LED or better head light options questio

[Johnny5]

Anyone know what head lights these are? I want to buy them or some LED/ brighter light alternative. Please post pics as I do not want the xmas lights or dots that make it look super modern.

[-=Jeff=-]

Could be Nighthawks (hard to find) or truck lite

https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27450C-Headlamp/dp/B007ED7HNY/ref=asc_df_B007ED7HNY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312192374842&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7573483407087948990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021511&hvtargid=pla-436586022383&psc=1

[32VALVS]

In my opinion the LED lights look tacky and out of place on a car originally equipped with sealed beams.

I have upgraded to Hella headlight housings & bulbs and am completely satisfied. Very bright, excellent light distribution. On par with modern headlights.

I liked them so much on my ZR-1 that I have been upgrading all of my sealed beam classic cars to Hellas.

https://www.ecklers.com/1984-1996-corvette-hella-inc-european-headlight-25-108660-1.html

[-=Jeff=-]

I did my LED conversion for the benefit of less of a load..

[GOLDCYLON]

I did my LEDs for safety and for less load like -=JEFF=- I had the hella housings and even the HID projector conversions before I went to LED and I am not going back. They are by far superior than OEM and safer :cheers:

[-=Jeff=-]

I did my LEDs for safety and for less load like -=JEFF=- I had the hella housings and even the HID projector conversions before I went to LED and I am not going back. They are by far superior than OEM and safer :cheers:

pretty much the same, except for the HID projector, I skipped that step, looked into it, but skipped it.

[Mystic ZR-1]

In my opinion the LED lights look tacky and out of place on a car originally equipped with sealed beams.

I have upgraded to Hella headlight housings & bulbs and am completely satisfied. Very bright, excellent light distribution. On par with modern headlights.

I liked them so much on my ZR-1 that I have been upgrading all of my sealed beam classic cars to Hellas.

https://www.ecklers.com/1984-1996-corvette-hella-inc-european-headlight-25-108660-1.html

Hellas with 100/55w halogen bulbs!!! Instant daytime!
With no screwing around with LEDs....
Fog lights? They're useless no matter what kind of bulbs you put in them due to crappy lenses. They're only there for decoration.

[-=Jeff=-]

Hellas with 100/55w halogen bulbs!!! Instant daytime!
With no screwing around with LEDs....
Fog lights? They're useless no matter what kind of bulbs you put in them due to crappy lenses. They're only there for decoration.

My fog lights work great with LED. But 1990 lenses are different

[Johnny5]

I decided to go with EAGLE lights as GE nighthawks are hard to find & truck lite is expensive. 20% off so $250 down to $200 for the pair. Bought the resistor too.
Thanks for input guys. Now it?s time to order tune up parts and replace rubber in my vacuum lines. I started with MAP sensor from advice of George + Jim in Wazoo and the car finally opened up the secondaries but boggs until partial throttlw. So i believe i still have a small leak

[secondchance]

Hellas with 100/55w halogen bulbs!!! Instant daytime!
With no screwing around with LEDs....
Fog lights? They're useless no matter what kind of bulbs you put in them due to crappy lenses. They're only there for decoration.

HID version works beautifully. I?ll show you at Carlisle 23.

[Mystic ZR-1]

HID version works beautifully. I?ll show you at Carlisle 23.

Yun
Looking forward to checking them out.
Happy Holidays!
See ya in Carlisle! Maybe even BG in May?

[secondchance]

Yun
Looking forward to checking them out.
Happy Holidays!
See ya in Carlisle! Maybe even BG in May?

