The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay tri-bar headlights

guys,
i have been seeing a few cars/trucks at my local shows with the cool looking tri-bar headlights, and want to get me a set for my 57.
through my search i find there are two different types, steel and plastic housing.
steel housings are $50.00 each, http://www.garyscustomlights.com/product_p/gcl700.htm
and the plastic housings are $35.00 each
http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autoloc/details.lasso?itemid=HL2

would probably lean toward the stell housing ones, but would like to see if any of you have any experience with these lights ?
thanks much.

leonard

That design was originally(?) done by British Lucas many, many, years ago. These appear to be a repop covers that look close only $30;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bull...torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Larry

thanks larry, i seen those covers, but the ones i am looking at are made into the headlight, behind the glass, right ?
thanks.

also, i notice the ones i am looking at are halogen. is there any special modifications i need to do to my wiring or anything else, to run the halogen bulbs ?

thanks guys.
leonard

Without knowing what the wattage difference is between the incandescent(?) you are replacing and the Halogens, it's hard to say. I think it's safe to say that the Halogens will draw more current, how much I didn't find in my quick search. There are other factors to be considered wire gage, and lenght of wire. Here is an article from Hiperformance Chevy;

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/4417/index.html

The article has some good thinking behind it. There have also been some posts on using Bosch relays here. I'd do a search for them. IF you are also going to be adding some fog lights or driving lights it would be good to learn how to use the relays. It might also be a good time to check what your total current draw is, and if you might be exceeding the amperage on your alternator. I found this listing in my search, the numbers look a little high but,,,, - Typical current draw;

http://townsendsautomotive.com/shared/content/Library/encyclopedia/ch11/11fig16.html

When I was rallying some of the competitors had enough candle power that with all the lights on they were slowly draining the battery, and that was with a 95 amp alternator.

Larry

thanks for the detailed info larry. just read the super chevy article. seems like yes, i would probably need some relays to power the halogen lights. im not gonna run any fog lights, just the new tri-bar halogen head lights.

im gonna do more research myself, and thanks again for your time.

leonard

Here's mine. I have style with the plastic housing, they came with an H4 halogen bulb, but I upgraded to Sylvania Silver Star bulbs. It was essentially a plug and play operation. I did not add any extra relays, they run on the regular harness. Haven't had any problems with them at all, the wiring doesn't even get warm.

I run halogen sealed beams in my '56 with no relays.

thanks cletis and bill, i guess i wont worry about any relays. that helps a lot. hope to order some in a few weeks.
did you guys notice a huge difference in the power of the halogen light at night, over the seal beamed original light ?
thanks again.

leonard

Mine are just standard seal-beams with internal tri-bar & blue dot. Found them at a local rod-shop.

Halogen head lights actually draw less current than incandescent headlights. That is why we began retrofitting our trucks about 25 years ago.

Yes there is a noticeable difference.

cool.
tomorrow i am ordering a set of these for $32.00... cheap enough huh ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380221760216null&viewitem

leonard

I used the same seller & lights when I up- graded the lighting on my '73 Camaro.
I also added some relays to my lighting cicuit jus cuz I already them.
I also plan on doing this to my truck when the time comes- excellent and cheap up-grade.

ordered them today. should have them in one week. when i get them installed, i will post pics.

leonard

Cool...I haven't had a chance to look at my '55 light buckets yet, but I had to cut away some material when I installed them on my Camaro.
The backside of the light assembly is close to 3" in dia. and I had to hog out my stock ones to make things fit.

please... no more modifications. LOL. i hope they are a direct bolt in. i will let you all know.

leonard

Mine went in with no alterations.

thats good to know.. thanks bill.

leonard

Do these lights work on both 6 and 12 VDC systems? our truck still has the 6 volt system. Thanks for the help.

Dave

not really sure if they will work on a 6 volt system.

leonard

They would work if you could find a 6 volt equivalent to the H4 bulb fitment.

got the tri-bar's in today, have them installed. still have to wait for the weekend to aim them and take pics.
plugged right in to factory wiring. had to trim the circle opening on the bucket that goes on the back of the headlight. also had to modify that same bucket on the passengers side where the 3 notch openings are, to get the headlight timed correctly where it say "top". cut 3 notches where i needed them.
overall an easy install.
will post pics this weekend.

leonard

ok guys,
i got my tri-bar head lights installed completely today.
didnt get to drive it tonight to see how much difference there is, but will find out in the early morning when i drive it to work.
here are some pics...

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC03006.jpg

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC03018.jpg

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC03019.jpg

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC03020.jpg

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC03022.jpg

leonard

Lookin' good as always Leonard.

It's great when all the hard (unseen) work is done and you can spend your spare $$$$'s on the shiny/stylish stuff!

I like the decal on the dash! We use to use that image at VMFP-3 1979 - 1981 Hydshp