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Just finished upgrading to Led headlights. These....https://www.octanelighting.com/produ...3-034-g5-led-2
Wow!, quite a difference. These are plug and play, as advertised, but with a couple (very minor) adjustments for my '69, as I will point out. First of all, they have no access hole for the fiber optics indicators for early C3s. If you want to retain them, Richard454 has a fix on a thread, but the backs of these bulbs don't readily allow drilling an access hole. So, I gave up fiber indicators, but no biggie for me.
This is what one looks like......notice its attached fan and wire. It plugs into your existing harness.
Here it is compared to the stock bulb......note the tabs that sit in the ring.....they stick up just a little too far. They are easily cut off, or can be mashed down so your trim ring will fit.
Also, notice the round fan on the back. It poses no problem for the bucket, but is just a tad too large to fit in the access hole behind the bucket. I reamed out the access hole about 1/8" around with a RotoZip tool (took about 5 minutes per hole) and everything was OK.
So, the above mentioned were the only issues, otherwise, it was as simple as changing a light bulb.
Halfway done........
Even in the daytime, the difference from stock is noticeable.....lights on.....stock lights on right side of pic........
Complete............
Nighttime.........
High beams......hard to get a good pic.......the lighting pattern is almost like floodlights.........
Full lights ahead!...........
Overall, well satisfied with these lights. No extra relays needed, high beam is only 40 watts compared to 55 watts for the stockers.
Those look great. Where did you get your lights from, if I may ask? Sorry didnt read post close enough!! I think I'll be ordering those for my 80.Thanks GIL
Last edited by gil7247; May 11, 2019 at 04:44 PM.
Reason: Not necessary
I'd be interested to see the low beam pattern up against a wall.
In general, H4 headlights lights require the filament(s) of the bulb to be in a very specific spot, so that the reflector shines the light on the road and not into the eyes on oncoming drivers.
It would be interesting to see if the supplier that you used took that into account.
I had some motorcycle LED bulbs that I tested, and would not use as the light pattern was all over the place compared to where it should have gone.
Looking at a diagram of the H4 bulb and the LED bulb, the location was not that far off.
Your link talks about LED replacement bulbs, not sealed beam H4s as Octane's are. These are DOT certified and legal (for car headlight use). Compared to my everyday driver (Monte Carlo), the beam against my garage door is not concentrated at a certain height or line, no real "hot spot" but is somewhat like a floodlight. Light is everywhere, but does not extend higher than conventional lighting, unless you over aim it.......it does not blind you or shine too high. Kinda hard to explain but looks exactly like this pic from their website (even though it's not against a wall).
Last edited by C3 Stroker; May 13, 2019 at 09:54 PM.
I have an interest in this subject, so studied the site you linked to.
Here on their web, they show the same headlights with both LED and Halogen bulbs.
It appears that they use the same basic headlight with both Halogen and LED light source.
If so, they are not by definition, DOT approved, as the light pattern can not be the same.
The sealed beam headlamp itself could be DOT legal, just not with the H4 LED bulbs.
The filament location is VERY important for a light to work properly.
There is no doubt that the lights are bright.
I was very impressed with the output of the ones I tested
The issue would be glare for oncoming drivers.
Checking the light output pattern with a H4 bulb could be "enlightening".
I have an interest in this subject, so studied the site you linked to.
Here on their web, they show the same headlights with both LED and Halogen bulbs.
It appears that they use the same basic headlight with both Halogen and LED light source.
If so, they are not by definition, DOT approved, as the light pattern can not be the same.
The sealed beam headlamp itself could be DOT legal, just not with the H4 LED bulbs.
The filament location is VERY important for a light to work properly.
There is no doubt that the lights are bright.
I was very impressed with the output of the ones I tested
The issue would be glare for oncoming drivers.
Checking the light output pattern with a H4 bulb could be "enlightening".
Since you read the website, you also see plain as day that these lights are indeed SAE DOT approved with H4 LED headlights since that's what they're selling, and clearly stating. The light pattern with H4 LEDs in the sealed beams did get approval in this case. They'd be in deep if they were lying. Your definition is obviously wrong......the approval is valid.
Clearly stated on the light (as well as the website)
There are TWO components to the headlights that you guys are using, the Bulb and the Sealed reflector unit.
The sealer reflector is marked DOT, as is required.
The DOT marking is a self certification thing, and is not actually tested by the DOT.
The reseller is adding a LED bulb to that lens, and making you think that the combination of the two is DOT approved.
(good for them, they sell more stuff)
FMVSS108 is the standard that regulates lighting.
PIAA is a high quality bulb company with a disclaimer about the LED bulbs being legal.
The season that the statement is there, is that when the bulbs are used with a DOT compliant housing, the net result is that the headlight produces glare for oncoming drivers.
Legal advice
Detailed guarantee terms can be found at www.osram.com/am-guarantee. These products do not have ECE approval. This means they must not be used on public roads in any exterior application. Use
on public roads leads to cancellation of operating license and loss of insurance coverage. Several countries do not allow sale
and use of these products. Please contact your local distributor for information on the availability in your country.
Do with this what you want, just be aware that non compliant head lights cause problems for oncoming drivers.
.......................................D oes not comply with FMVSS108 or CMVSS108.
Do with this what you want, just be aware that non compliant head lights cause problems for oncoming drivers.
Point taken. Thanks for the info. I can see the reason for the disclaimers.......Here in Ohio, LED headlights (or retrofits) are legal (some new cars are equipped with LED headlights, Cadillac CTS for example), but you can be cited for blinding other drivers (with any headlights, LED or not). The law here requires the headlights to be white, not to flash, and be aimed correctly. The 6000K lumens are legal as long as the bulb is yellow or white. These LEDs don't have a definitive "hot spot", but can easily be aimed down so as not to blind. I definitely view them as an upgrade.
With those I did not have to bore the hole out at all or cut the clips off.
Total plug and play.
Did you put the whole bulb in from the front? I took the bulb out of mine and slid it in from behind, then I brought the lens in from the front and reinstalled it. That way I didn’t have to cut anything.
Last edited by scottjamison; Dec 8, 2019 at 10:58 AM.
With those I did not have to bore the hole out at all or cut the clips off.
Total plug and play.
Did you put the whole bulb in from the front? I took the bulb out of mine and slid it in from behind, then I brought the lens in from the front and reinstalled it. That way I didn’t have to cut anything.
Yes, installed the whole bulb from the front. That gave me plenty of slack to attach the wiring, then sliding it back in. I bought from the Amazon link also. They are always out of stock on Octane's website.
Last edited by C3 Stroker; Dec 8, 2019 at 01:12 PM.
New LED Headlights Installed
