1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections
View Poll Results: was it really worth it?
there is a difference and its a good one.
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no difference
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buy it anyways i like spending money
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heavy duty headlight harness

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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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heavy duty headlight harness

does it really work? tell me if it was worth the money i know many of you already have the kit. but was it worth it?

here is my comparison.
before


during










after


so what do you'll think
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 12:12 AM
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What we need is one side though the harness and one with the stock setup. Its hard to tell any difference, especially since exposure on the picture may not be the same.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 12:57 AM
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here side by side same camera. same settings and plus the high beams now work.

before

after
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 01:09 AM
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A blind man can see the difference
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 01:20 AM
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nice! i was a little iffy on the harness, but now seems worth it.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 01:50 AM
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it would even be great for all of the first gen owners that have high beams that don't work.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 03:56 AM
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What gauge wiring is that? Didn't look all that heavy duty in the pictures. Heavier than stock, yes. But not by much.

When I did mine, I made my own. I used 10 gauge for the whole thing. The important thing to remember is, electricity flows a lot like water does. If you have even a little section of small gauge wire in the circuit, then you'll be limited to whatever can get across that bottleneck. Imagine taking a fire hose, and splicing in a short section of garden hose in the middle of it. Just not going to get the flow if you do that. So every millimeter has to be heavy gauge all the way from the power source to the light. I even made my grounds 10 gauge.

As far as results go; I used to be afraid of hitting a deer in the road at night. I don't have to worry any more now. If one wanders into the road in front of me, I just hit my high beams and melt the son of a bitch!

Also, from my experience, stay away from Silverstars. Just don't waste your money on them. Opt for the XtraBrite bulbs instead (made by Sylvania or Philips, can't remember). You'll find them hanging right next to all the other bulbs, produce a whiter (not blue) light, and have a better lighting pattern. And they cost exactly half as much too.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 06:49 AM
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Hey bugman1973 - I assume that's a kit? If so, where did you get it? I see that Black Dragon has one...is that the one you used? Does it use a relay?

Thanks,
Rich
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 07:33 AM
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Its the BD one. I did a write up thats in the archives with similiar comparison pics. Check it out:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/lighting-how-heavy-duty-headlight-harness-installation-695121/
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 10:21 AM
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yes black dragon
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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And yes it has the relays included. No wiring to do, just plug stuff in. Very easy.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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I did like Ken and just made my own. Its like $15 in parts. It is worth the $ to do this mod. I also did the window relay mod and it made a huge difference. New larger wire makes a big difference in a 20 year old car.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 12:04 PM
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I did it myself on my 93 Mazda Navajo but for the price this kit saves a lot of time and it required no real work other than routing the wires and placing the relays. If your lazy or not sure how to do it yourself this is a great kit.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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Headlight Rewiring Project

H4 Headlight Connectors (2) $7 NAPA LS6246
Bosch 30 amp relays (2) $6 Parts Express 330-070
Inline mini fuse holder (2) $5 NAPA BK 7823103
Fuses (mini) 20 amp High Beam $2.69 pack of 5 NAPA
Fuses (mini)15 amp Low Beam $2.69 pack of 5 NAPA
Red, Black, Orange 12 awg primary wire $15 NAPA
Relay socket adaptor (2) $3 Parts Express 339-075

Other need items:
Split Loom (1/4” and ½”)
Electrical tape
Heat shrink tubing
Soldering iron
Solder


Headlight Wires
Red/Yellow = Low Beam
Red/Blue = High Beam
Black = Ground
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 07:58 PM
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This is great stuff! Thanks John64 and bugman1973. I'll be doing this myself when my car gets back from the body shop...maybe before if they don't take it soon. They've been too busy with collision work because of the crappy weather we've had :-(
As long as the relays and connectors are readily available, I'll do it myself rather than using the kit.

Rich
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:00 PM
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awwsome thanks john64 im going to do mine as well..

:AA:
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 64mgb
This is great stuff! Thanks John64 and bugman1973. I'll be doing this myself when my car gets back from the body shop...maybe before if they don't take it soon. They've been too busy with collision work because of the crappy weather we've had :-(
As long as the relays and connectors are readily available, I'll do it myself rather than using the kit.

Rich
Oops...didn't mean to leave you out t_g_farrell...that was a nice writeup you did!

Rich
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 09:06 PM
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No problems guys. Anything I can do to help out the community.
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 10:48 PM
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if i do nothing else for the forum then to get our cars noticed and help us work on and modify them. i have done what i wanted to do.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 08:05 AM
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Thats ok, no offense taken. I just want to point out that the BD HD harness cost less than the parts John64 listed by almost half. Food for thought.

Plus, did I say this before, no wiring Just plug into the old harness for the signals to fire the relays.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
Thats ok, no offense taken. I just want to point out that the BD HD harness cost less than the parts John64 listed by almost half. Food for thought.

Plus, did I say this before, no wiring Just plug into the old harness for the signals to fire the relays.
Wow...you're right! I was thinking that the Black Dragon kit was something like $80...but at $30 I think I've changed my mind. Although I think I will do some wiring to eliminate the connectors...they are a weak spot in my car. I've already replaced 2 of the pins in the one on the passenger side because they were corroded so badly. Is there any advantage to being able to remove the wiring that runs from the big finned connector to the headlight? If not, I'll eliminate them...if so, I'll make sure all the pins are solid.

Thanks,
Rich
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 10:29 AM
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Not sure what the big finned connector is?
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 11:06 AM
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the total for shipping and everything was $40.70. your total was $62.38. hum and you want me to do wiring. i could do wiring but i want to be lazy on occasions. like when i ordered the kit and put it in it took me all of 20 mins. i think i like that you did do i good job though
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
Not sure what the big finned connector is?
I'll try to find pictures tonight...not sure what to call it, but it's the big connector where the wires from the headlight plug in to the main harness. I call it finned because it has large "fins" or tabs on the sides. It's the square connectors with the numbers in them in john64's drawing.

Rich
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 12:11 PM
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Oh your talking about the headlight connectors that plug into the old sealed beam headlights. You use one of these to signal the relays when the headlights are turned on. The other one I left dangling. I don't like cutting the factory harness if I can help it. Although I did depin my engine harness, but I kept all the wiring so I could put it back if I had to. Sorry, I lost focus there. You mean this one right, that I have laying in the battery tray? Its eventually plugged into the HD harness as the source for triggering the relays.

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