Lumens

F4U-1A · Sep 30, 2020

I was just out gassing up the Chevy for my wife tomorrow (do not normally go out at night- moose, deer, bears). This is the country and it was misty with light fog. Man, it was hard to see, is it my 60yr old peepers, or is it time to swap out my original OEM headlights? Have a new windshield and buffed clear lenses. Need more lumens, but would like to keep it a halogen. Anything out there you would recommend? ( and yes, I had an eye exam pre Covid )LOL

Hipster · Oct 1, 2020

If the rear reflective part, the silver, has deteriorated it won't cast as much light forward and it's time to replace the housing. In the bodyshop for an oem style light we mostly use TYC or Depo brand lights as they are usually stamped Dot/Sae as required. They are the two brands we see the least amount of issues with. There is some real junk out there with adjusters that don't work, don't fit the vehicle, etc.

df2x4 · Oct 1, 2020

It's been a while since I typed one of these up... Here we go... (I'm assuming you're dealing with the '94+ composite headlights that take 9005/9006 bulbs based on your avatar picture)

Headlight assemblies:

Are you wanting to stay with the OEM style diffused lenses, or would you be interested in going to a non-diffused clear lens? If the former, I'd stick with OEM. They're still available new but they're expensive, think $150+ per side. If the latter, I'd recommend either the Anzo 111004 (plastic lenses) or the Spyder HD-YD-CCK88-C (glass lenses). I have the Anzos in both of my '97s and I'm very happy with them. Either of these can be had for around $100 per set.

Anzo 111004:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015PPZMC

Spyder HD-YD-CCK88-C:
https://www.amazon.com/Spyder-Auto-Chrome-Crystal-Headlight/dp/B004WMF8SG

Wiring upgrade:

This is one of the most commonly overlooked upgrades to the headlights in these trucks. Upgrading the headlight wiring harness to a larger gauge wire with relays that pull power straight from the battery will gain you over a full volt at the headlight plugs, which equates to much brighter output. We have a user here (@5vortec7) who makes these harnesses complete with 4-Hi modification, which means your low beams will stay on as well when you engage your high beams. This is an absolute must if you want more brightness from halogen bulbs IMO. Here's the link to his thread where he sells these.

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/hd-headlight-harnesses-w-4-high-mod.45669/

Bulbs:

The absolute best, brightest 9005/9006 halogen bulbs on the market are Philips X-tremeVision. Unfortunately most stores (at least in my area) don't carry them. You'll probably have to order them from someplace like Amazon. Here's some links.

Philips X-tremeVision 9005:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgrade-Headlight-Vision/dp/B01C5QY7DW

Philips X-tremeVision 9006:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgraded-Headlight-Vision/dp/B00U1OLM1Q

If you want something that's more readily available, Sylvania XtraVisions are in the same ballpark as far as output and are stocked in most parts stores and Wal-Mart.

Sylvania XtraVision 9005:
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-XtraVision-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0031HI0HY

Sylvania XtraVision 9006:
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-XtraVision-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0031HEIDY

Whatever you do, stay away from halogen bulbs with a blue coating on the lens (like Sylvania SilverStars) as that coating actually robs you of light output. You want clear glass. The Philips X-tremeVisions are the one exception I'm aware of. They have a tiny bit of blue added to the glass in a specific spot just to keep the bulbs within spec. Without it, they'd be too bright for 9005/9006 specs.

df2x4 · Oct 1, 2020

One more note about bulbs. If you want even more brightness from your high beams, you can use Philips 9011 HIR bulbs instead of the factory 9005s. You just have to trim one tab and they'll drop right into the factory 9005 sockets. Like so:

https://sep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-91565365470012_2267_311973

I would not recommend doing this with your low beams, as the 9012 HIR bulb does not have a glare cap painted onto the tip of the bulb, where the factory 9006 does. The only time I'd upgrade a 9006 to a 9012 in one of these trucks is if you're running a set of headlight housings with a glare cap over the low beam bulb. Otherwise the 9012 HIR will create hotspots and glare that will annoy other drivers.

Stumpy · Oct 1, 2020

That's some good lumen-aid, @df2x4 :waytogo:

F4U-1A · Oct 1, 2020

THXS, gang. That is a lot of info to compute. And I have to remember about on coming traffic. A lot of new trucks and Jeeps here, and it seems they all have LED off road lights. Looks like a 747 jet coming my way when out walking my dog at night. Blinding. I always wear my hunter orange.

