Headlight mod circuit for the DIY guy.

drinkypoo

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The more I think about this mod the more I think the best way to do it on a truck which is not currently malfunctioning in any way would be to rip open the harness on the driver's side next to the battery, and splice in there, then close it back up.

There are two wires in the harness to interrupt on that side. This would require only a couple of feet of wire, relays in sockets, and one or more fuses in sockets or soldering in a fusible link depending on how cheap one is.

The ultra-cheap could even skip the sockets, but why? You'd save pennies. Only reason would be if you had everything else just lying around.

There's even a ground screw right over there in front of the battery already. I'd put the relays to the left of the battery though (outboard, that is) rather than in front of it, just because that's an easier place to fiddle with the harness and you're sure to be upstream of the splice between the two headlights, which is in the harness anyway.

I personally ripped all that wiring out, and most of the wiring to the low vac sensor, which I relocated to the rear of the fuse/relay box when I relocated my vac can to below the brake booster servo. Since I had bought the LMC kit, I integrated that wiring into my harness, and abandoned the original headlight wiring and connectors entirely. But that stuff isn't really a problem, unless it's actually been damaged. Tapping into the harness where I suggest will ensure that you're running through very little wire before the splice. It would be cleaner to rip out everything up to the splice (again, the splice carries power to the right headlight from the feed wire, there's two splices, one per beam) but that requires more harness spelunking.
 
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I know it's been discussed on here before, but I am still a fan of the LMC kit. It's cheap, OK quality, quick to install, and is plug n play so it can easily be removed if desired. Some aren't a fan because the relays are a bit uncommon and therefore not found in the parts store should you need a replacement, but LMC sells replacements for $5. Knock on wood, I have yet to need to replace mine and the kit has been in the truck for over a year.


http://lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.aspx?Page=64

Mike
 
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nj_m715

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I just had the lmc upgrade installed. I don't mind the relay issue. There's not much chance for both of the "rare" relays to fail at the same time so there's not much chance for me to be left stranded in the dark. I can always swap over to a common relay should it be a problem. The install was quick and easy and for 30$, I'm satisfied. The only thing I didn't like is the lack of a fuse. I cut the plug where the kit attaches to the battery and discarded the lower gauge "battery" wires. I installed my 30 amp fuses there and upgraded the bulbs to a pair of "30% brighter" super white halogens. All I need to do now is buff the dull plastic.
 

OLDBULL8

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nj_m715

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That's the first time I read the info. Funny, I was just thinking about adding a switch to activate both high and low beam at the same time. I didn't know if it would get too hot and lead to an early death for the bulbs, but I guess it should be ok if it's already been done.
 

79jasper

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Depending on the bulbs, some will have significantly shorter life. Namely the "brighter/higher wattage bulbs."

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nj_m715

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I was just going to tie in at the highbeam dimmer switch. Add a switch between the hot wire and the lowbeam wire or go even cheaper/faster and jump the hot wire to the lowbeam wire so the lowbeams are always on and the highbeams are activated by the dimmer switch. I already have 2 relays under the hood. I don't thin I need any more.
I just moved to the country and it is D-A-R-K at night. I'll finish up this mod by buffing the lights and drive it a bit to see if I'm happy with it as-is. If not, I'll hot wire the lowbeams and give it try.
 

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