LED headlights

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67_Slimer

67_Slimer

Real Hot Rods don't shift themselves.
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I have the original style headlights on my 67 dart and they are a few lumens brighter than candles. I'd like to update them to an LED BUT have that original sealed beam look to them. I am not a fan of the halo or new style lenses. Also , I really want something as close to plug and play as possible as anything electrical is not my forte. I know I'm being picky but it's what I want. Again , I want it to look exactly like the original sealed factory headlights. Any suggestions?
 
Make damn sure they are adjusted good, worst things to hit the road for us older folks, blinding man! Blinding. I would like to do the same, way less amps threw the electric system, I to don't like the fugly look and would like the to look period correct
 
Guessing SlantSixDan will be here eventually, but the short version of the story is there are no good LED lights that look like traditional glass sealed beams. There are some out there, but not good ones. I suppose they might be better than what you have now, but the light pattern is likely not great, even if the brightness is there.

If you don't mind giving up a little bit of the look, there are some decent reflector style lights out there. The Philips X6024LED lights are pretty nice and what I put in my car recently. They aren't the "glass ball" projector style lights and they don't have any of the other silly gimmicks like the halo rings and other stuff. They are just lights that use the faceted reflector style backing to get a light pattern.

If you do a search here on LED headlights you'll likely find Dan's advice and a couple of threads on the matter. Designs have changed over the years though, so you still have to be careful as what used to be good before might not be as good now.
 
A good compromise if you don't drive a lot at night is halogen sealed beams. They plug right in, aim like the OEMs, last a long time, and are a significant improvement over the original sealed beams.

By the way, I'm old enough to (barely) remember riding in a Model A and Model AA Ford. NO SEALED BEAMS!!! LOL
 

Have you checked the condition of your 57 year old wiring harness? Not just the headlights, but the whole thing, junction box, fuse box, dash gauges? No head lights or any other lights for that matter are going to be at their brightest unless your wiring and connections are unccorroded and not oxidized.
 
Crackedback on this forum sells a plug & play headlight relay kit which allows battery voltage to go directly to the lamps, avoiding voltage drop and the troublesome light switch. I recommend this, plus quality halogen headlights (you will see at the auto store that they come in at least three grades — the cheapest one is better than a classic sealed beam).
 
mvh said:
Crackedback on this forum sells a plug & play headlight relay kit which allows battery voltage to go directly to the lamps, avoiding voltage drop and the troublesome light switch. I recommend this, plus quality halogen headlights (you will see at the auto store that they come in at least three grades — the cheapest one is better than a classic sealed beam).
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My next move will be @crackedback kit, I agree hole heartedly
 
I upgraded to LED headlights on my 1985 Dodge Truck a few years back. I love em!! I did not want that goofy led tube look either and was very happy to find these that look Damn near factory. They are very bright and if I used a 12V harness with relays would be even brighter. Here's the before and after.

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mvh said:
Crackedback on this forum sells a plug & play headlight relay kit which allows battery voltage to go directly to the lamps, avoiding voltage drop and the troublesome light switch. I recommend this, plus quality halogen headlights (you will see at the auto store that they come in at least three grades — the cheapest one is better than a classic sealed beam).
Click to expand...
Yes for sure you want RELAYS and heavier wiring
 
Most LED lights are not good. Good ones are expensive and not likely to be factory appearance (if looks matter)

A relay kit and good halogens work well and put light where it should be. Older US made GE nighthawk halogens are awesome lights if you can find them.

My relay kits are engineered to work around the poor mopar OEM electrical issues. Most of the cheap kits are not.
 
I am so sick of being blinded by LED lights. If the guy coming toward you can't see, he might end up in your lap.

Wagner makes Halogen sealed beams. They look and install like originals but the high beams are much brighter than stock, but not ridiculously bright. They are even cheap and require no rewiring.
 
You also have to look out for the legality in your state. In Georgia, the law states that you can only upgrade "one generation" of head lights. In other words, if your car came with sealed beams, you can only upgrade to H4 conversion. I suspect other states have similar laws. Of course, if you're like a lot of people, who gives a crap what the law says, right? As mentioned too, most LEDs on the market are crap.
 
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