PatR · Oct 1, 2020

df2x4 said:
It's been a while since I typed one of these up... Here we go... (I'm assuming you're dealing with the '94+ composite headlights that take 9005/9006 bulbs based on your avatar picture)

Headlight assemblies:

Are you wanting to stay with the OEM style diffused lenses, or would you be interested in going to a non-diffused clear lens? If the former, I'd stick with OEM. They're still available new but they're expensive, think $150+ per side. If the latter, I'd recommend either the Anzo 111004 (plastic lenses) or the Spyder HD-YD-CCK88-C (glass lenses). I have the Anzos in both of my '97s and I'm very happy with them. Either of these can be had for around $100 per set.

Anzo 111004:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015PPZMC

Spyder HD-YD-CCK88-C:
https://www.amazon.com/Spyder-Auto-Chrome-Crystal-Headlight/dp/B004WMF8SG

Wiring upgrade:

This is one of the most commonly overlooked upgrades to the headlights in these trucks. Upgrading the headlight wiring harness to a larger gauge wire with relays that pull power straight from the battery will gain you over a full volt at the headlight plugs, which equates to much brighter output. We have a user here (@5vortec7) who makes these harnesses complete with 4-Hi modification, which means your low beams will stay on as well when you engage your high beams. This is an absolute must if you want more brightness from halogen bulbs IMO. Here's the link to his thread where he sells these.

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/hd-headlight-harnesses-w-4-high-mod.45669/

Bulbs:

The absolute best, brightest 9005/9006 halogen bulbs on the market are Philips X-tremeVision. Unfortunately most stores (at least in my area) don't carry them. You'll probably have to order them from someplace like Amazon. Here's some links.

Philips X-tremeVision 9005:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgrade-Headlight-Vision/dp/B01C5QY7DW

Philips X-tremeVision 9006:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-tremeVision-Upgraded-Headlight-Vision/dp/B00U1OLM1Q

If you want something that's more readily available, Sylvania XtraVisions are in the same ballpark as far as output and are stocked in most parts stores and Wal-Mart.

Sylvania XtraVision 9005:
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-XtraVision-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0031HI0HY

Sylvania XtraVision 9006:
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-XtraVision-Halogen-Headlight-Contains/dp/B0031HEIDY

Whatever you do, stay away from halogen bulbs with a blue coating on the lens (like Sylvania SilverStars) as that coating actually robs you of light output. You want clear glass. The Philips X-tremeVisions are the one exception I'm aware of. They have a tiny bit of blue added to the glass in a specific spot just to keep the bulbs within spec. Without it, they'd be too bright for 9005/9006 specs.

Awesome info, df2x4, aka ‘Yoda’, can’t say thanks enough. Just the info I was looking for!

P

df2x4 · Oct 2, 2020

No problem guys. If you're ever bored and want to read about lighting on these trucks, skim through this thread. It's over 200 pages and there's a lot of non-lighting related rambling as well but there's a ton of good info in here.

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/spyder-headlamps-my-take-on-em-and-lighting-in-general.36647/

1ton-o-fun · Oct 26, 2020

@df2x4 , EXCELLENT info and much appreciated!
Is there a reason to choose the plastic housings over the glass? I'm thinking the glass ones you mentioned would eliminate the eventual yellowing or cloudiness that composites are destined for. No?

df2x4 · Oct 26, 2020

1ton-o-fun said:
@df2x4 , EXCELLENT info and much appreciated!
Is there a reason to choose the plastic housings over the glass? I'm thinking the glass ones you mentioned would eliminate the eventual yellowing or cloudiness that composites are destined for. No?

I chose the plastic Anzos for my trucks simply because I believe they're probably more resistant to impact damage, like rocks thrown up by tires on the highway for example. For the price if they last me 10+ years I'll be happy. Which it looks like they will. They've been in the trucks for at least five years now and still look great.

Lumens

F4U-1A

Early spring 24

Hipster

I'm Awesome

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer

Stumpy

Heavy Chevy

F4U-1A

Early spring 24

PatR

Newbie

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer

1ton-o-fun

Automotive Durability Tester

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer

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