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Headlight Illumination Issues

deputy

By deputy
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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glioma Enthusiast

glioma

Posted
Posted

There are two long threads on headlight replacements:

 

Halogen & LED Headlight Bulb Upgrades

 

HID Headlight Bulbs / HID Projector Retrofit

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Ranch55
Ranch55

These are my before and after photos ...... I do not believe the upgrade is as bright as my 2005 GMC, BUT it is much, much better. I can now see the shoulders of the highway and I can see much farther

Ventilator
Ventilator

Yeah, they are adequate for driving around town, but try them going 80 MPH down the interstate in Wyoming at night, miles from any town.   Where the deer and the antelope play!   It can get kind o

B&J Aviation
B&J Aviation

Just got a copy of TSB PIT5374. Dealership could not find it until I told them it was not a recall. Had to clarify twice it was a TSB (assuming that is a technical service bulletin).   Not sure ho

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f8l vnm Senior Enthusiast

f8l vnm

Posted
Posted

I also agree , on my 2014 SLT , the light beam is awful ....

There are stuff GM really chepaed out on on the 2014 + .

Still scratching my head over my new 2014 SLT not having vents in the back ..SMH!

But then again if you dont expect much from GM , you wont be let down,

  • Like 2
Crooks Enthusiast

Crooks

Posted
Posted

Yup, the Sierra's use a single (crappy) projector for low and high, with just a shutter that raises for high beam. The light output, and beam pattern on low is horrible, I would call dangerous. Then go to high, which it does by raising the shutter, and the beam pattern and light output is equally as bad, with the majority of the beam pattern going 10 degrees up in to the trees. It can not be adjusted down, as you would think, because then the low beam would point to the ground, as the shutter height is not adjustable.

Again, the cheapest, easiest fix is to install HID bulbs into the existing projectors. My 35w-4500K HID bulbs have at least made the truck safe to drive at night, and took about 1-2 hours to install. This gives good/acceptable light output, but the other beam pattern problems are still not fixable. On high with the HID's the 10degree up angle problem is enough to think your going to call in planes to land, not kidding. And if you drive under a forest canopy, as I do alot, it is very distracting, but at least you can see.

Some have installed complete new projectors with great results, however this requires extensive mods.

Best of luck.

Which hids did you get?

 

Those other two threads are really long

f8l vnm Senior Enthusiast

f8l vnm

Posted
Posted

I will be going with the 43k , if thats correct ? Ive heard that is closest to stock looking without having that annoying kid racer blue light

GTD Enthusiast

GTD

Posted
Posted

I also agree , on my 2014 SLT , the light beam is awful ....

There are stuff GM really chepaed out on on the 2014 + .

Still scratching my head over my new 2014 SLT not having vents in the back ..SMH!

But then again if you dont expect much from GM , you wont be let down,

You hit the nail on the head.

 

As the OP has mentioned in his first post on the cite the headlights indeed "suck".

EPIC CAJUN Enthusiast

EPIC CAJUN

Posted
Posted

Hey Im coming from a Jeep Wrangler and these lights on my Sierra are far better than that of the Jeep. You want crappy lights, sit behind a wheel of a wrangler at night. I guess its all what your used to.

2014scsb Enthusiast

2014scsb

Posted
Posted

FXR upgrade. Problem solved .;)

Couldn't agree more, by far the best solution for the Sierras. I couldn't believe how much better the beam was after installing these projectors on my Camaro, my Sierras will be getting it done next.
Zasker1 Enthusiast

Zasker1

Posted
Posted

I did the HID conversion and now wish I had just saved money and done a total replacement of the Projectors and bulbs.

 

With the new HIDs I can certainly see better strait in front of me but there is zero output left and right. I turned around on a dirt road last night and had to use my Surefire Fury flashlight to see what was around me

mongoose71 Enthusiast

mongoose71

Posted
Posted

The lack of headlights on my 2014 Denali are my #1 complaint with this $50K truck. I have leveling kit, but I can't see this being a problem. My 2013 Rapor and 2001 Tundra also were level with no problems with good headlights.

 

When I get my first oil change, I plan to have a serious discussion with the service manager and anyone else who will listen. I plan to carry plenty of proof that this is a widespread complaint. These headlights are terrible at night, and competely DANGEROUS at night when it's raining.

 

This is rediculous!

  • Like 4
gregross.us New Member

gregross.us

Posted
Posted

Thanks everyone who replied! I was thinking about adding 2 sets of aftermarket LED lights. 1 set of floods to come on with the low beans and another set of pencil beans to run with the high beams. Expensive, but better than hitting deer! Advice?

  • Like 1
ChrisNJ Enthusiast

ChrisNJ

Posted
Posted

Which hids did you get?

 

Those other two threads are really long

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-mopar-low-beam.html#.VElZH2d0xol

 

The only issue I have had with them is once and a while, one light or the other fails to light. easy fix is just turn on and off again with the switch. Could be a grounding problem, don't care to investigate right now. I can see, cause even one light on now is better than OEM. Has happened about 3-4 times in 4+ months.

amxguy1970 Senior Enthusiast

amxguy1970

Posted
Posted

The lack of headlights on my 2014 Denali are my #1 complaint with this $50K truck. I have leveling kit, but I can't see this being a problem. My 2013 Rapor and 2001 Tundra also were level with no problems with good headlights.

 

When I get my first oil change, I plan to have a serious discussion with the service manager and anyone else who will listen. I plan to carry plenty of proof that this is a widespread complaint. These headlights are terrible at night, and competely DANGEROUS at night when it's raining.

 

This is rediculous!

 

What do you want or think the service manager will do? Buy you a set of HID's? I am guessing you had the HID's on the Raptor? I think some people just expect too much when coming from a previous vehicle with better or upgraded lights before. These lights aren't dangerous, it is just a word being thrown around to try and make something seem so much worse than it really is. More people on this site say they are fine or great than those that say they are not. Just like with anything, the vibration issue is a small overall percentage but some try to make it out like it is every truck.

 

This is why I like halogens, they are great, throw a wide long beam and are cheap.

 

Throw some HID bulbs in there if your eyes are that bad, problem solved.

 

Dangerous :rollin: Yeah I am sure they would have made it through the DOT and automotive approval process if they were...

 

Tyler

  • Like 2
Ventilator Senior Enthusiast

Ventilator

Posted
Posted

 

What do you want or think the service manager will do? Buy you a set of HID's? I am guessing you had the HID's on the Raptor? I think some people just expect too much when coming from a previous vehicle with better or upgraded lights before. These lights aren't dangerous, it is just a word being thrown around to try and make something seem so much worse than it really is. More people on this site say they are fine or great than those that say they are not. Just like with anything, the vibration issue is a small overall percentage but some try to make it out like it is every truck.

 

This is why I like halogens, they are great, throw a wide long beam and are cheap.

 

Throw some HID bulbs in there if your eyes are that bad, problem solved.

 

Dangerous :rollin: Yeah I am sure they would have made it through the DOT and automotive approval process if they were...

 

Tyler

 

 

You would have pissed your pants riding with me at night down the switchbacks while raining cats and dogs, coming out of the East side of Yellowstone headed to Cody. The lights suck, unless you never leave the pavement, drive in the rain, or get out of town.

  • Like 3

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