Custom Headlight Help

MyWay · September 26, 2019

Having an issue with these H11 lights on Custom model. Great looking but cant see anything at night. The LED models were just outside my price range.

Anyone have the factory foglamps installed on this model OR perform a mod to assist? Any advice would be great. Thanks!

ct_corey · September 26, 2019

search, both topics have lengthy threads

amxguy1970 · September 26, 2019

What ever you do don't add LED or HID's to those headlights, you will blind everyone on the road. If you are going to change it do it right and and replace the housings. Never understood this whole can't see anything at night, even the basic halogen headlights are great these days even with projectors. People complain must have never driven a sealed beam headlight, how did we ever get by? They aren't as bright as some of these new LED projection headlights but they also don't have that annoying cutoff area too when driving in hilly areas. I would upgrade the bulb to a Silverstar Ultra, Nighthawk or Crystal vision and that should help out a bunch without risking oncoming traffic.

Tyler

1SLOW1500 · September 26, 2019

You can add hid or led but get a bulb with a cover so the top is shielded. All the light you need and no issues with blinding people. Or up the wattage of the bulbs themself. However I always recommend and pnp relay harness. They are cheap these days and protect the wires. I had "off road" 55watt dual element in a car and they where super bright.
Hid are bright but unfocused. Projectors are good but seem to need more light output to equal same light.

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MyWay · September 26, 2019

I do agree with Silverstar and so on, but another issue is we have DRL and ive read because of this Silverstars and types like that do not last very long.

tanner709 · September 26, 2019

44 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

What ever you do don't add LED or HID's to those headlights, you will blind everyone on the road. If you are going to change it do it right and and replace the housings. Never understood this whole can't see anything at night, even the basic halogen headlights are great these days even with projectors. People complain must have never driven a sealed beam headlight, how did we ever get by? They aren't as bright as some of these new LED projection headlights but they also don't have that annoying cutoff area too when driving in hilly areas. I would upgrade the bulb to a Silverstar Ultra, Nighthawk or Crystal vision and that should help out a bunch without risking oncoming traffic.

Tyler

the custom has halogens in a reflective housing. Yes it will suffice, but for $35-40k, it should be more than sufficient.

And the note about blinding oncoming drivers is false. There is documented cases in the other threads of the LEDs performing well without blinding oncoming traffic. The cutoff is still there. aiming the headlights is key.

LED headlight mod will cost you $60-80 for both high and low beams in your custom. https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/221126-custom-trail-boss-headlights/

1SLOW1500 · September 26, 2019

the custom has halogens in a reflective housing. Yes it will suffice, but for $35-40k, it should be more than sufficient.

And the note about blinding oncoming drivers is false. There is documented cases in the other threads of the LEDs performing well without blinding oncoming traffic. The cutoff is still there. aiming the headlights is key.

LED headlight mod will cost you $60-80 for both high and low beams in your custom. https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/221126-custom-trail-boss-headlights/

Again the issue is the hid pull huge amps to start but then once warmed up and running very low amps. So we have seen the fuse not work and wire melt or pop over time. Then there is the issue of the flicker. This is the ac voltage. And the best way to stop that is to isolate the system so back to the relay.
Led is good but it is like buying a lotto ticket. May work then again one day you may fight with issues. They are a use and be ready to replace item. I have 4 on the bench now. And I must have them or I can't see at all on my motorcycles.

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MyWay · September 26, 2019

Researched this topic and noticed many have used Sealight H11's. Apparently plug and play. Anyone responding use these? Any issues?

I like that they replicate an h11exactly but I dont need fuses popping and flicking issues

1SLOW1500 · September 26, 2019

Sealight is fine. Newer hid have inline capacitor to help with flicker. And led have fans and heat sinks.

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tanner709 · September 28, 2019

On 9/26/2019 at 1:46 PM, 1SLOW1500 said:

Again the issue is the hid pull huge amps to start but then once warmed up and running very low amps. So we have seen the fuse not work and wire melt or pop over time. Then there is the issue of the flicker. This is the ac voltage. And the best way to stop that is to isolate the system so back to the relay.
Led is good but it is like buying a lotto ticket. May work then again one day you may fight with issues. They are a use and be ready to replace item. I have 4 on the bench now. And I must have them or I can't see at all on my motorcycles.

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I didn’t mention HID, I wouldn’t suggest them due to the high frequency issues, heat soak, and spotty output patterns.

I don't understand the issues with LED that you’re stating? LED seems to be the most reliable option. Halogen or HID are both time bombs as well. I try to have 1 spare bulb per set regardless of what type.

Sealight seems to be a non-issue brand for our customs.

plug and play, no flicker, no DRL issue, no overdrawn amperage

1SLOW1500 · September 29, 2019

I didn’t mention HID, I wouldn’t suggest them due to the high frequency issues, heat soak, and spotty output patterns.

I don't understand the issues with LED that you’re stating? LED seems to be the most reliable option. Halogen or HID are both time bombs as well. I try to have 1 spare bulb per set regardless of what type.

Sealight seems to be a non-issue brand for our customs.
plug and play, no flicker, no DRL issue, no overdrawn amperage

You are spot on. About hid. The led. Only issues are heat and draw. The new trucks can see the high,low, or irregular draw and give a code.

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tanner709 · September 30, 2019

On 9/29/2019 at 2:29 AM, 1SLOW1500 said:

You are spot on. About hid. The led. Only issues are heat and draw. The new trucks can see the high,low, or irregular draw and give a code.

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Wasn't aware of odd power draw from LEDs. Assumed it was a brand/cheap that caused this.

I have no issues with my sealights, the fans are fairly poweful, you can definitely feel the air being drawn over them. I got the x3 series, they are 10000lm and have CSP chips with the external fan, not fins.

I havent had any codes, the only thing that is odd, is having to get used to the fan noise.

TBHiker · September 30, 2019

Get Sealight LED bulbs. Will be a completely different experience at night. You won't get any codes from it.

Less blinding than the newer LT's that complain about getting flashed all the time by others. HA.

MyWay · September 30, 2019

Yea I think im sold on the Sealights.

I did have a LTZ last night coming towards me, it definitely was bright. I can see why some of these owners of the higher models get flashed. Beautiful trucks though....

tanner709 · September 30, 2019

2 hours ago, MyWay said:

Yea I think im sold on the Sealights.

I did have a LTZ last night coming towards me, it definitely was bright. I can see why some of these owners of the higher models get flashed. Beautiful trucks though....

I'd suggest the higher or newer model sealights. I originally had the X1 series but the X3 with the fans seems to be brighter, and they have the fan vs fin cooling.