Anyone use these in their projector headlights

[Klutch]

My greatest fear about playing around with my headlights is getting stranded out someplace because of it. Either using crappy bulbs or messing with the wiring with HID kits. I'd suggest throwing the stock bulbs in the glove box or somewhere Justin Case. Same with HID, have a complete extra set of parts as a spare in the truck (bulb, ballast, relay, etc). Of course I do the same with wiper blades. Those are a couple of things you're just screwed without

[Ashtonman]

I'm about to replace my headlight bulbs -- 9012's with 9011's -- GMC Sierra, 2014 -- to give me a little more light (65W bulb instead of 55W bulb). I have two bulbs on order now. Minor mods will be required to the bulb base to make the 9011 fit, but appears to be something that works and offers a modest improvement.

 

Not that interested in getting a whiter or bluer bulb, e.g., variants of the 9012 with different colors but no increase in actual light.

 

Also not interesting in a HID conversion because of warranty issues and lack of confidence in the idea... too many negative comments, although it obviously works well for some folks.

 

Love my 2014 Sierra -- truly great truck -- only the headlights are pretty sucky, particularly on rainy nights!

 

This is the best $26.66 I have spent on my new truck. This is a factory Phillips 9011 bulb sold by Wagner.

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Lighting-9011-Head-Sealed/dp/B000C8XRHS/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=GMC%7C48&Model=Sierra%201500%7C548&Year=2015%7C2015&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=5&vehicleType=automotive

Took me 15 minutes to modify the bulbs. Now installing the drivers side is easy, the flipping passenger side is more time consuming. (My 07 and 10 were the same way with the air-filter box pull so I knew what I was in for)

This completely changed the light output. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference but it did.

 

I just ordered a couple spares because I know they won't last as long but only time will tell.

[Sharpb]

What did you have to do to modify the 9011 bulbs. I love my '14 sierra, but the lights are terrible

[Crf450r420]

You just cut down one tab on the bulb. It is just wider than the current one so it won't drop into the slot like you do before you turn the bulb in to lock.

[gbo62280]

You just cut down one tab on the bulb. It is just wider than the current one so it won't drop into the slot like you do before you turn the bulb in to lock.

You also have to get rid of the "socket ribs", the plastic guide rails inside the socket itself. I just used a small chisel, and held the bulb with my vice. A sharp chisel and a few light whacks with the hammer and they disappear.

[Spurshot]

What did you have to do to modify the 9011 bulbs. I love my '14 sierra, but the lights are terrible

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/156233-halogen-led-headlight-bulb-upgrades/page-14

 

Even though the brightness gains are not large, there is some gain (1875 lumens to 2350) in going from 9012 55w stock bulbs to 9011 65w bulbs. So, I thought I'd show what's needed to do the swap.

 

First, one outside tab needs trimming. Fortunately, it's a plastic base. I used a small end nipper and then an exacto knife to clean it up.

 

 

 

Next, the inside ribs need to be removed.

 

I placed it in a vice and very lightly tightened it as shown.

 

 

Then I used a narrow, very sharp wood chisel and a very small hammer to lightly tap and cut the ribs out.

 

 

 

There's some banter on the light forums that this OEM GM HIR1 (9011) is a better output than the Philips. Notice the spherical shape and it's suppose to have the reflective coating to intensify the light. If I were doing this mod today, I'd try these bulbs.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-HIR1-Original-Equipment-Headlamp/dp/B000C9QPKS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=02GSM0B603HNM2ZX0FQ2