New OPT7 H11 LED Headlight Bulbs

Palazzoblues · September 14, 2016

So, here's my plight. I bought a 2016 Chevy 1500 high country back in April. I loved, loved, loved the stock LED headlights. Just here in August I traded that truck in on a 2016 2500 HD Duramax. Yeah, call me crazy, but I actually got a very good deal as GM was offering excellent incentives to get rid of the 2016s and the dealer worked very hard to get me into the 2500 HD Duramax. I only ended up paying an additional 6 grand when it was all said and done. That was basically the cost to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and diesel. However, I soooooo miss the LED headlights. I've been reading all the posts and threads about the OPT7 LED's.

I've already looked at the stock headlights on the 2500HD. So, basically it's halogens in the projector lenses and its got the dust cover and ll just like on the 1500's. The driver's side will be a piece of cake. However, the passenger side will require the removal of the entire air box just to get into behind the headlamp. But I am up for the challenge and am no stranger to mods and upgrades. I just want to make sure these LED's are what I should go with.

DAP56 · September 15, 2016

So, here's my plight. I bought a 2016 Chevy 1500 high country back in April. I loved, loved, loved the stock LED headlights. Just here in August I traded that truck in on a 2016 2500 HD Duramax. Yeah, call me crazy, but I actually got a very good deal as GM was offering excellent incentives to get rid of the 2016s and the dealer worked very hard to get me into the 2500 HD Duramax. I only ended up paying an additional 6 grand when it was all said and done. That was basically the cost to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and diesel. However, I soooooo miss the LED headlights. I've been reading all the posts and threads about the OPT7 LED's.

I've already looked at the stock headlights on the 2500HD. So, basically it's halogens in the projector lenses and its got the dust cover and ll just like on the 1500's. The driver's side will be a piece of cake. However, the passenger side will require the removal of the entire air box just to get into behind the headlamp. But I am up for the challenge and am no stranger to mods and upgrades. I just want to make sure these LED's are what I should go with.

I'd look into the new XENON DEPOT or Morimoto 2STROKE led bulbs. They are both supposed to be superior to any other bulb on the market. I have the previous gen Xenon Depot H11 bulbs and my lights look like the crappy photo posted above. (The second photo on this page, not the first photo). I talked to the guys at XD as my drivers side went out after 9 months and 24K miles. He told me their new bulbs are 25% brighter. I also ordered the Morimoto 2STROKE. First one to arrive I will test out. There's a thread here where another 2500 owner put in the Morimotos. He said they are great, but needs the anti flicker module. I didn't need the anti flicker with my first Xenon Depot bulbs, that was news to the Xenon Depot folks. They thought the Silverado had to have one. I did order the anti flicker module for the 2Strokes and the new XDs.

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Palazzoblues · September 15, 2016

Thanks for the info, Dap56. I have not pulled the trigger yet on anything. I'm still trying to wear the new off the truck Luckily I don't drive too much at night. But we got a long trip planned in Oct. that will require night time driving. So, I'm definitely doing something before then.

BoomBoom19 · September 15, 2016

I bought these awhile ago https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ABNX09S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I absolutely LOVE them!

RRCKK2500HD · September 15, 2016

I bought these awhile ago https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ABNX09S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I absolutely LOVE them!

Photo? Would like to see what kind of output they put out.

Crstfr · September 15, 2016

Great write up dude.. thanks for taking the time... if i didn't already have HID, you would of sold me!

again .. great job!

BoomBoom19 · September 19, 2016

Photo? Would like to see what kind of output they put out.

Sorry for the delay. Here is a link to a post I made about them.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/190375-anzo-headlights-with-led-headlights-sierra-problem-solved/

Palazzoblues · September 22, 2016

I got the OPT7 LED's in yesterday and installed them last night. The installation went pretty smooth. I had to remove the air box from the right side. Other than that, it was a breeze. I was able to shove all the wires, capacitor, polarity switcher and controller in behind the dust cap into the back of the headlamp assembly cavity. It has to get pretty hot in there. I have my doubts as to how long these will last with the heat. Only time will tell. But right now they look great. They are not as bright as I'd expected, but they are about the same brightness as the factory LED's I had on my previous High country 1500. I'm going to let these cook for a while and if they last I am going to get another set for the fogs.

Palazzoblues · September 22, 2016

Does anyone know how to permanently disable the DRL's? I am going to have to remember to turn them it off every time I get in and start the truck. If not these LED's will run all the time when driving in the day.

