H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed

GrnS_Dime86 · 02-12-2006, 12:01 PM

I have a 96 S10 with sealed beam. I was wondering what all is needed beside the headlights themselves.... Are the H4 bulbs High and low beams??

GrnS_Dime86 · 02-12-2006, 12:06 PM

anyone?

DA2Ricky · 02-12-2006, 01:07 PM

I'm curious about this too... I'd like to get the 90/100watt H4 bulbs, is that possible with the stock headlight harness?

bg's · 02-12-2006, 03:31 PM

Yep H4's are both hi and low beam. You'd need housings to replace your sealed
beams. I prefer Cibie, but Hella'a are fine too. Stay away from AutoPal. As far as
bulbs there are many to choose from. I again prefer Narva Xenon bulbs, but
PIAA and many others are avail. Nismo who is a member here, has a great
how-to on wiring upgrade if you choose to go that route. Just makes it a lil easier
on your elect system while providing a full load to your bulbs. I redid my harness
using 10 ga wiring, relays, etc. I suppose you could put the "diamond" type lamp
housings in your rides if wanted. You can find just about any lamp you want on
eBay.

Here is Nismo's how-to on the wiring upgrade.
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f199/how-to-headlight-rewire-195221/

I use this guy here. He knows his business when it comes to automotive lighting
and will answer any e-mail pertaining to lighting and helping you get set up.
My setup ran around 160.00. It's high, but now I can see where I'm going.
Dan Stern also sells semi plug and play wiring relay kits that make things
really easy. Well worth getting. I spendt much more than that doing my
own relay system. I should of just bought one of his..Anyway >

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html

DA2Ricky · 02-12-2006, 04:57 PM

Yeah, I checked that out, and I've never really messed around with relays before, is it tricky?

bg's · 02-12-2006, 07:52 PM

Simple. Here's another help link >
http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/relay.html

Zeeke98 · 02-12-2006, 11:28 PM

PIAA makes some stock watt bulbs that have the output of a higher wattage bulb. I had those in my 91 Blazer H4 conversion. REAL nice bulbs that didn't require upgrading the wiring. I think they were called Xtreme Whites or something like that. Actually gave them to my dad when I did an H4 conversion on his 46 Chevy street rod.

ShineyBlackDime · 02-14-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bg's

Yep H4's are both hi and low beam. You'd need housings to replace your sealed
beams. I prefer Cibie, but Hella'a are fine too. Stay away from AutoPal. As far as
bulbs there are many to choose from. I again prefer Narva Xenon bulbs, but
PIAA and many others are avail. Nismo who is a member here, has a great
how-to on wiring upgrade if you choose to go that route. Just makes it a lil easier
on your elect system while providing a full load to your bulbs. I redid my harness
using 10 ga wiring, relays, etc. I suppose you could put the "diamond" type lamp
housings in your rides if wanted. You can find just about any lamp you want on
eBay.

Here is Nismo's how-to on the wiring upgrade.
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195221

I use this guy here. He knows his business when it comes to automotive lighting
and will answer any e-mail pertaining to lighting and helping you get set up.
My setup ran around 160.00. It's high, but now I can see where I'm going.
Dan Stern also sells semi plug and play wiring relay kits that make things
really easy. Well worth getting. I spendt much more than that doing my
own relay system. I should of just bought one of his..Anyway >

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html

Are you saying there is a straight conversion plug that connects the old wiring harness to the new style bulb? ie makes the harness: | __ \ Fit the new bulb: | __ |

Or could this simply be done with some wire and female connectors?

Zeeke98 · 02-14-2006, 04:37 PM

H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire.

ShineyBlackDime · 02-14-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98

H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire.

I'm guessing for the 98+ it works fine, but I have a '96 Dime and the headlights don't plug right into the stock harness. (see my diagram above). Anybody encounter this problem?

Zeeke98 · 02-14-2006, 11:51 PM

Umm..98+ didn't have sealed beams. They all had composites. I did the H4 conversion on my 91 Blazer and it was a direct plug in. Same on my dad's 46 Chevy Street rod.

