69 ss camaro headlight and parking light reccomendations

[dcrider69]

I am looking for recommendations on headlight selection.
My preference is:
h4 bulb
close to stock appearance, no crazy design
no halo

I would need to be able to match parking lights. I have brand new stock parking lights at the moment.
so, new bulb? conversion? all new assembly?

pictures and any help is appreciated.

[mc84_zz4]

For what I consider the best in light control:
- Bosch H4 or Hella H4, they are extremely close in quality, and are no disappointment. Around $100/pr.
http://www.rallylights.com/hella-7-round-e-code-hi-lo-conversion-headlamp-kit-h6024.html

They also have a DOT approved one, that has a bulb shield;
http://www.rallylights.com/hella-7-round-9003-vision-plus-dot-conversion-headlamp-hl70477.html

Get a pair of Phillips Xtreme bulbs, they are the brightest ones lately, they may seem that way when comparing, facing a wall at a close
distance, but get them on the road, and you will notice much more light reaching further.
Cameras take terrible pictures of the effect, since they average out the light measurement.
Phillips Xtreme:
http://store.candlepower.com/90h4hbxtpo.html
Osram makes their version:
http://store.candlepower.com/fcocoosnibrp2.html

if you need/want 'off road' bulbs, here they are: (65/70, 80/85w, 80/100w, etc)
http://store.candlepower.com/h4hb29003bulbs.html

I suggest an H4 harness regardless of regular or high wattage bulbs, it will give you a full 14v at the headlight.
e-bay has plenty, look for one with ceramic plugs, better if it has separate leads to the (+) terminal for each of
the 2 relays (low beam, high beam).
Anywhere from $30-100, depending on brand.

Summit Racing has a 2-lamp setup under $40, money back if you do not like it, no arguing..
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/upd-34263/overview/



I'm no help on the parking light updates, I tried several 1157 bulb replacements, and all were overpriced POS, they either did not fit into the socket, or had disappointing light to the side (reflection) so all you would see was a tiny bright spot at night, during the day, most were not visible, specially with the sun on the taillights.
The worst part, they were $15 - $20 each bulb.
Recently there are some new Phillips LED bulbs that appear to be the real deal, but I'm still not going to jump on that wagon yet.
The red bulbs are significantly dimmer than the white.
The white are in 6,000-6,500k in color, which I do not like either, they glare others, even for license plate lighting.

I'm waiting for the next generation of LED in 3,600-4,300 in kelvin degree for the color range.
/rant

[dcrider69]

For what I consider the best in light control:
- Bosch H4 or Hella H4, they are extremely close in quality, and are no disappointment. Around $100/pr.
http://www.rallylights.com/hella-7-round-e-code-hi-lo-conversion-headlamp-kit-h6024.html

They also have a DOT approved one, that has a bulb shield;
http://www.rallylights.com/hella-7-round-9003-vision-plus-dot-conversion-headlamp-hl70477.html

Get a pair of Phillips Xtreme bulbs, they are the brightest ones lately, they may seem that way when comparing, facing a wall at a close
distance, but get them on the road, and you will notice much more light reaching further.
Cameras take terrible pictures of the effect, since they average out the light measurement.
Phillips Xtreme:
http://store.candlepower.com/90h4hbxtpo.html
Osram makes their version:
http://store.candlepower.com/fcocoosnibrp2.html

if you need/want 'off road' bulbs, here they are: (65/70, 80/85w, 80/100w, etc)
http://store.candlepower.com/h4hb29003bulbs.html

I suggest an H4 harness regardless of regular or high wattage bulbs, it will give you a full 14v at the headlight.
e-bay has plenty, look for one with ceramic plugs, better if it has separate leads to the (+) terminal for each of
the 2 relays (low beam, high beam).
Anywhere from $30-100, depending on brand.

Summit Racing has a 2-lamp setup under $40, money back if you do not like it, no arguing..
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/upd-34263/overview/



I'm no help on the parking light updates, I tried several 1157 bulb replacements, and all were overpriced POS, they either did not fit into the socket, or had disappointing light to the side (reflection) so all you would see was a tiny bright spot at night, during the day, most were not visible, specially with the sun on the taillights.
The worst part, they were $15 - $20 each bulb.
Recently there are some new Phillips LED bulbs that appear to be the real deal, but I'm still not going to jump on that wagon yet.
The red bulbs are significantly dimmer than the white.
The white are in 6,000-6,500k in color, which I do not like either, they glare others, even for license plate lighting.

I'm waiting for the next generation of LED in 3,600-4,300 in kelvin degree for the color range.
/rant

Great information and pretty much what I was looking for, thanks!

I am running a 16v system with alternator, so would you agree the harness isn't necessary?

[mc84_zz4]

I am running a 16v system with alternator, so would you agree the harness isn't necessary?

The reason for the harness is twofold:
1- You can burn some wiring on the headlights
Most wiring harnesses to the headlights have very thin wiring, since the older cars had 35w/40w bulbs.
The draw of 2 headlamps is not extremely higher than stock with conventional 55/60w H4s (ie: low: 70w stock vs 110, High: 80w vs 120)
On a 4 headlight system, many used a shared ground on each side, most H4 harness has separate grounds for each light.
Also, higher wattage bulbs can melt the bulb sockets, most of the better H4 harnesses have 'ceramic' plugs.

2- You can fry the headlight switch with higher draw of the higher wattage bulbs.
In some cars, the headlight switch provide the power for the headlights, so the additional load can make the switch overheat, and turn ALL THE LIGHTS OFF, while you are at cruising at speed (hopefully on a straight).

My car is an '84, and will flash off, cool about 5-10 seconds, turn back on, run 5-10 seconds, overheat, flash off again, etc, increasingly more violent and with less 'on-time'. The cabin will begin to smell like burnt plastic.
My car has 4 headlights, your car with 2 may not exceed the capacity of your light switch, but if its the same design, the switch is also limiting the light you could produce.

If you only run the 55/60w bulbs, it 'may' not be necessary, but you could have brighter lights by powering directly from the battery.
If you are running a true 16volts, you can expect the bulbs to be brighter, and unfortunately may reduce the bulb lifespan. JMHO

Enjoy the increased lighting, that size lamp, in that position on the car's nose, puts full width of the beam as well, you will notice considerably more light in turns.

HTH

Please update if you get some good results with the LED parking lamps.
:cheers:

[Bigblue73]

Here is a solution for the parking lights for the '69 Camaro. These are 48 LED's that are aimed straight forward for maximum brightness. Take a look and please e-mail me at [email protected] for more information. Best regards - Tony.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/102_4358-1.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dtedler/media/102_4358.jpg.html)

[TheJDMan]

Are you considering LED headlights? If so take a look at the TruckLite 27270s. Here is a pic of them installed in my 68.

137048

[slimjim]

That's a great picture, Dragon tail?

[TheJDMan]

Yep!

[slimjim]

Yep!
Argh, I can't wait to go there as soon I finish my car

[TheJDMan]

The Dragon's Tail is great fun to drive, well worth the trip!

[sheck44]

Steve .. I've always been a big fan of your car, nice lights and great pic

Cheers
Steve

[camaro69boy]

Your Trucklites look great JDMan. I put Trucklites in my 69 with Illumin8s below.