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Has anyone converted their 89-91 K5 with 150mm headlights to 165mm headlights?

Jessie James

Jessie James

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So I bought some EuroLamps and am not terribly thrilled with them, more details on that later. However I noticed that I can get 165mm square headlights all over the place. The over/under trucks use these 165mm headlamps, so I figure I can get the buckets and mounting brackets easily enough. I am hoping I can do a small amount of cutting in the radiator support thingy to mount the new cups, and then cut out a little of the headlight shroud/surround.

Am I crazy? Has anyone else tried this? I mean ... 150mm to 165mm is only 1.5cm wider each, and 3cm wider total, so why can't I cram those suckers in there? :D
 
All this ruckus about getting an untouched, uncut K5, and now this?
 
Yeah, I know, but at the same time I like to be able to see where I am going!

I would sincerely hope I could do this mod without cutting anything up. Besides, anything I do cut would be minor and cosmetic for the most part. I can always replace the trim pieces and I sure hope I don't have to cut the sheetmetal otherwise I probably won't do it. I'll figure a way to utilize the existing area so I can revert to stock if desired. That's how I tend to do most mods.

Now some of the trucks on here ... wow, you guys are amazing fabricators!
 
i actually thought of this before but never have asked about it. i figured i'd wait until i actually had a 88-91 grille 1st..subscribed..good ?

edit:i've also thought about put turn signal in grill/bumper & stackin 2 88-91 HL assm on each side of grille kinda like that 8 light wagon chevy case:dunno: drove in ...iirc its 1 of national lampoon shows:pimp:
 
79rustyk10 said:
What about new regular headlights, and then make sure they are aimed correctly?
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Good question. First, my other cars have HIDs and they have saved me more than once by being able to see things on the freeway at a greater distance than regular headlights. For example, the TREE that had fallen across all 3 lanes which I managed to see and avoid, unlike the guy behind me... :eek1:

After driving with HIDs I simply cannot drive at night and feel safe in my K5. For maximum safety I want some brighter bulbs for my low beams. However, I *don't* want to blind people. I really don't understand how anyone can drive with some of the OEM headlights in these old vehicles. You can only see 25' in front of you, and at 65mph that simply isn't good enough for me. You are praying nothing major comes up, like a major pothole, a deer, a fallen tree, a person, a stopped car, or anything else unexpected. Obviously I feel accidents at night could be avoided with better lighting.

I bought the Eurolamps thinking they would have the European cut-off design like some other headlamps I have bought, and like my HIDs. The EuroLamps lens is exactly the same as my current US-spec headlights, and both hi and lo bulbs are identical which is WORSE than what I have now! :doah:

Ok, Hella makes E-Code headlamps in 165mm (they used to make 150mm, but not any more!) They are European spec and have a very sharp cut-off that is level with the ground, like HIDs use. This allows the lights to be brighter and not blind people. Therefore, if I get some E-Code headlamps, I can run 100w low beams and not blind people.

With any luck I can mount the buckets in the same spots as my 150mm headlamps and just cut the plastic surround to make them fit. It shouldn't even look that much different from stock.

Simple!
 
blazin_blazer said:
i actually thought of this before but never have asked about it. i figured i'd wait until i actually had a 88-91 grille 1st..subscribed..good ?
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You mean you were waiting for someone else to ask and get made fun of! :haha:

blazin_blazer said:
edit:i've also thought about put turn signal in grill/bumper & stackin 2 88-91 HL assm on each side of grille kinda like that 8 light wagon chevy case:dunno: drove in ...iirc its 1 of national lampoon shows:pimp:
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Yup, National Lampoon Vacation as I recall, it was the station wagon.

Truckster.jpg
 
I want pics of this.

There have been a few discussions on here of other companies that make replaceable bulb light housings for our trucks. I believe Grote was one of them.
 
Truckster.jpg


What the hell kind of car is this exactly?

Be interesting to find one and convert it to the Truckster, just for s h i t s and giggles here in town.
 
Looks like a Crown Vic wagon.




Jessie, did you do the headlight relay mod? Where the power is sent directly to the lights and not up through the dash switch?
 
I installed some of those "Xtra-Vision headlights, they are alot better than the standard halogen, i believe it uses a different element and gas, and also the fluting on the glass is different as well.

Nothing like the HID bulbs, but the light color is definately whiter and brighter than haolgens.
 
