new wire harness necessary for headlight conversions? - Page 2

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 09:50 AM

Ok...

Materials Needed:

- About 15 ft. 12-14 guage wire. (I used 12)
- 2 Inline fuse holders w/ 25 amp fuses
- Butt connectors (I used the Blue ones)
- 4 Small Ring Terminals for the Grounds (w/ self tapping screws)
- 2 Large Ring Terminals for Battery connections (you might be able to hook both relays to the battery with the same terminal)
- 2 Relay plugs or 8 slide connectors (for plugging the wires into the relays)

For my setup, since I ran new grounds from the headlights (only about 6" each), I just started by cutting the stock headlight plug off of the stock wires. I just taped off the stock wires and ran the new hi/lo 12g wires in the factory split loom (you'll have to take off the grill to get to it).. The wires with the arrows in the picture (coming from the relays, going to the factory wires) are just butt-connected to the factory hi or lo beam wires right behind the headlights in the light cavity.

Does this all make sense? Let me know if there's any questions...

**MSHarnett** · 04-21-2004, 09:59 AM

Great diagram.

I'm a bit confused about the actual plug though. You just had the wires go directly to the bulb connectors or what?

EDIT: and what kind of a relay do I need, I never really bought one by itself before?

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 10:06 AM

For the plugs on the headlights, I cut off the stock wires (left a couple inches) and butt-connected the 12g wires to that. (So i'm still using the stock plugs, theres just bigger wires going to them)

Also, I used a 30 amp relay for mine, there are 40's available, and that might be a little better to use. Make sure you dont get ripped off though. I went to Pep Boys and the only ones they had were $15.99 each

, so I went down the street to Kragen and paid $5.99.

You can get them at car audio shops and stuff for cheaper probably. They're only a couple dollars online...

**MSHarnett** · 04-21-2004, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefaZ

For the plugs on the headlights, I cut off the stock wires (left a couple inches) and butt-connected the 12g wires to that. (So i'm still using the stock plugs, theres just bigger wires going to them)

Also, I used a 30 amp relay for mine, there are 40's available, and that might be a little better to use. Make sure you dont get ripped off though. I went to Pep Boys and the only ones they had were $15.99 each

, so I went down the street to Kragen and paid $5.99.

Ok I see now. So can the stock wires overheat at that harness. So should I try a 40 amp relay or could that possibly be too much? I'll work on this tonight, hopefully I'll have it finished, how long should it take, like an hour or so.

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHarnett

Ok I see now. So can the stock wires overheat at that harness. So should I try a 40 amp relay or could that possibly be too much? I'll work on this tonight, hopefully I'll have it finished, how long should it take, like an hour or so.

Overheat at the harness? like the little pieces that are still 18g when you hook up the 12g? the 40 amp wont be too much, it will just handle higher wattage lights. (you'll never draw a full 40 amps through the thing anyway).. My 55/60 watt bulbs only pull 10 amps per pair..

The wiring should be quick if you have a good picture of what you're doin in your head. Mine took kinda long because I was just kinda poking around, and I had to keep going to get supplies.

It should take under an hour...

Ans in case it helps, here's where I mounted my relay:

It's a tight squeeze with the hood holder thing right there, but it works...

Drastik · 04-21-2004, 01:30 PM

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

so how much will this affect the lights, will it be a good bit difference, and what if i do it to my fog lights will it work too, not the stock ones some autozone specials...

one last question, i keep burning up the switches on my fog lights, what could be the problem

mbood82 · 04-21-2004, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drastik

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

so how much will this affect the lights, will it be a good bit difference, and what if i do it to my fog lights will it work too, not the stock ones some autozone specials...

one last question, i keep burning up the switches on my fog lights, what could be the problem

You need a relay for the fog lights too. Hook it up the same way as you hook up the headlights. I just did the same thing for my roof rack, it took me a few tries before I had it wired right. I thought I had an understanding of it, but not really... :-(

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drastik

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

so how much will this affect the lights, will it be a good bit difference, and what if i do it to my fog lights will it work too, not the stock ones some autozone specials...

It mainly changes the color temperature, making them quite a bit whiter. go pack to page 1 of this thread and I posted pics of Stock, H4 wqith stock harness, and H4 with upgraded harness...

Basically look at the difference between pics 2 and 3, it should be the same for you...

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHarnett

You Da Man

So how much for one. Man I'm so lazy I don't even wanna make my own harness, how pathetic is that.

haha i didnt even catch that post earlier... I'm too lazy to make another, i mean i drew the pic, that was harder than just cutting and connectiong a couple wires.. Plus, it's something you can pass down through the generations....

Drastik · 04-21-2004, 07:07 PM

well i have my stock headlights, well not stock but the stock type, will it help

**MSHarnett** · 04-21-2004, 07:08 PM

Hey I did it, aiejtgwa]pi]rgjasrdiong, sorry my key board is shorty out from drooling

. I found that my 80 dollar headlights really are kick ***. I have the IPF X51 which draws something liek 85 watts and is supposed to look like 190 or something. Well let me tell you, after this mod they deffintley look amazing. I was disappionted after I installed those bulbs, but now with the new harness, well lets just say I'm happy. DeFaZ, I can't thank you enough for your excellent help.

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHarnett

Hey I did it, aiejtgwa]pi]rgjasrdiong, sorry my key board is shorty out from drooling

. I found that my 80 dollar headlights really are kick ***. I have the IPF X51 which draws something liek 85 watts and is supposed to look like 190 or something. Well let me tell you, after this mod they deffintley look amazing. I was disappionted after I installed those bulbs, but now with the new harness, well lets just say I'm happy. DeFaZ, I can't thank you enough for your excellent help.

hehe glad to know my plans actually worked! Let me know how it holds up with the 85 watt bulbs... That's going to be my next upgrade...

Drastik: It will do the same thing to the stocks. I actually tested out my stocks before I put the H4's in and it made quite a bit of difference. It definately makes the stock yellow headlights turn bright white....

Drastik · 04-21-2004, 10:17 PM

YAY!!!! well i dont have any 12awg wire i will use 8awg hehehe

DefaZ · 04-21-2004, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drastik

YAY!!!! well i dont have any 12awg wire i will use 8awg hehehe

haha they're going to fade off slowly when you turn them off or something....

hondastomper · 05-09-2004, 12:48 AM

So I followed the paint drawing and wired it up. Let me tell ya, it makes a HUGE difference. I was getting tired of passengers asking if my headlights were on, but now I can actually see them on the road w/ streetlights around. Thanks for the great writeup!