Sealed Beam Lights for Classics

O

Oldswagon

Joined
Jan 23, 2003
Messages
935
Location
ON, Canada
One of my old cars still has the incandescent sealed beam headlights. I want to upgrade them to a modern halogen replacement. I am not interested in any LED or other aftermarket options that do not look original. Options are limited; I can get a stock style Wagner, Philips or Sylvania in halogen form, but Sylvania also offers their Xtravision version.

Does anyone have a recommendation on which of these bulb choices are best? Does the Xtravision actually offer better lighting, or is it all marketing hype?

I am looking at a quad light setup - H5006/H5001

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...PZkzvW6C58odC42EvC1tC-Wdk9C2r_hoBgpmbp-kwQQIq
 
Any of those are fine, w/ Phillips and Sylvania preferred. That being said I would recommend going with a quality H4 "e-code" such as Hella, Cibie (if you can find them) or my favorite the Koito. All have a vintage appearance, were common upgrades for sealed beams back in the day, are a drop in replacement for 7" sealed beams and the lighting is exponentially better.
 
wings&wheels

Thread 'Koito 'e-Codes' at the Toyota Dealers, Inexpensive'

Just learned that Toyota sells Koito e'Code H4 7" lights and a relay harness for a very low price through the Dealers, apparently subsidizing the kits for their older cars that used sealed beams. Whatever reason, these are truly excellent quality lamps, thankfully as the variety of quality 7" e-Codes is shrinking; Cibie is out of production, Hella while still excellent now use a plastic reflector, Wipac are great but hard to find and Lucas are OK, but not comparable to the others and best suited for us English car rivet counters. There are also some low end Indian and Chinese...
  • Like
 
Coincidently, I was just re-aiming the Koito's that I installed on my Wife's JL. Dropping them a bit for the sake of other drivers, but the main beams are so good that there is a lot of adjustment.

(note that the L & R beams are identical, the difference is due to reflection)

Dipped beam, note sharp cutoff with upward kick to illuminate signs
JLKdb925.webp

Main beam
JLKhb925.webp
 
I have good expereinces with the Xtremevion from Phillips.
They come in differnet versions of differnet "extremeness".
They really are brighter, but this of course goes at the cost of longevity and the brighest version after 6-8 month was worn out to a lot less brightness.
 
I tried the Xtravision once. It was brighter but it also was the only bulb I ever had burn out. I have replaced them because they got dim but this was the first one that went out. Worst part was it was on a motorcycle and went out on a country road with no street light. Talk about dark, I ended up using the high beam and switching to the fog lights anytime I saw oncoming drivers.
 
My first vote would be the Euro style E-code Hella bulbs. I like the idea of traditional look but still being able to replace the lamp, instead of the whole headlight.

But if you still want to go with traditional sealed beam headlights, my vote would be Philips. I have never been disappointed with Philips automotive lighting. And another vote for their Xtreme Vision. Sylvania would be my last choice. Entry level Sylvania headlights are underwhelming, and their brighter headlights, such as the Xtravision and Ultravision are notorious for short lifespan.

RooflessVW said:
View attachment 301993
Click to expand...
Wow! Is there any more adjustment left, so you can aim those a little higher? I bet oncoming traffic absolutely love you - not! That seems like the absolute polar opposite of what @wings&wheels just did for his wife's car.
 
BHopkins said:
My first vote would be the Euro style E-code Hella bulbs. I like the idea of traditional look but still being able to replace the lamp, instead of the whole headlight.

But if you still want to go with traditional sealed beam headlights, my vote would be Philips. I have never been disappointed with Philips automotive lighting. And another vote for their Xtreme Vision. Sylvania would be my last choice. Entry level Sylvania headlights are underwhelming, and their brighter headlights, such as the Xtravision and Ultravision are notorious for short lifespan.


Wow! Is there any more adjustment left, so you can aim those a little higher? I bet oncoming traffic absolutely love you - not! That seems like the absolute polar opposite of what @wings&wheels just did for his wife's car.
Click to expand...
His example is the main (high) beam and ours are identical. The dipped beams have a very sharp cutoff that is specifically there to reduce glare to oncoming traffic with the rightward kick up illuminating signs away from other traffic. Quality E-codes are brilliantly designed and aren't comparable to the awful lighting provided by sealed beams.
 
Last edited:
BHopkins said:
My first vote would be the Euro style E-code Hella bulbs. I like the idea of traditional look but still being able to replace the lamp, instead of the whole headlight.

But if you still want to go with traditional sealed beam headlights, my vote would be Philips. I have never been disappointed with Philips automotive lighting. And another vote for their Xtreme Vision. Sylvania would be my last choice. Entry level Sylvania headlights are underwhelming, and their brighter headlights, such as the Xtravision and Ultravision are notorious for short lifespan.


Wow! Is there any more adjustment left, so you can aim those a little higher? I bet oncoming traffic absolutely love you - not! That seems like the absolute polar opposite of what @wings&wheels just did for his wife's car.
Click to expand...
Thems high beams, partner.
 
Oldswagon said:
One of my old cars still has the incandescent sealed beam headlights. I want to upgrade them to a modern halogen replacement. I am not interested in any LED or other aftermarket options that do not look original. Options are limited; I can get a stock style Wagner, Philips or Sylvania in halogen form, but Sylvania also offers their Xtravision version.

