Head Lights

[EX P I]

My 70 Challenger has a low beam out. I looked at replacements and think I'd go with a Sylvania Ultra bright. NOT LED.
Question: Given the car has original wiring, could I expect an improvement in brightness with new lights?

 

[Xcudame]

Certainly the newer lights are a little brighter than the old original bulbs. Just don't expect modern headlight brightness. Of course, once the modern headlight plastic clouds up (like they do here in the desert), they're not so bright either.

 

[Avalanche]

Year one has halogen headlights that are a direct replacement. Much brighter

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Adding relays really helps as well , this shunt the power directly from the battery instead of power going through the fire \wall , though the headlight switch , back through the firewall to the headlights , all modern cars are wired this way with relays so the headlights are significantly brighter .

 

[EX P I]

My 70 Challenger has a low beam out. I looked at replacements and think I'd go with a Sylvania Ultra bright. NOT LED.
Question: Given the car has original wiring, could I expect an improvement in brightness with new lights?

Thank you!

 

[EX P I]

Adding relays really helps as well , this shunt the power directly from the battery instead of power going through the fire \wall , though the headlight switch , back through the firewall to the headlights , all modern cars are wired this way with relays so the headlights are significantly brighter .

Thank you!

 

[EX P I]

Adding relays really helps as well , this shunt the power directly from the battery instead of power going through the fire \wall , though the headlight switch , back through the firewall to the headlights , all modern cars are wired this way with relays so the headlights are significantly brighter .

Thank you!

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Adding relays really helps as well , this shunt the power directly from the battery instead of power going through the fire \wall , though the headlight switch , back through the firewall to the headlights , all modern cars are wired this way with relays so the headlights are significantly brighter .

Agreed, relays will improve any lighting type but with the factory charging system intact, the relay secondary power source should be from the alternator not the battery. All loads need to be on the alternator side of the ammeter as are all factory loads.

 

[cv70chall]

Thank you!

Hi,
I did the relay upgrade a while back. I've recently upgraded all the other exterior bulbs to LED, but want the headlights upgraded as well. Who makes the set that is durable and essentially plug & play?

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

..Who makes the set that is durable and essentially plug & play?

Holley RetroBrights, not cheap however. They will fit without modifications.

 

[cv70chall]

Holley RetroBrights, not cheap however. They will fit without modifications.

Otherwise, the next best bet is Halogen and modifying the plugs, correct?

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Otherwise, the next best bet is Halogen and modifying the plugs, correct?

H4/H1 based Hella E-codes Halogens. Several options for bulb wattage. Not to be confused with sealed beam Halogens.

 

[Mopar Nut]

Agreed, relays will improve any lighting type but with the factory charging system intact, the relay secondary power source should be from the alternator not the battery. All loads need to be on the alternator side of the ammeter as are all factory loads.

Is there a wiring diagram using the relay secondary power source running from the alternator?

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Is there a wiring diagram using the relay secondary power source running from the alternator?

The referenced wiring size upgrade on the secondary side would be for high current lighting, I.E. Hella E-codes.

 

[bc3j]

H4/H1 based Hella E-codes Halogens. Several options for bulb wattage. Not to be confused with sealed beam Halogens.
View attachment 114921

I have Crackedback’s relay harness and H4/H1 Tungsram +120 bulbs with Koito headlight housings. The lighting is very impressive.

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Adding relays really helps as well , this shunt the power directly from the battery instead of power going through the fire \wall , though the headlight switch , back through the firewall to the headlights , all modern cars are wired this way with relays so the headlights are significantly brighter .

Do you know if anyone makes the headlight relay kits like CrackedBack does? I emailed him a month ago and no response. I know he is having physical issues so may no longer be doing the relay kits.

 

[EX P I]

Agreed, relays will improve any lighting type but with the factory charging system intact, the relay secondary power source should be from the alternator not the battery. All loads need to be on the alternator side of the ammeter as are all factory loads.

Thank you.

 

[cv70chall]

H4/H1 based Hella E-codes Halogens. Several options for bulb wattage. Not to be confused with sealed beam Halogens.
View attachment 114921

What wattage did you select? Plug & Play or mod needed? Also, the difference between these and sealed beam hals?

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

80/100-watt H4s, 100-watt H1 bulbs. Modifications? Relays for sure, the factory lighting circuit cannot handle the current draw, approaches 30amps with all four high beams on. Also, recommend the relay to lamps wiring be upsized as noted in the diagram above. Also, ceramic plugs on the H4s, they do generate a bit of heat. No physical modifications to fit the housings in the buckets, direct replacement. Compared to sealed beam halogens? Much more light output and a more precise and defined/wide light pattern. If you are still running a non-modified factory stock original charging system with an ammeter, be sure to draw your relay/lamp power from the alternator, not from the battery directly.

Last set I bought from Summit, housings and high wattage bulb set was about $275 IIRC. Housings include the 55/60-watt H4, 55-watt H1 bulbs.