[MiketheSpike]

I'm still in the engine building phase of my 72 Chevelle project. But, I can't help but ponder and wonder and research how I want to spend money I don't have, LOL. And, I would like to update as much of the car as I can as I'm putting it all back together, HID headlights, LED tail lights, disk brakes all around, etc.

Anyways, I'm looking at xenon headlights. It seems that straight up xenon headlights only run one way, hi or low. So, either two sets are needed - one for hi and one for low, or all in one bulb - bi-xenon.

So, since there's only one set of big honkin' headlights on my 72 I assume I'll need to pick up the bi-xenons. Correct?

 

[joe2maine]

Research your choices, the headlight switch in the older cars might not handle the current load of the new head lights. Its not a straight conversion. As far as led tail lights, there is some real bad junk out there that use leds that don't work well with older GM red reflector lenes. they look great at 90 degrees but suck off angle.

 

[chuckd71]

If you are putting in hids do projectors, doing just bulbs and calling it an "hid conversion" is what ******* teenagers do. A decent set should come with new wiring and maybe relay, getting power straight from the battery. I put bixenon projectors in my car and its one of my favorite upgrades.

 

[Bluegoose1970]

Anything, ANYTHING! I have my original head lights in my 71 SS, people come by and say Ohhhh, original, I think i am going to get a gun, can't see anything, must have been really dark back then when I drove it, or is it all the people with xenon lights on the road. Normal people say "your alternator is out":sad: No it's not.
To all the restoration people looking for originals, , WHY?
To all the people with xenon lights doing 100 MPH at night, look in your mirror, I'm the one tagging your bumper following your tail lights to see where I'm going.
Bet you didn't even notice my headlights.
I would recommend xenon lights with LED tail lights, why? When I'm following you, the LED will light up the inside of my car, all original dark ass bulbs.
Please ignore this, I drive my car now at least once a week on Sunday night.

 

[dogsridewith]

why run originals instead of halogens?

 

[70 nialator]

1972 head lights are 7 inch… there are SEVERAL cars you can “borrow” real projectors from and run REAL HID with ballasts…. Of course you are going to have to run some relays and upgrade a few other things… maybe even hack up the core support a little but who cares! You can drive the car and do it safely!

I would stay away from the eBay 30.00 stuff and get some from a real car. I did mine and I don’t regret it one bit, EVER! I have a 70 and “borrowed” them from a 1988 BWM and they are made by Hella. As said before one of the best things I’ve done as far as drivability.


These are kind of cool, if that’s what you’re into

This is Mine..



Drivers is a 5000K HID passenger is still the projector with the crap BMW bulb..



Also as stated before, stay away from the LED single “BULB” conversion for the rear.. they SUCK. I’m telling you this to save you money.. I’ve tried them all and trust me you will not be happy.

There are also full LED board conversions that are real and made for your car. They are 100+ bucks but they work like they are supposed to and the way you’ll want them too. Spend the money right the first time and trust me on this one……. Nothing on YouTube for a 72 but this will give you an idea.

These are mine

yes.... I like good lights

 

[Bluegoose1970]

why run originals instead of halogens?

I agree, they are OEM factory, if you are restoring to factory, people want them, if my car hadn't been stored for 30 years, they would have burned out by now. That will be my "Resto Mod" besides engine. New lights.
I must admit, factory lights do not burn out unless they get rock chipped.
Come on rocks!

 

[Bluegoose1970]

FYI moment.
Bright led lights will burn 1/2 bright after a year of use, get the best you can, and make sure they are brighter than you want for the cost of replacement would be inhibitive , multiple bulbs allow longer use without replacement . They will fade with use, but normally will remain at the burn in output.

HID lights , like all HID lights do the same, lumen are reduced with age, maybe that 1988 bulb is just tired.

Xenon bulbs will burn full bright till failure, more light and cooler than halogen with less input watts.

Its a personal choice.

 

[70 nialator]

Had the same 6000K HID’s in my 01 Yukon with denali projector housing for 4 years… still love them. HID is my choice.
And you are mistaken, hid’s draw less current and run WAY Cooler…… Xenon bulbs will melt the he!! out of some plastic lenses and housings…. Been there done it all..

Moral of this story is cheap lights are just that, in every sense of the word. Everything wares out, that’s a given…. I’ve spent thousands (not hundreds) on light alterations for my several vehicle’s and I’m sharing with you what works for me. Take it for what it’s worth.

FWIW, I’m tired, laid carpet all day… so if I’m not the most cordial I’m sorry. Lights are one of “my things” love them and had to respond.

 

[Bluegoose1970]

Had the same 6000K HID’s in my 01 Yukon with denali projector housing for 4 years… still love them. HID is my choice.
And you are mistaken, hid’s draw less current…… and Xenon bulbs will melt the he!! out of some plastic lenses and housings…. Been there done it all.

Never said HID, "Xenon bulbs will burn full bright till failure, more light and cooler than halogen with less input watts."
High Intensity Discharge bulbs do run cooler, I was referring to halogen filament lamps.
I personally have no problems with any, just pointing out some facts. HID are great lights, just with use they do get dimmer, depends on how much you burn them, and if you change one, the old one will be dimmer, how much depends on hours of use.
Glad you are happy with yours.:thumbsup:
I am about to take my coal oil lantern equipped car out and look for someone with new lights to follow.

 

[Coppertop]

For the simple folk or budget minded, you can always just go with stock replacement Halogens. Little investment for much better results than the "pathetic" T-3 sealed incandescents.

http://prepostmodern.com/hd/

 

[Bluegoose1970]

For the simple folk or budget minded, you can always just go with stock replacement Halogens. Little investment for much better results than the "pathetic" T-3 sealed incandescents.

http://prepostmodern.com/hd/

That is going to be what I get, especially since they refer to the originals as lanterns. Thank you, made me laugh and a good article.
Sorry to disrupt your thread, but after driving it last night, the stars were brighter. Not waiting for rocks anymore.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Alan F]

I used to always upgrade my lights to Cibie Qi. You can buy a bi-xenon bulb for the halogen housings And it will be bright. But you should really use projectors to avoid blinding other drivers and attracting undue attention from LE.

My 2008 Denali I sent a set of new housings to Black Flame Customs and had them upgraded with some Acura projectors. They work awesome. The rest of my cars I always get with HIDs, except for the frame-off resto that has T3s in it.