2015 LED Upgrade

irish4life8911 · October 16, 2015

Ahh, I guess I over estimated the lumens on the stock bulbs. Fair enough.

Which LED's do you run, and would you change anything if you could go back?

I actually just ordered the LED bulbs from xd for $40. If I don't like them, I will prob be going the rigid industries route and getting their fog light kit, but that will be $300.

My headlights and fog lights will be here on Monday

amc019 · October 16, 2015

I actually just ordered the LED bulbs from xd for $40. If I don't like them, I will prob be going the rigid industries route and getting their fog light kit, but that will be $300.

My headlights and fog lights will be here on Monday

Did you got with 6k HL and 5k fogs?

J-Doc · October 16, 2015

I actually just ordered the LED bulbs from xd for $40. If I don't like them, I will prob be going the rigid industries route and getting their fog light kit, but that will be $300.

My headlights and fog lights will be here on Monday

I went with the HID fog light kit from XD. Half the price of Rigid and almost plug and play. I think I have to run a hot wire and ground but it comes with that and a mesh loom covering over the wire. Should be simple install and much brighter than the LED bulb that XD offers. I also was hesitant because the bulb type seemed to have a yellowish tint on the edges of the spectrum compared to other LED. I think it was CREE bulb?

irish4life8911 · October 16, 2015

Did you got with 6k HL and 5k fogs?

No, there wasn't a chance to choose what color with the LED Headlight Bulb Replacement kit. It states that it's in the 6k range. So I ordered 6k fog light bulbs as well.

Going to be installing two 6" light bars behind the grill that will come on with high beams. All LED's should be in the 6k range if they don't give you the option to choose color

FishinJ · October 16, 2015

Really interested in either the VLED / XD headlights, not sure which one is truly superior to the other. I would like to stay way from fans, but they are brighter than the XD's. Are there any other reputable companies that I haven't read about yet?

As for the fogs, are there any options such as the ones for the headlights from XD that will emit more than 800 lumens per light? I would like to stay away from fans here too, but it Seems like 850 lumen fog lights will be almost pointless besides color matching.

I went with the XD because they don't have fans and VLED also says not to put the cover back on. Also went with XD fogs at 800 lm but have since ordered these VLEDS which have 3000 lm and don't mind them having fans because I will only be running them on dark roads. The fans will be exposed to the elements some and I called tech support about it. They said the don't recommend them if you go mudding which I don't. They are back ordered and not suppose to ship until later this month.

LUMEN OUTPUT:

3000

5202 LMZ PLATINUM HIGH OUTPUT LED FOG LIGHTS

amc019 · October 19, 2015

I have heard that the 6000k fogs are too blue, and to go with 5000k fogs and 6000k LED HL. Just want them to match. Not as concerned with matching factory LED DRL though. I always have my fogs on with my low beams out of habit, and will probably do the High Beam/Fog mod as well when I do this.

J-Doc · October 19, 2015

I went with the XD because they don't have fans and VLED also says not to put the cover back on. Also went with XD fogs at 800 lm but have since ordered these VLEDS which have 3000 lm and don't mind them having fans because I will only be running them on dark roads. The fans will be exposed to the elements some and I called tech support about it. They said the don't recommend them if you go mudding which I don't. They are back ordered and not suppose to ship until later this month.

LUMEN OUTPUT:
3000

5202 LMZ PLATINUM HIGH OUTPUT LED FOG LIGHTS

That looks like a pretty good deal but the fans bother me. I wanted a single purchase so I went with the HID kit for the fog lights and the 6,000K are almost at 3,000 lumens. WAY too bright for normal driving conditions in my opinion and will only be used when needed due to weather or extremely dark back roads with very little traffic.

http://www.xenondepot.com/5202-HID-Kit-Volt-HID-p/vdp-5202.htm

J-Doc · October 19, 2015

My lights are arriving today so I will post up before an after pictures. The difference should be quite noticeable and vastly different. I do not have an existing photo showing lights aimed down a road however. I do have a photo showing stock lights aimed at a garage door though.

BoomBoom19 · October 19, 2015

Is the Canbus needed? My HIDs are having issues so I want to order these ASAP.

Thanks

J-Doc · October 20, 2015

I did not use then canbus.

I finally got mine installed tonight and I'm not happy with any of it. Wish I had left it all alone.

I'll post pics tomorrow. Sure, the pics lpoker like "oh wow that's better and much brighter". Pics are mis leading vs being here in person.

I ordered 6000k fogs because the LED headlights were noted as 6000k. What I got was 5000k headlights and 6000k fogs. The 5000k matches factory LED driving lights. The 6000k is blue....which I did not want.

Worst part is, the HID fogs are non directional. They are just bold blue light thrown out all around as a flood light. And in fog.....that's the last thing you want.

Worst $180 I've ever spent. And I can't return them due to their policy. I may try and sell them.

With factory, I at least could turn on the fogs and drive around town without being pulled over or flashed by someone. My fog lights now are practically off road lights that cannot be used in the city EVER without getting a ticket or flashed constantly.

The headlights are not any brighter, only whiter and they are focused straight ahead only, no light throw to the sides at all. None. It's almost harder to see now than it was factory headlights.

