Awesome alternative to HIDs

8lugCT · April 19, 2017

So I'd done several trials with different headlight bulbs, all of which i was slightly unimpressed with. I never really had an issue with the OEM halogens, but I wanted something whiter in color. I originally swapped out my OEM halogens with OPT7 Fluxbeam X LEDs, and the light output was 'okay' at best, but the throw down the road was awful. In my opinion my OEM halogens were better.

I had the LEDs for about one week until I swapped them for Silverstar Ultras. Light output and color were both very similar to OEM halogens, so I can't say that those were a satisfying replacement. Had these installed for about two weeks.

After doing some research of other alternatives to HIDs (because i really didn't want to put an aftermarket kit in), I found the modification of a higher wattage H9 bulb to fit an H11 socket. I found the Hella High Performance H9 halogens, which have a light blue coating on them, and decided to give it a shot considering I was on the verge of ordering HIDs.

I have to say that these things are awesome. I know that coatings like these tend to decrease the light output, but considering that the H9 bulb is 65 watts as opposed to the 55 watt H11, the 'decreased light output' is relative to comparing it to another H9 bulb, not an H11. These things are so much whiter than any H11 halogen I've been able to find, and significantly brighter as well.

I know that technically I shouldn't have a 65 watt bulb in my low beams, but I do have projector lenses, so the cutoff prevents and light overspray. These obviously aren't as white as an HID, but for $30, and an almost direct plug and play setup, it's well worth it.

Last night was the first night I drove with them, and it wasn't completely dark out, but from what I can see so far, I won't be doing another bulb swap until these start to fade. The picture below kind of shows the OEM fogs to be pretty white themselves, but that must be the phone camera adjusting the color. They are the standard halogen yellowish color. If you compare the color difference to the Hella H9 low beams, you can see the difference and see if the swap is worth it for you too.

fondupot · April 19, 2017

I just put LED's in my 2017 Colorado, and am kinda disappointed with them. I have the same opinion, they seem bright but the throw down the road doesn't do it for me. I liked the OEM halogens better.

Care to share the modification for the H9 bulbs to fit in an H11 socket? The Colorado uses an H11 socket for the low beams...so maybe I could make this work on my truck.

dasimmon · April 19, 2017

lights look great!

8lugCT · April 19, 2017

I just put LED's in my 2017 Colorado, and am kinda disappointed with them. I have the same opinion, they seem bright but the throw down the road doesn't do it for me. I liked the OEM halogens better.

Care to share the modification for the H9 bulbs to fit in an H11 socket? The Colorado uses an H11 socket for the low beams...so maybe I could make this work on my truck.

I'm surprised that GM didn't install the silverado's LED headlights in the colorados. That's a bummer! These are the diagrams I followed. I used a dremel to drill out the extra plastic slot, and a wire cutter to clip the metal base tab.

fondupot · April 19, 2017

I'm surprised that GM didn't install the silverado's LED headlights in the colorados. That's a bummer! These are the diagrams I followed. I used a dremel to drill out the extra plastic slot, and a wire cutter to clip the metal base tab.

Thanks for this. I am gonna look into it.

8lugCT · April 19, 2017

Thanks for this. I am gonna look into it.

np. good luck with it!

fondupot · April 19, 2017

np. good luck with it!

Thanks Dude.

fondupot · April 20, 2017

So after reading this thread I started to remember I did something similar a long time ago on my 2002 Silverado. I modified a 9011 HIR bulb to fit in a 9005 for the high beam on my 2002 Silverado. Worked great.

So I ordered a set of 9011's to go in my Colorado high beams (Modifying to fit 9005 socket), as well as a set of H9's to go in my low beams (modifying to fit H11 socket).

I'll be sure to report back when I get everything installed.

8lugCT · April 20, 2017

So after reading this thread I started to remember I did something similar a long time ago on my 2002 Silverado. I modified a 9011 HIR bulb to fit in a 9005 for the high beam on my 2002 Silverado. Worked great.

So I ordered a set of 9011's to go in my Colorado high beams (Modifying to fit 9005 socket), as well as a set of H9's to go in my low beams (modifying to fit H11 socket).

I'll be sure to report back when I get everything installed.

Lol i actually did that at the same time i modified the H11s. I just never included that in this write-up

fondupot · April 25, 2017

Got my 9011's and H9's installed tonight. Whoa baby these are great. Especially the 9011's in the high beams! WOW.

A marked improvement over the 9005's and H11's.

WAY better than the PNP LED's I had in there for a few days.

I am definitely very satisfied with this.

Thanks for the original post.

shortnugly · April 25, 2017

gasser87 could you post the part number for the Hella High Performance H9 halogens?

thanks.

chvylac · April 25, 2017

what fog light bulbs are you using to match the headlights?

fondupot · April 25, 2017

gasser87 could you post the part number for the Hella High Performance H9 halogens?

thanks.

For what it's worth, I bought mine from here. Good prices, fast shipping.

The H9's I got are Osram's. And the 9011's are Vosla.

http://store.candlepower.com/hesowisu.html

8lugCT · April 25, 2017

Got my 9011's and H9's installed tonight. Whoa baby these are great. Especially the 9011's in the high beams! WOW.

A marked improvement over the 9005's and H11's.

WAY better than the PNP LED's I had in there for a few days.

I am definitely very satisfied with this.

Thanks for the original post.

Anytime bud. Enjoy them!