Ford 861 Headlight Conversion 6v to 12v

Sounds like you might be correct......Anyway, should not be that big of a deal.............The way I see it you have two choices, none of which should require and major wiring or work as long as the original wiring to the current headlights is good......

Option 1 is to get something like this and just swap them out with what it there and hook the new headlights up....


Option 2 is to try to find 12 volt bulbs that will fit into the sockets on the current headlights that you have......I know that there are several on here that have old Fords and they might have ideas on where you can find these replacement 12 volt blubs.....

I am not all that up to speed on the old Ford 8N, 9N or NAA tractors since they are too small for what I need on the farm but I do know electrical systems both 6 volt and 12 volt.....Two of my tractors are older and I do most if not all of my own work............Green or Blue they all have an electrical system........LOL

I had a NAA and the headlights are like the old simple car headlights….the entire glass portion is a single piece sealed headlight. There is no replaceable bulb insert.

couple things….the headlights on tractor should be standard size, so it’s a matter of getting correct size glass sealed headlight….maybe check em against a 70’s model mustang or mercury montego etc. old tractor catalogs may have em also.

Check to make sure wiring is in good condition as it runs along the inner fender and it gets hot. If bad shape swap wiring…if OK the old 6 volt wiring will more than handle the 12 volt. 6 volt throws more amps and actually will be heavier duty. Same goes for the light switch so if it works no need to change it either….

you want to see how it’s wired up though….this was originally a positive ground tractor and if converted to 12v, it no longer is. Ground the headlamp negative to frame or metal inner fender, then run single power lead to switch. I would run hot from battery (fused 15 or 20 amp I reckon) to other side of switch. That will give ya lights with key off which can be handy just don’t leave em on. If switch has ground too (3 prong) then run it to battery neg or frame ground.

while you are at it…wire up that rear light…it should have its own toggle switch on base of light. I had one until it got stolen at ford tractor dealer in town while they weren’t fixing my tractor and charging me a fortune.

If your dad didn’t mess with headlights during upgrade, the switch may still be wired up as positive ground….but dad a cheeseburger and see if he swapped is over too.