Headlight Woes.... OR... my lights are CRAP

[Shibbershabber]

I feel like I already know the answer to this one...


So. Got my Yukon a while back and was not impressed with the headlights... not very bright, yellowed out lenses, etc.

Picked up these stupid things:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-94-99-...741046?hash=item5926f5eef6:g:Y~MAAOSwhEdc-dDD
... along with some new bulbs.

Put them in and THEY SUCK... I mean they are an absolute HAZARD.

Here are some pics:

This is driving along a lit street at night/dusk

Here, TWO pics... Im in a parking lot and the bushes are about 50ft ahead. Pic one is lights off, pic two is lights on

Finally, this is a pic driving along an unlit road in my neighborhood.... note the orange light... my TURN SIGNAL is actually lighting the road better than the headlights....

This, obviously wont do.

SO what the hell is wrong with these lights I got? Is it just the design of the reflector inside? Is it the glass? I dont get it.


What do you recommend putting in there for MORE light hitting the street?

Ive been looking at HID kits, but if the headlight housing is the problem, either the reflector or glass, putting in a brighter bulb isnt the answer.

At this point I am ready to remove these scumbags and do whatever is necessary to get some light on the pavement

 

[Doubeleive]

first question is, did you adjust the new headlights or just slap them on?, 2. what bulbs did you use and how bright are they? 3. how do the high beams compare to the low beams.

 

[Shibbershabber]

They were adjusted. They hit the same point on the garage that I line my Tahoe and Silverado up on.


Bulbs are Hella 55w halogen

High beams appear a little different because they are not as white as the low beams. Still, insufficient lighting

 

[Doubeleive]

They were adjusted. They hit the same point on the garage that I line my Tahoe and Silverado up on.


Bulbs are Hella 55w halogen

High beams appear a little different because they are not as white as the low beams. Still, insufficient lighting

Sometimes the aftermarket reflectors in the housings can be crap, only thing I can suggest is try some different ones, when shopping for new ones try to get a good brand name like eagle eyes, look at the reflectors in the photos they should look like the stock reflectors, the clear ones are certainly nicer looking than the ones with Amber marker lens.

 

[Shibbershabber]

For now Im just going to put the old factory lights back in.

What is recommended for improving lighting over the oem design?

Is there a product that actually produces more light? OR am I looking at adding a light bar, etc?

 

[96-2D-Hoe]

Is there a product that actually produces more light? OR am I looking at adding a light bar, etc?

phillips "xtreme vision" bulbs

 

[swathdiver]

For now Im just going to put the old factory lights back in.

What is recommended for improving lighting over the oem design?

Is there a product that actually produces more light? OR am I looking at adding a light bar, etc?

Do you have bad eyes by chance? How about the headlight wiring, any evidence of burning or brittleness? Wonder if you're getting full power to the bulbs and if the lenses are still good for light transmission.

 

[Shibbershabber]

Do you have bad eyes by chance? How about the headlight wiring, any evidence of burning or brittleness? Wonder if you're getting full power to the bulbs and if the lenses are still good for light transmission.

Eyes are fine. No one else can see either.

Trying to get it sorted out soon since my daughter is getting her license and I cant have her essentially driving without headlights.

They are very bright looking directly at them and they will illuminate reflective signs blocks away... But even pulling up to another car at a stop and it barely lights it up.

As if it was bright to look at but wont illuminate objects.

Wiring is fine. Was like this from day one

 

[Squirrelsmith]

Headlights are a really tricky thing. I want you to watch this youtube video it will answer all your questions

 

[swathdiver]

Eyes are fine. No one else can see either.

Trying to get it sorted out soon since my daughter is getting her license and I cant have her essentially driving without headlights.

They are very bright looking directly at them and they will illuminate reflective signs blocks away... But even pulling up to another car at a stop and it barely lights it up.

As if it was bright to look at but wont illuminate objects.

Wiring is fine. Was like this from day one

Then I reckon you are used to the new lighting standards. I'm older and do not care for those newer, brighter lights. Not necessary IMO. The lights of modern police cars are too bright, blinding to these old eyes and even our teenage drivers.

 

[Bob2C]

I have these and they are a huge improvement over OEM halogen. They are just crap. Hey provide no lighting at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shibbershabber]

Then I reckon you are used to the new lighting standards. I'm older and do not care for those newer, brighter lights. Not necessary IMO. The lights of modern police cars are too bright, blinding to these old eyes and even our teenage drivers.

I reckon I just want to see the road.

