Back Up - Reverse Lights...

[SilverSport]

is it just me or are the reverse/back up lights on the 3 color taillights on my 2005 Yukon Denali weak...

is going to an LED the only answer with using the stock taillights???...my housings are fine and do not appear faded or cloudy...when the white back up lights come on and I am outside the vehicle they appear bright white and clear even when I back up to a reflective window and look, the lights are on but they don't seem to illuminate much when in reverse...

any thoughts and experiences you care to share would be appreciated...

Thanks,

Bill

 

[tooleyondeck]

Compared to all of the newer vehicles you encounter in traffic that come with LED tail lights, yes, our 25 year old platform’s lighting can seem weak. If you want brighter/stronger lighting then, yes, LEDs are about your only option. Halogen bulbs just can’t compete.

I will say that if you decide to go LED, do some homework on this forum about them and get a quality set because they typically hyperflash and disable your cruise control. I am currently dealing with that right now. I fixed the hyperflash with a $30 flash module, but I’m still reading into the cruise issue. There are some that come with resistors built in that some people have reported don’t cause the issue.

That being said I am very content with the light output of mine, nice and bright when braking/turning/backing.

 

[SilverSport]

thanks...I would rather not use LEDs and am only interested in the back up lights themselves for replacement as I have no issues with the incandescent lights that came on my SUV but for those back up lights...I've needed to see behind me a few times of late in bad weather and it seemed so dim on backing I thought they weren't even coming on...upon checking while reversing towards a reflective surface I found they were on but just barely illuminating the area behind me...

on cars I've owned and driven since 1977 I've never encountered anything with such weak back up/reverse lights...I'll probably only use LED back up lights if that is the only thing left to me...

thanks for your input

Bill

 

[tooleyondeck]

thanks...I would rather not use LEDs and am only interested in the back up lights themselves for replacement as I have no issues with the incandescent lights that came on my SUV but for those back up lights...I've needed to see behind me a few times of late in bad weather and it seemed so dim on backing I thought they weren't even coming on...upon checking while reversing towards a reflective surface I found they were on but just barely illuminating the area behind me...

on cars I've owned and driven since 1977 I've never encountered anything with such weak back up/reverse lights...I'll probably only use LED back up lights if that is the only thing left to me...

thanks for your input

Bill

You may be able to just install LED reverse lights without affecting anything else. It would be worth a shot.

If you don’t wish to upgrade the lighting then maybe you could consider adding a backup camera? that would solve the visibility in inclement weather issue.

You could also install light bars or other additional lights to help supplement the reverse lights.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The backup lights on my 07 Yukon XL Denali were weak, IMO. So, I replaced those back-up lightbulbs with LEDs, and there was a significant improvement. However, my driveway has a stone wall on either side, and at night, even with the LED backup lights, there was not enough light for me.

So, I added two 8" light bars, just below the rear bumper (but still protected).

 

[jeremiahm]

The backup lights on my 07 Yukon XL Denali were weak, IMO. So, I replaced those back-up lightbulbs with LEDs, and there was a significant improvement. However, my driveway has a stone wall on either side, and at night, even with the LED backup lights, there was not enough light for me.

So, I added two 8" light bars, just below the rear bumper (but still protected).

This is my next upgrade for sure! I want to see what is behind me.

 

[SilverSport]

The backup lights on my 07 Yukon XL Denali were weak, IMO. So, I replaced those back-up lightbulbs with LEDs, and there was a significant improvement. However, my driveway has a stone wall on either side, and at night, even with the LED backup lights, there was not enough light for me.

do you recall what brand LED bulbs you use and did you have to install anything other than the bulbs themselves for your reverse lights (not the lighter ones)...thanks,

I am looking at just replacing the reverse/back up bulbs with Sylvania/Philips/GE LED back up bulbs as I like to purchase from companies with some history behind them and on those sites they mention that I might need to purchase additional items like resistors so I don't get hyper flash, etc...I can see when I might need that for a flashing light (turn signals, brake lights, etc) but I just want to replace the reverse/back up lights to LEDs...I have no issues with the other lights thus far...

Bill

 

[CoalTrain614]

do you recall what brand LED bulbs you use and did you have to install anything other than the bulbs themselves for your reverse lights (not the lighter ones)...thanks,

I am looking at just replacing the reverse/back up bulbs with Sylvania/Philips/GE LED back up bulbs as I like to purchase from companies with some history behind them and on those sites they mention that I might need to purchase additional items like resistors so I don't get hyper flash, etc...I can see when I might need that for a flashing light (turn signals, brake lights, etc) but I just want to replace the reverse/back up lights to LEDs...I have no issues with the other lights thus far...

