Headlights not Bright

[jwrwjw]

I have a 2013 Yukon. The low beams and high beams both work, but they don't seem to project out very far considering how large the headlights are on these vehicles. I have adjusted, but they just don't seam very bright on high beam. Any suggestions? Does anyone have the same issue?

 

[CrashTestDummy]

We put LEDs in the low beam socket of our '10 Tahoe. That helped a lot. You can also rewire the lights to use a relay and larger gauge wire directly off the battery. I think Kennedy Diesel has a kit that will work.

 

[jyi786]

I have a 2013 Yukon. The low beams and high beams both work, but they don't seem to project out very far considering how large the headlights are on these vehicles. I have adjusted, but they just don't seam very bright on high beam. Any suggestions? Does anyone have the same issue?

You are having pretty much the same issue that we all have universally with our trucks: garbage headlight output. There is literally only one answer to this problem:

A proper HID retrofit (either by yourself) or via Black Flame Custom.

Do not try to shortchange it or go cheap; there is no way around it. This kit will cost you (to the tune of $1K plus), and it is the only way to do it right. Replacing with chintzy cheap alternative headlight replacements such as Anzo is destined for failure because it will ultimately end up in the trash. Replacing the bulbs with garbage like Silverstars will net you worse light output.

I myself just bought a 2012 Yukon Denali XL. I can attest that the headlight output is so bad it's almost dangerous. I am changing it out as soon as I possibly can; it's just a matter of funding (gotta wait for the end of the month to roll around so I can pay bills and make sure I have enough). Otherwise, it's a done deal for me; no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

[Gurrzt]

I replaced my stock headlamps (H13) with a set of SYLVANIA Silverstar ZXE, they are a whiter light rated @ 4000 - 4200K. They operate @ the 55W level (same as stock) so they will not overheat the headlamp housing. I now have plenty of light when driving @ night

 

[jyi786]

I replaced my stock headlamps (H13) with a set of SYLVANIA Silverstar ZXE, they are a whiter light rated @ 4000 - 4200K. They operate @ the 55W level (same as stock) so they will not overheat the headlamp housing. I now have plenty of light when driving @ night

Not trying to argue with you, but that's simply not true. I had the same exact experience that you do. I thought mine were brighter...because they were whiter. They are in fact not brighter. They are dimmer. You get less light output. You get more perceived output because the light is whiter.

The stock H13 puts out 1100 lumens low beam, 1700 lumens high beam from one source I read, but all the rest say 1000 lumens low beam, 1500 lumens high beam.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...rightness-in-lumens-of-h13-high-beams.154754/

The Silverstar ZXEs put out 1000 lumens low beam, 1500 lumens high beam.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...nia-Silverstars-or-Xtra-vision-for-car-lights

http://www.osram-americas.com/en-us...ems/Pages/lrgproductspecs.aspx?partnumber=H13

For their part, Sylvania is being coy by making it difficult to find the real lumen output numbers, but when they do, they cover themselves and list all bulbs as having the same lumen output. However, in their advertisements, they advertise it as being "brighter" and "whiter" and making it "easier to see down the road".

All marketing talk, and nothing more. In short, Silverstars are a waste of money. Full stop.

 

[05Single]

Buy a set of depo oem looking headlights ($200?) then a set of bixenon projectors ($60-$400+). Do the work yourself. Sell your old heads for $100?. Anyway you don't have to spend $1000+ on retro heads.
Even the cheapest ebay projector will have 10x better output than those oem garbage lights.
Obviously if you pay a pro and spend more on parts the output will be the best, but its your money...just letting you know theres options.

 

[CM Burns]

I have a 2014, mine are also piss-yellow and weak. I have tried the Silver-star and ZXE bulbs in my old Yukon, and they arent much better, but do have a cooler style tint to them.
After seeing all the after market anzo headlights and spyder's, I have determined that those are all cheap garbage from talking to everyone.
Retro-fit HID seems the one true solution. It's a shame a truck this new & nice has SHIT for light output.

 

[08HoeCD]

Best simple steps to optimize useable headlight output:

1. Aim/align beams properly.
2. Turn down the instrument panel lighting----the greater the relative brightness of interior/dash lights, the lower the human eye's ability to perceive and utilize headlight output.
3. Add relays as mentioned above---you'll draw current directly from the battery rather than from the headlight switch. I haven't taken this step yet with my Tahoe, but I installed a relay kit in my old Crown Vic and it increased light output in a major way.

 

[01Konvict]

These yukons have terrible light output!!!! The 00-06 had better output. So I instantly retrofit mine with fxr projectors. Superb output now running a 50 watt hid setup.

 

[jyi786]

I actually got my BFC retrofits on Tuesday. I'm getting them installed tomorrow with a very gracious member of these forums to help me out!