Just quickly read through this thread, maybe I missed it. But where did you get the "E-code" lights from, maybe have a link? And are these a sealed beam design that will plug right into my 87 stacked headlight grill? More info please. I want to see better too.
CK5
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Has anyone converted their 89-91 K5 with 150mm headlights to 165mm headlights?
- Thread starter Jessie James
- Start date
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
You can get them from a variety of places,such as Susquehanna Motorsports, but I found them on Amazon.com. 
Low/Hi beams:
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Rectang...UTF8&coliid=I1K5V8RE48VN5G&colid=V0R7NWP952Z5
Hi only:
http://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-C...UTF8&coliid=I1S5ZKVQ75UB5F&colid=V0R7NWP952Z5
I have had excellent experiences with Hella, so I stick with them.
Yes, these will plug-and-play with your 1987 truck. You will probably want to get the LMC upgraded headlight wire harness if you put in brighter bulbs. That was a pretty easy upgrade to do. Just be sure you do NOT get the one for the LMC "Euro" lights, get the other harness. And also be prepared to swap the pins in the headlight sockets, but that is easy as well, and I explained that above.
Low/Hi beams:
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Rectang...UTF8&coliid=I1K5V8RE48VN5G&colid=V0R7NWP952Z5
Hi only:
http://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-C...UTF8&coliid=I1S5ZKVQ75UB5F&colid=V0R7NWP952Z5
I have had excellent experiences with Hella, so I stick with them.
Yes, these will plug-and-play with your 1987 truck. You will probably want to get the LMC upgraded headlight wire harness if you put in brighter bulbs. That was a pretty easy upgrade to do. Just be sure you do NOT get the one for the LMC "Euro" lights, get the other harness. And also be prepared to swap the pins in the headlight sockets, but that is easy as well, and I explained that above.
helo
Registered Member
You have no idea how excited I was when I found this thread... excellent idea! 
I'm getting the brackets today from pick-a-part off an 88 I was pillaging last week, I had planned to buy the entire front support+grill just for the 165mm headlights until I found this.
Since hella doesn't seem to make plain low beam housings, you're using the hi/lo and also a set for high? How's that working out? As good as the above picture?
General Crystal makes 165mm (4x6) housings for kenworth trucks, but I'm weary of how good the cutoff is... The (page 3-4??) pics of the Hella ecode cutoff make the hella's look superb.
I'm getting the brackets today from pick-a-part off an 88 I was pillaging last week, I had planned to buy the entire front support+grill just for the 165mm headlights until I found this.
Since hella doesn't seem to make plain low beam housings, you're using the hi/lo and also a set for high? How's that working out? As good as the above picture?
General Crystal makes 165mm (4x6) housings for kenworth trucks, but I'm weary of how good the cutoff is... The (page 3-4??) pics of the Hella ecode cutoff make the hella's look superb.
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
Thanks, I thought it was a good idea too! 
I have not purchased the lights yet, due to a variety of unwanted bills coming my way. However, you are correct. Hella does not make a Low beam only housing (as far as I know). My setup is to wire the lights the same as the over/under setup which (I believe) uses the same low/high bulb and a high only bulb. When the low beams are on, you have two headlights on. When the high beams are on, you have four headlights on.
That is how I have it currently wired (now) using the LMC harness and the EuroLights (which, again, I do not recommend as they are both low/high and don't work with H4 low/high bulbs.) and it works as designed.
I am probably a few months out before I can make this happen, what with these bills, so if someone else beats me to it please be sure to post pics of the install steps!
As far as the Hella lights versus US lights, I would bet the cut-off for the Hella lights is far superior. These are European design and must have that cut-off by law. The US never was that stringent in the past, so these style headlights are not as well designed for our older trucks - nor are the replacement bulbs, from what I have seen. This is why I want to upgrade.
FWIW, I am thinking of going straight to HID for the low beams when I do get this going, as it seems the bulbs are readily available on Amazon and are getting good reviews, and do not blind people with these types of headlamp housings.
I have not purchased the lights yet, due to a variety of unwanted bills coming my way. However, you are correct. Hella does not make a Low beam only housing (as far as I know). My setup is to wire the lights the same as the over/under setup which (I believe) uses the same low/high bulb and a high only bulb. When the low beams are on, you have two headlights on. When the high beams are on, you have four headlights on.
That is how I have it currently wired (now) using the LMC harness and the EuroLights (which, again, I do not recommend as they are both low/high and don't work with H4 low/high bulbs.) and it works as designed.
I am probably a few months out before I can make this happen, what with these bills, so if someone else beats me to it please be sure to post pics of the install steps!