Shredzy · September 23, 2016

Does anyone know how to permanently disable the DRL's? I am going to have to remember to turn them it off every time I get in and start the truck. If not these LED's will run all the time when driving in the day.

GEN5DIY has a DRL delete harness:

http://www.gen5diy.com/Chevrolet/Silverado/P-P-Harness13/DRL-Harness-silverado/Silverado-DRL-Harness/

Is there a problem if the LED's run during the day as DRL's?

I haven't heard of any issues.

I'm looking into an LED upgrade for my Sierra so I'm also curious.

Silvern Sentry · September 23, 2016

GEN5DIY has a DRL delete harness:

http://www.gen5diy.com/Chevrolet/Silverado/P-P-Harness13/DRL-Harness-silverado/Silverado-DRL-Harness/

Is there a problem if the LED's run during the day as DRL's?

I haven't heard of any issues.

I'm looking into an LED upgrade for my Sierra so I'm also curious.

Gen 5 has a DRL delete harness which can also swap it to be your fogs in 14/15 Sierra

http://www.gen5diy.com/GMC/Sierra/P-P-Harnesses7/DRL-Harness/Sierra-DRL-harness/

" This harness is needed when installing HID or LED headlight bulbs into your GMC Sierra as there is less voltage during DRL mode which can play havoc with the HID and LED bulbs."

I however use their Non SLT to SLT DRL harness to switch off headlamps and power LED DRL strip. Works with OEM and Aftermarket. Notihing but happy with thier work and Jarred at Gen5 is awesome. MY LED Headlamps work awesome at night as runs at full power, that said my LED bulbs appeared to work fine in DRL mode before I added this harness at least they glowed. That is not to say it would not play havoc with other bulbs / setups if Jarred at Gen5 said it he is probably right and I would not argue as he knows his shit and his GM's.

http://www.gen5diy.com/GMC/Sierra/P-P-Harnesses7/NON-SLT-to-SLT-Headlamp-harness/

*Note: All of these options will cause OnStar / Service Report to throw a warning that the headlights may be out. This is only a warning and can be 100% ignored as long as you know the cause. Warnings are fine and will not show up on dash, errors are bad.

**If you want to know the route I went and cost feel free to PM me and check out my build thread below.

turbojoes · September 23, 2016

I got the OPT7 LED's in yesterday and installed them last night. The installation went pretty smooth. I had to remove the air box from the right side. Other than that, it was a breeze. I was able to shove all the wires, capacitor, polarity switcher and controller in behind the dust cap into the back of the headlamp assembly cavity. It has to get pretty hot in there. I have my doubts as to how long these will last with the heat. Only time will tell. But right now they look great. They are not as bright as I'd expected, but they are about the same brightness as the factory LED's I had on my previous High country 1500. I'm going to let these cook for a while and if they last I am going to get another set for the fogs.

All my wires and controllers have been stuffed in my the headlight assembly behind the dust caps for over a year and everything has been fine.

Palazzoblues · September 23, 2016

All my wires and controllers have been stuffed in my the headlight assembly behind the dust caps for over a year and everything has been fine.

Cool, oh I forgot to mention, those fans are very noticeable. I can here them from inside the cab over the Duramax at idle. Either that says the duramax is a quiet diesel or these are very loud fans. LOL

Shredzy · September 25, 2016

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*Note: All of these options will cause OnStar / Service Report to throw a warning that the headlights may be out. This is only a warning and can be 100% ignored as long as you know the cause. Warnings are fine and will not show up on dash, errors are bad.

When you say the "options" will create a warning of the headlights being out, is that with the use of the harness kits OR any modification to the headlamps?

Silvern Sentry · September 25, 2016

When you say the "options" will create a warning of the headlights being out, is that with the use of the harness kits OR any modification to the headlamps?

yes with harness or any similar mod. basically the harness is just a relay. a relay is just a switch controlled by power level. when the level is low the relay is not switched on and the circuit is not closed hence no power to headlamp and truck will think the bulb is simply burned out. This does not throw a dash warning or anything just on Onstar report or I imagine if you throw on an obd scanner.

In troubleshooting terms a warning is fine as long as you know the reason and quite common. An error is something that must be addressed.

*oddly enough i recently learned that swapping to led licence plate lights also throws the same warning to check bulb on onstar report because of the low wattage it uses same effect. But even stranger your backup lights do not when swapped to led. I could add a resistor inline to stop that one but do not see any point or need.