2016 Sierra SLE versus SLT/Denali tail light swap

Peto · September 5, 2016

Hello, I have looked in previous posts and cannot find anything about swapping out tail lights on my 2016 Sierra SLE for the SLT/Denali lights. I thought I read in a previous post that it is possible but requires a different wire harness.

This truck has the same lights as mine:

http://davesinclair.com/St-Louis-MO/Dealer/New/GMC/Sierra-1500/

Here is the pair I want:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-GMC-Sierra-Denali-Taillamps-Tailights-fits-2016-GMC-Sierra-1500-2500-3500-GM-/391484001793?hash=item5b2643ce01:g:mbsAAOSwGotWmUjL&vxp=mtr

Any help is appreciated, cheers.

Marc P.

Silvern Sentry · September 5, 2016

GEN5DIY has the harness you would need.

http://www.gen5diy.com/20142015-GMC-Sierra-LED-Taillight-Harness/ .. double check with the it would work for 2016 ... but I imagine it will. I use their SLE to SLT DRL harness to add leds and switch off headlamps on my 2015 SLE and works great, had it in months so far and 0 complaints.

i use aftermarket led taillights with no harness needed, resistors are all built into the light(s). Also much cheaper but still as good if not better quality than stock IMO.

amxguy1970 · September 5, 2016

GEN5DIY has the harness you would need.

http://www.gen5diy.com/20142015-GMC-Sierra-LED-Taillight-Harness/ .. double check with the it would work for 2016 ... but I imagine it will. I use their SLE to SLT DRL harness to add leds and switch off headlamps on my 2015 SLE and works great, had it in months so far and 0 complaints.

i use aftermarket led taillights with no harness needed, resistors are all built into the light(s). Also much cheaper but still as good if not better quality than stock IMO.

Doubt it, very rarely is after market better quality than stock, especially in the lighting department and when they are much cheaper (and some other exterior parts are as well). That is why you see so many after market lights with condensation, bulbs out or un even lighting; it is done on a budget with less regulations to follow (outside of DOT).

Tyler

cbrsilv15 · September 5, 2016

Gen5diy should have the harness you need like mentioned above.

Light output - aftermarket > OEM

Housing quality - aftermarket < OEM

Silvern Sentry · September 5, 2016

Gen5diy should have the harness you need like mentioned above.

Light output - aftermarket > OEM

Housing quality - aftermarket < OEM

the housing quality of the OEM taillights falls into tne category of ... 'welp they dont build em any cheaper than that' at least that was my comment whenI removed em. Pulls yours off and see it for yourself it is easy 2 t15 screws. mine even had the black glue spattered in several places. The replacement ones did not have any spatter and the plastic was of higher quality. The Led oem ones might be better construction but anyone can pull off thiers to see. The quality of construction of both the headlights housing and tail lights were both better IMO.

Silvern Sentry · September 5, 2016

Doubt it, very rarely is after market better quality than stock, especially in the lighting department and when they are much cheaper (and some other exterior parts are as well). That is why you see so many after market lights with condensation, bulbs out or un even lighting; it is done on a budget with less regulations to follow (outside of DOT).

Tyler

if you think the OEM are soo high quality I will glady sell you mine for $50 less per than GM charges. Certainly with such a high quality item you should be able to turn a profit. Just PM me your billing and shipping info. They are in perfect shape anf come with all bulbs too and packed nicly.

cbrsilv15 · September 6, 2016

Lol. You have a 15. 16 has the LED tails. Yours are the standard incandescent. 16 SLT/Denali have the LED. Just like the 16 LTZ Silverado vs the 16 LT.

I worked at an automotive recyclers for 7 years. They owned Keystone. I dealt with thousands upon thousands of oem and aftermarket parts. Oem is built better. Less warranty claims and fitment issues.

Why do you think there are so many insurance companies that won't use aftermarket parts during a collision? It's in their policy.

Silvern Sentry · September 6, 2016

Lol. You have a 15. 16 has the LED tails. Yours are the standard incandescent. 16 SLT/Denali have the LED. Just like the 16 LTZ Silverado vs the 16 LT.

I worked at an automotive recyclers for 7 years. They owned Keystone. I dealt with thousands upon thousands of oem and aftermarket parts. Oem is built better. Less warranty claims and fitment issues.

Why do you think there are so many insurance companies that won't use aftermarket parts during a collision? It's in their policy.

16 lights are same as 15 are same as 2012 even only change is 2016 led option. Your point is moot. The reason they do not use aftermarket in oem is because you had oem to before said accident and the point of insurance or any civil claim is to make you whole again.

if you still think OEM are better then would you car to explain why oem uses cheaps bargain Volsa bulbs make in Hungary while my Spyder lights use Philips LumiLED which are top of the line and made in/by Germany. GM uses cheapest possible supplier while Spyder does not ... nuff said. My lights carry a 12 year warrenty on the LEDs chipsets, OEM are only covered by your trucks warrenty ... 3 years. Even GM does not trust em that much. The OEM taillight bulbs are at least Toshiba which is a little better but still not as good as philips so if you think your OEM lights are better than my aftermarket you are off your rocker but hey ignorance is bliss so enjoy your imagination.

care to buy mine? $50 less tham gm charges ... sweet deal perfecr condition. pm me your address and payment preference.

cbrsilv15 · September 6, 2016

Re read my previous post about light output vs quality. 16, 15 and 12 are not all the same.