For one, i think it would look goofy. For another, Just going to a larger stock style light wont light up the road any better. I vote for add on HID off-road lights. like these.

images
 
Why not get some HID projectors and mount those in your euro light housings? Just pull the fluted lens off and vaccuum mold some clear ones. I'm getting ready to do it on mine.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Jessie, did you do the headlight relay mod? Where the power is sent directly to the lights and not up through the dash switch?
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Yes, I did. That was easy enough, except for the LMC harness is (a) not designed for the 91 stock headlights which use these really tiny pin connectors and (b) were wired backwards for a standard H4 bulb - but that is easily fixed by swapping out the pins. That mod has made a major difference but I am not satisfied with the low beams. Even with the relay the EuroLamps are not any brighter than stock, even with an 80w bulb.

To be fair, I did put in a 80w/100w H4 bulb into the housing. By doing some measuring it appears that the low beam filament is in the exact same location (distance from the reflector) as the H7 bulb that is designed for it. However, as I mentioned, without a proper lens there is no cutoff so the lens just scatters light all over the place like a big blob in front of the truck. I want even, bright light that also has the triangular cut-out shape to light up signs on the side of the road ... E-Code headlamps do that.

y5mgisi said:
For one, i think it would look goofy. For another, Just going to a larger stock style light wont light up the road any better. I vote for add on HID off-road lights. like these.
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I am hoping a 1.5cm difference will be hardly obvious. The larger light won't light up thing any better, correct, but having a better design means I can run brighter bulbs and that willl achieve my goal I've done this in the past with other cars but none had the 150mm headlights, so that's the issue.

I'd love some nice HID lights like that, too, but that's not in the budget ... and those are off-road too. I do most of my driving around town.

CherryK5 said:
Why not get some HID projectors and mount those in your euro light housings? Just pull the fluted lens off and vaccuum mold some clear ones. I'm getting ready to do it on mine.
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Unless they have a leveling function my understanding is that they are not legal. Also, I'd be down for that, but I need a housing which is designed for H4 bulbs and/or the HID variant. The Eurolamps don't do that. They would blind folks and I am sure I'd get pulled over (lots of cops around where I live). If I had E-Code headlamps I would consider it if I could find the right kit and it wasn't too costly.

Anyway, it looks like I'll be the first to try this. I'm going to have to source some headlamp buckets from an over/under truck. Does anyone have any they want to sell to me? I'd need all the hardware attached to them, like the adjusting screws and springs, headlamp holding frames, screws, etc.
 
i think the core supports are totally different........that's what would need to be changed. in addition to all the other pieces that go along with it, including the grill and trim.
 
I believe you are right, the core support is what mounts the headlights on my '89, and for the vertical mounted larger lights, you would need to change it.

I know my lights are dim too, so they are complimented with a set of KC "fog" lights, with clear lenses running 100 watt bulbs :) Powered using a relay, of course:

DSC_0920.sized.jpg


Good luck!
Clay
 
shovelbill80 said:
i think the core supports are totally different........that's what would need to be changed. in addition to all the other pieces that go along with it, including the grill and trim.
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I agree with you 100%. The core supports are going to be different. Knowing most car makers, and GM in particular, I would bet 90% of the parts/pieces are re-used. I'll have to take it apart of course to be sure but that's cheap and easy. If all I have to do is swap out the headlight mounting buckets and maybe trim down some plastic or the edges of the new buckets then I am fine with that.

Ok, is it payday yet? I need some money! :haha:
 
This solved my lighting problems, 4-100w KC Daylighters,(need 2 new reflectors in the center ) and 2 Warn 55w for reverse, but don't get caught on the road with them lit.
BTW since this pic I have added an old school bull bar with 2 5x7 KC's wired to high beams. All lights running off relays
Running dual batteries(1 starting and 1 deep cell) and a 140 amp alternator
Needless to say I need to wear my sunglasses with them on as the reflection from road signs are totally blinding.
1002091a.th.jpg
<click here and check out my hood ornament LOL

If you are looking to keep it legal(depends on state) you might consider some driving lights mounted to bumper.
1002091a.th.jpg
 
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Yeah, I have 4 rectangular driving lights similar to that, but they sure as heck are not legal for street use. Since I use this truck around town almost exclusively, that won't work.

I also have a set of combo fog/driving lights which will go into the bumper, but those will be to supplement the standard lights.
 
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