83firebirdS/E · 02-15-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98

H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire.

Sorry dude you are wrong. The H4 bulbs do not plug directly with the sealed beam harness on the 94-97s.

ShineyBlackDime · 02-15-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 83firebirdS/E

Sorry dude you are wrong. The H4 bulbs do not plug directly with the sealed beam harness on the 94-97s.

83firebirdS/E is right...completly different harness than the H4's.Does anyone know of a quick adapter for the 94-97 sealed beam harness?

Zeeke98 · 02-15-2006, 11:08 PM

SO sorry...I was going by every other vehicle I have and they all had the same plug that was on my 91 when I did the H4 conversion on that. I have never had a 94-97 with sealed beams so I didn't know they had changed. Seems stupid since the same style plug has been used on sealed beams for about 55 years or so.

llawmaster · 02-15-2006, 11:19 PM

Check out LMC Truck......I just got their new catalog for dimes and it has a upgrade harness in it for the H4 upgrade that plugs directly into H4 bulbs...........

ShineyBlackDime · 02-17-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98

SO sorry...I was going by every other vehicle I have and they all had the same plug that was on my 91 when I did the H4 conversion on that. I have never had a 94-97 with sealed beams so I didn't know they had changed. Seems stupid since the same style plug has been used on sealed beams for about 55 years or so.

Its all good man. Its completly retarded how the 94-97's are all different. It only succeeds in making things more complicated for guys like us. llawmaster, thanks for the helpful link, thats exactly what I was looking for!

02-12-2006, 12:01 PM	#1
GrnS_Dime86 "POSTAL" Hatin' Age: 24 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Richmond Va User is: OffLine	H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed I have a 96 S10 with sealed beam. I was wondering what all is needed beside the headlights themselves.... Are the H4 bulbs High and low beams??
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-12-2006, 12:06 PM	#2
GrnS_Dime86 "POSTAL" Hatin' Age: 24 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Richmond Va User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed anyone?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-12-2006, 01:07 PM	#3
DA2Ricky Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 186 Location: Topsail Beach User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed I'm curious about this too... I'd like to get the 90/100watt H4 bulbs, is that possible with the stock headlight harness?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-12-2006, 03:31 PM	#4
bg's SoCal Football Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,607 Location: Who cares.. User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Yep H4's are both hi and low beam. You'd need housings to replace your sealed beams. I prefer Cibie, but Hella'a are fine too. Stay away from AutoPal. As far as bulbs there are many to choose from. I again prefer Narva Xenon bulbs, but PIAA and many others are avail. Nismo who is a member here, has a great how-to on wiring upgrade if you choose to go that route. Just makes it a lil easier on your elect system while providing a full load to your bulbs. I redid my harness using 10 ga wiring, relays, etc. I suppose you could put the "diamond" type lamp housings in your rides if wanted. You can find just about any lamp you want on eBay. Here is Nismo's how-to on the wiring upgrade. http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f199/how-to-headlight-rewire-195221/ I use this guy here. He knows his business when it comes to automotive lighting and will answer any e-mail pertaining to lighting and helping you get set up. My setup ran around 160.00. It's high, but now I can see where I'm going. Dan Stern also sells semi plug and play wiring relay kits that make things really easy. Well worth getting. I spendt much more than that doing my own relay system. I should of just bought one of his..Anyway > http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html Last edited by bg's : 02-12-2006 at 04:00 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-12-2006, 04:57 PM	#5
DA2Ricky Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 186 Location: Topsail Beach User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Yeah, I checked that out, and I've never really messed around with relays before, is it tricky?
	[Reply w/Quote]


