headlight upgrade

[rsh4364]

Hella 003427291 or sylvania silver stars, I have the hellas on my 79 Malibu and love them,Sylvanias last approx. 150 hrs. and you replace whole unit, hellas you replace bulb, hellas 90 bucks..syls. 45 bucks...advice or experiance...?

 

[jdknech]

i used the silver stars in my M1009, they were nice! lust my

 

[prairie]

The single best headlight upgrade is a headlight relay wiring harness, such as this one from LMC Truck Parts
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=70.

It will increase the voltage to the bulb for brighter lights, and greatly reduce the load on the old, weak and inadequate wiring. This should be done first before any other upgrade, CUCV's are notorious for fried wiring and melted fuse blocks due to the poor headlight wiring.

See the CUCV Headlight Circuit Sticky http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?87544-CUCV-Headlight-Circuit

I've done the Sylvania Silver Stars on three vehicles, two with original wiring, and one with the headlight relay modification.
While it is a huge upgrade over OEM headlights, lamp life leaves something to be desired, especially with the relay modification. I am sure better options are available.

The following web site gives some info on Sylvania's automotive lighting
http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/default.aspx#

I am personally looking at the following headlights, http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744 , with the 75/70 Osram Hyper Bulbs.

99% of my night time driving is done on gravel and dirt roads with, at best, occasional oncoming traffic.
We live in a rural area, and the local law enforcement doesn't know or care about DOT approved lighting, as long as it appears reasonable.

Does anybody have experience with these lamps or bulbs?

Poor lighting is one of my pet peeves, whether in the house, office, shop, or on the road!

 

[Keith_J]

Oh great, another upgrade I didn't know the M1031 needed. Headlights are nice and bright still, will do the relay mod for peace of mind.

 

[68impalass]

I use Hella E-code lenses and 50watt 4300k h4 HID bulbs and ballasts. These things are amazing and very easy to install.

 

[prairie]

What exactly are the bulbs you are using?
Brand, part #, spec's, etc.

 

[68impalass]

they are sold as a kit on the biggest auction site. The kit comes with everything you need and you can choose the color temperature of the bulbs. just google "HID kit"

 

[rsh4364]

Thanks ,gonna order headlight relay kit first, already fried 1 harness due to starter runaway,not going to take any chances! then decide on lights..

 

[85CUCVtom]

Thanks ,gonna order headlight relay kit first, already fried 1 harness due to starter runaway,not going to take any chances! then decide on lights..

I'm doing the same. My headlight fuse is hanging on by a thread in the fuse box. I'm replacing the harness under the dash before I start upgrading headlights.

I have had Silverstars before. They are nice lights.

 

[rsh4364]

Thanks 85cucvtom,concerned about 150hr. life tho, I drive my 1009 roughly 400 miles a week ,or 7-8 hrs.

 

[forest522]

Great. I upgraded to the LMC lights and the HD wiring harness. Sounds like they may not last as long I hoped. Peachy...

 

[rsh4364]

LMC harness ordered,and ordered Hella headlights,can replace bulbs instead of whole assembly!

 

[CUCVSRK]

I am looking for new headlights too and I think I'm going with the silver stars the seem to be pretty good over all

 

[rsh4364]

drove the 1009 to work this morning,after new harness and hellas,all i can say is awesome..

 

[epitts]

drove the 1009 to work this morning,after new harness and hellas,all i can say is awesome..

Thanks just ordered the harness from LMC and Hella 80/100 from Rally, yet another gota have.

 

[rsh4364]

I just have the 55/60 bulbs and they work great, cant wait to hear how you like the higher wattage ones !

 

[rsh4364]

after you add the hellas it kinda modernizes the frnt end ,makes the turn signal/park light,sidemarker lights look ugly,I just ordered LMC 37-7409,37-4593 and new tailight lenses also...

 

[SouthernSteel]

Not to high jack a thread but im curious my lights just go out on my m1008 every once in while will the harness from LMC solve that or do i need to go a diffrent route

 

[Anubis8472]

Not to high jack a thread but im curious my lights just go out on my m1008 every once in while will the harness from LMC solve that or do i need to go a diffrent route

Is it just one headlight?
Both at the same time?

It's common to see the connector at the headlight get pretty corroded and start to loose contact periodically.
(Only one headlight comes on, you go 'thump' the other and it pops on)

It's hard to say though. The LMC sets up a relay to run fresh power lines to the headlights, but it still utilizes all the old wiring as the controlling circuit.
It's worth trying, simply because it's worth doing anyway. The stock wiring will only be responsible for turning the lights on/off, no longer being required to power the lights.
Yet if you have a problem somewhere causing an open in your current circuit it will still effect the upgraded circuit.

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Replace your 30 amp fuse.