Mike1220's 2014 Sierra

Mike1220 · January 25, 2015

Got plenty of work done on the truck today! So here's a few pictures and what is different incase you can't tell.

So let's go from front to back of the truck,

I removed my failed HIDs and replaced them with the OEMS halogens, man did I forget how lousy these things are. Honestly, the DOT pods are better than the OEM headlights IMO.

Next I went ahead and cleaned up the engine compartment of some of the wiring I have added. This mainly consisted of the HID harness and the harness for my light bars. I wired in a new wireless controlled harness for the lights and man is it cool! I think the main "cool" factor centers around the fact that I now have a few different strobe patterns that I can make the light bars flash to, and I was able to program the on/off function to one of the garage door opener buttons in the truck.

Video of strobe patterns:

Picture of my newly uncluttered engine compartment near the air intake

I ran the wires through the dead space behind the headlights. It's a great spot to run wires to conceal them. Wish I would've taken more pictures of how well hidden everything is now.

I had to drill a hole as GM decided to put a plastic blocker on the passenger side but on the driver side it was completely open.

Next on the chopping block we have the grille! Haha, get it? Chopping block, grille? Cooking!

Well, bad puns aside, I decided I would pull the chrome inserts out and pull off the black plastidip so that they could once again be chrome. Honestly, not sure if I like it better with them black or chrome. Kinda feel like having them chrome may be a bit too much chrome and keeps the GMC from standing out as much. But that's just me, I'm curious to hear what yall think.

Chrome:

Black:

And last but not least, we have the only true addition of the day, some anti tailgater lights

I decided I would move the D2s to the rear bumper. Will give me just that extra little bit of light, you know, for those times when the light I already have isn't enough [emoji6] or just for whenever someone starts tailgating me, I can get rid of them real fast [emoji4] only thing is I didn't get to wire them in, however, I will be doing that before the weekend is over, but only as a temporary wiring set up until I can get some rigid industries (or some knock offs) connectors to hook onto my wire harness. I am hoping I can hook into the positive feed of the trailer wiring for the harness since to the best of my knowledge, that feed comes directly from the battery so it should have full power.

And that should bring everything up to speed. Now here's a couple random shots I took today.

Just a side shot. Really annoyed that my 2" level kit isn't really keeping the truck leveled. It looked great for the first few months. But now it's got a slight nose dive [emoji19]

And a front picture when I was putting in the new wire harness. Walking out of the garage, the truck looked a bit like a pirate truck since it only has one "eye" or headlight

Edited January 25, 2015 by Mike1220

LongrangeLauber · January 25, 2015

Mike, I got another couple questions lol

What lights and where did you mount them for the step lights? Could you take a pic of them in the daylight so I can see the mount? And could you post a link to the lights?

Also, which wire did you tap into for the footwell lights? I'm assuming the gray wire on the driver side pillar, but not sure if maybe you found an easier accessible wire

Mike1220 · January 25, 2015

Mike, I got another couple questions lol

What lights and where did you mount them for the step lights? Could you take a pic of them in the daylight so I can see the mount? And could you post a link to the lights?

Also, which wire did you tap into for the footwell lights? I'm assuming the gray wire on the driver side pillar, but not sure if maybe you found an easier accessible wire

Yes I tapped into the grey wire but not behind the pillar. It can also be found behind the black cover under driver side dash. It is in the top left connector.

Of the 2 grey wires in the top left connector, it's the grey wire on the right.

As far as step lights, both step lights (the bumper steps and the amp step lights since I'm not sure which one you are interested in) are both just 3M taped to the truck incase If they ever fail, I can remove them easily. The bumper step lights are XKGLOW pods from XKGLOW.com, link: to the pods:

http://www.xkglow.com/6_LED_Ultra_Bright_Motorcycle_Light_Pod_8pc_Pack_p/xk084001-8c.htm

NOTE: I have gotten word from other members that these pods have changed slightly since the time I ordered them. Nothing drastic but before, they used to come with about 30" of plain wire lead so that you could connect them however you want. But now they come with only 2-4" (don't remember for sure) of wire and a connector. They can still easily be used but a bit more finagling or work will need to go in. The entire install of both lights and wiring them in should still only take 20-30 minutes max.

Here's what the pods look like:

I painted the chrome on them black with some touch up paint from an old car we had but accidentally kept the paint. I did it to help hide the pods as much as possible but even without doing that you need to be at eye level to see the pods

You'll have to drill a small hole to run the wires from the step to behind the bumper.

Here is the amp step light:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=151549378388

credit for finding this light strip goes to Texas Husker

I don't have any direct pictures of them. But it's just some double sided 3M stick tape outdoor strength at 10PSI from homedepot. I stuck the tape to the truck and then the lights to the tape. The lights have some tape on them already but the tape isn't that great.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Mike1220

Mike1220 · January 25, 2015

Decided I'd use the connections from a spare HID harness for the pods under the tailgate. Now they are actually functional and ready to flash tailgaters [emoji41]

Ran power from the trailer plug and grounded to a bolt that's between the trailer hitch and the license plate behind the bumper. Works great!

Edited January 25, 2015 by Mike1220

LongrangeLauber · January 25, 2015

Yes I tapped into the grey wire but not behind the pillar. It can also be found behind the black cover under driver side dash. It is in the top left connector.

Of the 2 grey wires in the top left connector, it's the grey wire on the right.

