The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay LED Headlight Conversion on 41-46 Truck

I’ve browsed around but can’t seem to find anyone who has replaced the stock sealed headlights on a 41-46 Chevy Truck. I’m interested in changing over to LED’s but wondering if a standard 7” diameter LED headlight will work? Any support is appreciated.

6v? 12v?

Yes, I did it on my '54. LEDs that I used require minimum of 9 volts. Our truck was converted to 12V before we got it.

I was going to do a post about the conversion, but since there was a lot of negative posts here about LED lights, I didn't bother.

Gord, I think the LED conversion post, more than just an installation how to, would be beneficial if it included a short explanation of the technology and a comparison list of the specifications for all available headlights (Incandescent, Halogen, LED, forget HID, forget LASER) that are DOT approved. What would we do if we can no longer buy incandescent headlights? That's a real possibility for the future. Compare light frequency, lumens, voltage, current, watts, overall temperature, etc.

For example this website says they have a LED solution for 6 volt vehicles:
https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vc6v-7-inch-led-headlight-kit/
Expensive but is this just smoke and mirrors?

12v. Sorry for the delayed response. Couldnt figure out how to check my post lol!

I love how that turned out. Anything special you need to do if already running 12v?

I was considering a LED conversion also, but found most headlights you see also have halo LED’S that in my opinion doesn’t look good on a stock truck. Gord’s look like there stock, at least until you turn them on, which is what I want.

Gord, can you elaborate a bit and let us know where you bought yours, brand and any tips on installation?

Halogen sealed beams work as well as any modern lights - LED or otherwise. Aiming them properly is important, however.

I converted the lights on my '46 this winter to Holly Retrobright Classic White. Yes, they are a bit pricey but they work very well which cannot be said about the cheaper alternatives. On low beam it is no contest for the halogens, the Holleys are brighter and have a superior beam pattern. On high beam the halogens are a bit brighter and have a better hot spot for distance. Since I live in a major metropolitan area (western suburbs of Chicago), I rarely have need for the high beams. In a rural setting with less traffic and street lighting I could certainly see the argument to stick with the halogens.

For a bit of research on the subject, check out this site. Headlight Revolution
They have a lot of videos where they compare all the different options available and show the differences in beam patterns and measure the actual light power at a distance.

As for installation, since your truck is already 12 volt it's plug and play.

Steve

I think that someone has posted that Harley Davidson 6v LED head lamps work on 6v Stovebolt trucks?

There seems to be at least two diameters of 6v Harley lamps - Harley Davidson 6v LED head lamps

Maybe someone can confirm/correct this?

I bought the bulbs and the shells from Amazon. I needed the shells since I was replacing sealed beam lamps. If you already have 7" shells that are designed for halogen bulbs, you can use them.

My bulbs: https://www.auxito.com/products/9003-led-bulb-h4-hb2-led-headlight-bulb-12000-lumen

Sealed beam lamps have nubs on the back that ensure that you install them with the proper orientation. The shells I bought had metal standoffs instead of the nubs. I had to cut and bend the standoffs with pliers so that the shells would replace the sealed beams without modifying the original buckets. Easy job.

My shells: https://www.carid.com/ipcw-inprocar...le-composite-headlight-mpn-cwc-7006.html

The LED bulbs use less current than the sealed beam units and much less than halogen bulbs.. There is no need for relays. Just plug them in using the same connector and you are done.

Steve you’re in Winfield? I’m in Sycamore!

Thanks for the info. I’m going to do this conversion. Are your headlights all on one fuse and your tail lights and blinkers separate?

Gord,
Interesting bulb you found. Does it really have a good beam pattern like they claim? The ones Bouymaker linked to which are a similar product did not have a very good beam pattern in the tests I saw. It would be nice to just spend a lot on headlights instead of 2x a lot.

DSJ,
Did I meet you at the Warrenville car show in '18?
My truck has modern wiring layout with separate fuses for everything. Because of the lower power requirements of the LEDS, you'll be fine if you have the old wiring architecture.

Steve

Hey Wheelie,

I’ve never put mine in any shows. Just got into this hobby in 2019. Still learning.

Wheelie,

The think the expensive ones are glass and I think the less expensive ones are plastic.....

Mike

Steve,
I can't really compare them to others as I haven't seen the others! I'm thinking that I could take the truck out for a short night drive, then take my Lexus hybrid with LED headlights out right after to compare. I could also take my 2010 GMC pickup with halogen lights out for a third test. But, of course, the comparison would just be my opinion.

They are way better than the sealed beams they replaced.

Phak1 I find that 2 12 volt woods junkyard 1$ headlamps ,that are made to shine right on the white line on dim work about as well as anything on AD trucks. On bright they light well down the road so hopefully you can see the multitude deer population we have here. As an old geezer I like to know where the white line is when I meet those new halogen 5 mile lights that they wont dim !! Maybe it's LED's anyway too bright !!

Hey Gord - do you get high and low out of your bulbs? I’m getting ready to order mine for the conversion.

Yes. High and low beams.

Ok cool