2020 Sierra 1500 license plate bulb removal advice or tips?

Daryl Casey · September 28, 2020

Swapping from the yellowish bulbs to white LED. (Why GMC, couldn't you have made the license plate bulbs bright white like the rest of the truck lights?) Looking at the bulb wiring, I can't seem to get my hands on the connector and bulb housing due to the big tube that's part of the tow hitch frame. Other than finding someone with smaller hands, can anyone offer some advice on how to remove the wiring harness and the bulb?

Is it easier/necessary to disconnect the wiring harness then remove the bulb or can I get the bulb housing out with the harness still attached?

Thanks in advance!

Daryl

BluegrassMotorsport · September 28, 2020

55 minutes ago, Daryl Casey said:

Swapping from the yellowish bulbs to white LED. (Why GMC, couldn't you have made the license plate bulbs bright white like the rest of the truck lights?) Looking at the bulb wiring, I can't seem to get my hands on the connector and bulb housing due to the big tube that's part of the tow hitch frame. Other than finding someone with smaller hands, can anyone offer some advice on how to remove the wiring harness and the bulb?

Is it easier/necessary to disconnect the wiring harness then remove the bulb or can I get the bulb housing out with the harness still attached?

Thanks in advance!

Daryl

You can get the bulb out without having to remove the harness. But it takes some patience. I had to turn my hands a bunch of different ways before I figured out an angle that works. It's a pain but it looks really nice when it's done.

IlliniST · September 28, 2020

1 hour ago, BluegrassMotorsport said:

You can get the bulb out without having to remove the harness. But it takes some patience. I had to turn my hands a bunch of different ways before I figured out an angle that works. It's a pain but it looks really nice when it's done.

Exactly this. I don't have huge hands, but they are thick.... Just have to find the right combination of twisting your hand and your tongue at the right angle...

Grover67 · September 28, 2020

2 hours ago, Daryl Casey said:

Swapping from the yellowish bulbs to white LED. (Why GMC, couldn't you have made the license plate bulbs bright white like the rest of the truck lights?) Looking at the bulb wiring, I can't seem to get my hands on the connector and bulb housing due to the big tube that's part of the tow hitch frame. Other than finding someone with smaller hands, can anyone offer some advice on how to remove the wiring harness and the bulb?

Is it easier/necessary to disconnect the wiring harness then remove the bulb or can I get the bulb housing out with the harness still attached?

Thanks in advance!

Daryl

Ya agree completely on why they didn't go with LED's like everything else on mine also. They are tight in there to get at, used some needle nose pliers to help get them in /out.

Good luck

-Grover67

Wiguy07 · September 28, 2020

What bulbs are you using to replace stock ones?

Grover67 · September 29, 2020

I used Sylvania LED's I got at Walmart, don't remember the number. Just make sure you get the right color, I got the ambers ones by mistake first time lol

-Grover67

Daryl Casey · September 29, 2020

The bulb specifics are W5W T10. I ordered these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0821GVXB3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6000K is the "bright white" color you'd want to match the rest of the lights. The current license plate bulbs look like 4000K (soft white).

Once I get them installed, after what sounds like much cursing and sore hands, I'll post up some pics.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

DC

mrtizzom · September 30, 2020

My hands aren't the smallest but I was able to contort myself around enough to reach up in there. I found it somewhat easier to reach from the center over the hitch as opposed as to coming in from the sides. Took about 10 minutes total once I figured it out. Worth the pain and time lol

ShadyOakBrewer · September 30, 2020

Agree. Tight fit. Only tip is, if you are using LEDs that require the correct polarity, check that the bulbs light up before screwing the bulb holder back into the frame...

mrtizzom · September 30, 2020

39 minutes ago, ShadyOakBrewer said:

Agree. Tight fit. Only tip is, if you are using LEDs that require the correct polarity, check that the bulbs light up before screwing the bulb holder back into the frame...

Good point...you'll save yourself some swearing if they are in backwards lol