This 1999 is the newest vehicle Ive owned. Im far from spoiled. See the pictures I posted ... There is literally no illumination

 

[swathdiver]

I reckon I just want to see the road.

This 1999 is the newest vehicle Ive owned. Im far from spoiled. See the pictures I posted ... There is literally no illumination

I saw that but chalked it up to poor illumination! LOL

 

[MarkD51]

I'd suspect you got what you paid for, cheap Ebay Chinese aftermarket knock-off junk. I'd chalk it up to a "cheap" loss, find yourself a brand new set of new OEM GM Lights, you'll pay more, but get the quality you want. LMC Truck might be another option, and again they'll cost more but might likely be OEM.

You've probably noted just how cheaply made they are built in regards to the adjusters, and everything about them.

I know many such lights and housings come with Lamps-Bulbs included, they too are likely garbage. Again you get what you pay for. I've had good luck with PIAA Lamps on both low-high beams.

Were your stock lamp housings really that bad? Is it possible you might be able to clean these up with some varying grades of wet sand papers and compounds and polishes? Then coat them with a good Ceramic Coating such as Carpro CQuartz, or Carpro DLX. Regular Waxes and Sealants just won't last, and hazing-clouding will quickly return since you then likely removed any-all UV coatings that might've been left on the lenses.

Lastly, and while not much help when using low beams, but are the icing on the cake when needing your highs might be to install a Hi-4 Kit, thus when needing High Beams, all 4 Beams light, rather than just two. It makes a considerable difference on dark country roads.

I've always felt the stock lighting on these Tahoes were absolute shit to begin with, inadequate.

 

[Shibbershabber]

I'd suspect you got what you paid for, cheap Ebay Chinese aftermarket knock-off junk. I'd chalk it up to a "cheap" loss, find yourself a brand new set of new OEM GM Lights, you'll pay more, but get the quality you want. LMC Truck might be another option, and again they'll cost more but might likely be OEM.

You've probably noted just how cheaply made they are built in regards to the adjusters, and everything about them.

I know many such lights and housings come with Lamps-Bulbs included, they too are likely garbage. Again you get what you pay for. I've had good luck with PIAA Lamps on both low-high beams.

Were your stock lamp housings really that bad? Is it possible you might be able to clean these up with some varying grades of wet sand papers and compounds and polishes? Then coat them with a good Ceramic Coating such as Carpro CQuartz, or Carpro DLX. Regular Waxes and Sealants just won't last, and hazing-clouding will quickly return since you then likely removed any-all UV coatings that might've been left on the lenses.

Lastly, and while not much help when using low beams, but are the icing on the cake when needing your highs might be to install a Hi-4 Kit, thus when needing High Beams, all 4 Beams light, rather than just two. It makes a considerable difference on dark country roads.

I've always felt the stock lighting on these Tahoes were absolute shit to begin with, inadequate.

I dont really care about cost... I wasnt trying to save a buck here...

More a case of not knowing what i dont know.
And these lights were pretty much all I could find.


So...

Considering factory lighting is crap...

What are my options, brand and style wise?

 

[MarkD51]

I understand what you are saying, cost wasn't a factor, and that you initially thought you'd be fine with these new sets of housings.

I do believe your first thoughts in that no matter what Lamp you install in them, they just aren't going to do the job, that I'd agree something is not correct with the reflectors and the design.

I'd say something like this would be the way to go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-150349...mzFdefkR:sc:ShippingMethodExpress!60612!US!-1

They sell both sides. You might get away with all the other existing lights in your kit if they behave OK, aren't fogging from leakage. Those other front lamps aren't really what lights up the road.

As for alignment, and rather than relying on how the lamps aim from only a few feet away in a garage and where the beams hit the wall, you'll need to get further back. I'll try to quickly find another tutorial in which you back further up, about 25' or so, and then adjust.

 

[MarkD51]

I searched in vain for the particular youtube vid I wanted to show, but couldn't find it, sorry.

But how it said to proceed was this:

Find a large level parking lot with a smooth flat brick wall. (I once did this in back of a Walmart Supercenter one evening with my own Tahoe)

Pull up to the wall only mere inches from it and almost touching the wall, exactly square and straight and measure both sides to check both are the same distance, the distance between the headlights and wall must be the same. Insure you pulled up exactly straight in other words.

Turn on your lights. Take a piece of Blue Painter's Masking Tape the exact same length as the Headlight Housings, and place this piece of Tape at the very bottom of where you see the beams of light hit the wall on both right and left sides. Insure the Masking tape is exactly in the correct position left and right in relation to where the headlight housings are.

