03 Denali Aftermarket Headlights

[la_cajun_denali]

ok guys i've been reading through the threads in the forums and i'm kinda confused. I'm not sure whether to stay with the stock projector lights or find some aftermarket ones to put on my truck. I would like to put on a set of aftermarket headlights with the angel eye halos but have seen where people said don't because the halos burn out and leds are bright enough especially during the day. I also just bought a set of HIDs from DDM tuning. The 55-watt 8000k for the 9005 bulb and the 35-watt 8000k for the 880 bulb. Any suggestions as to which route to take from here or what would be best. I keep reading about retro fitting but not really sure whats the reason to do that or what its for. Going for a look on the truck rather then for visibility (very little to no hwy or interstate driving). Also saw a link to http://www.automotivelightstore.com/2000-06gmcdenalioraclehalokit.aspx to add on a halo kit. Would this possibly be an option? Thanks for any help or input you can give.

 

[DefendHawaii]

Retrofit is to use true HID projectors. This is the best set up if you want to run a true hid lighting system. You will swap over to a D2S set up. Or possibly can run a mini H1. If you run this you can buy your projectors with CCFL halos preinstalled. Cdck out retrofit source. This is a start though you can find cheaper ones on eBay off of wrecked cars etc. if you do a set up it will run you about 300.00 total cost. It really is not to difficult to do. You just need projectors hid bulbs ballasts and a set of clear housings. A few basic tools and you are good to go.

 

[01HDtahoeNJN]

La cajun... Check outHidplanet.com (great info and pics tonexplain whats needed and a simple process of how to retro fit)TheRetrosourcefit.com for really good deals you can push around prices pretty well by emailing Mat(owner)...

Also I haven't ever seen any projectors preinstalled with Halos..or at least worthy ones... There are hundreds of kinds of projects weather it be aftermarket or stick from other car brands... The easiest way to do a 00-06 is Morimoto Mini H1's they go right into the bulb socket and need little work to install... There aftermarket and are Extreamly popular with many retrofitters...
Like I said before there are many kinds of projectors and some are much better than the Morimoto minis but with our trucks there's a certain amount of space we have to incorporate these projectors our headlights seem to be narrow and there's a ton of hardware and parts behind them I.E the wires, windshield wiper fluid reservoir (biggest problem)
Some have put in different projectors and have had to heat up the reservoir with a heat gun and re-shape it out of the way.. That's all I got for now I'm over at hidplanet for a while now so if you got any questions shoot me a Pm!!

Also stay away from premade ebay crap brands their expensive and garbage I'm sure others here will tell you

List of other members that have retro's
Psyph1
DenaliAk
Soulsea
Tahoewhat

 

[Physh1]

The reason to retrofit is to use HID's properly. You can stick a $50 kit in stock halogen bulbs & it does work (I use the word loosely). Even using HID's in halogen based projectors is ok but those are not correct solutions.

HID projectors are different that halogen projectors. There are some reasonably simple retro's & some more labor intensive ones. Best way to go if you're looking for a full retro is to check out the sites above. I did a full retro from Matt @ TRS (link in my sig) & I am about 700 into it without my hours of labor in them.

Cameron

 

[DefendHawaii]

But what about the Depo projector housings?? I hear they are really good alternative to dropping 300.00 or so.

 

[Kman]

But what about the Depo projector housings?? I hear they are really good alternative to dropping 300.00 or so.

I love the cutoff of my Depos. I made a video and thread regarding them. Take a look:
http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36389

 

[chauncey0337]

Even if you do little to no highway or interstate driving, it's important imo to have headlights functioning properly for safety. If you really need the halos, get some ccfl's or smd led halos(the regular led halos suck) and add them when you do a retro. Most aftermarket projector housings are made for halogen, not hid. So, for proper hid headlights, a retro is most necessary. If you don't want to do a retro stick with depos or the denali projectors. They will be better than any aftermarket halogen projectors housings. If you want to do a retro there are a few write ups around here. Here is one that seems very straight forward and fairly easy and appears to result in really good output-
http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33963
If you just want some halos and don't care about output with hids, search for sonar ccfl projector headlights. I have them for my tahoe but haven't gone hid because of the horrible output. Here's a pic of mine with halogens-

 

[01HDtahoeNJN]

Like psyph stated depos are good for HALOGEN bulbs and somewhat ok for hid to get the best setup for hid retro and to use HIDs legally without blinding people you must put hids in a hid projector for maximum output, safety, and visibility... the Morimoto Mini H1 set up can be aquiered by may at trs (see my post above) for relatively cheep.. If you don't want to join another forum you can still search through it there's endless mini setups installs and how too do's very helpful site highly recommend

 

[BillBlatt18]

DFW those. They look like stock denali projectors cleared with halos. Those would be awesome for a retro

 

[Kman]

Like psyph stated depos are good for HALOGEN bulbs and somewhat ok for hid to get the best setup for hid retro and to use HIDs legally without blinding people you must put hids in a hid projector for maximum output, safety, and visibility...

The Depos are an exemption to this. The cutoff is great and does not blind oncoming traffic.