'07 Sierra headlights replaced 6 months ago, replacing again

mikea57 · December 1, 2011

About 6 months ago one of my headlights went out. I don't care about changing over to HID but I wanted something brighter than what was in there (I guess from the factory). So I found and installed Sylvania Silverstar Ultra headlights (1700 lumens, 65 watts) for both low beams wasting a good headlight on the other side. It was a night and day difference between what had been in there and the Silverstars. Really bright light, excellent visibility. But about 2 weeks ago the driver side headlight went out which I thought was strange since they've only been in for 6-8 months max. I replaced that one with another Silverstar and then this morning my neighbor stopped me on my way out of the driveway and informed me that the passenger side was now out! This is crazy! Those were not cheap headlights and I sure don't want to have to be changing them every 6 months. So, I'm wondering: Did I do something wrong? I didn't touch them with my hands when I installed them, I used hospital type gloves. Were these just a bad set of bulbs or is it something on the truck that the Silverstars draw too much power, or the low beams and the high beams need to be changed to all the same type? Has anyone used these and have any information about them?

Thanks,

Mike

GasHog369 · December 1, 2011

I use to use silverstars all the time , but they are way to pricey for there short life..

I switched over to HID's for this reason. Having brighter light is awesome with the hid's but the main thing is the durability .

HID's have no filiments to pop.

mikea57 · December 1, 2011

What's a ballpark price to change over to HID? Also, don't you have to install another component somewhere to make them work?

GasHog369 · December 1, 2011

check out DDMtuning.com

Yes you would have to install the ballast to.

Search on here for HID.. You will find a lot of guys like them, and a lot hate them... I personally love em.

Patch6713 · December 1, 2011

From what I have been told that with the aftermarket bulbs, the brighter they are the shorter they last. I don't know if this is true or not. Also, since the bulbs are also the DRL in the new body style they get more usage.

As for HIDs, I have had them for about 8 months now and love them. Very bright but don't get flashed by oncoming drivers. I went with 6000K bulbs as a recommendation from a friend of mine that has had them for a few years, and he has also been very happy. You will have to mount a ballast but they are usually small. I just zip tied mine in the are of the headlight assembly. Can't even see the ballast. I only have them in my low beams, and I now rarely ever use my high beams.

michigan2500hd · December 1, 2011

Had a 07 sierra that went through a bulb every few months..don't know if it was a year specific thing or not. Tried the silver stars once but they didn't last as long as the stock bulbs.

c4cruiser · December 1, 2011

Are problems with the SilverStars because of the low beams being used as DRL's?? Also, if you don't turn the DRL's off during daylight hours, the number of hours the bulb is in use climbs rapidly. And I don't think the reduced power to the bulb helps either.

It's too bad that the DRL's weren't retained like the GMT800 trucks where there was a separate bulb.

MaverickZ71 · December 2, 2011

I did some research a while back and learned that the Silverstar Ultra's seem to last about a year. The regular Silverstars last a little longer, but not as long as the factory stock bulbs. I've always been told that you should change both low beams or both high beam bulbs at the same time. I would think that the DRLs would burn out the low beams a lot faster; maybe that's why your Ultra's only lasted 6 months. But I agree that the Silverstars seem to throw out a lot more, whiter light than the stock bulbs.

mikea57 · December 3, 2011

I did some research a while back and learned that the Silverstar Ultra's seem to last about a year. The regular Silverstars last a little longer, but not as long as the factory stock bulbs. I've always been told that you should change both low beams or both high beam bulbs at the same time. I would think that the DRLs would burn out the low beams a lot faster; maybe that's why your Ultra's only lasted 6 months. But I agree that the Silverstars seem to throw out a lot more, whiter light than the stock bulbs.

That seems to make sense. Plus I like to run the fog lights during the day. I guess I wouldn't mind HIDs but I'm not gonna spend my money for 'em. Anybody feel generous out there????

Eatstone · December 3, 2011

I did some research a while back and learned that the Silverstar Ultra's seem to last about a year. The regular Silverstars last a little longer, but not as long as the factory stock bulbs. I've always been told that you should change both low beams or both high beam bulbs at the same time. I would think that the DRLs would burn out the low beams a lot faster; maybe that's why your Ultra's only lasted 6 months. But I agree that the Silverstars seem to throw out a lot more, whiter light than the stock bulbs.

That seems to make sense. Plus I like to run the fog lights during the day. I guess I wouldn't mind HIDs but I'm not gonna spend my money for 'em. Anybody feel generous out there????

At the rate your going thru Ultra's, hid's might be a cheaper option for you.

jrrod2004 · December 3, 2011

About 6 months ago one of my headlights went out. I don't care about changing over to HID but I wanted something brighter than what was in there (I guess from the factory). So I found and installed Sylvania Silverstar Ultra headlights (1700 lumens, 65 watts) for both low beams wasting a good headlight on the other side. It was a night and day difference between what had been in there and the Silverstars. Really bright light, excellent visibility. But about 2 weeks ago the driver side headlight went out which I thought was strange since they've only been in for 6-8 months max. I replaced that one with another Silverstar and then this morning my neighbor stopped me on my way out of the driveway and informed me that the passenger side was now out! This is crazy! Those were not cheap headlights and I sure don't want to have to be changing them every 6 months. So, I'm wondering: Did I do something wrong? I didn't touch them with my hands when I installed them, I used hospital type gloves. Were these just a bad set of bulbs or is it something on the truck that the Silverstars draw too much power, or the low beams and the high beams need to be changed to all the same type? Has anyone used these and have any information about them?

Thanks,

Mike

Might want to go the full route:

HIDs with the retrofit. Light pattern is tightly controlled and extremely bright.

Here is an example of mine (GMT800): - GMT900s have been done as well

http://www.jrrod2004.com/silverado/hidretrofit.html

ironhead3fan · December 6, 2011

I used to use Silverstars in my Del Sol and my Harley. Neither one have them anymore. While they were very bright, and visibility was greatly improved, none of them lasted more than a year. Wasn't worth the price or the hassle.