Jump to content

Changing from halogen to LED headlights on LT, Custom, or WT trims

SkidooSteve12

By SkidooSteve12
in Modifications & Accessories

 Share

Recommended Posts

SkidooSteve12 Enthusiast

SkidooSteve12

Posted
Posted

I'm still very surprised that my LT trim 2020 2500HD did not come with LED headlights and tail lights. I asked my dealer about them and he said it would cost $1100 per side to replace the whole headlight socket! So I'm going to just replace the halogen bulbs with LED bulbs like I did on my 2013 Silverado 1500 which I was very happy with. I found this youtube video showing that someone already made the switch on a 2020 Custom 2500HD and he provided me with the link to the LED bulbs he used. (If you are on this forum and made this video please let me know and thank you again!) Has anyone else on here made the switch? I will be ordering the bulbs soon. I used these in my 1500 https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Headlight-8000Lumens-Extremely-Conversion/dp/B06XHDYTGL/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=BEAMTECH+H11+LED+Headlight+Bulb%2C+50W+6500K+8000Lumens&qid=1569005591&s=gateway&sr=8-4

 

 

 

2020 LED Bulbs https://www.amazon.com/H11-Headlight-Conversion-Approved-SEALIGHT/dp/B079KB7QX3/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Chevrolet|47&Model=Silverado 2500 HD|494&Year=2020|2020&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=6&vehicleType=automotive

 

 

 

 

  • Replies 87
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

amxguy1970
amxguy1970

Don't do that, do it right if you are going to do it. You are going to blind the heck out of on coming traffic like that, you can see in the video it is like riding around with your brights on and you

Chris Haley
Chris Haley

So I just finished replacing the halogen headlights on my 2500 Custom with the LTZ/High Country OEM LED assembly.   I found a set on eBay, and then purchased a plug-and-play harness adapter from Gen5d

jpgcrna
jpgcrna

Give it some time and expect to spend some money. I see 3 options being the available in the future.   1. Morimoto will probably make some aftermarket LED housings that are direct swap and p

Posted Images

amxguy1970 Senior Enthusiast

amxguy1970

Posted
Posted (edited)

Don't do that, do it right if you are going to do it. You are going to blind the heck out of on coming traffic like that, you can see in the video it is like riding around with your brights on and you're going to be that guy... 

 

Tyler

Edited by amxguy1970
  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
  • 1 month later...
Chuyito Enthusiast

Chuyito

Posted
Posted

I did this today, overall definitely better, however I feel there is better options as far as bulbs go, there is a slight streak coming from the right light that is a little bothersome.  I feel there could be a bulb with better quality and consistency, just not sure how to match them up.

  • 1 month later...
jpgcrna Enthusiast

jpgcrna

Posted
Posted

Give it some time and expect to spend some money. I see 3 options being the available in the future.

 

1. Morimoto will probably make some aftermarket LED housings that are direct swap and plug & play. They have been doing this for a lot of makes/models over the past year or 2 and have been pretty successful. Check out theretrofitsource to see what I'm talking about.

 

2. Gen5diy is a company that specializes in making wiring harnesses that allow different functionality of things like infotainment systems, headlights, etc... and one of their things is harnesses that let people with lower trim vehicles add in factory fog lights or swap to higher trim headlights. The drawback is you have to buy the oem housings and as you found out, it's expensive. I am calling this company tomorrow because they make a harness for the 1500's that allows you to keep your fogs on in conjunction with your high beams, I'd like to know if it will work for the HDs.

 

*Expect to spend about 2k+ for either of the above options.

 

3. You'll be able to either do an hid projector retrofit yourself or send your housings out to a company like fast headlights that will do it for you. The drawback here is that aftermarket hid systems are temperamental. I did 2 different retrofits on my 2015 and while I loved the output, I expected to change the wiring harness on a yearly basis because they just don't hold up well. The ballasts and bulbs held up fine, but the wiring sucked.

 

*Expect to spend anywhere from $300 to 2k+ for the above option depending on what you want to do.

 

*Also before I hear it, all of the above options utilize cut off shields to prevent blinding oncoming traffic, it works and it works well.

 

*The led bulb replacements haven't gotten a very good reputation because the light scatters too much, both blinding oncoming traffic and not giving you a very good amount of throw down the road. I would save your money unless you see an option come out that gets very good reviews and has some ability to aim the beams.

 

*On a final note, I went with the denali this time, and I love the lights. But I have to say I think it's BS, that GM is still using crap headlights as a way to differentiate trims. It's a safety issue, it's been in the news over the last few years, and there is no reason manufactures shouldn't be putting good headlights in ALL trims. You get better headlights these days in Kia's and Hyundai's for far less money. GM should be ashamed about that.

 

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
SkidooSteve12 Enthusiast

SkidooSteve12

Posted
  • Author
Posted
18 hours ago, jpgcrna said:

 

*On a final note, I went with the denali this time, and I love the lights. But I have to say I think it's BS, that GM is still using crap headlights as a way to differentiate trims. It's a safety issue, it's been in the news over the last few years, and there is no reason manufactures shouldn't be putting good headlights in ALL trims. You get better headlights these days in Kia's and Hyundai's for far less money. GM should be ashamed about that.

 

 

I completely agree that it is BS that they didn't release all of the 2020 HD's with LEDs all around! And then to put a $2200 price tag on the OEM LED headlights if you want to upgrade yourself.... Blah, give me a break!

  • 4 weeks later...
Mikeysentra Enthusiast

Mikeysentra

Posted
Posted

I upgraded the LT headlights in my 2020 3500 LT to a set of H11 LED bulbs designed for Reflector headlights.  I bought the bulbs from here https://deautokey.com/product/headlight-leds-for-reflector-housing-halogen-housing-fits-many-cars-including-vw-audi-jeep 

 

Vary happy with the light output and matches the LED fog lights well.  they aren't the cheapest bulbs but they are of good Quality and designed for reflector Headlights.  I have been using there products on my VW's for a few years and haven't had any issues.  customer service is great also.  

