Thread: Sealed Beam Lights

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Anyone do a conversion to LED or something else?
We put halogen conversions into the 48 F1 but they aren't very bright either.
Looking for something better. Any ideas? Thoughts?

driving lights. inexpensive and seriously bright .

I had the same problem with the halogen lights in my 46. Turns out the lighting circuit had a voltage drop and wasn't providing full system voltage to the lights. It is internal to the fuse block. I think one of the buss bars that supply the common side of the fuses has too much resistance or has a bad connection . I've never really been completely satisfied with the wiring harness on this car and I'm the one that put it in! The headlight circuit isn't the only one that has a hard time supplying full system power. It's on my list of things to change when my current project is finished (or mostly finished).

At any rate, I solved the issue by adding an auxiliary harness with relays behind the grille. The relays are fed by a #10 wire and fuse directly off the starter cable stud (battery is in the trunk). The regular headlight wires just operate the relays. I now have full system voltage at the bulb sockets and nice bright lights.

I had already verified that the lights are getting 12 volts. The problem really is my uncle that drives the 48 is more accustomed to his new Dodge van and the LED lights. The old 6014's just don't give him the light he wants. I tried the switchover to Halogen but he still wants more. I was really curious if anyone had moved into the LED type.

I've been looking at a set that goes into a YJ Jeep. LED Projector style. We'll see what happens.

Originally Posted by 34_40

I had already verified that the lights are getting 12 volts. The problem really is my uncle that drives the 48 is more accustomed to his new Dodge van and the LED lights. The old 6014's just don't give him the light he wants. I tried the switchover to Halogen but he still wants more. I was really curious if anyone had moved into the LED type.

I've been looking at a set that goes into a YJ Jeep. LED Projector style. We'll see what happens.

Be careful, Mike. The YJ was the Wrangler for '87 to '95 and is remembered for the leaf spring suspension, and rectangular headlights. The CJ preceded the YJ and had round lights, as did the TJ which followed, and ran '97 to '06 (no model designated '96 - it was the transition year for a major change in design). You probably need to shop for a set for the TJ, not the YJ. I cut the lenses off of my OEM TJ lights and silicone sealed them onto the Halogen lights for the '33, giving old school lens look to the modern base.

Good info Mr Spears. Yes, I did mean the TJ..

I grew up torturing CJ's 8-)

You can get the housings from a Liberty and they take a H4 bulb I believe. Then you can go LED, halogen, or what ever. I have LEDs in my 72 and I need to get less bright ones. They are over kill for on coming traffic. I have used HID's with diffuser housings but the ballasts crap out and make it no fun. I've heard guys having good luck with these:

https://vintagecarleds.com/7-inch-ro...SAAEgKFCPD_BwE

I had these in the 40 and they were a big improvement over a regular halogen lamp.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SYLVANIA-...&wl13=&veh=sem

this is what I did to my '39:

Truck-Lite 27270C 7" round Sealed LED headlights

https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27.../dp/B007K8AA7I


removed the H4 reflector housings from the bucket and set these inside, then added an LED turn signal designed for a Harley at the base of the lamp. The LEDs are a nice white light with a good spread in front of the car and not blinding to oncoming traffic and the turn signals are nice and bright to alert oncoming traffic of my intent to turn, and then light up the whole glass housing even with the headlights on, so the whole headlight appears to alternate between yellow and white, with a hard focus point at the lamp itself.





the Truck-lite 7" round sealed led will work in a bucket like mine or directly as a sealed beam unit, my buddy put the same ones in place of his stock 7" round on his 1969 Mustang, they are H4 connectors so plug and play.

Hey thanks to both of you for the info, I'll check out the link(s).. again thanks for the reply!

Originally Posted by mjeds

this is what I did to my '39:

Truck-Lite 27270C 7" round Sealed LED headlights

https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27.../dp/B007K8AA7I


removed the H4 reflector housings from the bucket and set these inside, then added an LED turn signal designed for a Harley at the base of the lamp. The LEDs are a nice white light with a good spread in front of the car and not blinding to oncoming traffic and the turn signals are nice and bright to alert oncoming traffic of my intent to turn, and then light up the whole glass housing even with the headlights on, so the whole headlight appears to alternate between yellow and white, with a hard focus point at the lamp itself.





the Truck-lite 7" round sealed led will work in a bucket like mine or directly as a sealed beam unit, my buddy put the same ones in place of his stock 7" round on his 1969 Mustang, they are H4 connectors so plug and play.

updating this:

the LEDs on these lights have failed. low beam on one side, high beam on the other, the manufacturer only offers 1 year warranty, I've had them 14 months.. they offer me a $5 discount to replace $250 lights.

so I am researching different options, and one that hopefully will provide some better light output, I wasn't really impressed with these.

Hey thanks for the update. Nice of them to offer 5 bucks on that 250 right!?!? Yes, heavy sarcasm there.. LOL

I'll be watching to see if you make a new selection.

there are dozens of small driving lights now. some only 2-3 inches . easy to hide in bumper or grilles. i plan on a set for the falcon hidden in the bumper.

I'm going to try this setup:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Round-Cle...72.m2749.l2649


I've had good luck with the H4 LED replacement units, my wife has them in her 2017 Camry and they have been their 2 years (bought it in Oct 2016) with no issues.

there are some for bikes that are outrageously bright and small. some at 20 bucks.