Update/upgrade b-body headlights ??

Looking to update/upgrade my '69RR headlights but not sure of the differences in the various options. I would like lights with "halos" for daytime running. but these can be had with both LED and Halogen. What has me curious is what the heat sinks are for on the LEDs - apparently some even have small fans. Why?

Also, what are the difference in power draw and amount of light from the various options? I'm not planning on long distance nighttime driving so turning two miles of highway into daylight is not a necessity.

We installed some after market Halogens we got from Ebay.Had them on m,y 57 and the kids 62 300.They would light up the road.I run a set in my 65 but it just has single light.The others had duals.They pull less than a stock bulb for power.Thought about going LEDs but the cost to how much people drive them at night dosent justify the cost.I hear relays do help also.Oh yeah I run the halogens in my 58 and 74 Harleys also.They use the upgrde 55/100 watt bulbs and even with a generator on my 58 no problems.Rocky

Just put a set of GE Nighthawks in my 51, haven't driven it yet so no input there, but they are LED and they sure light up the garage, lol. They are 7" round units and they fit the headlight buckets fine, though they stick out about 1/2" farther from the headlight retaining ring.

Getting it inspected today so hopefully I will have something to report.

I went with https://haloheadlights.co/ they have a glass lens and the LED main bulb is nice, less power draw and lots of light. I leave the halos on all the time as a type of daytime running light for a little more safety. I have had a lot of problems with some of the halo leds burning out (and not much runtime) and it is pretty annoying. Happy other than that. BTW the newer LED bulbs do not have the big heat sinks/fans.

Not a fan of a .CO website and company that uses hotmail for contact info.

Understandable, generally their customer service has been great and have had some mainstream attention/spotlight and is made in USA.

https://www.oraclelights.com/ also has a few options, but I think their housings were plastic or resin instead or metal/glass like the first place I referenced.

I just ordered a set of 4 from Oracle Lighting. $ 190. with shipping for Halogens with full halos and GLASS lenses. WAY less expensive than that other place. Don'r really give a damn if the backs are plastic !!

Awesome, please follow up with how they look/work out.

Could be a while .. car has to go in for bondo/paint, then assembly. Just gathering parts while I think of it !!

Always felt the unmentioned most important feature of LED lights is their reflector design/focus as it relates/interacts to the LED light source..Not convinced many of the smaller manufacturers have the skill//desire to fully develop all the details needed for a useful effective driving light.In the many offered LED's today, They may be bright, use less power, look cool, but seems like a gamble when choosing if the light is actually going where it is supposed to, efficiently.

Best hi beam I've ever used "ever", guess !

Versus bulbs designed in the 30's and used till the 80's !! I'm willing to gamble ... how much worse can they be ?!?!?

You missed the point, .I've used "Grote" LED 5x7's for example on my trucks, they have incredible beam control, high and Lo, besides the other pluses I already mentioned. Other off brands seem to have rather obvious different LED /reflector/layouts. hard to believe all LED designs are equal in performance. and I was not trying to compare LED to the older sealed beam Halogens.

O give up, what is that Hi beam?

Probably an aircraft landing light.
Remember a fellow back in Tennessee around 70-72 with a pair in his car.

Friend had some in his '68 442 many years ago. They would light up the world even back then.



Tim

4537 and 4522 aircraft landing lights were both common numbers used. I had 4537's in both my 70 Datsun pickup and 69 Catalina. Lighting up stop signs a mile away was nothing. Melt your eyeballs bright they were. Relays were a necessity.

i have those on my charger, after having a pair on my one chrysler.. light up the world they do !
they also throw off a ton of heat. if you are cold, stand in front of those babies for a minute or two.
the only modification needed is to cut a locator notch in the housing bucket. the original bulb notch is 90* off. i can't remember which way though.
those bulbs also need to be run off of a relay.
the wagner number is 4537, and it's listed as an off road light. one other thing, those used to come with a standard two blade hookup [same as a high beam socket], but it seems to be hit or miss on that or a screw connection these days. if a screw connection, just use two small lengths of appropriate wire for jumpers. i suggest 14 or 12ga.