Headlight Relay

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Had a thread a couple of weeks ago about headlight upgrades and relays were mentioned as the cheap and easy way to go. It's time for me. What relays do I need to look at? Is there one that will just plug into the light and the wiring plug, or do I need to splice in?

Bubba Ray Boudreaux,
"If I had wanted a plastic ride, I'd married Pamela Anderson."<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1>http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1</a>

 

[Gandolf]

I installed the Painless Performance headlight relay on my '89 and it was quite an improvement. I had kinda dim low beams and when I switched on the high beams, the low beams would turn off. Now, after installing the kit, the low beams remain on when I switch on the high beams. But the biggest improvement from installing the relay is that the headlights are much brigher now, whether using the low beams or the high beams. It's definitely worth doing.

I ran the power wire directly to the battery with a 10 GA wire instead of going to the Pos alternator post like the kit instructions suggests. The hook-up itself is simple, but it takes a little time to do a clean installation that looks factory installed when it's done. The kit comes with everything you need (except the 10 GA wire) including instructions and wiring diagram. The relay itself is made by Hella. If you want more details, let me know.

I ordered the kit thru Autozone. They don't stock it but they will order it for you and they pay the shipping. I picked up the kit 4 days after I ordered it. They had it sent via Fed EX.

Painless Performance Headlight Relay p/n 30802
$21.95 from Autozone including shipping
$20.95 from Painless Performance plus shipping



'89 K5 Silverado..."You can’t have a real adventure, unless the outcome is truly uncertain".

 

[txbartman]

One key to remember is to the only way to get the lights brighter is to have a greater voltage drop across the lights. You want the highest possible voltage to reach the lights to give you the greatest drop. Long wires, switches, and poor relays are killers to voltage.

Use a good quality relay and get the power from the battery to the relay then the lights with as little wire as possible and you will see the difference.

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!

 

[Blue85]

These guys are both right. If you shop around, you can find all of the parts and do it for less than the kits, but it will definately take more time. For example, you can get relays and sockets from the junkyard.

<font color=green>There's nothing like the smell of a rich V-8 in the morning...</font color=green>

 

[DPI]

<a target="_blank" href=http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/relays/>Here</a> is some very informative data on the subject. This article says that halogen headlamps reach 100% of their designed luminous when volts reach 13.5v. I checked my voltage at the battery and at the (lit) headlight. The battery read 14.5 volts, the headlight read 13.6 a substantial drop, but still above the most effecient 13.5v.
Anyway the info above is good reading...

4.56 Geared, Power Locked, Dana 60
4.56 Geared, TSM Disc Braked, Detroit Locked, Corporate 14

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

Just got off the phone with 4WPW, it's 80 bucks for an '87 kit. I'll try Autozone. Would love to go cheap, but unfortunately I don't have the time to scrounge the yards.

Bubba Ray Boudreaux,
"If I had wanted a plastic ride, I'd married Pamela Anderson."<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1>http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1</a>

 

[thebigdaddyof2]

Summit has the kit. I need to order one for myself and one for Mudzer when I get a-round-tuit...

thebigdaddyof2

 

[Bubba Ray Boudreaux]

I'm calling Summit here in a few see if they have it any cheaper. Got to say y'all got it lucky, the one I need is 4 times higher in price.

Bubba Ray Boudreaux,
"If I had wanted a plastic ride, I'd married Pamela Anderson."<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1>http://community.webshots.com/user/mdntrdr1</a>