Projector Headlights

[Da67goatman]

I am planning on replacing my factory headlights with more modern projector style lenses with replaceable bulbs.  I plan on running at least 35 watt bulbs for sure and am trying to determine if I need to replace my wiring.  How much wattage can I run with my factory harness?  I have the 88-91 style horizontal quad headlights.  I already have the relay set up so that all four headlights come on when i turn on the high beams.  Thanks in advance.
 

[beastie_3]

Someone makes projector headlights for your truck?

[Da67goatman]

I plan on retro-ing standard 4x6 lights to work with my truck.

[three8six]

How'd that workout/look? Think it'd be easier with a phantom grill?

[Da67goatman]

I haven't gotten to it yet, have other things that are more important right now.  As soon as I make any progress, it will be posted.


These are the lights I think I'm going to use.

[Da67goatman]

So after more digging I have found what i am actually getting ready to order.  They are crystal clear lights with the chrome back with a blue running light in them.(That's what actually sold me)  It goes with my color scheme.  also found some stats that have me worried. 

Will a factory harness handle 55watt bulbs? 

The kit comes with the adapter to plug the h4 bulbs into factory connectors, talk about easy, except the lights are overall just a wee bit bigger than factory, i see retrofitting in my future.  Thanks in advance for the responses.

[beastie_3]

There are wiring harnesses that have relays to allow higher wattage lighting.

Dunno if the stock harness will handle 55w.

[Altec]

Yeah, I would just wire in a couple relays. That seems like the easiest way to insure you can handle the draw. Probably end up cleaner looking as well. 

I too am going to be figuring out a different head light setup on my truck when I'm done. But I have a '91 'Burb front clip on my truck.

[Captkaos]

here is a relay setup for these:
http://73-87.com/7387garage/exterior/headlight_relay.htm

[beastie_3]

Yeah, I would just wire in a couple relays. That seems like the easiest way to insure you can handle the draw. Probably end up cleaner looking as well.

The problem with the HD wiring kit is it ADDS to the stock wiring, so unless you go beyond what is required, you will have extra wiring in the engine compartment. I have it setup on my truck, and I have everything pretty much hidden except the wiring for the DS light. That is the only thing exposed. the PS wiring is hidden in front of the battery and the wiring TO the DS is under the radiator top plate. I dont think it would take much to clean up the DS wiring. I have pics on here when I installed my kit.

[beastie_3]

Mine

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=14640.0


Jay6776's

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11787.0

[Edahall]

I have a 1990 Suburban with the same style headlights as yours.  I upgraded to Hella headlights (not cheap) and put in 55 watt bulbs.  When I did the upgrade, I ended up relaying the whole thing to support the extra power requirement and so that I could run all 4 headlights during high beam.  It took me nearly a day to do all the wiring but what a difference in light output compared to the factory headlights.  It lights the road better than my Lincoln with HID's.

[Da67goatman]

So 55 watts is too much for factory harness.  Thanks, now i can get started workin on a replacement harness.  I don't like HID either, they take too long to come up to full brightness and they don't have high and low beams.

[Edahall]

Yeah, it's quite a bit brighter when you relay the whole thing and go to larger size wires.  The factory system was designed for what was standard many years ago.  It doesn't take much to stress the system.  Make sure that when you rewire the thing, you solder it and use good connectors because if not, it will bite you in the back sooner or later.

How are you going to install the 4x6 headlights?  Are you going to get rid of the dual headlights and go to singles?  On mine, I was able to find the small Hella headlights so I could keep the dual headlights on my 1990 Suburban.  They were not cheap but they sure made a difference.

[Da67goatman]

4x6 is only a bit bigger than the dual headlights on it now so i think I can modify what I have and some spare parts to work with them, but won't know until I get the lights and start tinkering.  Not in a real big hurry, even though my stock lights just burnt out, because it doesn't get driven.