Probably Carlisle.
Happy Holidays!:cheers:

[Paul Workman]

I converted to LEDs a few years ago (and wrote an article for HOTB). I changed everything except interior lights (they were bright enough for me).
However, because there were a flood of such lights (primarily made in China where there was often no apparent concern for USA DOT restrictions, etc) without the appropriate cut-off for use on vehicles used on public highways, on-coming traffic could be/were being blinded by LED lights: became a large (and justified) complaint.
Making matters worse, not all LED lights had cut-off; intended for highway usage in low-beam mode. Add to that, not everyone installing the lights w/ cut-off feature were taking the time to properly aim them so that the cut-off line was below the eyes of on-coming drivers.
As result, many of the outlets for LED headlights have suspended offering them. However, the GE/Hawk LED lights were approved by most highway DOTs, and therefore are still available at some outlets (with some provisos in some locations) .
WORTH NOTING: The closer the headlights are to the pavement, the less likely the lights will bother on-coming drivers eyes (because if the cut-off line is angled down even slightly, it will always be below the eye level of on-coming eyes - even when the distance between cars is near zero!. And! The angle of the cut-off can be tweaked so as to illuminate the road a bit further out w/o blinding on-coming traffic. And, this provides an advantage for the Corvettes, and our C4s especially, as the headlights are closer to the pavement than many other cars and trucks. So, as long as the cut-off is parallel or slightly lower, a C4 (and other Vettes) can benefit from the low position of the LEDs, relative to the pavement.

DISCLAIMER: Check on local laws before installing any non-stock headlights to avoid possible encounters with local authorities.

[Johnny5]

I ordered the Eagle leds that look like GE nighthawk. I always adjust the aim but our cars are so low, i seem to get blinded by SUVs and other cars/trucks with either hi beams or HIDS/LEDs?maybe they don?t adjust em or just drive with Hi Beams on?.🤦🏼*♂️. I see these cars everyday, it is frustrating?especially when you?re in a low to ground sports car like my zr1 or Z06. That?s not cool. These people need to adjust their lights so they don?t blind oncoming traffic!

[tokuzumi]

I bought a set of LED headlights off of eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193121916884

They were cheap, at around $30/sealed housing. They plugged right in and worked without any kind of anti-flicker harness or load resistor required. If they go kaput after less than a year, I'll step up to a more genuine HID kit, or higher quality LEDs.

I am having good luck with the same type of cheapo LED headlights on my Datsun. Don't drive at night much, but I've had the lights for almost 3 years and they have been great.

[tnse]

Here are a few videos for the Holley LED retrobright headlights for those interested in a little more information for this option that keeps the car looking as original as possible:

https://youtu.be/Fz4jFVlA0xk

https://youtu.be/Luync7UYwsI

https://youtu.be/Mbxi8rNFrsk

https://youtu.be/dwRnvv57b9s

What different people may value and its worth to them depends on their goal and purpose. If it is just a different light temperature or a different bulb arrangement than the original halogen lights there are many options that will work to varying degrees. The Holley RetroBright lights are targeted for those seeking an original look - for restoration purposes with a more authentic period correct look. Other options exist if that is not the purpose and the goal of changing ones headlights is just to put light on the road ahead. Those who care a little more about an "original factory look" and how close a car looks to how it came when the car rolled off the line are less price sensitive. Being fully informed with options allows people to make decisions that fits their goals.

[ram_g]

I bought a set of LED headlights off of eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193121916884

They were cheap, at around $30/sealed housing. They plugged right in and worked without any kind of anti-flicker harness or load resistor required. If they go kaput after less than a year, I'll step up to a more genuine HID kit, or higher quality LEDs.

I am having good luck with the same type of cheapo LED headlights on my Datsun. Don't drive at night much, but I've had the lights for almost 3 years and they have been great.

Have you checked to see if your foglights work without any weirdness? If not, search for and implement the ?Yun mod? (and/or search for ?foglight ground?).

[tokuzumi]

Have you checked to see if your foglights work without any weirdness? If not, search for and implement the ?Yun mod? (and/or search for ?foglight ground?).

I noticed the bright light indicator was on, and wouldn't turn off using the blinker stalk. Ended up pushing the button for the fog lights, and bright indicator turned off.

Looks like I'll need to dig into the Yun mod.

[Paul Workman]

Well, to avoid 'cross over' side effects when installing LEDs, here are a few pointers you may want to consider before going hog wild w/ LED installs.