  • Like 1
LSX Z28 Enthusiast

LSX Z28

Posted
Posted
On 12/18/2019 at 11:28 AM, Mikeysentra said:

I upgraded the LT headlights in my 2020 3500 LT to a set of H11 LED bulbs designed for Reflector headlights.  I bought the bulbs from here https://deautokey.com/product/headlight-leds-for-reflector-housing-halogen-housing-fits-many-cars-including-vw-audi-jeep 

 

Vary happy with the light output and matches the LED fog lights well.  they aren't the cheapest bulbs but they are of good Quality and designed for reflector Headlights.  I have been using there products on my VW's for a few years and haven't had any issues.  customer service is great also.  

Does the DRL still work with those bulbs? I am not sure if the truck uses the low beams at full power for the DRL, or if they run the bulbs at 50% power. 

LSX Z28 Enthusiast

LSX Z28

Posted
Posted
On 12/19/2019 at 7:02 PM, Mikeysentra said:

Yes the DRL still works as designed.  Not sure of the power output of the DRL's either.  

Awesome, Thanks! Do they also fit with the dust covers still installed? 

LSX Z28 Enthusiast

LSX Z28

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Mikeysentra said:

Yes they fit with the dust covers.  

Thanks! When I get back after the 1st of the year, I have to get the plow mount and headlight wiring harness installed for that and figure out what to do with all of those wires too. 

i82much Enthusiast

i82much

Posted
Posted

This must be one of those things where you didn’t know you needed it until you tried it, then after you had it once you cannot live without it.  My WT headlights seem great to me???  but maybe if i drove an LTZ for a week I could never go back ...

LSX Z28 Enthusiast

LSX Z28

Posted
Posted
On 12/19/2019 at 4:02 PM, Mikeysentra said:

Yes the DRL still works as designed.  Not sure of the power output of the DRL's either.  

So re reading your post you only did the low beams (H11)? 
 

I talked to the company you posted, and they said the low beams will work fine, but the DRL won’t work with high beams as the trucks actually use the high beams at reduced voltage for the DRL. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      Lower trims ( WT, Custom, Silverado ( aka LT )

      By newdude · Posted

      HD at the moment, are kinda their own deal.  How LTZ sells on those vs on 1500, there is a difference.   They are merging most of the mid trims on 1500.  LT, RST and LTZ are replaced by one trim, Silverado.  LT and RST are a BIG portion of sales.    Bad naming choice aside, the new Silverado trim will offer the spread of options that those three trims offered.  So expect to see things like the tech package for example, and memory seats.  And LT Trail Boss will now just be "Trail Boss" (formerly LT Trail Boss) but will offer content spread like the new Silverado trim will.  The press photos showed the Trail Boss (formerly LT Trail Boss) has access to Super Cruise now, which on the current truck was High Country only.       Here is the Trail Boss interior.  Memory seats and Super Cruise are present.  All things the LT Trail Boss it replaces, and the RST it was based on didn't get on the current gen.  You had to go to LTZ or ZR2 for memory seats, and High Country for Super Cruise.      
    • dennismc
      2021 vs 2026 handling (1500 X31 Sierra)

      By dennismc · Posted

      I installed a Hellwig rear sway bar on my 21 Sierra SLT, it made a huge difference on how the truck handles, no body roll, the trucks much more planted now. Not sure of the suspension differences between the 21 and 26,  if its body roll your having a sway bar will solve it. 
    • Old Bay
      frustrating P0446 code

      By Old Bay · Posted

      So a follow up and my fix. I found in online searches the live data to look at on a scan tool to verify the fuel tank pressure sensor was working.  It showed an spec number towards the lower end of the rang, but in spec.  Then while it was running opened the gas cap and the pressure should change.  It didn't change even a tiny bit.  The data for the purge valve said it was open...never changed. So then I measured the voltages on the plug for the fuel pressure sensor and they matched what it should be.  So local car quest parts had the sensor in stock...it was a bit of a pain to remove and an even bigger one to get it to actually go back in.  It helped to unbolt the driveshaft and bungie cord away from the gas tank to give a bit more room to work. So fuel tank pressure sensor in I cleared the code, and started it up.  I went to the scan tool's live data and... Eureka! The pressure number was different and fluctuated a bit.  So took it on a short drive and pressure number varied saw the purge valve go from closed to open and back to closed.  Drove it to and from work for roughly a week plugged in the scan tool no codes.  I took it in to get tested and passed.  In my state's infinite wisdom (oops meant greed), since I pushed the test with the maximum extensions I have to take it back in by Feb '27 to 'get it back up to date', then my next test won't be until Feb '29. 
    • newdude
      loose lug nuts

      By newdude · Posted

      Any grease on the stud threads of any kind?   Wheel studs should have NOTHING on them for proper torquing and so the nuts don't back off.     Are all of the mating surfaces clean?  So wheel, rotor and hub?     We've had plenty of trucks at work with that wheel, this is a first to me.  Makes me think they've got a lube tech putting anti-seize on all the wheel studs or some kind of grease, and they need to stop doing that.  To have 11 other trucks with the same exact problem.      
    • Flynlow
      2027 Chevrolet Silverado: Official Discussion

      By Flynlow · Posted

      I was a Chevy guy for years, then switched to GMC because I liked the looks better.  I'm actually thinking I like the Chevy looks better than GMC for the first time in a lot of years.   One thing I know for certain, the new GMC dash is hideous!  Chevy wins this one!  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...