For the money Vs. Improvement in light output, would you do that again or go with the H4 conversion lights?
CK5
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'90 K5 - The Nevada Blazer [Post 1437: School me on alternators)
- Thread starter colbystephens
- Start date
Nice job! And good write up!
You might want to add a dab of die-electric grease to all the connectors to prevent corrosion though...
You might want to add a dab of die-electric grease to all the connectors to prevent corrosion though...
I did both, my headlights are BLINDING!
kauzenkaos
1/2 ton status
Maybe it's because I'm lazy but I'm still like these kits from lmc. I also like the replacement housings they sell. With a different bulb and rewire I got 4 highs and 4 lows on my 90 k5.
I would do it again, simply because putting conversion lights in doesn't allow you to have 4 headlights on at the same time. It's not that costly of an improvement. I figure I've got $60 into mine, but it could probably be done for half that if you know where to buy parts. I'm a wiring NEWB...
Also, for most folks out there, this is a bigger improvement for them than it would be for me. This is simply because my truck's headlights worked pretty well before, but many folks have old corroded wiring making their light output much less than mine. I once had an '83 Blazer (4 headlight) that was pretty beat up, and the light output was AWFUL. I wish I would've done this to that one.
I'm sure the LMC kit works great - lots of folks have a similar opinion as yours. In my case, I'm trying to learn how to do proper wiring, so I figured a simple job like this would be a good thing to cut my teeth to.
The 4 highs/4 lows idea is a pretty cool one!
Today I tried to fix the short circuit in my Horn/Dim circuit. A CK5er suggested that it was very likely to be inside my column, as part of my turn signal switch wiring ribbon. So, I broke down the column and replaced the ribbon. No luck. Didn't fix anything. A continuity test with the multimeter showed that they were both operating the same. So, now I have a spare turn signal switch, and I know how the column comes apart/goes together.
So I made an appointment to take my truck in to have the short found, because I'm sick of this problem.
But then I posted on CK5 as a last ditch effort...
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300862
and...
I FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!
Thanks, CK5!
It WAS the cig lighter! I guess I didn't pull the plug off of it. I remember checking the wire, but the wire looked good. Turns out the plug was melted onto the spade of the cig lighter. The last ditch effort saved me another $135ish. That's awesome! Wish I would've rechecked that before I tore the steering column apart today and replaced the wiring in it. Oh well.
So I made an appointment to take my truck in to have the short found, because I'm sick of this problem.
But then I posted on CK5 as a last ditch effort...
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300862
and...
I FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!
Thanks, CK5! It WAS the cig lighter! I guess I didn't pull the plug off of it. I remember checking the wire, but the wire looked good. Turns out the plug was melted onto the spade of the cig lighter. The last ditch effort saved me another $135ish. That's awesome! Wish I would've rechecked that before I tore the steering column apart today and replaced the wiring in it. Oh well.
I find that, especially my even-older-than-yours trucks, Occam's Razor applies to broken things.
The simplest thing is most likely the cause of problems. I've thought up all manner of complicated convoluted causes for issues on my trucks ... only to discover it's the most ridiculous simplest damn thing, a loose bolt or an unplugged wire or the like. I gotta learn that these trucks are fairly simple things and tend to develop simple problems.
As for cigarette lighters, ugh -- they are notorious for gathering debris and wreaking havoc. My folks went through this for a while, blowing fuses and losing the dash cluster lights ... turns out mom put her hearing aid in the center console, and the battery fell out into the lighter plug there. Three times.
-- A
The simplest thing is most likely the cause of problems. I've thought up all manner of complicated convoluted causes for issues on my trucks ... only to discover it's the most ridiculous simplest damn thing, a loose bolt or an unplugged wire or the like. I gotta learn that these trucks are fairly simple things and tend to develop simple problems.