We are all referring to the 16 LED vs the incandescent lights. Jeez.

Big difference between the two.

Silvern Sentry · September 6, 2016

Re read my previous post about light output vs quality. 16, 15 and 12 are not all the same.

We are all referring to the 16 LED vs the incandescent lights. Jeez.

Big difference between the two.

lol sounds like you are back tracking now.

Enjoy your cheapest supplier OEM part as we all know GM does and I will be enjoying my top of the line Philips lighting with a 12yr guarantee. Plus mine look better but hey is no accounting for taste.

ps. 12, 15 & 16 are all exact same light output infact thet are 100% identical lol.

edit: how GM chooses part suppliers.

cbrsilv15 · September 6, 2016

OEM > rice look

Anyday.

Silvern Sentry · September 6, 2016

OEM > rice look

Anyday.

Actually it is Euro styling and Europeans lights are far superior to North American lights. Period. Shows what you know.

Besides that is only your opinion which you are welcome too but at the same time it only applies to you not anyone else. I get lots of compliments on mine from other owners as well as my dealer and service center ... oh and GM themselves when I tweeted them pics.

ChevyRoofer · September 6, 2016

Actually it is Euro styling and Europeans lights are far superior to North American lights. Period. Shows what you know.

Besides that is only your opinion which you are welcome too but at the same time it only applies to you not anyone else.

Euro lights are far superior in output, since they get technology before it's developed in the states...LED, laser, fiber-optic, etc.

In regards to design, I wouldn't be buying a GM truck if I wanted the "Euro" look (I'd go with a S5 instead). That's why everyone likes the LTZ tails better than the SLT.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/190234-2016-silverado-ltz-tail-lights/

Also with the OEM LED taillights, you still have to replace the incandescent backup bulbs...if you want a true all LED setup. Which I did install the Philips and they work great in my OEM taillights.

Silvern Sentry · September 6, 2016

Euro lights are far superior in output, since they get technology before it's developed in the states...LED, laser, fiber-optic, etc.

In regards to design, I wouldn't be buying a GM truck if I wanted the "Euro" look (I'd go with a S5 instead). That's why everyone likes the LTZ tails better than the SLT.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/190234-2016-silverado-ltz-tail-lights/

Also with the OEM LED taillights, you still have to replace the incandescent backup bulbs...if you want a true all LED setup. Which I did install the Philips and they work great in my OEM taillights.

Agreed, IMO aftermarket lighting never looks as good or performs as well. Silverado tails are where it's at.

erm mine are 100% Philips LumiLED including the backup whih i use 921 backup leds lights no bulbs to change or replace (my brights are technically halogen but I never use em). That was the whole idea. *facepalm*

personally i like the Sierra leds better than Chevy but that is just an opinion since i like mine better than both.

Peto · September 6, 2016

Thanks you guys, didn't meant to start a battle there...

On the Gen5Diy website/wiring harness link that you sent it gives an example of "this harness is for those looking to install the 2016 LED taillights into their 2014-2015 Sierra." I assumed the wiring harness would work in my 2016 but I'm not very well versed in all of the components and changes so just wanted to confirm it would work in my truck.

Do you think I should contact Gen5Diy to make sure it is compatible with my truck or is even necessary?

Cbrsilv15 - the images you posted with the incandescent versus LED is exactly what I am trying to do, hopefully it is possible because I purchased a pair off of ebay for $650. I might have jumped the gun a little quick but I figured it could be done based on previous posts I stumbled across.

I'm assuming it is just a simple plug and play once the lights are removed?

Thanks again, have a good day.

Thanks you guys, didn't meant to start a battle there...

On the Gen5Diy website/wiring harness link that you sent it gives an example of "this harness is for those looking to install the 2016 LED taillights into their 2014-2015 Sierra." I assumed the wiring harness would work in my 2016 but I'm not very well versed in all of the components and changes so just wanted to confirm it would work in my truck.

Do you think I should contact Gen5Diy to make sure it is compatible with my truck or is even necessary?

Cbrsilv15 - the images you posted with the incandescent versus LED is exactly what I am trying to do, hopefully it is possible because I purchased a pair off of ebay for $650. I might have jumped the gun a little quick but I figured it could be done based on previous posts I stumbled across.

I'm assuming it is just a simple plug and play once the lights are removed?

Thanks again, have a good day.

Thanks you guys, didn't meant to start a battle there...

On the Gen5Diy website/wiring harness link that you sent it gives an example of "this harness is for those looking to install the 2016 LED taillights into their 2014-2015 Sierra." I assumed the wiring harness would work in my 2016 but I'm not very well versed in all of the components and changes so just wanted to confirm it would work in my truck.

Do you think I should contact Gen5Diy to make sure it is compatible with my truck or is even necessary?

Cbrsilv15 - the images you posted with the incandescent versus LED is exactly what I am trying to do, hopefully it is possible because I purchased a pair off of ebay for $650. I might have jumped the gun a little quick but I figured it could be done based on previous posts I stumbled across.

I'm assuming it is just a simple plug and play once the lights are removed?

Thanks again, have a good day.