Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Need help determining what headlight's I need

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-05-2011, 07:40 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Need help determining what headlight's I need

My 83 Has some sort of HID headlight system on it that the P.O. installed. My passenger side headlight is cracked and skews the light making it pretty useless. I am not sure of any brand or anything but they look like your common eBay HID set..

They have balasts and the lenses are glass. I am not sure what kind of bulbs they have or anything like that, but they put off a White/bluish hue when lit, that I like.

So, what I imagine is that I can replace just the headlight housings and keep the balasts/bulbs the way they are and I will be fine. I know nothing about these newer style headlights otherwise I would have them fixed by now.. lol

The sizes I see on ebay read: 4"x6" which is the camaro headlight size, and 7"x6" which sounds better but when I measured the ones on my car they were closer to 7.5"-8"x5".. Are they labeled 7"x6" just for simplicity, when they actually mean a size closer to what I measured?

Here are some pics of my headlights:

This one is cracked:

Name:  DSCN2150.jpg
Views: 44
Size:  72.3 KB

As you can see this one isn't cracked but it has condensation built up in it which I cant stand.

Name:  DSCN2149.jpg
Views: 32
Size:  106.2 KB

Lit up and picture taken with my camera flash on:

Name:  DSCN2145.jpg
Views: 47
Size:  56.5 KB

Rear of the headlight with the headlights off and closed:

Name:  DSCN2147.jpg
Views: 49
Size:  88.5 KB

Pic taken from under the car with the headlight on (Theres a random red wire just hanging there?):

Name:  DSCN2151.jpg
Views: 41
Size:  76.3 KB

Judging by these pics, can we determine whether or not either of these headlight housings will work? They look like the same headlights just sold with differently..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7X6-H...Q5fAccessories

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7x6-H...Q5fAccessories

And this is a 4x6 version that claims to fit, but I really don't think so..?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-87...Q5fAccessories

I don't really care for the blue "city lights", though...
Old 04-05-2011, 07:55 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
travis401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arlington, Tx
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

7x6 is the stock size for the birds. You can pick up a set of sealed beam halogens from any parts store for not a whole lot of $. Youre probably gonna hafta get stock headlight sockets though.
Old 04-05-2011, 08:00 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

I noticed that these are installed by using spade connectors that plug into the factory 3-prong plug, so thats not the issue. I also have a like new set of just factory replacement headlights but I figured since I allready have these, I might as well try and replace the housings if I can.
Old 04-07-2011, 04:46 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Up..
Old 04-07-2011, 05:31 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
travis401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arlington, Tx
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Looks like a cheap set of wanna be HIDs. youd be better off going to silverstar sealed beams. much better light.

Those arent even HID bulbs, just standard halogen ones looks like.
Old 04-07-2011, 06:18 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Originally Posted by travis401
Looks like a cheap set of wanna be HIDs. youd be better off going to silverstar sealed beams. much better light.

Those arent even HID bulbs, just standard halogen ones looks like.
I gotta say, their light output leaves alot to be desired. Do the silverstar headlights have that ugly yellow glow to them like the standard halogen lights do?
Old 04-07-2011, 07:04 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
fiream's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Orange, CT, USA
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400HP 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Silverstars burn at 3400K they look like "OEM" HIDs. OEM HIDs are normally 3400K unless you have a BMW or something, those are normally 6000K (more white). I use ICPW headlight conversion housings particularly CWC-7005. They are "plain" style they look like OEM sealed beams and they are DOT approved. Here's a link to the housings.

http://www.myhotcadillac.com/In-Pro-...C_7005/761117/
Old 04-07-2011, 07:13 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Are the headlights in the link that you posted compareable to the Sylvania Silverstar headlights? I do not want the typical yellow halogen headlight look, its too dated by now.

Here's the silverstars at autozone:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...=412572_0_7179_
Old 04-07-2011, 08:41 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
fiream's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Orange, CT, USA
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400HP 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

They will still be somewhat yellow, I would suggest only bulb in either artic or super white. They will last 10x longer then the silverstars.
Old 04-07-2011, 09:18 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Originally Posted by fiream
They will still be somewhat yellow, I would suggest only bulb in either artic or super white. They will last 10x longer then the silverstars.
Not really sure what you mean?

Do you mean just get replacement housings and use a bulb that way?
Old 04-08-2011, 12:47 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
92z28camarokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Camdenton, Mo/ St. Joseph, Mo
Posts: 588
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 97 Cummins 92 CamaroZ28, 94 GSXR750
Engine: Modded 5.9 , carbed sbc358, modded
Transmission: Nv4500, 700R4 (for now)
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

If you want to throw some money down you can always invest in some TRUE HIDs.

Here is the link to some, they are the only company I would use.
http://www.hiddirectstore.com/vaf/pr...808&bulb=13677
Old 04-08-2011, 01:49 PM
  #12  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Yeah, true HID's would be nice, but I am not really to throw down the money for them right now. I may just buy silverstars for the time being, but I am still undecided.
Old 04-08-2011, 08:59 PM
  #13  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
92z28camarokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Camdenton, Mo/ St. Joseph, Mo
Posts: 588
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 97 Cummins 92 CamaroZ28, 94 GSXR750
Engine: Modded 5.9 , carbed sbc358, modded
Transmission: Nv4500, 700R4 (for now)
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Yah I get you, so for hiddirectstore.com is the cheapest Ive found HIDs. They come with lights, balasts, and housings all with a lifetime warentee I believe. And for what you needed I think it was $120, maybe 35 more for hi/low beam
Old 04-09-2011, 12:21 PM
  #14  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
84 1LE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oyth
Posts: 6,295
Received 343 Likes on 279 Posts
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

Originally Posted by fiream
Silverstars burn at 3400K they look like "OEM" HIDs. OEM HIDs are normally 3400K unless you have a BMW or something, those are normally 6000K (more white). I use ICPW headlight conversion housings particularly CWC-7005. They are "plain" style they look like OEM sealed beams and they are DOT approved. Here's a link to the housings.
Typical OEM HID systems are more like 4300k, 3400k is very yellow in an HID light & 6k will give a fair amount of blue..Silverstar ULTRA are rated close to 4100k, standard silverstar k rating is a little lower.

Silverstars are very good for a halogen light.I would say its the closet you can get to HID light w/out converting.No yellow, just white, but its a warm white as opposed to a cool white color.However, silverstars dont last as long.In general the brighter the bulb, the shorter the life.Thats just the way it is.

Question: If your lights are not HID, why do have a ballast/s?
Old 04-09-2011, 12:35 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
bradley23150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

I said they were HID's, and I said that because they do have ballasts. I know very little about headlights, and travis said they looked like wanna-be HID's, so I don't know.
Old 04-09-2011, 08:19 PM
  #16  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
travis401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arlington, Tx
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: empty bay (for now)
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 stock posi disc
Re: Need help determining what headlight's I need

they look like standard halogen bulbs to me, but it could just be the pic....could have HIDs afterall
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cam-aro
Camaros Wanted
2
11-12-2015 03:35 PM
J. Chris Davis
Interior Parts Wanted
2
09-28-2015 11:55 AM



Quick Reply: Need help determining what headlight's I need



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:30 AM.