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Old 04-24-2018, 07:35 AM   #1
dbaillargeon
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Headlight upgrade

Hello all,

I have found this site a wealth of knowledge over the past few years. I wanted to thank everyone for that.

My predicament now is headlights. I have two with bulbs that need to be replaced so I decided now is a good time to upgrade. I would like to upgrade my original 1969 GMC C30 headlights to LED. They are the 4 5.75 bulbs. I have no idea where to start or the best bulbs for the job.

Any and all information would be welcome!
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Old 04-24-2018, 07:44 AM   #2
1968 baby blue C10
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Re: Headlight upgrade

So do you currently have the factory seal beams or have they already been converted to halogen?
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:24 AM   #3
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Re: Headlight upgrade

The Nokya sealed beam conversion kit and LASFIT 9005 HB3 9006 HB4 bulbs seems the way to go. The lights are $90 a pair on Amazon and the bulbs are $63 for all 4.
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Old 04-24-2018, 09:53 AM   #4
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Re: Headlight upgrade

All sealed beam..still original.
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Old 04-24-2018, 09:59 AM   #5
1968 baby blue C10
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Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbaillargeon View Post
All sealed beam..still original.
Okay, so are you wanting a halogen conversion with LED headlight bulbs, or the fancy projectors or whatever with the LED halos? Just trying to clarify.
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68 C10 long-fleet, Long and low is the way to go. factory: 307 sbc, SM465 4-speed, 12 bolt 4.11 rear end. 75,000 original miles.
Build:Ole Blue
Millennial and can drive stick.
"Too many people have opinions on things they know nothing about. And the more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have." -Thomas Hildern
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:01 AM   #6
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Re: Headlight upgrade

100% correct
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:05 AM   #7
1968 baby blue C10
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Re: Headlight upgrade

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100% correct
Wait I think you misread my question. So, a factory looking housing with a LED bulb? OR something like this?:
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68 C10 long-fleet, Long and low is the way to go. factory: 307 sbc, SM465 4-speed, 12 bolt 4.11 rear end. 75,000 original miles.
Build:Ole Blue
Millennial and can drive stick.
"Too many people have opinions on things they know nothing about. And the more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have." -Thomas Hildern
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:30 AM   #8
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Re: Headlight upgrade

I don't have a preference yet...looking for ideas. Would like plug and play but wouldn't be opposed upgrade of the whip as well
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Old 04-24-2018, 10:35 AM   #9
1968 baby blue C10
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Re: Headlight upgrade

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I don't have a preference yet...looking for ideas. Would like plug and play but wouldn't be opposed upgrade of the whip as well
Oh okay. LMC has a pretty good selection of traditional lights and traditional looking with halos. These are pretty cool but pricey:
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68 C10 long-fleet, Long and low is the way to go. factory: 307 sbc, SM465 4-speed, 12 bolt 4.11 rear end. 75,000 original miles.
Build:Ole Blue
Millennial and can drive stick.
"Too many people have opinions on things they know nothing about. And the more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have." -Thomas Hildern
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Old 04-24-2018, 02:30 PM   #10
Andy4639
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Thumbs up Re: Headlight upgrade

Before you do the lights do the relay upgrade this will insure you get the most out of your lights to begin with. A lot of people stop at this mod after seeing how bright they are.
I have been looking at a set for my 64 SS Impala as well but haven't found what I want yet.
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Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-24-2018, 02:35 PM   #11
1968 baby blue C10
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Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy4639 View Post
Before you do the lights do the relay upgrade this will insure you get the most out of your lights to begin with. A lot of people stop at this mod after seeing how bright they are.
I have been looking at a set for my 64 SS Impala as well but haven't found what I want yet.
Not trying to hijack the thread but what is this upgrade? Is it a plug and play deal?
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68 C10 long-fleet, Long and low is the way to go. factory: 307 sbc, SM465 4-speed, 12 bolt 4.11 rear end. 75,000 original miles.
Build:Ole Blue
Millennial and can drive stick.
"Too many people have opinions on things they know nothing about. And the more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have." -Thomas Hildern
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Old 04-24-2018, 04:39 PM   #12
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Thumbs up Re: Headlight upgrade

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Originally Posted by 1968 baby blue C10 View Post
Not trying to hijack the thread but what is this upgrade? Is it a plug and play deal?
It depends on if you buy a kit are make your own. I made my own and wired them in. The relay takes the load off the truck wiring system. It improves the out put of your lights.
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Seeing the USA in a 71


Upstate SC GM Truck Club
2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour


http://upstategmtrucks.com/



Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-24-2018, 04:57 PM   #13
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Re: Headlight upgrade

