Amber highbeams (60-66 GMC)

[Southcity]

Any 60-66 GMC owners running the amber highbeams as seen on the truck in the photo below? I am looking for brand, part #, web link etc. Any info would be appreciated - thanks.

[markeb01]

These are probably what you’re looking at. They are the same size and PAR46 bulb shape as the normal clear high beam bulbs.

http://www.bulbtown.com/4412A_12_8V_...AM_p/4412a.htm

Hi beam performance certainly won’t be dazzling however as these amber bulbs are essentially fog lights, not high beam bulbs. I believe the standard (non-halogen) light output for a high beam bulb is 35,000 candlepower. These foglights only emit 8,800 candlepower as they are designed to do something completely different.

I am unaware of anyone producing an amber colored bulb designed for high beam applications.

[theastronaut]

Just tint regular bulbs with Duplicolor Metalcast.

[Southcity]

markeb01 - thanks for the info

theastronaut - seen the duplicolor metalcast but have never used it. Is that a pic of your bike that you used the metalcast on the headlights?

[JWheeler331]

Is this something that would have been stock at some point? I have never seen the use of amber lights that I know of on highway use.

[Southcity]

No not stock - just a small customization I've seen on a few GMC trucks and was curious how the owner made their modification.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by Southcity

markeb01 - thanks for the info

theastronaut - seen the duplicolor metalcast but have never used it. Is that a pic of your bike that you used the metalcast on the headlights?

That a pic from a bike forum talking about Duplicolor Metalcast. I did it on a pair of fog lights but don't have any good pictures of it. Holds up well and has a great gloss if you polish it. Good stuff, would use it again.

[kieth]

I would think the conversion would go something like this. Change the outer headlights to a high lo bulb like the chevrolets have. So you would have outer headlights that function normally with hi and lo beams. Change out the inner bulbs and lenses to fog light. This way you have it all. JMO Kieth

[markeb01]

While this sounds like a viable solution in theory, low beam bulbs on a 4 headlight system don’t really work like standard 7” single headlight hi/lo bulbs. With a single 7" headlamp the larger power filament is the high beam output. The low power filament is for low beams.

With a 4 headlamp low beam bulb, the high power filament is for standard low beam light output. When the lamps are switched to high beams, the separate high beam bulb illuminates. Simultaneously the high power filament in the low beam bulb goes out. Power is switched to the low power filament providing a very weak output that keeps the lamp lighted for cosmetic reasons. There are conversion adapters available to keep both filaments in a low beam bulb illuminated when the high beams are on, but the low beam bulb will never emit more light than full low beam output. It is incapable of producing high beam output.

[kieth]

Change the exterior lamp units out to large dual element type 2 headlight systems (not the 4 light units.) I think a 67 chevy pickup has these 7" units which have hi and lo beam built in.....Kieth

[theastronaut]

This set is what's needed. One pair of 5 3/4" Hella H4 (high and low) lights, and one pair of 5 3/4" Hella H1 (high beam only) lights. Use the H1's in the inner spots and tint them yellow, and wire them to come on only on high beams. Wire the outer two just like any normal H4 headlight system. You'll have full wattage low beam this way, and double high beams. You can also add higher wattage bulbs like 80/100 H4's and 100 watt H1's for 400 watts of high beam lighting!! Just make sure you use relays and 12g wiring for the headlight harness.

http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html




The light output of upgraded H4's with 80/100W bulbs and a relay harness is incredible! This is my '64 with Cibie H4's and 80/100's on low beams.




And our S10 with Hella H4's on low beams. You can see the "cut off" low beam pattern that reduces glare for oncoming traffic.

[62 Longbed]

The Amber Bulbs listed on Bulb Town are pretty much the same as I'm running on my 62 ... I liked the four headlight / 60 grill look better ... Wagner , Sylvania , a lot of those company's sold the same bulb ... All that I have seen , you have to make up a pair of wires to go from the screw on at the back of the lights to the push -in plug on the headlamp harness .. Easy ... Lighting up the town when the Hi - Beams are activated ... don't put your hopes to high ... I love the look , and get lots of compliments ... Hope this helps a little ...

