#1  
Old 07-07-2020, 07:14 PM
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Default How are the LED Headlight kits?

I reviewed the old posts, but was hoping there may be additional choices out there, and more recent experiences.

I want to upgrade the headlights on my '69 Firebird, but I do not want to modify my new wiring harness. I don't necessarily need the brightest solution, but I do need a significant improvement over the conventional T-3 style headlights.

So, any suggestions for both the low beam and high beam headlights?

Thank you!

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All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
  #2  
Old 07-07-2020, 11:14 PM
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First thing I would do is install a Headlight Relay wire harness kit....

https://www.americanautowire.com/sho...ncer-relay-kit

This will get you a true 12v to the headlights..... and take the load off the factory headlight switch in the car....

From there..... you can then convert your bulbs to what you need...... Halogen , LED, etc - without fear of overloading the stock wiring....

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  #3  
Old 07-08-2020, 11:27 AM
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Troy,
Thank you for the response. While I agree in principal with your suggestion, I was hoping to not have to cut into the new wiring harness. Is this something that can be completely hidden?
Thank you,
Shelly

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All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
  #4  
Old 07-08-2020, 02:47 PM
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You won't necessarily have to cut, you should be able to just de-pin the low and high beam wire off of the plugs and use them as-is.

  #5  
Old 07-08-2020, 05:06 PM
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Are the T-3's in the car now sealed beams? If yes, how old are they?

T-3's dim with age, even if they're not used much.

Halogens are a step up from sealed beams. And draw nearly the same amount of amps as the sealed beams.. Got a brighter whiter light that stays with you longer. They do dim with age, just not as fast.

A real LED headlight probably uses less amps than sealed beam and halogen. Need to do some homework there to find out for sure. Relays would be overkill if they use less amps.

Just Thinking
Clay

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  #6  
Old 07-08-2020, 06:11 PM
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They are definitely older sealed beams...could be 15+ years! If I were to go the inexpensive route and just try new sealed beams first, which ones are the brightest? That would be great if it solved the issue!

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All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
  #7  
Old 07-08-2020, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 69f bird View Post
Troy,
Thank you for the response. While I agree in principal with your suggestion, I was hoping to not have to cut into the new wiring harness. Is this something that can be completely hidden?
Thank you,
Shelly
Kits are plug and play...... easy

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Rockaway NJ
67 GTO
400HO / TKX 3.27 1ST GEAR-.72OD / 3.36 POSI
HOTCHKIS/UMI/BILSTEIN
  #8  
Old 07-09-2020, 04:47 AM
Geoff Geoff is offline
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Troy,
Where can you get the LED kits that fit our old girls, a 66 GTO in my case?

TIA.

  #9  
Old 07-09-2020, 04:21 PM
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I have these on my 69 Firebird:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GUPLFMQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282395337505

...makes the stock lights seem like candlelight lol.

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  #10  
Old 07-09-2020, 09:22 PM
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https://www.americanautowire.com/sho...ncer-relay-kit


I think this is the kit I got

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ceramic-H4-...pe!19607!US!-1

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Rockaway NJ
67 GTO
400HO / TKX 3.27 1ST GEAR-.72OD / 3.36 POSI
HOTCHKIS/UMI/BILSTEIN

Last edited by 67GTONUT; 07-09-2020 at 09:36 PM.
  #11  
Old 07-10-2020, 09:16 AM
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If you go LED now, you can skip doing relays. They are not needed for the LEDs. I have Hella E-code headlights on the Firebird with H4 and H1 bulbs. I wired up the necessary relays myself but after seeing the kits that Troy linked, If you do go with relays and halogen, I'd go that way - cheap and easy. I switched to Moritomo Stroke LED on the Honda. Way brighter. I will probably go LED on the Firebird so I don't have to replace bulbs anymore.

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  #12  
Old 07-14-2020, 10:13 AM
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I put Hella "E-code" housings in my '67 bird and "BEAMTECH H4 LED" lamps from amazon.

The E-code housings have a sharp horizontal cutoff line on low beams so you're not blinding oncoming traffic and also have an angled line to the right that lights up the side of the road pretty good.

I get MUCH better (brighter & whiter) light on the road now and rarely even need high beams. When I do kick it on high, it lights up everything... a long way down the road. The only "downside" to high beams is that they are so bright, you will get a bright "splashback" from street signs.

I have the same setup in my bird, CJ-7, & '91 suburban and they all are a huge improvement.

Just make sure that you install the LED bulbs right side up, otherwise the light pattern looks like crap. You will have to cut some of the headlight bucket to get everything to fit, but you'll never see it once they are installed.


amazon or google: About $88 & comes with halogen bulbs.
HELLA 002850811 135mm H4 High/Low Beam Halogen Conversion Headlamp Kit

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  #13  
Old 07-14-2020, 11:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Speargun View Post
You will have to cut some of the headlight bucket to get everything to fit, but you'll never see it once they are installed.

That's not a good option when there are plenty which don't require that. The one I posted didn't require any modification, the bulbs can only go in one-way, and the 9007 is an updated lighting design over the old H4 style.

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  #14  
Old 07-14-2020, 12:06 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions. I spoke with Mark at Dapper LIghting last week ( https://www.dapperlighting.com/colle...d/products/575 ). We decided on replacing just the outer lights with the Dapper LED hi/low 30w bi-xenons, no halos, OE glass. I'll put two new standard sealed beams in for the inner high beams. This should give me a near stock look, but with much better lighting. I'm am also trying a couple of their LED 1157s for the taillights as well.

Once installed, I will provide pictures. I much appreciate everyone's inputs!

__________________
All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
  #15  
Old 07-15-2020, 06:29 AM
chrisp chrisp is offline
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Sylvania halogens are pure white & bright / $10.00 per bulb

  #16  
Old 07-15-2020, 04:00 PM
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Chrisp, Thank you. Others have stated that the halogens require changes to the wiring harness, due to higher power draw. As stated, I do not want to do that.

__________________
All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
  #17  
Old 07-16-2020, 08:08 PM
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Jeff Hamlin Jeff Hamlin is offline
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Default FWIW...

I wanted brighter lights and still maintain a stock look.
These fit the bill perfectly. Pricey but no mods needed and have been trouble-free for years.

https://www.lectriclimited.com/lighting-fuse-flashers

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  #18  
Old 07-27-2020, 10:58 PM
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I upgraded my headlights with the Dapper Lighting low/high beams. Great improvement. I posted details and pictures on the '67-'69 Firebird Tech Forum.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=842201

Thank you for all of the assistance!

Shelly

__________________
All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber!



'73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller
10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft
2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight

'69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches
12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455
4290 race weight

'72 Formula 455 HO
numbers matching auto, work in progress!
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