FYI about Headlights

[Dvldog8793]

Howdy
So for those of us that like REALLY good bright headlights....
Philips Rally racing bulbs are again available in the 9005 bulbs. They are on Amazon. relatively inexpensive. Pretty sure they are made in Germany.
These are the bright side for MANY of the GMT400 trucks.
I used these bulbs until my hoard was used up, and have never found a bulb as bright, some might last longer but not nearly as good.
These bulbs might not be DOT legal and also would require a relay wiring system.

[sctrailrider]

Could you post a link, all I found were led looking things...

[trbankii]

These?

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Rally-Vision-9005-HB3/dp/B00NUDCO3U

[Dvldog8793]

Yes...that is the link.

[DieselDavy]

Dvldog,
Did you buy a kit for the relay setup or did you create yourself. I think Kennedy sell a kit.
Dave

[Dvldog8793]

I have done both, JK sells a kit or there are several on ebay, or the relays are cheap and if you understand relays it is easy to build.
The JK kit is OEM or better quality.
I also have mine set up so that all four lights are on for Brights. I have eliminated the DRL function as it burns out headlights rather quickly.

[DieselDavy]

Thanks Dvldog,
I'm very familiar with relays (I'm an electrical engineer) BUT there is NO way anything I ever do looks as good as OEM or JK's stuff! I thought I had seen kits from JK before and wondered if you'd used them. Sounds like the way to go.
Thanks again,
Dave

[DmaxMaverick]

JK's "headlight booster kit" is spendy, but unbeatable quality in components and build. I installed one on my 2001 in about 2004 or so. Easy install and no issues to date. The "4-on-high" option was included and is easily enabled or disabled (simple plug-in diode). Of course you could do it yourself, especially with electrical experience, but it won't likely be as simple or neat.

The Rally bulbs do come with a caveat, though. I used them early on, and both HL assy's blistered with the "off highway" bulbs after a short time. This may be unique to the GMC of the era, as the lenses are diffused. Clear lenses may not be an issue. Also, they don't last long, at all. A few months and they fail. I've been pleased with Silverstar Ultra since, and they last years.

[Dvldog8793]

Howdy
As to what Dmax said....The Rally bulbs do not last as long, but I did get better than a few months. I have used 100watt bulbs from JCWhitney and the life span on those was VERY short.
About the housing issues, full disclosure, I have been using an after market clear GLASS housing, my system is not anywhere near stock. The glass housing might also be a factor in my longer bulb life. I have been using the silver stars in ALL my vehicles for a few years and, IMHO, they are the best option for "over the counter" lights. Not cheap....but good bulbs. I am switching back to the Rallies.
The truck I have now is a 1996 and it has the JK kit in it, I have moved this kit from one other truck. The JK system is VERY nice and made with OEM parts and QC, probably the best option unless cash is REAL tight.

[trbankii]

I have an aftermarket harness on my K2500 and it definitely helps with the output even with normal bulbs. Still haven’t gotten around to upgrading the Yukon.

As others have mentioned, putting together the relays and wiring isn’t rocket science, but by the time you source all the supplies, sit down, put everything together, and make it all pretty you might as well have just bought one of the pre-made options. I guess it depends on how much free time you have.

I haven’t used more than the standard bulbs in either the K2500 or the Yukon, but upgraded my Toyota (which used sealed beams :eek:) to Hella housings that used an H4 bulb. For those, I've used the Hella 100/55W Halogen H4 bulbs - a metric buttload (to use the technical terms) of light on high beam, but still reasonable low beams so you aren’t blinding people. The Hella housing focused both beams better and had a better cutoff for the low beams (so they wouldn’t get in approaching drivers’ eyes) than the sealed beam versions.

I can’t speak to the Rally bulbs, but the Hella 100/55W H4 bulbs lasted at least as long as the standard 60/55W bulbs. Like DvlDog, the Hella housings have glass lenses rather than plastic and the bigger housing for the combination headlight may keep them from overheating, leading to longer life.

[rapidoxidationman]

A couple of things to remember when using crazy bright bulbs, in addition to melted housings:
1) If you use them in your low beams, oncoming traffic won't like you very much and you might be staring at their high beams as they try to get you to dim your already "dimmed" lights
2) In urban areas especially, you might actually have WORSE visibility because of all the reflective signs your rally lights are causing to glow like the sun. Your eyes will compensate for the glare by constricting the pupils, thus giving you poor vision. Not as much of an issue in rural areas, but still a consideration.

IMHO, your best bet is to use DOT bulbs, relays, and (most importantly) keep the headlight lens covers shiny and clear to keep the light focused where it ought to be.

[trbankii]

A couple of things to remember when using crazy bright bulbs, in addition to melted housings:


I've used the Hella 100/55W Halogen H4 bulbs - a metric buttload (to use the technical terms) of light on high beam, but still reasonable low beams so you aren’t blinding people. The Hella housing focused both beams better and had a better cutoff for the low beams (so they wouldn’t get in approaching drivers’ eyes) than the sealed beam versions.

Well… Ummm… Yeah…