As for cigarette lighters, ugh -- they are notorious for gathering debris and wreaking havoc. My folks went through this for a while, blowing fuses and losing the dash cluster lights ... turns out mom put her hearing aid in the center console, and the battery fell out into the lighter plug there. Three times.
-- A
Lol.
My recommend -- sorry to hijack, Colby -- is rewire first, and if you still want more, then put on the high-zoot bulbs. Doesn't matter if they're fancy bulbs or stock, lights don't perform particularly well with 3/4 of the juice going to them.
-- A
andyblack
Registered Loser
I don't remember you asking about that problem on this thread or I would have told you to check the lighter. Mine was causing the battery to drain every couple of days and the only way I figured it out was to take out one fuse at a time and wait to see which one let the batt stay charged. It was the fuse for the horn/dome lamp, which happens to be the same one for the cigarette lighter in my truck. All I did was unhook it because I never use it anyway. Drove me nuts.
Tomorrow's tasks:
1. Install DIY4x's HD Rear Diff Cover.
2. Install new fender badges, also DIY4x.
3. Finish fixing my CB Antenna mount. It got pretty beat up on the Rubicon. Not really sure why. The antenna must have come loose in the adapter thing, and as it swung back and forth on the spring it stripped it out.
1. Install DIY4x's HD Rear Diff Cover.
2. Install new fender badges, also DIY4x.
3. Finish fixing my CB Antenna mount.
It got pretty beat up on the Rubicon. Not really sure why. The antenna must have come loose in the adapter thing, and as it swung back and forth on the spring it stripped it out.
andyblack
Registered Loser
Did you ever find out why the fuse for the ECM kept blowing on the Rubicon?
No. Best guess, thanks to Russell's knowledge of the TBI circuits, is that it's a faulty oil pressure switch. I bought a new one, but haven't installed it yet. Each time the short happened, it was because I was going uphill (or up a rock), and was on the throttle more than just a crawl. So, I have to see if I can find a way to replicate it. Haven't had any problems with it since the Rubicon though.
Well, I didn't get as much done today as I would've liked (on the truck). I ended up working a half day before I could get started on the truck projects. I ended up only getting the rear diff cover installed, and the CB stuff fixed, as well as getting the fender badges painted.
Turns out the fender badge install is going to be a pretty big job because I didn't already have holes in my fenders for the badges. As such, there's no access holes in the inner fender to access the studs so I can put the nuts on. As such, I may have to mostly remove my fenders to do the job. Not a big deal, but more than I have time for today.
I'm REALLY happy with the new diff cover. That sucker is STOUT! I had quite a bit of trouble getting my stock cover off because the lip had been bent up over the bolt head on the bottom. I'm glad to know that this surely will not be a problem on the new cover.
Turns out the fender badge install is going to be a pretty big job because I didn't already have holes in my fenders for the badges. As such, there's no access holes in the inner fender to access the studs so I can put the nuts on. As such, I may have to mostly remove my fenders to do the job. Not a big deal, but more than I have time for today.
I'm REALLY happy with the new diff cover. That sucker is STOUT! I had quite a bit of trouble getting my stock cover off because the lip had been bent up over the bolt head on the bottom. I'm glad to know that this surely will not be a problem on the new cover.
No pics colby
Do we really need another picture of a rear diff with a black cover on it? 
I'll get you some pics of the fender badges though, they look cool all painted up.
I'll get you some pics of the fender badges though, they look cool all painted up.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Im getting ready to do the headlight mod too, and your pics are deff perfect to make it easier on me, exactly where i was going to put the relays too. lol
Those were the pics I was hoping to see
Do we really need another picture of a rear diff with a black cover on it?
Trick question?
Those were the pics I was hoping to see
Glad to be helpful. Since I'm new to wiring, it took me a good long time to work through all the threads on the topic, and none had noob-friendly pics or how-to info. So, hopefully this will be of help to noobs like me.
Give me a minute, I'll find someone else's pic and post it here and pretend it's mine. 