As far as step lights, both step lights (the bumper steps and the amp step lights since I'm not sure which one you are interested in) are both just 3M taped to the truck incase If they ever fail, I can remove them easily. The bumper step lights are XKGLOW pods from XKGLOW.com, link: to the pods:

http://www.xkglow.com/6_LED_Ultra_Bright_Motorcycle_Light_Pod_8pc_Pack_p/xk084001-8c.htm

NOTE: I have gotten word from other members that these pods have changed slightly since the time I ordered them. Nothing drastic but before, they used to come with about 30" of plain wire lead so that you could connect them however you want. But now they come with only 2-4" (don't remember for sure) of wire and a connector. They can still easily be used but a bit more finagling or work will need to go in. The entire install of both lights and wiring them in should still only take 20-30 minutes max.

Here's what the pods look like:

I painted the chrome on them black with some touch up paint from an old car we had but accidentally kept the paint. I did it to help hide the pods as much as possible but even without doing that you need to be at eye level to see the pods

You'll have to drill a small hole to run the wires from the step to behind the bumper.

Here is the amp step light:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=151549378388

I don't have any direct pictures of them. But it's just some double sided 3M stick tape outdoor strength at 10PSI from homedepot. I stuck the tape to the truck and then the lights to the tape. The lights have some tape on them already but the tape isn't that great.

Nice! And if there is enough room between the top of the step and the actual bumper, Im going to install these instead:

http://www.oznium.com/led-bolt

The hole is bigger than just for wires, but will be a nice, flush mount. Thanks for the ideas. I would never have though to install led's in the bumper step. Nice touch, useful, and sets you apart (until I do it lol)!!

Mike1220 · January 26, 2015

Nice! And if there is enough room between the top of the step and the actual bumper, Im going to install these instead:

http://www.oznium.com/led-bolt

The hole is bigger than just for wires, but will be a nice, flush mount. Thanks for the ideas. I would never have though to install led's in the bumper step. Nice touch, useful, and sets you apart (until I do it lol)!!

I changed my mind, you can't do it, I want to be the only one!

Lol jk. Let me know if those lights work! If they do I may change to them if anything ever happens to the ones I have now or if the ones I have stand out when I lift the truck. . Those would be a lot cleaner looking.

derekc89 · February 1, 2015

Got plenty of work done on the truck today! So here's a few pictures and what is different incase you can't tell.

So let's go from front to back of the truck,

I removed my failed HIDs and replaced them with the OEMS halogens, man did I forget how lousy these things are. Honestly, the DOT pods are better than the OEM headlights IMO.

Next I went ahead and cleaned up the engine compartment of some of the wiring I have added. This mainly consisted of the HID harness and the harness for my light bars. I wired in a new wireless controlled harness for the lights and man is it cool! I think the main "cool" factor centers around the fact that I now have a few different strobe patterns that I can make the light bars flash to, and I was able to program the on/off function to one of the garage door opener buttons in the truck.

Video of strobe patterns:

Lights look great! Where did you get the wireless remote and the strobe pattern for the light bar?

Mike1220 · February 1, 2015

Lights look great! Where did you get the wireless remote and the strobe pattern for the light bar?

Here's the harness I used

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221454148594

Have only had it in a week but it seems to me to be really high quality. I don't foresee any issues with this harness like I had with the last one

Mike1220 · February 7, 2015

I'm curious with changing my factory bulbs to HID's as well and I've looked at the VLED's but lately I've been thinking about sending my headlights to Fast Headlights.

Anyone know the difference off hand. LED bulbs, HID's, VLED's after a while it's confusing. I'd like to do it one and done and do it right the first time.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Im also waiting for another review on the led headlight before i buy.

If you think these LED bulbs are good enough to be on par with the HIDs once you install them, I may just have to order a set. I'm starting to like the idea of LEDs over HIDs.

I have access to a 3D printer at work... if I could get the file for the caps I could make them myself, or I can design some up in my free time. What did the caps cost you from Jon A? PM me if needed.

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Forget HIDs yall. IMO, the LMZ LEDs are the way to go. I finally got home to play with mine and I put them in tonight. They are incredible. They are better than the 55W 5000K HIDs I had and these match the LED DRLs even better. The HIDs were slightly off, but these are spot on. I got the LMZ 5000K. They are a very clean light and look like an OEM HID. I turned the HIDs on in my mom's Lexus and compared how the two look. The LMZs had better light output but the exact same color. Didn't take any pictures though but will get some up soon. Just trust me on this one and get these bulbs.

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LongrangeLauber · February 7, 2015

Do you still have the dust cap on the back or did you have to keep it off?

Mike1220 · February 7, 2015

Do you still have the dust cap on the back or did you have to keep it off?

Jon A has designed and makes a new extended cover for the Sierras [emoji106]

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MThompsonjr115 · February 7, 2015

Forget HIDs yall. IMO, the LMZ LEDs are the way to go. I finally got home to play with mine and I put them in tonight. They are incredible. They are better than the 55W 5000K HIDs I had and these match the LED DRLs even better. The HIDs were slightly off, but these are spot on. I got the LMZ 5000K. They are a very clean light and look like an OEM HID. I turned the HIDs on in my mom's Lexus and compared how the two look. The LMZs had better light output but the exact same color. Didn't take any pictures though but will get some up soon. Just trust me on this one and get these bulbs.

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Looks like I'm going to have to sell my HID kit and get these.

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02suburbanZ71 · February 7, 2015

Really love the bumper step lights and the bed lights, with the bed carpet! Love it!

MThompsonjr115 · February 7, 2015

Mike, can you provide your setup for the LED collar, as in cow many turns out from bottomed out?

I'm going to order a set for my truck soon.

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Mike1220 · February 7, 2015

Mike, can you provide your setup for the LED collar, as in cow many turns out from bottomed out?

I'm going to order a set for my truck soon.

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I sure can. I'll check them as soon as I get a chance. At work right now.

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