Does anyone have a recommendation on which of these bulb choices are best? Does the Xtravision actually offer better lighting, or is it all marketing hype?

I am looking at a quad light setup - H5006/H5001

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...PZkzvW6C58odC42EvC1tC-Wdk9C2r_hoBgpmbp-kwQQIq
Click to expand...
Those Sylvania you listed are pretty good. Not special. Just a bit of a step up that will do good while they will look like oem. They are actually a bit better than originals if you are dealing with a car from mid 60s thru late 70s.
I would have no issue with those and the price is fair for these days where every single thing costs more.

What vehicle are you planning to use them on? Are you doing much late night driving? Just ask cause most I knew with classics did not.
Duh...? :rolleyes:Must be if you are looking for better than oem? :rolleyes:

Friendly request: May we please get a look at what those lights may be used for? Request means nothing, I am merely a classic car junkie , ex owner of several from 1975 thru 2019 who loves any from the 1940s and on..... Never seen or drooled over enough 😋 yet!
P.S. I never strayed from the oem lights with my classic Chevys or Olds that I had because I almost never took one on the road after dark.
Because a couple of mine were always headed for judging at Super Chevy Shows or similar events where the look at every single detail.
 
All my classic cars get the sealed Halogen beam upgrades. I just get the regular ones:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=319004&cc=1321478&pt=11701&jsn=557
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=319003&cc=1321478&pt=11701&jsn=560

I also have the exact same in 7" for my AMX.

I have not used the upgraded Xtravision bulb, just the regular sealed beam Halogen.

I am agnostic on Sylvania, Wagner etc. I just happen to have all Wagner at this time in both the Impala and the AMX.

The lighting is much better than the old tungsten lamps but not as good as an H4/H1 Halogen upgrade eg. Hella, Cibie etc. You can still overrun these sealed beam Halogens but I don't drive the old cars too much at night anymore if possible (deer etc.) and if I do, I keep the MPH down so I don't overrun.

Older electrical systems will require a relay if you run the big watt H4/H1 systems. I have not had to install the relay using these sealed beam Halogens.

If you are a purist you can get these improved T3s for GMs:

https://www.lectriclimited.com/lighting-fuse-flashers/

I do not have experience with these modern T3s.

I have put better lighting in all my muscle cars since I have been 16 and kept accumulating the T3s in a box in my garage. This Spring I finally took all my T3s to a swap meet (about 20 lamps) and did very well.💰 The only car I did not get rid of the T3s on was my Chevelle, when I sold the car I included the original T3s in the sale, but no question, I was not driving around with tungsten bulbs, I had sealed beam Halogens in it.
 
marc1 said:
All my classic cars get the sealed Halogen beam upgrades. I just get the regular ones:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=319004&cc=1321478&pt=11701&jsn=557
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=319003&cc=1321478&pt=11701&jsn=560

I also have the exact same in 7" for my AMX.

I have not used the upgraded Xtravision bulb, just the regular sealed beam Halogen.

I am agnostic on Sylvania, Wagner etc. I just happen to have all Wagner at this time in both the Impala and the AMX.

The lighting is much better than the old tungsten lamps but not as good as an H4/H1 Halogen upgrade eg. Hella, Cibie etc. You can still overrun these sealed beam Halogens but I don't drive the old cars too much at night anymore if possible (deer etc.) and if I do, I keep the MPH down so I don't overrun.

Older electrical systems will require a relay if you run the big watt H4/H1 systems. I have not had to install the relay using these sealed beam Halogens.

If you are a purist you can get these improved T3s for GMs:

https://www.lectriclimited.com/lighting-fuse-flashers/

I do not have experience with these modern T3s.

I have put better lighting in all my muscle cars since I have been 16 and kept accumulating the T3s in a box in my garage. This Spring I finally took all my T3s to a swap meet (about 20 lamps) and did very well.💰 The only car I did not get rid of the T3s on was my Chevelle, when I sold the car I included the original T3s in the sale, but no question, I was not driving around with tungsten bulbs, I had sealed beam Halogens in it.
Click to expand...
Did not know anyone here owned any AMC products. I would love to see your AMX. Your Impala too if you like to share photos.
Always said if I had big bucks to use on muscle cars in addition to Pontiacs, Olds, and Buick, I certainly wanted to own some AMC classics. I have always loved the 70s AMCs from AMX to Javelins , The Machine! even some early Rebels which I think is the car they created The Machine out of. Never was crazy about the one we used to jokingly call the Sc"rambler."
 
SammyChevelleTypeS3 said:
Did not know anyone here owned any AMC products. I would love to see your AMX. Your Impala too if you like to share photos.
Always said if I had big bucks to use on muscle cars in addition to Pontiacs, Olds, and Buick, I certainly wanted to own some AMC classics. I have always loved the 70s AMCs from AMX to Javelins , The Machine! even some early Rebels which I think is the car they created The Machine out of. Never was crazy about the one we used to jokingly call the Sc"rambler."
Click to expand...
Hi, I don't want to jack this post, I just put these up in the Cars section for you. Thanks for your interest.:)

It is post #1591... I tried to link but that ends up jacking this post.
 
My Miata had the 7" round lights, there's no question, the Hella E-codes are what you want. Even the 'upgraded' Sylvania's and the like are horrible compared to them.
 
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