I have been lurking around here for about a month now, finally registered. I have a 2001 tahoe and was wondering about the ddm hids. I have all stock light housings right now, but am planning on new clear headlights and corners. What are some of the better housings if I'm going to run hids in them? And also what wattage should I go with? I don't want to mealt the housings. But I want as much light output as I can get because I live in the middle of nowhere and do alot of country driving. Also I will be doing the hids in the fogs as well. So what is the best light size and housing combo for me?
Wanting some hid input
- Thread starter Dvldogyut
- Start date
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BlizzardX23
Full Access Member
If you purchase some used OEM Denali Headlights, they come with projectors which will give a cleaner light output while minimizing light scatter to unnecessary places such as the sky. It gives that night cut off look so that it doesnt blind other drivers as well...
35watts is all you need because once you get HIDs, its a big difference over stock.
I live in town but drive some back roads, it lights the road up nicely...I've always used my high beams on back roads or whenever there are no cars ahead of me..some people have never used their high beams, but I use mine often. I still need to install HIDs in my highs as it will greatly increase the distance of sight while driving through the country.
I have 3k in my fog lights since I liked the color as well as being the best light for fog/snow (which we get during winter)
I run 6k in my low beams which are a nice crisp white with a TIIIIIINY hint of blue
I will also install some 4-5k in my high beams when I get a chance as I will be using my high beams for function, not show...4-5 will be the greatest light output
35watts is all you need because once you get HIDs, its a big difference over stock.
I live in town but drive some back roads, it lights the road up nicely...I've always used my high beams on back roads or whenever there are no cars ahead of me..some people have never used their high beams, but I use mine often. I still need to install HIDs in my highs as it will greatly increase the distance of sight while driving through the country.
I have 3k in my fog lights since I liked the color as well as being the best light for fog/snow (which we get during winter)
I run 6k in my low beams which are a nice crisp white with a TIIIIIINY hint of blue
I will also install some 4-5k in my high beams when I get a chance as I will be using my high beams for function, not show...4-5 will be the greatest light output
andrewmoore13
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blizzard covered it pretty well.
my only suggestions is dont go above 6k for your lights.
my only suggestions is dont go above 6k for your lights.
So are you suggesting I put the denali projector in my housing? Because the headlight won't fit in my tahoe.
You can't run Denali projectors in a Tahoe, unless your gonna switch alot of stuff out. I would suggest Tyco, or Depo. I run Depo projectors, with modified shield, HID's 6k in low, and OEM 5k in highs, and 6k fogs. I love the light output of my Depo headlights. Highly suggest them, but heard the Tyco's are good too. Diffenently do projectors, and like Blizzard said, I wouldn't go above 6k HID's, maybe 8k, but depends on the maker, all bulbs seem different. IMO, any higher you get too blue. Ya I use my highs alot too, and just installed some HIDs in the highs, and highly suggest it. If you are using them, man does it help on dark back roads.
If your gonna put any type of projector into a housing, use a HID projector, not a halogen projector. IF your gonna do that mod. Absolute best way of doing getting the most light output from HID bulbs. But Depo, and Tyco halogen projectors work fine for HIDs
If your gonna put any type of projector into a housing, use a HID projector, not a halogen projector. IF your gonna do that mod. Absolute best way of doing getting the most light output from HID bulbs. But Depo, and Tyco halogen projectors work fine for HIDs
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Can I modify the tahoe housing to fit the Denali projector? And how did you modify your shield? What does that do?
blueflamed03
Elite Member
it's a totally different headlight shape, to go from Denali to regular Yukon.
I took out the stock Depo projector, by heating up the backside of projector and pulling apart, then adding a z-tail mod, shield reshape mod, lowered it shield and kicked it back alittle, and also did a washer mod. It's all alittle detailed to do, but did alot of research on it. It pretty much made my light output better, brighter, and way more colorful. I have a rainbow affect now. Heres a vid of what my headlights look like when I'm coming at you. Kinda like BMW, just more colors besides blue, it's just an effect.
Best way to do a projector exchange, do what DenaliAK did, and put in some TL, or TSX, S2000 or others. Those are made for HID bulbs, so they will give you the absolute best light output. As good as my headlights are, they will never be as bright as projectors made for HID bulbs. You could use Denali projectors and exchange them for whatever Tahoe projectors you end up getting. But if you were gonna do the work, might as well use real HID projectors, not halogen projectors. Will end up doing that mod soon, just haven't gotten some HID projectors yet. The TSX or really good ones to use cause they are small, and work with most headlights. But others work BMW has great dual projectors, Audi are nice, but all Acuras are usually cheaper to get and work great, just depends on how far you wanna go.