Now back up perfectly straight. Do not touch the steering wheel at all when you back up. Have a 50' Tape Measure and be at a distance of 25' or 30'. Check with the tape measure to insure your distance is correct on both sides.

Adjust only one light at a time, covering the other lamp with a beach or bath towel. Insure, just like before, that the brightest area of the beam is again just hitting above the piece of Masking Tape, and that the beam is centrated where the piece of Tape is.

Repeat for the other side. Of course then test. The process might need to be repeated, and some slight further adjustments made.

Hope this helps.

 

[MarkD51]

I searched in vain for the particular youtube vid I wanted to show, but couldn't find it, sorry.

But how it said to proceed was this:

Find a large level parking lot with a smooth flat brick wall. (I once did this in back of a Walmart Supercenter one evening with my own Tahoe)

Pull up to the wall only mere inches from it and almost touching the wall, exactly square and straight and measure both sides to check both are the same distance, the distance between the headlights and wall must be the same. Insure you pulled up exactly straight in other words.

Turn on your lights. Take a piece of Blue Painter's Masking Tape the exact same length as the Headlight Housings, and place this piece of Tape at the very bottom of where you see the beams of light hit the wall on both right and left sides. Insure the Masking tape is exactly in the correct position left and right in relation to where the headlight housings are.

Now back up perfectly straight. Do not touch the steering wheel at all when you back up. Have a 50' Tape Measure and be at a distance of 25' or 30'. Check with the tape measure to insure your distance is correct on both sides.

Adjust only one light at a time, covering the other lamp with a beach or bath towel. Insure, just like before, that the brightest area of the beam is again just hitting above the piece of Masking Tape, and that the beam is centrated where the piece of Tape is.

Repeat for the other side. Of course then test. The process might need to be repeated, and some slight further adjustments made.

Hope this helps.

 

[MarkD51]

I searched in vain for the particular youtube vid I wanted to show, but couldn't find it, sorry.

But how it said to proceed was this:

Find a large level parking lot with a smooth flat brick wall. (I once did this in back of a Walmart Supercenter one evening with my own Tahoe)

Pull up to the wall only mere inches from it and almost touching the wall, exactly square and straight and measure both sides to check both are the same distance, the distance between the headlights and wall must be the same. Insure you pulled up exactly straight in other words.

Turn on your lights. Take a piece of Blue Painter's Masking Tape the exact same length as the Headlight Housings, and place this piece of Tape at the very bottom of where you see the beams of light hit the wall on both right and left sides. Insure the Masking tape is exactly in the correct position left and right in relation to where the headlight housings are.

Now back up perfectly straight. Do not touch the steering wheel at all when you back up. Have a 50' Tape Measure and be at a distance of 25' or 30'. Check with the tape measure to insure your distance is correct on both sides.

Adjust only one light at a time, covering the other lamp with a beach or bath towel. Insure, just like before, that the brightest area of the beam is again just hitting above the piece of Masking Tape, and that the beam is centrated where the piece of Tape is.

Repeat for the other side. Of course then test. The process might need to be repeated, and some slight further adjustments made.

Hope this helps.

 

[MarkD51]

I searched in vain for the particular youtube vid I wanted to show, but couldn't find it, sorry.

But how it said to proceed was this:

Find a large level parking lot with a smooth flat brick wall. (I once did this in back of a Walmart Supercenter one evening with my own Tahoe)

Pull up to the wall only mere inches from it and almost touching the wall, exactly square and straight and measure both sides to check both are the same distance, the distance between the headlights and wall must be the same. Insure you pulled up exactly straight in other words.

Turn on your lights. Take a piece of Blue Painter's Masking Tape the exact same length as the Headlight Housings, and place this piece of Tape at the very bottom of where you see the beams of light hit the wall on both right and left sides. Insure the Masking tape is exactly in the correct position left and right in relation to where the headlight housings are.

Now back up perfectly straight. Do not touch the steering wheel at all when you back up. Have a 50' Tape Measure and be at a distance of 25' or 30'. Check with the tape measure to insure your distance is correct on both sides.

Adjust only one light at a time, covering the other lamp with a beach or bath towel. Insure, just like before, that the brightest area of the beam is again just hitting above the piece of Masking Tape, and that the beam is centered where the piece of Tape is.

Repeat for the other side. Of course then test. The process might need to be repeated, and some slight further adjustments made.

Hope this helps.