*The LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) itself has a very low resistance, above initial voltage ("ON") threshold. Therefore, most all of the LEDs intended as replacements for regular bulbs are packaged with a series resistor to limit the current to prevent the LED itself from destruction. However, many circuits in (C4s) depend on a lower resistance, e.g., standard incandescent bulbs, to operate. and without the current draw resulting from a lower resistance (than replacement LED circuits have), all sorts of unintended (or 'cross-over') problems can occur.

So, there are solutions to keeping all the indicator lights, e.g., high beam indicator light, fog lites on (or off), blinker lights, turn signals, etc. operating.

Load Resistors wired across the input leads to the LED conversion will restore the normal current/voltage levels present before the LED(s) were installed. OR, installing a separate ground from the light to ground too can alleviate requirements for a load resistor while having the added advantage of reducing the DC load to the (alternator/battery) circuit.

Special switches (e.g., LED blinker switches in lieu of the standard (C4) stock blinker switches) are very helpful in avoiding issues with all of the turn signal bulb conversions, with or without LOAD resistors.

Nothing at all, in a few cases is necessary for a number of "dead-end" bulbs whose shared circuitry is NOT affected by the current/voltage changes installing certain LEDs will cause. For example, many of the LED replacement interior lights can be installed w/o any special consideration.

Below is the (orange) 25Ω load resistor across input to the FOG light that prevents in-cabin indicator light issues.
The cylinder can is the stock turn signal blinker. Replacing it with an LED (black (rectangular)) 2-pole switch allows the turn signals to operate normally w/o load resistors.

[-=Jeff=-]

I use this Hopper headlight aimer article here:
http://www.spridgetguru.com/TA0079.html

[ghlkal]

the Holley LED retrobright headlights

Thanks for sharing. I hadn't heard of these and they look like a good option for some.

I'm happy with my LEDs.

[bowtiguy]

I just installed the Holley ( made by Morimoto ) headlights in my CR-1. I had previously installed LED bulbs in all exterior sockets ( turn signal, fogs, tail/brake, side marker and back up positions). I did have to install an LED specific turn signal relay to get those to work.

The factory wagners worked well with the above set-up. But, The Holley LED bulbs less resistance took out my fog lights. I used Jeffs "no cut" extra relay method and everything is full LED and functional now.


Thread topic <LED Headlight with fog light issue...>

"Find the Fog Lamp relay. in my 1990 it is the furthest to the right under the dash.. Look for the Light Green wire. that is the wire you need to manipulate..

Unpin the LT GRN from the current relay move it to 86 of the added relay.

Pin a new wire in the spot where you removed the LT GRN (it is either 85 or 86), Pin the other end of this wire to 87a of your added relay.

On the added relay, Pin 30 and Pin 85 are both connected to ground."

[-=Jeff=-]

I just installed the Holley ( made by Morimoto ) headlights in my CR-1. I had previously installed LED bulbs in all exterior sockets ( turn signal, fogs, tail/brake, side marker and back up positions). I did have to install an LED specific turn signal relay to get those to work.

The factory wagners worked well with the above set-up. But, The Holley LED bulbs less resistance took out my fog lights. I used Jeffs "no cut" extra relay method and everything is full LED and functional now.


Thread topic <LED Headlight with fog light issue...>

"Find the Fog Lamp relay. in my 1990 it is the furthest to the right under the dash.. Look for the Light Green wire. that is the wire you need to manipulate..

Unpin the LT GRN from the current relay move it to 86 of the added relay.

Pin a new wire in the spot where you removed the LT GRN (it is either 85 or 86), Pin the other end of this wire to 87a of your added relay.

On the added relay, Pin 30 and Pin 85 are both connected to ground."
Finally someone else did it that way :)


How is the lighting from the Holley Headlights?

[bowtiguy]

Finally someone else did it that way :)


How is the lighting from the Holley Headlights?


Tight quarters to pull it off, but your method worked great for those that are skilled in repinning relay sockets.

The Holleys are quite bright and look almost factory when they are off. I havent driven the car at night, so I can't comment yet. Prob after I get back from Carlisle and my custom wheels come in. The date codes on my current tires are 05' front, 10' rear so I havent even doen a full pull in the car yet.