Two Modifications for Yukon/Tahoe If Your Ride is Rough and no HIDs

[Dakota8]

I think LED’s would be the easiest for me. Taking out the air intakes oils be the extent of my automotive skills besides detailing. Can I ask which led’s You went with? Did you just replace the low beams? Or did you replace high beams and fog lights?

I'd read all of that too and initially second guessed my decision to replace with halogens with LEDs. Once I did it, though, the advantage was obvious. And, dropping in LEDs into the existing housing is way easier and cheaper that trying to retrofit HIDs.

 

[CMoore711]

I'd read all of that too and initially second guessed my decision to replace with halogens with LEDs. Once I did it, though, the advantage was obvious. And, dropping in LEDs into the existing housing is way easier and cheaper that trying to retrofit HIDs.

I 100% agree that LED's can be an upgrade to traditional halogen bulbs. Some of the LED's can be cheaper than HID's as well. However, if you're looking at LED bulbs that produce a similar amount of lumens to be "equivalent" to HID's, chances are they're price range is not far off from an HID kit.

Additionally, they'll probably have a "driver" to them which is a small box that connects in-line with the LED bulb and headlight harness connection, though the LED "drivers" are smaller than an HID Ballast, the concept and wiring is all very similar. You still have to find a home in the headlight housing or close by for the small LED "driver" just like you would an HID ballast, although the LED "driver" is smaller and lighter weight than a HID ballast, similar challenges for each bulb set-up are there.

Lastly, some of the higher power LED's have built-in heat reducing fans some call them "turbo" fans to help keep the LED bulbs cool. This can add a significant amount of length to the overall bulb that not all head light housings have enough clearance to accommodate and I've ready many people say some of the built-in cooling fans are loud enough to hear inside the vehicle during normal operation. Who want's to hear a little 1" diameter fan spinning at 10K+ RPM while driving around with your headlights on? Not me...

Just like any other modification, it's based on preference, how much you're willing to spend, and what you're willing to install and/or modify for the amount of performance you're expecting to gain...

Generally.... Halogen < LED < HID

 

[K2 Kaiju]

LED’s for low beam headlights really only work well if the factory headlight housing has projectors specifically designed for LED bulbs. Even at that they don’t have the same throw (distance of light projection) as HID.

LED’s have come a long way but for light intensity, lumens, and throw...
HID > LED.

I used to agree with this fully. Every led I tried were bright, but couldnt push the light down the road. But now in the 18 burb, I have the 2019 clockable hikaris in the lows and fogs, and they light up the road I would say 2x better than stock. The stock halogens are dangerous imo...

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Dakota8]

Thanks for the great response. I am going to seriously look into both HID & LED.

I see a lot of people talk about putting in low beams/DRL and fog but not many comment about putting in high beam LED/HID. Is there a reason?

What k value would match the DRL strip in all Yukon’s?

I 100% agree that LED's can be an upgrade to traditional halogen bulbs. Some of the LED's can be cheaper than HID's as well. However, if you're looking at LED bulbs that produce a similar amount of lumens to be "equivalent" to HID's, chances are they're price range is not far off from an HID kit.

Additionally, they'll probably have a "driver" to them which is a small box that connects in-line with the LED bulb and headlight harness connection, though the LED "drivers" are smaller than an HID Ballast, the concept and wiring is all very similar. You still have to find a home in the headlight housing or close by for the small LED "driver" just like you would an HID ballast, although the LED "driver" is smaller and lighter weight than a HID ballast, similar challenges for each bulb set-up are there.

Lastly, some of the higher power LED's have built-in heat reducing fans some call them "turbo" fans to help keep the LED bulbs cool. This can add a significant amount of length to the overall bulb that not all head light housings have enough clearance to accommodate and I've ready many people say some of the built-in cooling fans are loud enough to hear inside the vehicle during normal operation. Who want's to hear a little 1" diameter fan spinning at 10K+ RPM while driving around with your headlights on? Not me...

Just like any other modification, it's based on preference, how much you're willing to spend, and what you're willing to install and/or modify for the amount of performance you're expecting to gain...

Generally.... Halogen < LED < HID

 

[WillCO]

I think LED’s would be the easiest for me. Taking out the air intakes oils be the extent of my automotive skills besides detailing. Can I ask which led’s You went with? Did you just replace the low beams? Or did you replace high beams and fog lights?

I used the Hikari set:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BT6M6Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Low beams only. They were a straight drop-in, everything fit inside the stock housing, they threw no error codes, the light looks great. We'll see about longevity; mine are a year old so far.

 

[CMoore711]

I think LED’s would be the easiest for me.

Thanks for the great response. I am going to seriously look into both HID & LED.

I see a lot of people talk about putting in low beams/DRL and fog but not many comment about putting in high beam LED/HID. Is there a reason?

What k value would match the DRL strip in all Yukon’s?

Dakota8. Based on your responses here I think it is worth clarifying a few things...

You have stated you own a Denali, not sure what year but let’s assume ‘15-‘19. You already have HID headlights for your low beams from the factory. If you are looking for a plug and play low beam headlight upgrade it will not involve getting LED bulbs to replace your factory D3S HID bulbs.

WillCO’s situation is different than yours. His vehicle came with factory halogen bulb head lights, not HID’s. Therefore upgrading from halogen bulbs to LED’s can be plug a play. The same situation does not apply for going from HID to LED.

