-14-2007, 08:16 PM   #3
1983shorty
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Re: better headlights ?

are all these headlights available at most autoparts stores ?
and how much better are they . i think i have halogen replacements in there now.
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Old 09-14-2007, 08:19 PM   #4
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Re: better headlights ?

I purchased my Silverstars at O' Reallys.
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Old 09-14-2007, 08:24 PM   #5
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Re: better headlights ?

I've read that running headlight relays that feed the headlights with a power cable right from the battery will give you more light even with sealed beams. Never tried it but people seem to be seeing good results.
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Old 09-14-2007, 08:57 PM   #6
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Re: better headlights ?

I upgraded to the euro light, that has a clear lense, and take H3 bulbs....

I purchased silver stars for it, and i have had them for about 9 months now, no problems...the H3 bulbs will set you back about $30 for the pair

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Old 09-14-2007, 10:03 PM   #7
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Re: better headlights ?

Duro, my bad experience with the Silverstars have been with their sealed beams, yers being separate bulbs may be cooling off better or something. And yes, relayed harnesses are a great deal of help, plus they reduce the chance of electrical fire cause of the headlight switch too.
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Old 09-14-2007, 10:32 PM   #8
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Re: better headlights ?

how much of the silverstars per headlight? I need to put head lights on bad.
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Old 09-14-2007, 10:59 PM   #9
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Re: better headlights ?

For my Lincoln I was paying about $25 per headlight, I use 4x6" sealed beams. Looking at yer avatar picture, that's what you'll be needing too, me thinks.
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Old 09-15-2007, 02:20 AM   #10
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Re: better headlights ?

I've got clear lense headlights with the H4 halogen replacement bulbs in them
The bulbs are high out put 90watt low beam/130 watt high beam.
As a precaution to eliminate letting the smoke out of my wiring harness I wired up 2 relays one for the low beam and one for the high beam. After installing the lamps though,I had to re-aim the lights so they wouldn't blind people when I pulled up behind them at a stoplight with the low beams on.
Oh yea, the lenses were $65.00 for the pair and the bulbs were only $12.50 each. white light not blue and I've had them in it for almost 3 yrs without any burn outs.
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Old 09-15-2007, 06:29 AM   #11
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Re: better headlights ?

What gauge wire did ya use for that install?
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Old 09-15-2007, 11:53 AM   #12
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Re: better headlights ?

I have been running silverstars for more than 3 years now, mine are the sealed beam type in my 80 model, have never had any problems with them what so ever and are much brighter than the originals. I paid like $25 a piece for mine, but well worth it. I bought them at O'Reilly's.
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Old 09-15-2007, 02:11 PM   #13
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Re: better headlights ?

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What gauge wire did ya use for that install?
the main lead (fused) from the battery is 12 gauge wire as well as the ground leads. the rest is 14 gauge.
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Old 09-16-2007, 08:48 AM   #14
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Re: better headlights ?

i bought the silverstars yest. $25 each at murrays. i need to fix my headlight aimers before i put them in though. the plastic clips for up and down aiming are broken. think i will just weld a nut to a washer and then weld that in place. should be an easy fix.
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Old 09-16-2007, 10:27 AM   #15
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Re: better headlights ?

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i bought the silverstars yest. $25 each at murrays. i need to fix my headlight aimers before i put them in though. the plastic clips for up and down aiming are broken. think i will just weld a nut to a washer and then weld that in place. should be an easy fix.
Whether or not you use the plastic clip or eld in a nut, put some "Anti-Sieze" on the threads, that keeps them from freezing up over the years. My plastic nuts have been in mine for quite some time and the stuff still works well.
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Old 09-16-2007, 02:31 PM   #16
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Re: better headlights ?

Which aftermarket headlights have u guys had success with? which one gives out the most light? i am wanting to order the euros from lmc just wanting 2 know if it is the best or if anything else is better?
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Old 09-17-2007, 09:59 AM   #17
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Re: better headlights ?

The H3's I have in my truck are standard silver stars, and require the same wattage as stock...I believe it's 55w low beam, and 65 watts high beam. So I am not worried about burning out wires

Or is it 65w - L, and 85w - H....god I forget, been using them for a year no issues

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Old 09-17-2007, 10:02 AM   #18
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Re: better headlights ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 84_chevrolet View Post
Which aftermarket headlights have u guys had success with? which one gives out the most light? i am wanting to order the euros from lmc just wanting 2 know if it is the best or if anything else is better?
If your ordering Euro's, and it's being driven on the street, stick with regular silverstars, there the same wattage as stock, but alot brighter. I don't even use highbeams anymore. This way cops won't harrass you about your headlights

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Old 09-18-2007, 11:12 PM   #19
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Re: better headlights ?

So the euro are the way 2 go? even with the bulbs that come with the lights?
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Old 09-20-2007, 01:42 PM   #20
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Re: better headlights ?

The standard wattage halogen bulbs are 55w low beam 65 watt high beam.
I have bad night vision due to my very bad nearsightedness. That's why I've gone to the higher wattage bulbs in mine. Now if you want to spread the light out wider as well as farther down the road than stock, I found that the HELLA brand lenses with the diffuser in front of the internal bulb work really great. Unfortunatly for me they are no longer available locally up here. My last set I had got busted up on the hiway from rocks falling off the cliffs.
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Old 09-20-2007, 05:55 PM   #21
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Re: better headlights ?

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So the euro are the way 2 go? even with the bulbs that come with the lights?
I used the lights that cam with them, and they lasted for about 6 months. Aslong as you stay with the stock wattage, you don't have to mess with your stock wiring, but if you up the wattage, then put in relays and stuff or you'll burn up your headlite switch, and possible wiring

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Old 09-21-2007, 02:32 PM   #22
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Re: better headlights ?

I ordered the euro headlights from lmc today. I have already upgraded to their heavy duty headlight harness. so when they burn out i will put silverstars in them
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