[RANDY COX]

Originally Posted by Southcity

No not stock - just a small customization I've seen on a few GMC trucks and was curious how the owner made their modification.

Southcity I PANIC everytime I see that truck in your avatar,especially when it's behind me LOL...

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

This set is what's needed. One pair of 5 3/4" Hella H4 (high and low) lights, and one pair of 5 3/4" Hella H1 (high beam only) lights. Use the H1's in the inner spots and tint them yellow, and wire them to come on only on high beams. Wire the outer two just like any normal H4 headlight system. You'll have full wattage low beam this way, and double high beams. You can also add higher wattage bulbs like 80/100 H4's and 100 watt H1's for 400 watts of high beam lighting!! Just make sure you use relays and 12g wiring for the headlight harness.

http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html




The light output of upgraded H4's with 80/100W bulbs and a relay harness is incredible! This is my '64 with Cibie H4's and 80/100's on low beams.




And our S10 with Hella H4's on low beams. You can see the "cut off" low beam pattern that reduces glare for oncoming traffic.

I'm waiting for my Hella H4 low beam conversions to show up hopefully by Friday. I just went with standard bulbs since the lowest power H4's will already be about 4 times brighter than my old non-halogen sealed beams.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I'm waiting for my Hella H4 low beam conversions to show up hopefully by Friday. I just went with standard bulbs since the lowest power H4's will already be about 4 times brighter than my old non-halogen sealed beams.

You'll love them, even with standard bulbs. We had regular wattage bulbs in the S10 when we first swapped in the Hella's and they were way better than the previous "upgrade" Silverstar sealed beams. The Silverstars were a joke...

[theastronaut]

These are the lights I shot with Duplicolor Metalcast. The finish held up great, and after polishing you couldn't tell they had been painted- looked like they were made that way.

[cortcomp]

I've used krylon stained glass paint on clear glass with similar results, 3 light coats 15 min apart.
Posted via Mobile Device

[markeb01]

Those painted amber bulbs are really impressive. Someday I'm going to have to try that on something.

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by 62 Longbed

The Amber Bulbs listed on Bulb Town are pretty much the same as I'm running on my 62 ... I liked the four headlight / 60 grill look better ... Wagner , Sylvania , a lot of those company's sold the same bulb ... All that I have seen , you have to make up a pair of wires to go from the screw on at the back of the lights to the push -in plug on the headlamp harness .. Easy ... Lighting up the town when the Hi - Beams are activated ... don't put your hopes to high ... I love the look , and get lots of compliments ... Hope this helps a little ...

62 Longbed - That sure is a nice looking pickup, great color too. Nice to get feedback on someone that is running this setup, thanks.


QUOTE=RANDY COX;6152179]Southcity I PANIC everytime I see that truck in your avatar,especially when it's behind me LOL...[/QUOTE]

Don't worry Randy - I'm on the west coast - no immediate plans to patrol the highways in VA looking to run anyone down........yet

Originally Posted by theastronaut

This set is what's needed. One pair of 5 3/4" Hella H4 (high and low) lights, and one pair of 5 3/4" Hella H1 (high beam only) lights. Use the H1's in the inner spots and tint them yellow, and wire them to come on only on high beams. Wire the outer two just like any normal H4 headlight system. You'll have full wattage low beam this way, and double high beams. You can also add higher wattage bulbs like 80/100 H4's and 100 watt H1's for 400 watts of high beam lighting!! Just make sure you use relays and 12g wiring for the headlight harness.

http://classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

Thank you "Theastronaut" - your knowledge and feedback are valued by us all on this board and I appreciate you chiming in on this thread. I'll be sure to post some pics of this customization once a decision has been made and the project completed. BTW - nice look on that bug!

Originally Posted by cortcomp

I've used krylon stained glass paint on clear glass with similar results, 3 light coats 15 min apart.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks cortcomp - another consideration

[Rogue 64]

H4's FTW!...I run them in everything.