Please don't buy the "new" ultra bright ones ! Don 't know what kind they are but they are blinding for the oncoming traffic. I drive a tractor trailer rig at night and my colleagues and I all agree they should be illegal ! The shade of white is just very uncomfortable to the eye. I wouldn't want to be on a country road with those lights coming at me ! They absolutely blind you !
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:09 PM   #14
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Re: Headlight upgrade

As I have never had a gmc. Do both bulbs act as hi/low or dose it just switch from inner to outer or vice versa?
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:33 PM   #15
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Re: Headlight upgrade

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As I have never had a gmc. Do both bulbs act as hi/low or dose it just switch from inner to outer or vice versa?
The outer lamps are both high and low beam. The inner lamps are high beam only.

So on high beams, all four lamps are lit.
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Old 04-24-2018, 11:26 PM   #16
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Re: Headlight upgrade

A slight diversion in the topic, but maybe it will help the OP. Does anyone have a before/after pic of the difference in headlight brightness with a relay kit? I suspect that a relay kit would also serve to brighten the tail and marker lights, since their voltage supply would be higher if the headlights were fed through a circuit directly from the battery, instead of all the power going through the headlight switch. I could just drop the $30 for the relay kit, but I would rather spend $30 worth of time on diagnosis, because I was so poor as a kid that the only thing I could pay was attention.
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Old 04-25-2018, 02:40 AM   #17
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Re: Headlight upgrade

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761605
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Old 04-25-2018, 12:01 PM   #18
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Re: Headlight upgrade

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Thanks, but I'm curious about just the relay and stock bulbs difference first. I like what you did there!
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Old 04-25-2018, 12:13 PM   #19
red71cheyenne
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Re: Headlight upgrade

I bought a set of the LMC bulbs like up above. I also bought their relay wiring harness in hopes of making them brighter. The wiring harness didn't last 2 months. Relays immediately gave up.

I already had some HID lamps installed, not the old style bulbs. Once I get the other issues worked out on the pickup I intend to install the new LMC bulbs and try to get the harness working again.
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:35 PM   #20
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Thumbs up Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by red71cheyenne View Post
I bought a set of the LMC bulbs like up above. I also bought their relay wiring harness in hopes of making them brighter. The wiring harness didn't last 2 months. Relays immediately gave up.

I already had some HID lamps installed, not the old style bulbs. Once I get the other issues worked out on the pickup I intend to install the new LMC bulbs and try to get the harness working again.

This is why I made my own harness and it works great. I've done my 71,67, 64 Impala and my 56 Bel Air + a few friends vehicles.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver
Seeing the USA in a 71


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2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour


http://upstategmtrucks.com/



Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:43 PM   #21
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Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy4639 View Post
This is why I made my own harness and it works great. I've done my 71,67, 64 Impala and my 56 Bel Air + a few friends vehicles.
What did you do differently in making your own harness? i.e. beefier relays?

Thanks,
Jeff
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Old 04-25-2018, 02:22 PM   #22
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Re: Headlight upgrade

There is a huge difference in cheap relays vs Bosch-Tyco relays. The longevity of the Bosch is amazing. I ordered some cheap relays for my cooling fan and air ride management, but the relays failed within a month. I paid extra for the Bosch brand and a year later, still going good. The relays in my Ford Expedition are all Bosch and I have never replaced one...bought new in 2000 and has 180,000 miles. That says something.
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Old 04-25-2018, 03:00 PM   #23
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Talking Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by red71cheyenne View Post
What did you do differently in making your own harness? i.e. beefier relays?

Thanks,
Jeff
When I did mine LMC was having terrible reviews on theirs. The wires where backwards. Also as stated I used Bosch relays. Mine have been in the truck for several years now and no problems.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver
Seeing the USA in a 71


Upstate SC GM Truck Club
2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour


http://upstategmtrucks.com/



Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun!
It sucks not being able to hear!

LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB!
After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.
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Old 04-25-2018, 09:44 PM   #24
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Re: Headlight upgrade

I just bought a pair of 7 in halogens from rockauto for 8.00 each
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Old 04-26-2018, 11:15 AM   #25
red71cheyenne
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Re: Headlight upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy4639 View Post
When I did mine LMC was having terrible reviews on theirs. The wires where backwards. Also as stated I used Bosch relays. Mine have been in the truck for several years now and no problems.
Thanks, when I reinstall, I'll upgrade to Bosch relays and check the wiring. That could have been the problem all along, I just don't drive it enough.
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