LED headlights for 1963

[Raymond R.]

I am using Sylvania halogen headlights in my 1963 coupe. I recently read an article regarding a LED headlight upgrade for classic cars. The upgraded lights use a German Hella H4 lens. They are sold through vintagecarleds.com. The web site has 5.75 inch LED headlights. However, it indicates the 63 Corvette "May require modification to fit high beam headlight buckets."
Does anyone have any experience with these LEDs? If so, what was involved for the 1963 modification to fit the high beam headlight bucket? If anyone is using LED headlights, I would be interested in your thoughts as to the upgrade.
Thanks for any advice.

[Michael J.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

I recently put a set of these LED headlights (VC4000 series) in my '64 in the low beam buckets, high beam apparently need to have the plug altered:

https://vintagecarleds.com/5-75-inch-round-headlights/

They are very bright and fit pretty good in the buckets: Picture here next to original T3s.....

[Brian M.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

I'd like to see the comparison to the current Lectric Limited T3

[Peter H.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Raymond Back in 78 I added Halogen High Beam lights to improve my nightime driving experience.No modification required.The bulbs were non GM issued. If interested let me know.Peter.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Nice buy pricey

[Frank D.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

I'd like to see the comparison to the current Lectric Limited T3

There is no comparison, unless you're comparing a candle to a spotlight...
Here are my LED 63 headlights from the same source as in post #2..
The second pic compares the low beam LEDs to Halogen high beams and even those are lame in contrast...

The problem with most of the LED headlights is getting the dispersion correct....the source mentioned above has gone to special lengths to deal with that issue.

[Dick W.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

If you purchase LEDs go with the 6K bulb. The 8 K bulb may seem brighter but when you drive with them they are not. It produces blue light above the human eyes ability to see with it.

[Raymond R.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Thanks for all the replies. Through vintagecarleds.com, I inquired as to the modification required for installation of the high beams. I seem to remember a picture of an adapter plug needed, but I cannot remember where I saw that picture. I awaiting a response from the web site. In the FAQs, it indicates the lights exceed all European and Canadian standards for street use. However, U.S. DOT never adopted European standards. As a result, all H4's must be designated as "for off road use only." It further cautions: "compliance with local laws is buyers responsibility." I live in N.J. I would hate to spend the money, only to be stopped and ticketed by local law enforcement. I like the brightness. Have to balance it with any installation issues, the cost of the lights and the possibility of being stopped by law enforcement because of the brightness.

[Raymond R.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Thanks for your reply Frank. In response to my previous 5/11/18 post ,regarding 63 dash bulbs, you responded that you had replaced your "gray wire" dash bulbs with LEDS. The picture you attached to that post convinced me to do the same. I purchased and installed the referenced dash LEDs. No regrets there. It gets harder to see, as one ages. I love the brightness and the fact that the dash lights still dim. I should have thanked you previously.

[Raymond R.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

I just realized, I rarely use the high beams. Maybe the answer is to just replace the low beams.

[John S.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Amazing to me to see the difference in the low beam and high beams in the pics that both Mike and Frank provided. Wow! As a side night happy new year to everyone.

[Michael J.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

I just realized, I rarely use the high beams. Maybe the answer is to just replace the low beams.

That is what I did, after talking to the owner of VintageCarLEDs. Too much hassle to modify for the high beams too, since you will rarely use them.

[Frank D.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Thanks for your reply Frank. In response to my previous 5/11/18 post ,regarding 63 dash bulbs, you responded that you had replaced your "gray wire" dash bulbs with LEDS. The picture you attached to that post convinced me to do the same. I purchased and installed the referenced dash LEDs. No regrets there. It gets harder to see, as one ages. I love the brightness and the fact that the dash lights still dim. I should have thanked you previously.

No problem.... My original 63 instrument bulbs never gave off more than a warm glow and, at full brightness, the gauge numbers were indistinct (to my old eyes). Changing to the "warm white" LEDs brightened things up significantly without adding a harsh, glaring light...

[Raymond R.]

Re: LED headlights for 1963

Thanks for the response, Michael. I think just doing the low beams is the way to go.