Halogen & LED Headlight Bulb Upgrades

Aaron1085 · April 22, 2014

How do they perform?

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Silver space ship · April 22, 2014

Looks great! did you have to put a resistor with it?

HMcCaleb · April 22, 2014

Well they look GREAT, but they aren't as effective as the factory bulbs, but not by much. I ordered the H16, but my factory bulbs are actually a PS24WFF. I emailed the retailer I purchased the bulbs from about it.

From what I can tell, the Putco LED bulbs are longer than the stock bulb, so the fog light housing isn't projecting the light the same way as it does the shorter stock bulbs. So the LED seems to be way brighter, but kinda shining all over the place instead of being held in by the housing.. I hope that makes sense...

And I still may have the wrong bulb...?

How do they perform?

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HMcCaleb · April 22, 2014

Nope. I was worried about that, but I didn't order the resistors. Drove about 40 minutes tonight and haven't had any issues.

But check to make sure you get the right bulb. I ordered H16, but my truck actually has a PS24WFF. The H16 went in, but it didn't like the way it clicked in. It could've fit better. So I'm going to call Putco tomorrow and see what's up with that.

Looks great! did you have to put a resistor with it?

Spurshot · April 22, 2014

Ok, here's some pix. The 9011 is definitely brighter. 9011 on the left, 9012 (stock) on the right. But it's not dramatically brighter. Is it enough brighter to be ok? I dunno. Each of you should try it. It's only 22.6% brighter by the numbers I got. It looks like 22.6% to me. In other words: a little bit brighter. The photos exaggerate the difference since cameras can be more sensitive than the human eye in some situations.

Maybe I'll try switching the positions tomorrow night and take some more pix.

These lights definitely leave something to be desired. My 08 with stock H11 bulbs were much better. With H9 bulbs they are many times better than these.

HMcCaleb · April 22, 2014

I can't tell which is which by the pictures. I've heard some people say they were concerned about burning up something by using a 9011 bulb. The wiring isn't designed to handle the higher watt bulb. Hopefully it'll be ok. Let us know in a few weeks of you've experienced any issues.

Ok, here's some pix. The 9011 is definitely brighter. 9011 on the left, 9012 (stock) on the right. But it's not dramatically brighter. Is it enough brighter to be ok? I dunno. Each of you should try it. It's only 22.6% brighter by the numbers I got. It looks like 22.6% to me. In other words: a little bit brighter. The photos exaggerate the difference since cameras can be more sensitive than the human eye in some situations.

Maybe I'll try switching the positions tomorrow night and take some more pix.

These lights definitely leave something to be desired. My 08 with stock H11 bulbs were much better. With H9 bulbs they are many times better than these.

Spurshot · April 22, 2014

I can't tell which is which by the pictures. I've heard some people say they were concerned about burning up something by using a 9011 bulb. The wiring isn't designed to handle the higher watt bulb. Hopefully it'll be ok. Let us know in a few weeks of you've experienced any issues.

Wiring in any vehicle is protected by the fuse or c/b. The fuse or c/b is sized to protect the wire. Wiring always has some margin above standard load for the design. Stock bulbs are 55w, 9011 bulbs are 65w. I have run 65w bulbs in my 08 for 5 years now. Never blew a fuse or breaker. No need for hope.

HMcCaleb · April 22, 2014

Awesome. I might do this!

My 9011 Philips bulbs came by UPS tonight. 10 mins of fussing around and I got one fit up. As mentioned in the "bulb sizes" thread, the 9011 has two issues for fitment. The first one I tackled was the socket where it has 2 ribs inside and the 9012 has a single centered rib. I used a sharp narrow wood chisel, just lightly clamped the outside of the socket in a vice with the larger step catching the top of the vice jaws (pics coming later). A few light taps on the chisel with a very small hammer and the rib was history. Next was the outside tabs. One tab is larger on the 9011 than the 9012. A simple small side cutter and it was nipped off. Cleaned it up with alcohol and installed one side.

Once it gets totally dark around here, I'll go out tonight and try to see if there's enough difference to do this mod. The information I have is that the stock 9012 bulb is 1875 lumens and the 9011 is 2300 lumens. I don't much care about what color the light is, just that I can see well. I had H9 bulbs in place of H11 bulbs in my 08. Nice upgrade without much fuss.

HMcCaleb · April 23, 2014

Ok, an update... I have been on the phone with Putco today and emailing the retailer I purchased the LED's from, and so far I haven't received a definite answer from either one about these H16 LED's. The retailer said the H16 should fit because he says it's the same as the PS24W, but this bulb definitely isn't snapping in as well as the factory bulb. I called Putco to see about an exact match, waited on the phone for about five minutes and then got the "We'll call you back" response, but they never called back. I guess some Sierras have H16 bulbs in them and some have PS24W bulbs (from what they say) but either way, I'm not satisfied with the H16 Putco Optic 360's in my truck, so I'm sending them back.

Aaron1085 · April 23, 2014

Ordered VLED fog lights as suggested by many so we shall see how they perform.

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hotrodz37 · April 23, 2014

Has anyone tried the Philips 9012 HIR bulbs yet? I read through and saw they were mentioned but not sure if anyone has actually used them yet.

MotoMedic · April 23, 2014

Has anyone tried the Philips 9012 HIR bulbs yet? I read through and saw they were mentioned but not sure if anyone has actually used them yet.

Tthe factory Sierra bulbs are 9012 HIR

hotrodz37 · April 23, 2014

Tthe factory Sierra bulbs are 9012 HIR

Right, but I am wondering if anybody has had good results with the Philips replacements. I know they will be the same lumens, probably a whiter bulb, but just curious if they are a little better than the Putcos.

Oddly enough one of the places that carries them is Home Depot. Seem to have decent reviews. Link below.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-HIR2-9012-Headlight-Bulb-1-Pack-9012LLB1/203654603?keyword=9012+philips

HMcCaleb · April 23, 2014

It's the exact same bulb that is already in the truck.

Right, but I am wondering if anybody has had good results with the Philips replacements. I know they will be the same lumens, probably a whiter bulb, but just curious if they are a little better than the Putcos.

Oddly enough one of the places that carries them is Home Depot. Seem to have decent reviews. Link below.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-HIR2-9012-Headlight-Bulb-1-Pack-9012LLB1/203654603?keyword=9012+philips

HMcCaleb · April 23, 2014

What part number did you order? I looked on their site and couldn't find a PS24W. It says pre order only.

I already tried an H16 from Putco. It seemed to be too long (light was scattered instead of a beam) and it didn't click into the housing very well at all.