Led Reverse Lights

Shady7474 · October 25, 2019

I just purchased 2019 GMC AT4 and when I backup I cannot hardly see anything even with the camera it is very dark. So what all has worked best after reading all the post I'm leaning towards the Philips 921 on Amazon. Does the cargo light above rear window need LED bulbs as well I think this turns on when on reverse also? Thanks

OnTheReel · October 25, 2019

10 minutes ago, Shady7474 said:

I just purchased 2019 GMC AT4 and when I backup I cannot hardly see anything even with the camera it is very dark. So what all has worked best after reading all the post I'm leaning towards the Philips 921 on Amazon. Does the cargo light above rear window need LED bulbs as well I think this turns on when on reverse also? Thanks

You have nothing to replace. The reverse lights on yours are LED from the factory. So are the cargo lights (don’t come on in reverse). Only thing you can swap is the tag lights with 194 LEDs. I used Sylvania on those. Didn’t want something too bright, not trying to illuminate my tailgate going down the road.

Shady7474 · October 25, 2019

I thought they looked bright like an LED but not bright enough, the dealer said they were halogen tells you how much they know. I'm thinking of investing in the tailgate light bar so it shouldn't be too bright for the camera. Did the tag lights help at all? Thanks for the reply, truck is in the shop now the navigation never worked and they replaced SD card, now they have to replace entire radio head unit. Supposed to get it back on Tuesday.

Thomcat · October 26, 2019

On 3/28/2019 at 8:58 AM, z1boss said:

Correct my original plan was to black out the clear part of the tail lamp but then someone mentioned to me that it will make it harder to see when backing up, which I totally understand so that's why I want the LED bulbs

OEM tinted, blacked out lenses tint the whole lens, not just a portion in addition usually has a black surround. I light tinted the fogs just to match the tinted headlamps, directionals and DRLs, done with magnets epoxied to the back of a 1/8" acrylic sheet attached by magnets to ss washers taped on the fog lens, easy snap on or off.

No way I'm putting in LEDs in the reverse lamps not only for concerns of a parasitic drain on the perimeter lighting circuit if resistance doesn't match, but tinting just the center will look odd at best. It's either do it right and tint the whole housing, unwise, or not at all. No roads lighting where I live and the HD night vision camera and monitor along with the existing halogen reverse lamps are more than adequate.

Edited October 26, 2019 by Thomcat

OnTheReel · October 26, 2019

1 hour ago, Shady7474 said:

I thought they looked bright like an LED but not bright enough, the dealer said they were halogen tells you how much they know. I'm thinking of investing in the tailgate light bar so it shouldn't be too bright for the camera. Did the tag lights help at all? Thanks for the reply, truck is in the shop now the navigation never worked and they replaced SD card, now they have to replace entire radio head unit. Supposed to get it back on Tuesday.

Tag lights were done for looks only, didn’t like them being yellow when everything else was white LED.

I think installing brighter reverse lights (not that you can) or even super bright plate lights could potentially have a negative affect of washing out the backup camera, I noticed this on my 2016. Light bar might do the same, but it might not. Good luck.

AJMBLAZER · October 26, 2019

I put LED’s in my reverse lights yesterday. Doesn’t wash camera out at all. Just more light back there.

It’s a tiny little 921 after all.

OnTheReel · October 26, 2019

I know, some of the cheapo Amazon ones really crank out a ton of light still. Also found out the hard way that those don’t last. I put in the boring plain-Jane Sylvanias LEDs in hopes that I don’t have to be out in the dead of winter replacing them. Not any brighter than stock, just white instead of yellow.

AJMBLAZER · October 26, 2019

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MUF1APW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

I’ve had good luck with the JDM ASTARS. Had a set in my 2011 Silverado that were great. Much bigger bulb though. Still worked after 4 years when I traded it in on the ‘19.

Thomcat · October 26, 2019

Here's the best reason for not substituting LEDs for reverse lamps.......seems the on next gen. models the BCM monitoring of the bulb outage circuits may continue to draw current with key off if original halogen is replaced by an LED. Length of time necessary to kill battery may be dependent upon brand of LED substituted.

https://gm-techlink.com/?p=9594