LED Fog Bulbs & Lights

MotoMedic · January 7, 2014

If anyone's interested in what the GMC non-fog plastics look like, see pic below. You could probably fit some nice horizontal LED lights in there.

z28evans · January 7, 2014

I spent some time last weekend mounting my Rigid Industries D2 driving lights. I bought the bumper inserts for the non-fog light model (~$85 total for a pair). After looking things over, I decided to use the stock fog light housings and make a backing plate similar to the one Bbowen826 made. I did not mount mine the same way though, I wanted to be able to adjust the lights. I made a bracket and mounted the lights to it. I went out into the country and adjusted them – they work great! I actually saw deer on the shoulder that I had passed by earlier with the fog lights off and had missed.

These lights are not made to be on when others are around, as it would probably blind other drivers. I plan on only using them when night driving out in the country.

I have not finished my cover pieces to fill the area of the round hole (they are cut out but not mounted). When I get around to finishing them I will post photos.

*Since I have not ended up using the other non-fog light bumper inserts I will sell them if anyone is interested. I could see some LED strips being mounted in each spot. Would probably not light the road up as well (they would be aimed different). For some *not too bright* LED’s that you could drive with on, it would probably look really nice and match the Sierra’s dual LED strips in the headlight if done correctly.

I think you may be able to remove the bolts for the fog light inserts without removing the bumper. 3 of the bolts you can get to from the back, and the fourth from inside the fog light insert once the fog light has been pulled out. I have not done this, but it is what I was looking at doing.

James

Bbowen826 · January 7, 2014

If anyone's interested in what the GMC non-fog plastics look like, see pic below. You could probably fit some nice horizontal LED lights in there.

Check these out. I attached a pic and a link. It's part of Rigid's series for air craft. They measure exactly 4.25". I think these can be installed in the factory opening without no cutting. It would still need some type of bracket. You can get it in two different light patterns and different lumens. The link is their catalog. Go to page 57.

http://www.rigidindustries.com/sites/default/files/flipbook/index.html

Bbowen826 · January 9, 2014

So after trying the dimmer on the Rigid Lights it did not work like it should. It would let you turn the lights to high and to a low setting, but anything in between the lights would flicker. When the lights were on a low setting I would say they were about 10 to 20 percent there normal brightness. Which I believe would work at night time. However when the lights were turned down that low they would make a slight buzzing sound. Between the flickering and the buzzing it is telling me there is something in the lights that doesn't like the dimmer being on them. So for me its not worth risking a set of $250 lights on. So the dimmer will be a no go for me. So for those wanting to dim the lights I would go with the lights Motometic found that are designed to be dimmed.

MR. DRAG SLEDDER · January 10, 2014

I'm going with the Vleds. They will be here on Moday and will do the whole Headlight and Fogs @ once! Can't wait.

MotoMedic · January 10, 2014

I'm going with the Vleds. They will be here on Moday and will do the whole Headlight and Fogs @ once! Can't wait.

I've also decided to go with 5202 VLEDs for my fogs instead of stand alone lights. I realized I'm probably going to trade up to a Yukon sooner than I thought (now likely Xmas 2014) and any square or round fogs won't transfer neatly to new Yukon's rectangle fogs. I'm scraping my HID fogs because they're just too bright / unsafe for regular road use.

So instead of crazy bright fogs, I'm installing a 20" Vision X light bar in the bumper gap!

Good luck to all with your fog upgrades.

MotoMedic · January 13, 2014

FYI - Anyone considering installing 9006/9012 HID headlight bulbs and 5202 LED fog light bulbs....

I discovered this past weekend that 5000K HID doesn't exactly match 5000K LED. The 5000K LED are slightly whiter and, when side by side, make the HID's appear slightly more blue.

If my LED headlight replacement project falls through, I'm going to try switching my HID bulbs to 4500K, so they'll better match my 5202 VLED fogs & factory LED strips.

klrrdr · January 13, 2014

Pull out the tow hooks,c'mon you know you will never use them. Mount a nice set of lights in there. Figure out a bracket and the holes are already there.

MotoMedic · January 13, 2014

Pull out the tow hooks,c'mon you know you will never use them. Mount a nice set of lights in there. Figure out a bracket and the holes are already there.

I've actually used mine twice since July.

(I didn't get stuck, they did!)

z28evans · January 14, 2014

I finished my “fog light” install – they are not for driving in the fog any longer. I wanted some bright lights for rural night time use / off road. I bought these Rigid Industries D2 lights with the driving light pattern. They work great, I actually saw several deer the first time I tested them out.

I made a bracket that attached to the metal structure behind the bumper, and bolted the lights to that – this way I can angle them how I want. I made a metal plate to fill in over the round hole, and screwed it in place.
I am very happy with how it came out.

James

Swazimoto · January 14, 2014

The square lenses are growing on me quick! Nice job guys. I need both driving and off road so a rheostat is mandatory for my application. Unless anyone has seen a version that has a high low?

OUSux · January 18, 2014

Got my VLED 5k fog lights today, installed them. I like the look, I just dont know if i need to adjust them.

Pic of fog lights on only

Lights and Fogs from front end

Headlights only

Headlights and Fogs on together

z28evans · January 18, 2014

Anyone have a copy of the Sierra fog light / headlight wiring diagrams? I would like to make my fog lights active with the hi-beams (country driving - deer spotting). If I can find a wiring diagram I hope to see a way to tap into the signal wire that goes to the highbeam shutter.

MotoMedic · January 22, 2014

There have been varied opinions concerning the VLED 5202 replacement bulbs. Installed mine tonight and believe I've discovered why....

Stock vs VLED - the VLEDs technically produce more raw lumen, but the way the light is distributed / reflected by the fog lens can make them appear to be less effective. Studying both closely, I realized that the stock bulb with stock lens functions more like an old flashlight, focusing the light primarily straight ahead. The VLEDs with stock lens function more like a flood light, giving an even distribution over a larger area with no one focal point. So you're still getting roughly the same light, just more evenly spread. In the attached pic, you can see how the stock bulb focuses the light in one small area, while the VLED lights up a large area of the white wall. (I had to combine two pics to fit both... forgot about iPhone panoramic option)

If you need your fog lights for actually driving in the fog, stick with the stock bulbs (though not sure even they'll actually help). If you don't, go with the VLEDs! From the bystander prospective, the VLEDs look sooooo much better than stockI Definitely worth the upgrade IMO.