2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission headlights

[cmills]

I just had the low beam quit working in my drivers side light, so I was looking around for what bulbs to buy when I came across some posts saying that you shouldn't use the bulbs that are high wattage because they can burn up the light switch and possibly the wiring, I didn't think anything of it until I took mine out and realized that when I replaced them the first time I had put 80w/100w bulbs in it, and that was well over 200,000 miles ago. So, I guess I got lucky that I didn't have any problems. I also read that there was a wiring kit from summit ( which I could not find) that would help with more light and keep the switch and wiring all cool, I would like to get this kit and go back to a good set of bulbs of the proper wattage so I don't wind up causing any damage. Could someone tell me where I could find this kit, as I was told it was simple to install, which is what I need because wiring is not my thing.





thanks,

Cory

 

[GAmes]

The light switch problem was in the earlier models. IIRC 96 and earlier. I haven't burned up any wires in mine and I do a lot of night driving. One source of heat I found was dimming the dash lights. The rheostat gets hot when you turn the lights down low. I don't know if your switch and dimmer are the same as mine however. One method of cooling the switch is to drill holes in the top of the air vent tube below the light switch. Another is to change your parking light bulbs to LEDs. If you ran those bulbs for 200k with no issues I say stick with them.

 

[EricBu12]

One thing I did was put a small hole in the A/C duct just behind the Headlight switch so whenever you run the Fan, it would blow a small amount on the switch to help keep it cool. . seems to work well

 

[cmills]

It's been so long that I don't remember if these were much better than the stock ones were, from what I read, putting in that wiring kit would allow more current to actually get to the light and make it a fair amount brighter while still using the regular wattage of bulb. I was not able to come up with the kit, although they may not even make it any more as the posts I was reading were a couple of years old.





Cory

 

[kenny61]

I think LMC truck has a realy kit

 

[WilsonF]

Here is a site that has the relays and allot of good information.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Floyd

 

[cmills]

Thanks Guys, I went and looked at the kit at LMC truck, buy I think my bulbs only have three spades on the lights it looks like them plugs had more holes, but mine might also I would have to look. Has anyone used this kit? Sound like it would be easy to install which I need.

 

[RHestand]

WilsonF, Thanks for that link. Lots of excellent info.

Ray