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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Headlights - upgrades
Ok. Drove the Bronco in the dark for the first time in a long time. The stock headlights are truly pathetic. I know I should upgrade the harness but I'm curious what bulbs/lights folks are liking? Wild Horses has a bunch on sale for Black Friday. Others I should consider? Assuming led over the H4 stuff just due to longevity and less heat.
Thanks!
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:05 pm |
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Gunnibronco
Official CCB Member
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:07 pm Posts: 4074 Location: Gardnerville, NV
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I can't speak to the LEDs, but I switched to H4 without the wiring harness upgrades about 20 years ago and they are a great upgrade. I've actually never had a bulb burn out. The heat is probably a good thing if you drive in the cold & snow.
Still running those lights, now with the wiring upgrade.
_________________ "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." – Claire Wolfe 74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, TGW HP1060 and HP1014 axles, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, York OBA, 4x4x2, custom dash & gauges 72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:35 pm |
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Digger
Official CCB Member
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:53 pm Posts: 1276
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Trucklite LED headlights are amazing. I drove several vehicles with these before buying a set for the Bronco. The Bronco easily has the best headlights of my fleet right now.
_________________ Cummins R2.8 diesel, ZF5, AtlasII, HP44/BB9, ARBs, coiled / linked suspension, 37" KO2s, full cage, bumpers, etc. Build Thread:
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 25.1 mpg
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Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:55 pm |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:19 am |
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Jesus_man
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:36 am Posts: 5984 Location: California
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
LED's as well. Rob got us a mass-buy a few years ago. I think they were J.W. Speaker knock-offs, but they still have worked amazing! I really don't drive mine at night much at all, but the couple times I have, it was a night and day (LOL) difference between them and the old sealed beams. Plus the LED's aren't pulling the power thru old wiring as much as the OE stuff.
_________________ 1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow. http://www.ucora.org
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Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:37 am |
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Eck
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:33 pm Posts: 2460
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I have the same Knockoffs from a while back. I’d agree with LED’s but I think if I were to do it all over, and I had the money, I’d pay a little more for a name brand and choose my pattern.
I admittedly probably need to go someplace really dark and try to set my beam pattern a little better but the ones I have seem to have the triangular dead spot.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
_________________ 69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:18 am |
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Digger
Official CCB Member
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:53 pm Posts: 1276
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ Cummins R2.8 diesel, ZF5, AtlasII, HP44/BB9, ARBs, coiled / linked suspension, 37" KO2s, full cage, bumpers, etc. Build Thread:
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 25.1 mpg
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Wed Nov 24, 2021 6:24 pm |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Thanks! I don't plan on driving in the snow and ice frequently unless it's like Super Cel two years ago. Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:30 pm |
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BOBS 2 68S
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:19 pm Posts: 375 Location: Hudson
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I am running the WH h4 non-led kit #6086w. They are ok. I went with these for the heat when driving in the snow and ice.
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Thu Nov 25, 2021 6:32 am |
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Kinder
Official CCB Member
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:03 pm Posts: 4371 Images: 0 Location: Parker, CO
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Running a modern sealed replacement like a Sylvania SilverStar is a good start, as well as making sure all the electrical contacts (power & ground) are clean. Eck mentioned correct aiming, which is something I mess with since my rig changes so much.
I just recently added the aftermarket wiring to bypass the factory circuit on BSD, I got tired of chasing poor connections and cheap replacements at the headlight switch and/or dimmer switch.
The next step is obviously LEDs, heated for me as I roll in all weather conditions.
_________________ Best to Date MPG: 26.6
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Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:39 am |
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B.O.B.
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:31 am Posts: 770
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
LED’s are definitely the way to go. I run the Pro Comp ones and they work phenomenal. Lot better price than the truck lite and JW. I would agree though if you plan to run them in snow, go for a heated pair. Mine worked fine when I last drove it in the snow but did see a drop in brightness. However, still brighter than the halogens.
Thought I had a better pic but this shows the brightness of them.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
_________________ 71' bronco, np435 w/trailbanger, 302 efi, 35" KM3 on 17x9 Fuel Anza, warn xd9000i, cage arms, 5" lift
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Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:25 am |
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BOBS 2 68S
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:19 pm Posts: 375 Location: Hudson
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I changed to the H4 style because the sealed beams are getting harder to find. The Brighton stores had very few. And I can carry a replacment bulb in the glove box.
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Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:22 am |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Well, after a lot of reading, I pulled the trigger and went and picked up these Grote's:
I showed the wife the various ones I was considering and she liked the more classic look of the Truck-lite and Grote's. After doing some digging, it looks like the people selling the Truck-lite's on Amazon aren't actually resellers and some folks have reported having issues getting their warranties honored. While you hope it never comes to that, I wasn't willing to risk it. I was able to get the Grote's at Advanced Auto here locally with a 20% off which got them close to the Wild Horses deal. I'll look forward to installing them once I get my Bronco back (it's currently being stored while the garage gets new concrete).
I'm sure it will be a far better no matter which way I go. I also saw on CB that Holly now has some as well that have the classic look and are about $200/each. Look super nice as well.
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:15 pm |
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Eck
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:33 pm Posts: 2460
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I like the classic look as well. I had seen some people from CB.com that went with these as well. I will be interested to hear/see how you like them. Do you have to add any sort of pigtail?
_________________ 69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:48 pm |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:53 pm |
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landshark
Official CCB Member
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 12:16 am Posts: 3942 Location: Denver, Wash Park Area
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Grotes look and work great, also they pull significantly less amperage.
_________________ 1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
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Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:10 am |
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Jesus_man
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:36 am Posts: 5984 Location: California
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Found some pics of mine with results: Low beam: High:
_________________ 1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow. http://www.ucora.org
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Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:05 am |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:22 am |
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BroncoRaider
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:47 am Posts: 531 Location: Stapleton
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ “Buddy” - 1975 Bronco Sport, 302/Viperbuilt 4R70W/D20, Explorer EFI, More Patina than Paint...
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Mon Nov 29, 2021 11:36 am |
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Kinder
Official CCB Member
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:03 pm Posts: 4371 Images: 0 Location: Parker, CO
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
I recently saw a thread on CB.com that discusses Holley’s new retro LED headlight. There aren’t any reviews yet because they are new and available to purchase on preorder. I like the look. https://www.holley.com/products/restora ... trobright/
_________________ Best to Date MPG: 26.6
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Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:17 pm |
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Jesus_man
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:36 am Posts: 5984 Location: California
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Those are a good look! Noticed they come in different light colors (degrees Kelvin), so make sure you are getting what you want. I'd like to see patterns and output when people start installing them. The 5500-6500K is what sunlight is, which is what our eyes are designed for.
_________________ 1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow. http://www.ucora.org
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Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:09 am |
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Justin
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:04 am Posts: 6198 Images: 0 Location: Lakewood
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Those 5.75" lights are interesting. Seems like a good size to build into a bumper for driving lights that have a cutoff so that you don't blind incoming traffic.
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Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:10 pm |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Can't wait to really see these in action. Way brighter. It helps that I fixed one of the grounds as well. Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Sun Dec 19, 2021 6:14 pm |
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Jesus_man
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:36 am Posts: 5984 Location: California
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
Did you add the screens or did they come with? Looks nice!
_________________ 1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow. http://www.ucora.org
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Mon Dec 20, 2021 5:45 am |
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phyler
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:41 pm Posts: 1201 Location: Erie
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Re: Headlights - upgrades
_________________ 1975 Ranger Edition that I've had longer than I've been without it.
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Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:01 am |
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