Really upset about this. This is not what I wanted. Worst part is, I had to clip off the factory connectors at the plugs because the stupid HID kit did not have a plug and play connection. It had wires that were supposed to plug into the factory connectors but there was no way they would ever fit much less stay. So I had to roll the dice and see what happened. Well now I'm screwed and will have a hard time going back to factory lights. Almost impossible now.

I can safely say....the HID lights are bright. And they are blueish white. Not white. I just don't care for it. Wish I had left it alone.

irish4life8911 · October 20, 2015

I did not use then canbus.

I finally got mine installed tonight and I'm not happy with any of it. Wish I had left it all alone.

I'll post pics tomorrow. Sure, the pics lpoker like "oh wow that's better and much brighter". Pics are mis leading vs being here in person.

I ordered 6000k fogs because the LED headlights were noted as 6000k. What I got was 5000k headlights and 6000k fogs. The 5000k matches factory LED driving lights. The 6000k is blue....which I did not want.

Worst part is, the HID fogs are non directional. They are just bold blue light thrown out all around as a flood light. And in fog.....that's the last thing you want.

Worst $180 I've ever spent. And I can't return them due to their policy. I may try and sell them.

With factory, I at least could turn on the fogs and drive around town without being pulled over or flashed by someone. My fog lights now are practically off road lights that cannot be used in the city EVER without getting a ticket or flashed constantly.

The headlights are not any brighter, only whiter and they are focused straight ahead only, no light throw to the sides at all. None. It's almost harder to see now than it was factory headlights.

Really upset about this. This is not what I wanted. Worst part is, I had to clip off the factory connectors at the plugs because the stupid HID kit did not have a plug and play connection. It had wires that were supposed to plug into the factory connectors but there was no way they would ever fit much less stay. So I had to roll the dice and see what happened. Well now I'm screwed and will have a hard time going back to factory lights. Almost impossible now.

I can safely say....the HID lights are bright. And they are blueish white. Not white. I just don't care for it. Wish I had left it alone.

Why can't you return them?

J-Doc · October 20, 2015

Why can't you return them?

They have a strange return policy. I'm going to look into it.

Also the only way I could connect the HID fogs to the truck was to remove the crimped ends and splice direct to the factory wires. So they are in fact "used" now and I cannot simply unplug and return. That is what really hacked me off about the Volt HID lights. There was not a connection that would plug into the factory plug. Only two male probes that were to be inserted into the connector. Like that was ever going to stay permanently! And the probes were too large and would not fit the factory plugs anyway. So I had to cut the plugs and that........is where I am so mad at myself. I was convinced I was going to be happy with the lights and had already spent so much time trying to remove the factory bulbs and install new ones that I made a terrible mistake on my part.

irish4life8911 · October 20, 2015

They have a strange return policy. I'm going to look into it.

Also the only way I could connect the HID fogs to the truck was to remove the crimped ends and splice direct to the factory wires. So they are in fact "used" now and I cannot simply unplug and return. That is what really hacked me off about the Volt HID lights. There was not a connection that would plug into the factory plug. Only two male probes that were to be inserted into the connector. Like that was ever going to stay permanently! And the probes were too large and would not fit the factory plugs anyway. So I had to cut the plugs and that........is where I am so mad at myself. I was convinced I was going to be happy with the lights and had already spent so much time trying to remove the factory bulbs and install new ones that I made a terrible mistake on my part.

Well damn, now you are making me not wanting to install mine

J-Doc · October 20, 2015

Here are the pictures. Sure......these look powerfull and impressive on the internet but in person, it's not comfortable. Too white for my eyes and if anything is reflective like road signs or shiny metal objects it's reflected back to you. Which blinds you or creates glare.

Also.........as you can see below the factory headlights have better peripheral lighting where the LED's are just two beams straight in front of you. You have ZERO peripheral vision. Which is just as bad as having dull yellow lights. At least with stock, you can see inside the yards on the street below if a dog ran out in front of your or something. Mainly where I live, it's deer running in front of you on small highways. You can forget seeing a deer coming with these lights.

To me, there is no since of directional aiming with these bulbs. I turned the LED bulbs as I read here and it did not change the projector angle themselves. Seems the projectors have to be adjusted and I'm not sure that is possible. And the HID fogs have ZERO directional projection. Most driving lights or fog lights are directed in a fan-like projection in front of the vehicle and low. To illuminate the path in front of you and to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. These HID's do not do that at all. It seems the factory bulb itself is formed in such a way to create the light throw pattern. The HID's are just a flood light. I honestly thought I did not turn on the fog lights against the garage door. I had to walk in front of the truck to see if they were on.

VERY unhappy with the results and for what I paid. If anyone thinks these are cool and wants a good deal on a brand new set........PM me. I'd be willing to part ways with them and go back to factory and never complain again.

Factory headlights at the top, new LED headlights at the bottom.

LED headlights only on top, HID fogs and LED headlights on at the bottom

This is what other drivers will see with the HID fogs turned on. That's begging to be flashed and pulled over by the cops.

FishinJ · October 20, 2015

J-Doc did you put the LED's in the 3 and 9 position? Mine are set there and have a much better pattern than yours. Love what the HID fogs do and that is what I want them for.