Rather then using relays would it be sufficient alone if I increase the gauge of the wire?
CK5
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headlight brightness upgrade question
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
I just installed some of the Silverstar headlights, much better spread and light color.
LMC sells a set of Euro headlights that use an H4 bulb. I have them and they are a nice upgrade. Light is a little whiter and brighter.
Combine it with relays like I did and your high beams are like daylight in front of your truck.
Combine it with relays like I did and your high beams are like daylight in front of your truck.
Relay
Small wire vs. big wire doesn't mater if it's all coming from the fuse block. Running a relay will provide much cleaner wattage AT the bulbs. I'm also running the Silverstars.
Small wire vs. big wire doesn't mater if it's all coming from the fuse block. Running a relay will provide much cleaner wattage AT the bulbs. I'm also running the Silverstars.
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
LED conversions. No comparison to standard bulbs.
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
No.
The direct answer to that is no. Voltage runs through the switch. Too much voltage drop. You have to use a relay to get full battery voltage at the light.
LED are the tits though.
These JW Speaker LED projector conversions are the Cadillac of lights right now IMO. HID are finicky, problematic and draw a ton of amperage. No good. We have actually converted all of our mine equipment from HID to LED as well. It's just so much more reliable.
KansasTwister
1/2 ton status
Ive got silverstars and old wiring and love it, Relay mod is the next step when I get time.
I had this same issue with my 09 wrangler. they have horrible lights and we did the relay thing on them and that made a huge difference and so now its on the list for my beast when I get to that point in the build but I did get the relays for the job the other day off a S10 they have a cool little setup that mounts to the fender with a little bracket and I will post pics when I dig them out of the big box of everything I buried them in when I moved out of my shop.
Well worth the time and I think I got the relays and the bracket for 5 bucks at the salvage yard.
Well worth the time and I think I got the relays and the bracket for 5 bucks at the salvage yard.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Anyone got write up on the "relay mod"
Kain
3/4 ton status
X2, would like to have this too.......
Here's the write up I did for my '90:
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3165258&postcount=957
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3165258&postcount=957
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
Here's the jist of it. It's very easy.
Instead of the headlight switch supplying power to the lights. The headlight switch is the relay trigger. And battery direct + is controlled by the normally closed relay contact. Relay output to headlights.
Instead of the headlight switch supplying power to the lights. The headlight switch is the relay trigger. And battery direct + is controlled by the normally closed relay contact. Relay output to headlights.
I need to address the headlights on my truck. I am regularly driving around with one headlight. And by regularly I mean pretty much ever since the middle of October . A simple wiggle of the connection gets me the light back. My truck has the small small headlamps, and they have an unusual pin type connection instead of the standard spade traditional sealed beams have. I need to ad relays and put new head lamps on. Its on the big to-do list for when (IF) it gets warm.
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
Probably have a socket spreading. High resistance is gonna burn up a loose socket sooner than later. Then you'll have to replace the connector anyways. should upgrade the bulbs while your at it then.
H4 conversions make a big difference and you can get ones that look "normal" if you don't want the blue "euro" thing or whatever. I got some H4 conversion headlights off of ebay and also did relays. Huge difference. Since I have quad headlights, I also wired them so they are all hi/lo types and all do the same thing. Oh, and I upgraded my alternator too. 
I have the real small quad headlight, horizontal, not stacked. I don't know if they make h4 conversions for them, and wouldn't want them they did. New bulbs, new sockets, new wiring with relays and I think will be doing just fine.
H4 conversion just means that the outer glass/enclosure looks the same and mounts in the same spot. The H4's are standard and you have to rewire everything. For my year, the connector to my old headlights will connect to an H4, but I can't remember if the wiring is correct. I redid it anyway since the wire was old and too small.