Bill

Hey Bill, thought I would let you know how I remedied my weak reverse light issue. The fact is that LED is just the way to go. I installed just the LED reverse light and had no side effects from it. The brand I went with is called Auxito, they are on Amazon for $16.99. They claim to be 6000k bright white and I believe it. I can see everything perfect in my back up cam when before I had a hard time seeing anything. I do have aftermarket housings with clear lenses, but I believe if I had the stock housing it might be even brighter. Either way good luck.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

do you recall what brand LED bulbs you use and did you have to install anything other than the bulbs themselves for your reverse lights (not the lighter ones)...thanks,

I am looking at just replacing the reverse/back up bulbs with Sylvania/Philips/GE LED back up bulbs as I like to purchase from companies with some history behind them and on those sites they mention that I might need to purchase additional items like resistors so I don't get hyper flash, etc...I can see when I might need that for a flashing light (turn signals, brake lights, etc) but I just want to replace the reverse/back up lights to LEDs...I have no issues with the other lights thus far...

Bill

The brand of LEDs that I used for the backup lights (JDM Astar) is not longer in business (pandemic victim), but I believe that most other 'known' brands will provide you with a partial improvement.

I kept the hyperflash, because it is more noticeable to other drivers on the road around you, and isn't that the purpose of a directional after all? I will note that hyperflash is illegal in some states, though.

 

[Mean_Green]

So, I added two 8" light bars, just below the rear bumper (but still protected).

I added auxiliary lighting on mine too, but I'm a bit concerned with drawing too much power for the circuit. The pod I used is rated at 20 watts, but considering it's only on for the few minutes I'm backing up, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I added auxiliary lighting on mine too, but I'm a bit concerned with drawing too much power for the circuit. The pod I used is rated at 20 watts, but considering it's only on for the few minutes I'm backing up, it shouldn't be an issue.

Mine were routed back to the fuse box with a direct power run. Then, an electronic relay was added to switch on the LEDs when the backup lights were switched on. An additional on/off switch was added under the dashboard, so that I can manually turn on the LEDs for extra lighting for loading and unloading and camping/outdoor activities.

 

[SilverSport]

thanks for the replies and information everyone...

for giggles, I tried replacing with halogen OEMs and...surprise...no change in light output...I will try some LEDs there and see how it goes...when reading up on the Sylvania/GE/Philips LEDs it seems some of the users claimed a great improvement in using LEDs in the reverse socket while others claim the same or worse output from the reverse replacements...I paid particular attention to those commenters who had similar twilight housings to what I have (red/yellow/white)

Bill

 

[SilverSport]

I tried the Philips Ultinon 3157 LED replacements and they are whiter but they are not brighter than the OEM incandescents so back they went to the store...

s'funny to me but after reading countless owner experiences and watching various video I found that Philips is both better than Sylvania and worse than Sylvania for light output...it would appear that for back up/reverse lights on our GMT800 series trucks or at least in my 2005 GMC Yukon Denali and the stock tail light housings, the incandescents are the brightest choice unless I try some of the unknown brand LEDs that say they output more lumens/lux than stock...

for now at least, I'll stick with the OEMs..

thanks for the help everyone...it is appreciated

Bill

 

[SnowDrifter]

I just shoved these in my housing. Bright enough to see in full dark

https://www.vleds.com/shop-application/reverse-back-up/3156-3157-led/3156-6-**-2.html

 

[Doubeleive]

is it just me or are the reverse/back up lights on the 3 color taillights on my 2005 Yukon Denali weak...

is going to an LED the only answer with using the stock taillights???...my housings are fine and do not appear faded or cloudy...when the white back up lights come on and I am outside the vehicle they appear bright white and clear even when I back up to a reflective window and look, the lights are on but they don't seem to illuminate much when in reverse...

any thoughts and experiences you care to share would be appreciated...

Thanks,

Bill

the backup lights have always been weak no matter what you do, the fix is to add a rear spot under the edge of the bumper, very easy to do on a gmt800 you can tap into the reverse harness with ease, doing this will fix your problem. any make or brand of 12 volt light with a mount will work it doesn't have to be some "brand name" or anything just whatever will work for you. any auto parts store, harbor freight, walmart, etc will have some.
drill a hole, mount the light/s, find the 12v positive when in reverse and the ground wire can go straight to the frame. easy-peasy

 

[mountie]

I replaced my taillight housing to this..... The reverse lens is much more CLEAR than the silly stock material GM made..... ( GM, again.... designing stupid stuff)...
I use the stock bulb, and it's 5 times brighter because of the clear lens and a better reflector design.

I got the housings because tonyrodz has them . ( maybe he/him/them, might chime in )

 

[SilverSport]

thanks guys...it is appreciated...

Bill

 

[JCODOHERTY]

I replaced my taillight housing to this..... The reverse lens is much more CLEAR than the silly stock material GM made..... ( GM, again.... designing stupid stuff)...
I use the stock bulb, and it's 5 times brighter because of the clear lens and a better reflector design.

I got the housings because tonyrodz has them . ( maybe he/him/them, might chime in )

What brand? Any problems with them?

 

[blondie70]

I had a pickup with dim backup lites...I did what Doyoubelieve and Joseph did and it would lite up the whole street behind me.....no problems then...ha ha ha