81 headlight question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
81 headlight question
OK, I know there is no such thing as a stupid question but...there are and this may be one, so please forgive me. I am looking at changing the original headlight bulbs in my 81 to the halogen bulbs from Zips. Is there anything else I would need to do other than change the headlight? I.e. wiring? Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Its likely not a must for your upgrade but on all my car headlights i like to run relays, the relay takes the load off the factory switch and shortens the power run to the lights,
Its a popular mod, many kits out there or if you are like me you do it yourself,
Lots of diagrams on google....
Its a popular mod, many kits out there or if you are like me you do it yourself,
Lots of diagrams on google....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
Its likely not a must for your upgrade but on all my car headlights i like to run relays, the relay takes the load off the factory switch and shortens the power run to the lights,
Its a popular mod, many kits out there or if you are like me you do it yourself,
Lots of diagrams on google....
Its a popular mod, many kits out there or if you are like me you do it yourself,
Lots of diagrams on google....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
As of now, I am assuming that my low beams are just old, they are very dim and do not light the road very well, but my high beams work great. Any other advice that may change my dim lows?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,681
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
If your 81 still has it's original headlamp bulbs, then the high beams are already Halogens. All 81's came with Halogen high beams.
You should be able to get Halogen sealed beam headlight bulbs for your 81 at most auto parts stores, I know my local NAPA carries them for about $10 each.
You'll need to 2 H5006 low beams, and 2 H5006 high beams. As Mike said, they're a straight plug in. There's nothing special about them, you don't need to change anything but the bulbs.
You should be able to get Halogen sealed beam headlight bulbs for your 81 at most auto parts stores, I know my local NAPA carries them for about $10 each.
You'll need to 2 H5006 low beams, and 2 H5006 high beams. As Mike said, they're a straight plug in. There's nothing special about them, you don't need to change anything but the bulbs.
Last edited by gbvette62; Feb 22, 2017 at 03:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 21
From: Centreville, Maryland
If your 81 still has it's original headlamp bulbs, then the high beams are already Halogens. All 81's came with Halogen high beams.
You should be able to get Halogen sealed beam headlight bulbs for your 81 at most auto parts stores, I know my local NAPA carries them for about $10 each.
You'll need to 2 H5006 low beams, and 2 H5006 high beams. As Mike said, they're a straight plug in. There's nothing special about them, you don't need to change anything but the bulbs.
You should be able to get Halogen sealed beam headlight bulbs for your 81 at most auto parts stores, I know my local NAPA carries them for about $10 each.
You'll need to 2 H5006 low beams, and 2 H5006 high beams. As Mike said, they're a straight plug in. There's nothing special about them, you don't need to change anything but the bulbs.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
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From: Central Texas
OK, I know there is no such thing as a stupid question but...there are and this may be one, so please forgive me. I am looking at changing the original headlight bulbs in my 81 to the halogen bulbs from Zips. Is there anything else I would need to do other than change the headlight? I.e. wiring? Thanks in advance.
The fix was putting a new headlight switch in and using relays to control the power to the lamps. This is just one way to go. There are numerous threads concerning the upgrading of the headlight system to get brighter lights.
Good luck with your project.
My next headlight upgrade is going to be with this...
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.php...mance-lighting
Last edited by Street Rat; Feb 23, 2017 at 09:24 AM. Reason: add link