Headlights

[JERZEYJOE]

After driving my wife's Mercedes GL, I see that the headlights on my 04 Yukon are really poor in the lighting. What's the most cost effective way I can go to get better lights?
I just use the truck to commute to work and run around town. Not looking to rewire, replace housings, remove bumpers, etc. Basically use what I have now, but better lights.
I have searched the forums and way to many different choices. My head was spinning.

Thanks in Advance

 

[NathanJax]

Best option is to get the "Denali style" depo headlights and do a retrofit. Pretty easy and cheap to do.

Couple threads..

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thre...eadlight-lexus-rx-afs-tsx-r-projectors.23168/


http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/hid-retrofit-w-tsx-projectors-walkthrough-w-pictures.6151/

 

[Danny3737]

You could always try a better quality bulb, but in my experience, they only last maybe a year. What NathanJax recommended, is the best long term solution

 

[nikogto]

Best thing I've done is add a set of H.I.D. lights to the low beams (did my fogs also). Went through a couple different companies on ebay and found one good, decent company. They also have their own website. OPT 7 is the company. Get the 55watt kit with 5000K bulbs and you'll be very happy. I've had them on my truck for over 5 years, never had a need to use high beams. I think the whole kit is less than $70 and all plug and play, very easy to install. I've added them to all my vehicles and in my Harley before I sold it.

 

[W8TVI]

Best option is to do what NathanJax said.
Second best would be to just get a set of the Depo or Perde (by TYC) Denali projector copies and use them with the halogen bulbs, or perhaps put set of HIDs in them like I did.
I wouldn't recommend putting HIDs in standard Yukon (or Tahoe) low beams, as you may be able to see "better", anyone coming from the other way is going to be blinded.

The projectors I bought were only $97 on Amazon.
If you want to see them, I have them linked in my build thread.
I still want to get a proper set of projectors to retrofit what I have, but with college and work, I barely have the time to do what I've already done to my truck.

 

[nikogto]

With HIDS and properly adjusted headlights, you won't blind people, these aren't any brighter than some of the new cars and trucks out today. They produce a better, wider light than when installed in projectors, I installed the same set in my wifes STS caddy and they were worse than the stock bulbs in her projectors, so after a week, I replaced them with the stock bulbs. My way is cheaper and easier than retrofitting complete housings, and if done right with 4k or 5k max bulbs will work out the best.

 

[W8TVI]

With HIDS and properly adjusted headlights, you won't blind people, these aren't any brighter than some of the new cars and trucks out today. They produce a better, wider light than when installed in projectors, I installed the same set in my wifes STS caddy and they were worse than the stock bulbs in her projectors, so after a week, I replaced them with the stock bulbs. My way is cheaper and easier than retrofitting complete housings, and if done right with 4k or 5k max bulbs will work out the best.

The problem is with the stock headlight assembly, is that it is built for halogen bulbs, and the location of the filament in the bulb.
That "wider" light is shining the the eyes of all the people you are passing on the road.
HIDs screw up the the pattern the stock reflectors are making.

The reason you can use HIDs in the projectors, is that they put a bit of metal in the fixture to block the light from going where it's not supposed to go.
Not even all projectors will work properly with HIDs in them.

Now if you have some aftermarket reflectors on your truck, they could be designed in such a way that HIDs can work in them without causing too much glare, but in stock GM reflectors, they cause tons of glare, and (at least the ones I've seen) they are brighter than stock bulbs.

One of my coworkers put the same HIDs in their stock Tahoe reflectors, and they caused all sorts of glare, no matter what way they aimed them.

If you get the projector set I found on Amazon ($97 for a Yukon, or if you have a Tahoe about $130) you don't even need to retrofit them to get good results.

I have also read that using 55w HIDs have been known to melt SOME lights.

 

[derek1387]

Now, I couldnt do a denali retrofit without modding my newly painted HD hood...could I

 

[nikogto]

I've had no issues with melting lights with all my 55w kits, nor anyone else I know or the kits the shop I use to run, and myself have installed. It's personal preference, either one, if done right works.