Jrgunn5150
Enjoying tomorrow's success today
Ok, so I don't think this mod is as widely known as the HID or LED type upgrades. I'm not an electronics whiz, like most, I hate wiring, don't want to think about ballasts, etc...
Any like most, my stock GMT400 headlights absolutely suck it. Since, I currently have about 1,000 into my truck total, I'm not about to drop 250 on a kit to get decent lights. Awhile back, my GF was complaining about the lights in our Trailblazer and how dim they were, and I was prepared to drop 250 on a top notch kit for the, them I came a crossed some posts at candlepowerforums.com . Those guy's, are total lighting nerds, and you'll learn way more than you want to about lighting there.
So I learned this, our Stock bulbs in GMT400's are,
9006 for lowbeams AKA HB4 These are 55 w, and put out 1,000 Lumens
9005 for Highbeams AKA HB3 (counterintuitive, I know) These are 65w and put out 1700 Lumens
These figures come from here, http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulb_types/bulb_types.html
So looking ahead, I learned that the 2015 GMC trucks, use a single type of bulb, the 9012. It's both the high and low beam. Maybe that's why I always thing those guy's are blinding me? Some more research showed me, that the connectors on these new, awesome 9012 bulbs, are the same as the older 9006 bulbs. The plastic lock tabs are slightly different however, but they are the same diameter, same connector. I'll get back to the locking tab in a moment Specs on the 9012 are,
9012 AKA HIR2 55w putting out 1870 lumens.. so nearly double
So I ordered up a set. I chose Phillips 9012 Standard Halogen bulbs for no particular reason, other than I know the brand and they were available on Amazon Prime.
Here's the new bulb next to my stock 9006 bulb,
It should be pretty self evident what needs to be trimmed, but I'll go over it anyway.
Obviously this won't work...
Maybe, this?
And there we go... Before anyone questions the little bitty nub I left, one of them in my Trailblazer actually only has two tabs left, because I trimmed it wrong the first time. It's been fine for five months now, but hey, YMMV.
So? How do they work? Well, let's go see...
Junk pile is 65-75 yards away,
HIghbeams for comparision, see the yellow tint?
Ten paces from the truck,
So, it's basically a bolt in, I mean, I used a cut off wheel on a grinder, but you could use a hot butter knife to trim the tabs. The wiring, there is none... If you can change your stock bulb, you can do this. These are in my stock, yellow housings BTW. I made no effort to clean them up, I may not even own this truck by June.
So, all in all, a 45 dollar upgrade, I don't even feel the need to use my highbeams now, it's pretty effective, and the white color brings out animal eyes better, IMO. I like it, I'll be doing this to any vehicle I get. Enjoy!
Any like most, my stock GMT400 headlights absolutely suck it. Since, I currently have about 1,000 into my truck total, I'm not about to drop 250 on a kit to get decent lights. Awhile back, my GF was complaining about the lights in our Trailblazer and how dim they were, and I was prepared to drop 250 on a top notch kit for the, them I came a crossed some posts at candlepowerforums.com . Those guy's, are total lighting nerds, and you'll learn way more than you want to about lighting there.
So I learned this, our Stock bulbs in GMT400's are,
9006 for lowbeams AKA HB4 These are 55 w, and put out 1,000 Lumens
9005 for Highbeams AKA HB3 (counterintuitive, I know) These are 65w and put out 1700 Lumens
These figures come from here, http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulb_types/bulb_types.html
So looking ahead, I learned that the 2015 GMC trucks, use a single type of bulb, the 9012. It's both the high and low beam. Maybe that's why I always thing those guy's are blinding me? Some more research showed me, that the connectors on these new, awesome 9012 bulbs, are the same as the older 9006 bulbs. The plastic lock tabs are slightly different however, but they are the same diameter, same connector. I'll get back to the locking tab in a moment Specs on the 9012 are,
9012 AKA HIR2 55w putting out 1870 lumens.. so nearly double
So I ordered up a set. I chose Phillips 9012 Standard Halogen bulbs for no particular reason, other than I know the brand and they were available on Amazon Prime.
Here's the new bulb next to my stock 9006 bulb,
You must be registered for see images attach
It should be pretty self evident what needs to be trimmed, but I'll go over it anyway.
Obviously this won't work...
You must be registered for see images attach
Maybe, this?
You must be registered for see images attach
And there we go... Before anyone questions the little bitty nub I left, one of them in my Trailblazer actually only has two tabs left, because I trimmed it wrong the first time. It's been fine for five months now, but hey, YMMV.
You must be registered for see images attach
So? How do they work? Well, let's go see...
Junk pile is 65-75 yards away,
You must be registered for see images attach
HIghbeams for comparision, see the yellow tint?
You must be registered for see images attach
Ten paces from the truck,
You must be registered for see images attach
So, it's basically a bolt in, I mean, I used a cut off wheel on a grinder, but you could use a hot butter knife to trim the tabs. The wiring, there is none... If you can change your stock bulb, you can do this. These are in my stock, yellow housings BTW. I made no effort to clean them up, I may not even own this truck by June.
So, all in all, a 45 dollar upgrade, I don't even feel the need to use my highbeams now, it's pretty effective, and the white color brings out animal eyes better, IMO. I like it, I'll be doing this to any vehicle I get. Enjoy!
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