Upgrades to the OEM Yukon 21+ headlights

[Vladimir2306]

Hi all. I have already announced a project to improve the headlights of my 2022 Yukon) Previously, I created a topic about how the Tahoe 2021 headlights were redone.

upgrades to the OEM tahoe/suburban headlights to increase output

Hello everyone, in one of the topics I posted information on the experience of improving the head light of the Chevrolet Tahoe 21+. I was asked to elaborate on this by creating a separate topic about it. I repeat right away, this car is not mine, I have a Yukon. In general, let's go. Initially...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

n the Yukon, the situation is a little different. While MTF modules can be installed on the Tahoe without any problems, rectangular caps get in the way on the Yukon. The slightly broken headlight finally arrived to me, Ufff...4 months of waiting))) its journey actually took place across the whole world, it was accidentally sent to the wrong place) In general, I now have it, and it was transferred to the Light Studio.
So This is where the maximum savings are evident. There are excellent modern Osram Oslon Black Flats (possibly even family X). But they are installed in the most sad reflector. Light is truly wild. I thought the rectangular caps were lenses, but no. These are ordinary decorative caps, and inside there are reflective optics. But the problem there is not even brightness, but rather the absence of a normal hot spot, strange convergence of light from two sources and a very narrow overall width of the light beam. Moreover, the reflector already has signs of burning.

 

[StephenPT]

Looking forward to see where you go with this - the LED reflector system in this headlight could use a fair amount of improvement. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the output of my Yukon headlights. Good look, but I think style won over function during the development. Interestingly the '25 Tahoe/Suburban moves to LED projector and I always have been impressed with the output of projector headlight systems. Perhaps the '25 Yukon goes that route as well? Nevertheless, it would be great if there is a modification us current owners can accomplish with a bit of work...

 

[Vladimir2306]

Looking forward to see where you go with this - the LED reflector system in this headlight could use a fair amount of improvement. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the output of my Yukon headlights. Good look, but I think style won over function during the development. Interestingly the '25 Tahoe/Suburban moves to LED projector and I always have been impressed with the output of projector headlight systems. Perhaps the '25 Yukon goes that route as well? Nevertheless, it would be great if there is a modification us current owners can accomplish with a bit of work...

Objectively speaking, the headlights of American cars have never been their strong point. These are not European cars, where adaptive low beam systems with matrix diodes have long been introduced that cut out sectors of passing or oncoming cars))) Yes, I agree with you, when the headlight was disassembled, it became clear that design took precedence over functionality. The design of the Yukon Headlights is truly magnificent. But their light is terrible, so my task is to improve the headlights while maintaining the design of the Yukon headlights.

 

[CMoore711]

Well one thing that's very apparent from your headlight dissection is GM definitely went with the form over function concept for the '21-'24 Yukon LED headlight; Like you said such a sad reflector design for LED chips. Having driven a '21 Yukon XL SLT for 3 months the headlight output left a lot to be desired. They look good from the front of the vehicle, but the output from my '13 Escalade ESV HID Bi-Xenon projectors puts out more functional and usable light. Which says a lot for a 10 year old vehicle platform.

I'm sure the mounting and attachment of the poor GM (3) rectangular reflector is not typical or usable for a retrofit. But I think figuring out a way to stay 3 (maybe 4) of these in their place firing straight out would be the ideal direction to go.

Constructor Double Beam 1.8″ 5500K ближний/дальний свет - Официальный интернет-магазин MTF light

Линзованный модуль дальнего/ближнего света CONSTRUCTOR DOUBLE BEAM LED 1.8″ 5500K

mtflight-shop.com

The night time look of the headlights from the front would be similar to OEM for an OEM+ look. But trimming or modifying the overlay trim piece so it still presented a clean finished look during the day in sunlight presents the tricky part.

Really looking forward to where the thread goes. Hat's off to you @Vladimir2306 for dissecting a perfectly good OEM LED headlight and blazing a new trail not yet traveled on the T1XX Yukon SUV platform.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Well one thing that's very apparent from your headlight dissection is GM definitely went with the form over function concept for the '21-'24 Yukon LED headlight; Like you said such a sad reflector design for LED chips. Having driven a '21 Yukon XL SLT for 3 months the headlight output left a lot to be desired. They look good from the front of the vehicle, but the output from my '13 Escalade ESV HID Bi-Xenon projectors puts out more functional and usable light. Which says a lot for a 10 year old vehicle platform.

I'm sure the mounting and attachment of the poor GM (3) rectangular reflector is not typical or usable for a retrofit. But I think figuring out a way to stay 3 (maybe 4) of these in their place firing straight out would be the ideal direction to go.

Constructor Double Beam 1.8″ 5500K ближний/дальний свет - Официальный интернет-магазин MTF light

Линзованный модуль дальнего/ближнего света CONSTRUCTOR DOUBLE BEAM LED 1.8″ 5500K

mtflight-shop.com

The night time look of the headlights from the front would be similar to OEM for an OEM+ look. But trimming or modifying the overlay trim piece so it still presented a clean finished look during the day in sunlight presents the tricky part.

Really looking forward to where the thread goes. Hat's off to you @Vladimir2306 for dissecting a perfectly good OEM LED headlight and blazing a new trail not yet traveled on the T1XX Yukon SUV platform.

Of course, I will write here as information becomes available. We have a studio, guys who are enthusiasts about improving standard car lights. They have their own matrix module development. Which shines much better than MTF due to the use of 11 LEDs. Theoretically, MTF is Plan B. If their modules don’t fit. At this stage, the headlight was sent for 3D scanning to understand how the modules could be placed in it.

 

[CMoore711]

I drove a ‘21 Yukon XL SLT for over 3 months as a rental and the stock LED headlights were terrible and the stock fog lights are not much help either. I’d almost consider them for decoration only. Very disappointing for a vehicle at this price point.

All that being said; My sole decision on purchasing a ‘22-‘24 Denali is riding on the results of your build on these headlights.

 

[Vladimir2306]

I drove a ‘21 Yukon XL SLT for over 3 months as a rental and the stock LED headlights were terrible and the stock fog lights are not much help either. I’d almost consider them for decoration only. Very disappointing for a vehicle at this price point.

All that being said; My sole decision on purchasing a ‘22-‘24 Denali is riding on the results of your build on these headlights.

Work is underway, a 3D scan of the headlight is being made. And they even developed a version of an BI-LED module with a rectangular lens

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

Work is underway, a 3D scan of the headlight is being made. And they even developed a version of an BI-LED module with a rectangular lens

Can’t wait to see the final result. That’s the one thing that annoys me about facelifted vehicles - they usually get improved headlights - 2022+ Sierra is a perfect example.

 

[Jimbo123]

Subscribed. Coming from my German vehicles, these headlights leave SOOOO much to be desired, it's not even funny. I feel the fog lights put out better light than the headlights. Hoping you get this up and running soon.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Can’t wait to see the final result. That’s the one thing that annoys me about facelifted vehicles - they usually get improved headlights - 2022+ Sierra is a perfect example.

As for Sierra, a friend installed MTF modules, but it seems that he has not 23+, but Sierra 2020.