Headlight Conversion

coop · January 16, 2005

Has anyone done the headlight conversion where all four lights burn when the "brights" are on? I was looking through my stylin concepts magazine and saw it. i am thinking about getting it for my 96 Z71. I wanted to know what was involved in wiring this if anyone knew.

-Coop

Heres the link to the headlight conversion: High 4 Headlight Conversion

citydriver · January 16, 2005

Welcome to the Forum

Yes, it has been done many times, I've done this mod to my '95...... You will find several posts on this subject here, and references to many kits, different manufacturers and home-grown kits...HAPPY READING!

p.s. The mod works really well

budhayes3 · January 16, 2005

There's a ton of info here about that...here's a couple I found when I did a search for "headlights":

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...3&hl=headlights

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...5&hl=headlights

I'm sure that if you search further you'll find much, much more. I remember a thread not too long ago that actually had pictures of where to install a diode between 2 relays under the hood.

Cobb2819 · January 16, 2005

yeah it's a good mod, but there are several things that made me turn away from something like that back in the day with my toyotas. when you turn the high beams on, your eyes adjust to seeing farther out. with low and high beams on, you're trying to see farther then you can because you're eyes have not and will not adjust to night conditions. your depther perception is effected at this point, and that's not good on a long night drive, or where you need to be able to see everything. i've got a buddy in canada that owns an auto lighting company, and he actually did a study on this, and tells people to steer clear of 4 beam conversions. also...it's recommended to turn off your fogs if you switch to high beams also...if you've got them.

Jacob

facn8me · January 16, 2005

yeah it's a good mod, but there are several things that made me turn away from something like that back in the day with my toyotas. when you turn the high beams on, your eyes adjust to seeing farther out. with low and high beams on, you're trying to see farther then you can because you're eyes have not and will not adjust to night conditions. your depther perception is effected at this point, and that's not good on a long night drive, or where you need to be able to see everything. i've got a buddy in canada that owns an auto lighting company, and he actually did a study on this, and tells people to steer clear of 4 beam conversions. also...it's recommended to turn off your fogs if you switch to high beams also...if you've got them.

Jacob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am guessing you mean when switching back to dims there is a depth perception loss due to the dramatic loss in lighting?

thread hijack in progress:

(Also on one of the headlight threads someone had a scematic of 03 underdash connector were you could hook up the diodes. It was taken down or I can't find it now. Does any one remember or PM it to me it was taken down.)

done with hi jack now

mcreyaufmiller · January 16, 2005

If he has a 96, he cannot use the diode method, he has to use the relay and harness method.

1. Mount a relay on the inside fenderwall by the battery

2. Run a wire (Green) from #87 to the low beam wire... you will need a test light

3. run a wire (Black) from #85 to a good ground with a self tapping screw or a straight to the negative battery terminal

4. run a wire (White) from #86 to the high beam wire...test light helps

5. run a wire (yellow) from #30 to the + side of the battery with an inline fuse.

6. tape up your connections and zip tie the wire.. test it out first though.

This should work to conver the headlights on 88-98 OBS trucks.

coop · January 17, 2005

thanks everyone for the replies. i looked last night for a search button but couldnt find it...i log on today and its the first thing i notice...i guess next time i wont worry about looking for something at 2 in the morning ...thanks again for the replies..

mcreyaufmiller: what type of relay are you talking about?

-coop

thirdgoat · January 17, 2005

yeah it's a good mod, but there are several things that made me turn away from something like that back in the day with my toyotas. when you turn the high beams on, your eyes adjust to seeing farther out. with low and high beams on, you're trying to see farther then you can because you're eyes have not and will not adjust to night conditions. your depther perception is effected at this point, and that's not good on a long night drive, or where you need to be able to see everything. i've got a buddy in canada that owns an auto lighting company, and he actually did a study on this, and tells people to steer clear of 4 beam conversions. also...it's recommended to turn off your fogs if you switch to high beams also...if you've got them.

Jacob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is this the reason GM went to the two lamp setup? I often wondered the logic behind it. Also, according to my state inspector, in Virginia, he said he would not pass it if all 4 beams were on. He said go ahead and make the modification if you want, but disconnect it before inspection. Interesting, to say the least!

99GMCZ71 · January 17, 2005

I wonder why it would not pass inspection. There are other vehicles that use all 4 when the high beams are on.

Is this the reason GM went to the two lamp setup? I often wondered the logic behind it. Also, according to my state inspector, in Virginia, he said he would not pass it if all 4 beams were on. He said go ahead and make the modification if you want, but disconnect it before inspection. Interesting, to say the least!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

asilverblazer · January 17, 2005

yeah it's a good mod, but there are several things that made me turn away from something like that back in the day with my toyotas. when you turn the high beams on, your eyes adjust to seeing farther out. with low and high beams on, you're trying to see farther then you can because you're eyes have not and will not adjust to night conditions. your depther perception is effected at this point, and that's not good on a long night drive, or where you need to be able to see everything. i've got a buddy in canada that owns an auto lighting company, and he actually did a study on this, and tells people to steer clear of 4 beam conversions. also...it's recommended to turn off your fogs if you switch to high beams also...if you've got them.

Jacob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you saying that when hi beams are on that my eyes adjust to low light conditions, but with both on my eyes do not? The reason that I have done it is because with high beams on it takes away the spotlight affect of low beams (a more direct light specifically on the road in front of me) and instead gives a more distant ambient light. With them both on I have a direct light in my immediate path along with the ambient light to see distant obstacles. Do you have more on your buddy's study? Not questioning you or argueing but I would like to see more of this.

mcreyaufmiller · January 17, 2005

The relay is just a standard Bosch relay. Or any automotive 12v relay will work. The pins will be numbered the same. Any auto parts store should have them. $5 is about the right range.

Cobb2819 · January 17, 2005

in general, your eyes adjust for depth based on light. if you're trying to see far, it needs to be dark close, if you're trying to see close it needs to be dark farther out. if you're running all 4 beams, your eyes will never adjust to either close or far. it takes like 5 seconds for eyes to adjust to the light...it takes like 6x as long to adjust to the dark. basically...only run 2 lights at a time...it's safer. they do it for a reason...maybe you should consider that.

Jacob

mcreyaufmiller · January 18, 2005

Good point, however considering someone like myself that does not run the highs much, but when I do, I want to see what is in front of my truck, not just far away. I ahve hit things when the highs were on because I could not see them right in front of me. besides, when you are at a woods party and are swimming, you need all of the light you can get from the headlights!!

jt1872001 · January 18, 2005

that sounds like bs to me.when i run my lights piaa high beams and off road lights every thing is lit up near and far .why do you think racers have 12 hid lights on there roof? MORE LIGHT = SEE MORE, but for the street just change you high beem bulbs to the piaa 's they are way brighter than the 4 bulbs on at once,the only draw back is the price $

Bgdsub72 · January 18, 2005

I had the painless kit on my 95 silverado in addition to my Hella 550's all three sets of lights produce a blinding light that illuminates the road. go for it!