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.

 

[Vladimir2306]

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.

Thank you. I will write as news emerges. So far, custom modules have been ordered from production in China. We are waiting for them to be made and delivered when we try to install them in the headlight.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Hello everyone who follows our work. A prototype for the head light with a rectangular lens has been made. And the mask is printed. Theoretically, the GMC Yukon headlight can accommodate 3 Bi-Led modules. But, the consumption of one module is 42W, three modules at once, taking into account the drawdown, will consume about 100W. Immediately problems arise as to whether the Headlight's wiring will withstand the removal of a huge amount of heat. The generator will most likely hold up, because at night I drive with a 360W LED high beam beam, and the voltage does not drop.

At the same time, the consumption of standard low beam is 30-35W.
We are currently thinking about two options. Option 1. This is the installation of one Bi-Led module instead of the upper sector of the low beam headlight. Thus we get 1 new Bi-Led, 1 standard low beam, 1 standard high beam. Theoretically, such a set will be quite enough to clearly improve the standard light. Option 2. This is the installation of two Bi-Led modules instead of the upper two low beam sectors, and leave 1 standard high beam. With this option, the light will be very good, but the headlight’s electricity consumption will already double. And that includes creating heat.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Hello everyone who is following the project. The frame production process is currently underway. So far everything seems to be working out as it should. All modules fit into the headlight. We are still considering two options. These are two low beam modules. And one is purely distant. Then you will be able to maintain the appearance of the standard light. Or instead of one high beam module, two square high beam modules. Everything will depend on what and how it fits in the headlight.
Among the visual differences from standard headlights, the module caps will have to be removed. They greatly distort and cut off the light. But thanks to the rectangular modules, we hope it will be possible to preserve the appearance of the standard headlights.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Hello everyone, we have already assembled a structure from lenses that will be placed inside the headlight. Externally, the lenses are made very close to the OEM headlights. They will be placed in reverse order. OEM is the two top ones are the near modules, and the bottom block is the far one. Now we have mounted the Near module on the frame below. In the middle is a Bi-Led module, on top is a high beam module. Since the top will be hottest, the main beam was placed there, and the cooling is better at the bottom, so the low-beam modules went there. It turns out that the visual of the closest two modules will actually be saved, but not from above, but from below. And there will also be two distant modules (One Bi in the middle and Far on top).
And they decided that the transparent caps would be cut off, since they give a very strong distortion of light. By the way, there is a suspicion that if you simply cut off the transparent caps, the quality of light in the Yukon will greatly improve.

 

[CMoore711]

That structure "overlay" on top of the LED modules is pretty much serving as your "projector shroud" as used in a traditional 3.0" Round Bi-LED/HID projector retrofit. It definitely has an OEM+ look to it which is excellent!

Keep the progress pictures and videos coming.

 

[Vladimir2306]

That structure "overlay" on top of the LED modules is pretty much serving as your "projector shroud" as used in a traditional 3.0" Round Bi-LED/HID projector retrofit. It definitely has an OEM+ look to it which is excellent!

Keep the progress pictures and videos coming.

By trim, do you mean the clear plastic over the headlight units? Unfortunately, it will have to be removed, or rather, the rectangular sectors will be cut out. Because this overlay is made for design, but not for the actual operation of the light. It is very soft, it scratches and becomes cloudy. Therefore, you will have to install lenses without it.
I will definitely post photos. The guys promise to start working on the car next week. Or at the end of May.

 

[CMoore711]

By trim, do you mean the clear plastic over the headlight units? Unfortunately, it will have to be removed, or rather, the rectangular sectors will be cut out. Because this overlay is made for design, but not for the actual operation of the light.

I was referring to the “overlay” the part that gets removed by hand in the video. That’s the custom 3D printed piece they designed right?



That’s just an “overlay” trim piece to cover the module mounting bracket and hardware and maintain the OEM+ look of the headlight. It has no impact on the actual light output of the LED modules.

I did notice in the video towards the end on the side view of the LES modules that they are staggered by depth. With the bottom LED module mounted further forward and the top LED module mounted furthest back.



Is that because of the LED module arrangement chosen?; Near/Low Beam module on bottom, Bi-LED module in the middle, and High Beam module on top?

 

[Vladimir2306]

I was referring to the “overlay” the part that gets removed by hand in the video. That’s the custom 3D printed piece they designed right?

View attachment 428524

That’s just an “overlay” trim piece to cover the module mounting bracket and hardware and maintain the OEM+ look of the headlight. It has no impact on the actual light output of the LED modules.

I did notice in the video towards the end on the side view of the LES modules that they are staggered by depth. With the bottom LED module mounted further forward and the top LED module mounted furthest back.

View attachment 428525

Is that because of the LED module arrangement chosen?; Near/Low Beam module on bottom, Bi-LED module in the middle, and High Beam module on top?

I got it. The overlay is a stock part of the OEM Headlights.
This arrangement of the modules is most likely caused either by the internal space of the headlight, or by an attempt to align the light axes of the modules. But I'll check with the guys. Another funny thing is this. GM hasn't worked much on the issue of combining the beams of the two low beam modules. They shine just like a ladder, one slightly higher than the other. Now modules with a brighter cut-off line are being installed. Therefore, they think about how to combine them so that there are no two stripes of cut-off border.
Although I understand that most likely it will be, since the modules are at different heights, and at least slightly, they have a different angle of attack of light on the road. There was another option to configure them so that the light was not one above the other, but so that they shine to the sides, thereby creating a wider beam of light. In general, this is still in progress)

 

[BigdawgR6]

@Vladimir2306 - Sorry if I missed this but is this a company that you work with or just friends? Do they have a site to see other projects and will they be producing and selling these headlights once the project is finished?

 

[Vladimir2306]

@Vladimir2306 - Sorry if I missed this but is this a company that you work with or just friends? Do they have a site to see other projects and will they be producing and selling these headlights once the project is finished?

Hi, no these are not friends. This is a small lighting studio that approaches the issue of improving light from a scientific point of view. These headlights are mine, which these guys make for my Yukon. They do not sell the headlights themselves, they have the production of their own modules and they make transition frames. As for sales, I am not sure, we are located in Russia, not far from Moscow. So I'm not sure that you can buy products in the USA from Russia) what I'm telling you here is rather an opportunity for studios in the USA to do something similar. Exchange of experience, so to speak)