As far as the Hella lights versus US lights, I would bet the cut-off for the Hella lights is far superior. These are European design and must have that cut-off by law. The US never was that stringent in the past, so these style headlights are not as well designed for our older trucks - nor are the replacement bulbs, from what I have seen. This is why I want to upgrade.
FWIW, I am thinking of going straight to HID for the low beams when I do get this going, as it seems the bulbs are readily available on Amazon and are getting good reviews, and do not blind people with these types of headlamp housings.
helo
Registered Member
Ok, I see. Have you heard anything about the HL21100 housings ( rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=4251 sorry can't link urls, my first post..)][/B] instead of the HL79566 that you found on amazon ( rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=4252 )
21100 is listed as E-code & DOT compliant, with HL79566 as E-code only.
I'm curious how the clear lens 21100 might perform with HIDs compared to the diffuse lense 79566. The reflector on teh 21100 looks to be well designed, but it's hard to say for sure which will work better.
I'm leaning towards the 78566 for HID because I'm fairly certain the free form (clear lense) needs the light source to be perfectly positioned and is designed for a longer halogen filament
21100 is listed as E-code & DOT compliant, with HL79566 as E-code only.
I'm curious how the clear lens 21100 might perform with HIDs compared to the diffuse lense 79566. The reflector on teh 21100 looks to be well designed, but it's hard to say for sure which will work better.
I'm leaning towards the 78566 for HID because I'm fairly certain the free form (clear lense) needs the light source to be perfectly positioned and is designed for a longer halogen filament
helo
Registered Member
bump! I've been running the hella ECE's (the diffuse lens) for 5 weeks now and they're fuqin' amazing with the basic (55w?) h4 bulb.
I ditched my 4 150mm lights for 2 165mm frames (I got 4, but only 2 are installed). I installed relays before the swap, and the sylvania sealed beams stills sucked. Now, my high beams are fantastic, and low beams are well-focused onto the road.
For aiming screws I used 3.5"x1/4" and 3"x1/4" bolts. I epoxied washers to the aiming slots to keep the bolts from sliding off (not required; don't use a stick welder!). The stock adjuster screws won't work because the 165mm frames don't sit far enough back in the '89 radiator support. Modding the radiator support seems like too much needless effort. I may weld the nuts onto the grill eventually to make aiming easier, because I have to remove my batteries to make adjustments right now (one of them is a massive 31a)
HID dropped on my priority list because the difference is incredible just stepping up to the e-codes.
I might post pics after I grind my plastic grill pieces and/or make the other 2 165mm frames fit.
I ditched my 4 150mm lights for 2 165mm frames (I got 4, but only 2 are installed). I installed relays before the swap, and the sylvania sealed beams stills sucked. Now, my high beams are fantastic, and low beams are well-focused onto the road.
For aiming screws I used 3.5"x1/4" and 3"x1/4" bolts. I epoxied washers to the aiming slots to keep the bolts from sliding off (not required; don't use a stick welder!). The stock adjuster screws won't work because the 165mm frames don't sit far enough back in the '89 radiator support. Modding the radiator support seems like too much needless effort. I may weld the nuts onto the grill eventually to make aiming easier, because I have to remove my batteries to make adjustments right now (one of them is a massive 31a)
HID dropped on my priority list because the difference is incredible just stepping up to the e-codes.
I might post pics after I grind my plastic grill pieces and/or make the other 2 165mm frames fit.
please post pictures
and to just clear something up, the 165mm are like my '85 blazer right? The 150mm are for you 89-91 guys.
I'm interested in doing some HIDs for the highbeams, using them for offroad purposes. I'd rather not run around, with 6" of lift, and HIDs. But I live "traffic USA". I think my relays and Silverstars are bright enough, especially when all my streets are lit more than Charlie Sheen.
and to just clear something up, the 165mm are like my '85 blazer right? The 150mm are for you 89-91 guys.
I'm interested in doing some HIDs for the highbeams, using them for offroad purposes. I'd rather not run around, with 6" of lift, and HIDs. But I live "traffic USA". I think my relays and Silverstars are bright enough, especially when all my streets are lit more than Charlie Sheen.
What are your thoughts on the projector style lights? I found some 165mm projectors for the big rigs and they seem like they would put the light were needed.
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
Do you have a link so I could see them?
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
I'd like to know what bulb it uses. If it's an H3 then I would be interested. Anything else, and getting something higher wattage in there would be tough, and probably not worth it.
O
@ Jessie James did 165mm housing conversion work I’m in the same boat bought some nice LED lights but they’re 165mm not the 150mm needed
O
@ Jessie James did 165mm housing conversion work I’m in the same boat bought some nice LED lights but they’re 165mm not the 150mm needed
