headlights

layoutshooter · May 22, 2006

Ok oh great trucking gurus!!!! Does anyone make upgrade headlight assemblies for older Frieghtliners? I have a 2 light, 7" round system. I was thinking of replacing them if there was a upgrade kit. Is there such an animal? If so, who makes them and how many millions of dollars are they? Layoutshooter

dieselphreak2K · May 22, 2006

You could get an HID upgrade kit, that's several hundred right there. And you'd still need to find adapeters that went from a 7 inch sealed beam, to a composite bulb-type. Or, APC makes a universal kit, that puts your headlights on a direct battery connection, using the old wiring to activate the relays that deliver the full battery power. You'd have to add some length to some of the wiring, but it's pretty basic, and I did it on a friends '77 Pete, and my old Altima, and it made a diffrence. JC Whitney also sells higher watt rated lights, and I believe they have the 7" round, although i'm not sure. The upgraded power would easily drive the higher watt lamps.

layoutshooter · May 22, 2006

cool, thanks

LDB · May 22, 2006

Your least expensive option would be a set of Cibie or Hella replacement units that use replaceable H4 bulbs. I put a set in a car I had and used the 80/100 watt bulbs. On high beam if I got within 12 inches of the vehicle in front of me I could melt the chrome off the bumper. Well, maybe not, but they are exponentially brighter than stock. Just be sure to aim them properly (low) so they don't blind oncoming traffic.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
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dieselphreak2K · May 22, 2006

The bulbs he speakes of are basically what i was mentioning that JC sold. Use the bulbs, but the $20 harness kit is great for high power bulbs using ancient corroded wiring systems.

Jack_Berry · May 22, 2006

i have used the cieibe lights and fused the new harnes into the old just in case.... never had a meltdown but did have low beam failure. you can then use the silverstar bulbs as replacements.

Jack Berry

LDB · May 24, 2006

I should have mentioned you can get the same units with the standard 55/60 watt bulbs so you don't draw more power and don't need relays or added wiring. They are still the halogen bulbs and are definitely better light than a stock lamp but easier on the power drain.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

SHADY · May 24, 2006

The ultimate answer to bright 7" headlamps is here www.brightheadlights-hid.com. Xe 7 is the model number. They use true high intensity discharge lamps as on newer Lexis foe example. I have personaly installed them, and am only sorry I don't have a vehicle to use them in now. Yes they are very expensive, and they are NOT a simple install, but you will think you have found headlight heaven. One is better than any two halogen. further they are street legal, and no oncomming driver ever complained.

LDB · May 24, 2006

That is the current state of the art alright. The difference is you can buy a pair of the Cibie/Hella replacements for probably $100 a pair instead of $1000-1400 a pair. They will give at least 1/2 the improvement for no more than 1/10 the cost.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

greg334 · May 24, 2006

> further they are street legal,
OK?

The pair I have in my hands right now are not DOT approved as are most of the after market HID lighting kits avalible. I got a 6054 kit to install on a freinds truck in the morning and they have no E, H or HG code on them - as matter of fact they have no DOT or SAE markings on the and they are made in China. Most of the websites are using the same filler material (and all have tiny * somewhere) and say Philips or Sylvania make the kit but I haven't found any kits in their catalogs. I know that Philips and Sylvania make the bulbs and the Ballast.

If I was going to install a set on my van, I would still use them but I really don't care for the quality of the lens, it seems that they skimped on the glass quality.

Oh I found a few halogen headlight kits that are made in England of all places primaraly for round headlights but I can't find the URL to post the store who offers them. These do have the proper SAE markings on them and are approved. I installed a set of 7 inch lights on a LR CT 110 Defender last year and used Philips HID parts to make it look nice. no high beam though but man it really lights up the road.

SHADY · May 25, 2006

The HID replacements I recomended are Dot legal. And do not cost But 600+ list. I have a new pair I will sell .for $513 still in the shipping boxes, unopened. they cost two to three tines this as an option on a new car.