To answer a few of your questions...

You can upgrade your high beams and fog lights to LED with a mostly plug and play solution.

The Kelvin rating you’re looking for to match the factory LED DRL strip on your Denali is between 5000-6000K. I would not recommend going over 6000K as you’ll start to lose useable light and lumens actually decrease. So for your factory HID D3S low beams what you’re looking for are some bulbs between 5000-6000K. I would stick with the OEM brands for bulbs; OSRAM or Phillips.

Typically people do not put HID’s in their high beam headlights because of the flash-to-pass function or quick bursts of flashing your high beams. HID’s once turned on have a warm-up time as the ballast and bulb warm up and reach their operating power level once powered on. Short bursts of power on and off (flash-to-pass or flashing your brights) can prematurely wear out the HID ballasts and bulbs.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dakota8]

CMoore711 - I want to thank you for clarifying what lights my vehicle has and answering my questions. I had not known my 18’ Denali came with low beam HID’s. Would you recommend replacing the factory HID low beams? Would they be brighter? I already like they match the led DRL strip. If I do end up replacing the low beams, is it basically a bulb since it is already a factory HID? Or do I need the ballast?

Now I will be on the hunt for LED high beam & fog lights. Thank you again for helping me understand the light situation.

Dakota8. Based on your responses here I think it is worth clarifying a few things...

You have stated you own a Denali, not sure what year but let’s assume ‘15-‘19. You already have HID headlights for your low beams from the factory. If you are looking for a plug and play low beam headlight upgrade it will not involve getting LED bulbs to replace your factory D3S HID bulbs.

WillCO’s situation is different than yours. His vehicle came with factory halogen bulb head lights, not HID’s. Therefore upgrading from halogen bulbs to LED’s can be plug a play. The same situation does not apply for going from HID to LED.

To answer a few of your questions...

You can upgrade your high beams and fog lights to LED with a mostly plug and play solution.

The Kelvin rating you’re looking for to match the factory LED DRL strip on your Denali is between 5000-6000K. I would not recommend going over 6000K as you’ll start to lose useable light and lumens actually decrease. So for your factory HID D3S low beams what you’re looking for are some bulbs between 5000-6000K. I would stick with the OEM brands for bulbs; OSRAM or Phillips.

Typically people do not put HID’s in their high beam headlights because of the flash-to-pass function or quick bursts of flashing your high beams. HID’s once turned on have a warm-up time as the ballast and bulb warm up and reach their operating power level once powered on. Short bursts of power on and off (flash-to-pass or flashing your brights) can prematurely wear out the HID ballasts and bulbs.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dakota8]

It appears that the HID bulb is just a plug and play, here is what I found on amazon for a swap of the low beams.


Osram 66340CBI Xenarc CBI D3S Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O7PZK9U/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_n0xwDbANYT9WR

 

[CMoore711]

No problem... Yes I would just recommend replacing the stock D3S HID bulbs, no need to get new ballasts as you already have OEM OSRAM 35W ballasts. I opted for the OSRAM CBI (previous pic I posted in this thread). I feel they are brighter and the color matches the LED DRL strip and my LED fogs nicely.

It’s hard to capture headlight photos and color comparisons from in front of the headlight. They never represent the true color in real life.

I would be cautious about purchasing OSRAM bulbs from Amazon. There have been some counterfeits sold through Amazon, which is represented in the significant price difference of Amazon and other legit retrofit headlight sites. I picked mine up from HID Concept because they had the best coupon code at the time, but also check The Retrofit Source or Lightwerkz. Hold out until Labor Day in a few weeks all 3 of those sites I mentioned will have a Labor Day sale with about 15-20% off.

 

[Christoph]

I have a 2015 SLT Yukon SWB. Love it.. except the fact that it came with halogens and I went with Autoride instead of Soft Ride..

Well the second one is kind of a lie. I wanted Autoride.. but didn't realize that GM went into "Sports Car" mode when they designed it. Meaning that yes the Yukon handles damn near as nice as a Camaro, but the ride suffers once the air shocks pump all the way up to 10. The Lighting situation on the other hand is BULLSH!+!!! for a $70K vehicle.. especially when U get HIDs on a $30K Camaro.

Anyway.. After talking with Tony@Norcal I purchased the Beltech Springs and shock extender in an effort to fix my 'ride.." make it softer when hitting bumps. I did all the work myself but after changing all of that.. I ended up with a "Cadillac-ish ride" by modifying the Auto Ride Sensor Rods. Tony's kit came with a set, with recommendation of 3inches between connector to connector... I purchased 4 "rods" from Home Depot, screws actually, and cut them down using a hacksaw and a vice. I took it a step further by going down to 2.5inches. This lowered my vehicle too much.. causing me to cut a 10X24 machine screw to a length of 2.8 or 2 - 3/4. RIDE SO MUCH BETTER.

Second... The lights. Just go on Amazon and look up MOSTPLUS 80W 8000LM 6000K CREE LED Headlight Kit Xenon White Bulbs (H8/H9/H11). . They are as bright as my CTS-V's.. and any other luxo brand I can think of. Cost me $50 and took me a blazing 10 minutes to install.

How are your shocks holding up with Tony's modified suspension? Any complaints or advice you could give me? I have the same problem with my autoride suspension. It's beating me to death none bump at a time.