Could higher wattage headlight bulbs be used in my truck through using a relay set up?

 

you dont need a relay ther are many company out there that make theem

 

Wont the higher wattage melt the wiring?

 

Mark, if your truck has the proper # fuse, that fuse will blow before the OEM wiring melts. But to answear your original question: Yes you could install a new harness that has relays. A simple foglight/horn type harness that uses a relay will NOT be sufficent if you want both hi and low beams to work. Several companies sell complete headlight (or headlamp) wiring harnesses as kits. Do a Google search.. should be under $99. BUT before you order any harness, research the headlight bulbs you want to upgrade to.. find their total watts : low x 2 + high x 2 = ??watts (because I assume you want the type of headlights that both low and hi-beams stay on at the same time?) So take your ??watts and multiply this number times 1.25 (loss) and divide by 12 (volts) and you will have the total AMPS you need the new harness to be designed for. Example: if your new headlights are 40 watts each on low beam, 65 watts on high.. that 210 watts total both headlights, times 1.25 equals 265 divided by 12 (=22) so you would need a 25 amp harness or more.

 

Guys, I hold the highbeam stalk back for hours at a time to get more light, and no fuse will be blown. Fuses are meant for a 100% surge of current to bust. Normal loads will not pop them. If you are running 100watt/75watt hi/los and holding both on or using a aheadlight sport box then yes you will eventually blow the fuse. you may overfuse by 50% and still the wiring will hold up as the relay is typically the lightest part of the system and will not stay engaged if over current. ks.