Best way to do a projector exchange, do what DenaliAK did, and put in some TL, or TSX, S2000 or others. Those are made for HID bulbs, so they will give you the absolute best light output. As good as my headlights are, they will never be as bright as projectors made for HID bulbs. You could use Denali projectors and exchange them for whatever Tahoe projectors you end up getting. But if you were gonna do the work, might as well use real HID projectors, not halogen projectors. Will end up doing that mod soon, just haven't gotten some HID projectors yet. The TSX or really good ones to use cause they are small, and work with most headlights. But others work BMW has great dual projectors, Audi are nice, but all Acuras are usually cheaper to get and work great, just depends on how far you wanna go.
BlizzardX23
Full Access Member
Im sorry, I forgot the Tahoes use different headlights then the Yukons...you'll have to get an aftermarket light like they mentioned above
blueflame, the Denali projector drops right into the stock Yukon, I believe they have the same shape light
Tahoes are different shapes though
Whiteout...looks good man!
Dvldog, Whiteout pretty much hit it on the head with retrofitting your headlights
blueflame, the Denali projector drops right into the stock Yukon, I believe they have the same shape light
Tahoes are different shapes though
Whiteout...looks good man!
Dvldog, Whiteout pretty much hit it on the head with retrofitting your headlights
thanks Blizzard, ya headlights turned out good, alittle work, but makes it unique. I love ur Sig pic. Makes me wanna take a pic next time I launch my jetskis. Don't think I have ever gotten that low in the water tho, but do what you gotta do, especially when your riding low. Bet everyone looks at you wondering when your gonna stop. shat is up to the rear door, crazy.
BlizzardX23
Full Access Member
lol...I didnt actually have to go that far back...I just did it cuz I wanted pictures lol...funny thing, it didnt leak into the truck at all...I checked the rear side doors, and the cargo area...no water...I liked that 
and...my license plate lights still work underwater
and...my license plate lights still work underwater
Ok so here is my plan then, I'm getting hids from ddm? And running them in my stock housing for a little while, then upgrading to the depo or tyco projectors. And if in still not happy I will go with the tsx projectors retrofitted in them. So before I order 35 watts is enough output?
---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:36 PM ----------
Oh and which kit from ddm is the best? As far as durability.
---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------
Is the 55 watt kit going to melt my housings? Or are they just over kill? I'm going to order some for my highs lows and fogs today.
---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:36 PM ----------
Oh and which kit from ddm is the best? As far as durability.
---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------
Is the 55 watt kit going to melt my housings? Or are they just over kill? I'm going to order some for my highs lows and fogs today.
I know nothing about DDM kits, I run OEM ballasts myself, but others seem to really like em. 35 watts is plenty, but others like the 55 watt ones. Neither should melt your housing, but again, I have no experience with 55 watt systems. You will be plenty happy with some Depo projectors, but retrofitting some TSX projectors is the way to go. Anythings better then stock headlights. But I am really happy with my Depo projectors, but retrofitting some HID projectors is the real deal!! Upcoming project for me once I find some decent priced projectors.
BlizzardX23
Full Access Member
35 watts is plenty...some people run 55...and I was gonna get 55 because its a bigger number which means it must be better...but to be honest...just getting HIDs will be enough...Stick with 35 for now...as for which kit, Im not sure...I didnt get ddm...but I will for my highs when I do decide to get those
and whiteout...nope, just stock license plate bulbs lol
and whiteout...nope, just stock license plate bulbs lol
adzam
Full Access Member
I recently upgraded from 35w 8000k to 55w 8000k DDMs in my lows. The light output is incredible! I was looking for more light because my windshield is tinted and the 55s definitely help. I also have 35w 6000k DDMs in my fogs, DRLs, and reverse lights. Highs are 35w 4300k off eBay. I will be replacing the highs with 55w 4500k DDMs soon.
The 55w kits wash out the color which is why I went with the 8000k. My 6000k fogs actually look very compared to the lows. I was hoping they would match better. I am thinking about dropping the fogs down to 5000k.
Anyway, so far I am very happy with my DDM kits and you cant beat their lifetime warranty.
I would also recommend getting their wire harness for your lows, especially if you have automatic headlights.
The 55w kits wash out the color which is why I went with the 8000k. My 6000k fogs actually look very compared to the lows. I was hoping they would match better. I am thinking about dropping the fogs down to 5000k.
Anyway, so far I am very happy with my DDM kits and you cant beat their lifetime warranty.
I would also recommend getting their wire harness for your lows, especially if you have automatic headlights.
BlizzardX23
Full Access Member
adzam
Full Access Member
Correct!
The DRLs and reverse lights were not plug and play. I siliconed H11 bulbs in then tapped into the stock wiring. I used the wire harness I had from my original HID low beam setup for the DRLs to regulate the voltage. Each DRL has its own relay and fuse.
I did not take any pics of the install, but pics of the lights can be found in this thread...
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17476
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