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02-12-2006, 07:52 PM	#6
bg's SoCal Football Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,607 Location: Who cares.. User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Simple. Here's another help link > http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/relay.html
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-12-2006, 11:28 PM	#7
Zeeke98 Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,253 Location: Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed PIAA makes some stock watt bulbs that have the output of a higher wattage bulb. I had those in my 91 Blazer H4 conversion. REAL nice bulbs that didn't require upgrading the wiring. I think they were called Xtreme Whites or something like that. Actually gave them to my dad when I did an H4 conversion on his 46 Chevy street rod.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-14-2006, 04:28 PM	#8
ShineyBlackDime Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Winnipeg, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Quote: Originally Posted by bg's Yep H4's are both hi and low beam. You'd need housings to replace your sealed beams. I prefer Cibie, but Hella'a are fine too. Stay away from AutoPal. As far as bulbs there are many to choose from. I again prefer Narva Xenon bulbs, but PIAA and many others are avail. Nismo who is a member here, has a great how-to on wiring upgrade if you choose to go that route. Just makes it a lil easier on your elect system while providing a full load to your bulbs. I redid my harness using 10 ga wiring, relays, etc. I suppose you could put the "diamond" type lamp housings in your rides if wanted. You can find just about any lamp you want on eBay. Here is Nismo's how-to on the wiring upgrade. http://www.s10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195221 I use this guy here. He knows his business when it comes to automotive lighting and will answer any e-mail pertaining to lighting and helping you get set up. My setup ran around 160.00. It's high, but now I can see where I'm going. Dan Stern also sells semi plug and play wiring relay kits that make things really easy. Well worth getting. I spendt much more than that doing my own relay system. I should of just bought one of his..Anyway > http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html Are you saying there is a straight conversion plug that connects the old wiring harness to the new style bulb? ie makes the harness: \| __ \ Fit the new bulb: \| __ \| Or could this simply be done with some wire and female connectors? Last edited by ShineyBlackDime : 02-14-2006 at 04:33 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-14-2006, 04:37 PM	#9
Zeeke98 Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,253 Location: Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-14-2006, 04:45 PM	#10
ShineyBlackDime Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Winnipeg, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98 H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire. I'm guessing for the 98+ it works fine, but I have a '96 Dime and the headlights don't plug right into the stock harness. (see my diagram above). Anybody encounter this problem?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-14-2006, 11:51 PM	#11
Zeeke98 Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,253 Location: Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Umm..98+ didn't have sealed beams. They all had composites. I did the H4 conversion on my 91 Blazer and it was a direct plug in. Same on my dad's 46 Chevy Street rod.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-15-2006, 10:03 PM	#12
83firebirdS/E Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Canada User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98 H4 bulbs plug directly into the stock headlight plug. You want to run a heavier harness if you're using bulbs that pull more than the stock wattage so you dont' melt the wires and start a fire. Sorry dude you are wrong. The H4 bulbs do not plug directly with the sealed beam harness on the 94-97s.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-15-2006, 11:08 PM	#13
ShineyBlackDime Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Winnipeg, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Quote: Originally Posted by 83firebirdS/E Sorry dude you are wrong. The H4 bulbs do not plug directly with the sealed beam harness on the 94-97s. 83firebirdS/E is right...completly different harness than the H4's.Does anyone know of a quick adapter for the 94-97 sealed beam harness?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-15-2006, 11:19 PM	#15
llawmaster Master of Tech Age: 28 Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 164 Location: Bloomington, IN User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Check out LMC Truck......I just got their new catalog for dimes and it has a upgrade harness in it for the H4 upgrade that plugs directly into H4 bulbs...........
	[Reply w/Quote]

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02-17-2006, 01:32 PM	#16
ShineyBlackDime Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Winnipeg, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: H4 Sealed Bem Upgrade...What is needed Quote: Originally Posted by Zeeke98 SO sorry...I was going by every other vehicle I have and they all had the same plug that was on my 91 when I did the H4 conversion on that. I have never had a 94-97 with sealed beams so I didn't know they had changed. Seems stupid since the same style plug has been used on sealed beams for about 55 years or so. Its all good man. Its completly retarded how the 94-97's are all different. It only succeeds in making things more complicated for guys like us. llawmaster, thanks for the helpful link, thats exactly what I was looking for!
	[Reply w/Quote]