[McChubbems]

Hello, I have a 2006 GMC canyon crew cab. I don't really know anything about lights except what halogens and LEDs are. So as far as I know the truck is stock (It is my father's truck and now it's been sitting in the garage until I get to drive it when I get my license, but he's finally let me start fixing it not broken just neglected.) He recommended changing the Halogens to LEDs but doesn't know how it would be done from what I have seen, which is not a lot, I either have to just twist out the halogen bulbs and disconnect them then put the new LED bulbs in or I have to do a lot more than that. Such as changing out the lenses on the truck or just taking out the headlights and putting new ones in so they are compatible. I have seen a lot of discussions about it but tbh idk what I am reading or how to understand it. So any help with the "how" to do it and I see that dynamic diodes are often mentioned but I don't know what I am looking for. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[10Canyon53]

Someone will probably tell you that replacing just the bulbs will not work because they are not compatible with the OEM reflectors and will result in light scatter and blinding oncoming drivers. This used to be true. A few years ago I experimented with Diode Dynamics LED bulbs and had those issues as well as a short life span. However, LED bulb technology has come a long way since then. After my failed experiment with the Diode Dynamics bulbs I went back to halogen for awhile. Then I found these: TECHMAX 9005/HB3+9006/HB4 LED Bulbs They work very well with the OEM reflectors and produce an incredible amount of light. There is a very distinct cut-off, which means no light scatter and the ability to aim them properly so that you are not blinding oncoming drivers. Best of all, they are plug and play. Just replace your OEM halogen bulbs, no modification needed. I have gotten such good results that I am now running this brand LED bulb in all 5 of my vehicles.

 

[McChubbems]

Someone will probably tell you that replacing just the bulbs will not work because they are not compatible with the OEM reflectors and will result in light scatter and blinding oncoming drivers. This used to be true. A few years ago I experimented with Diode Dynamics LED bulbs and had those issues as well as a short life span. However, LED bulb technology has come a long way since then. After my failed experiment with the Diode Dynamics bulbs I went back to halogen for awhile. Then I found these: TECHMAX 9005/HB3+9006/HB4 LED Bulbs They work very well with the OEM reflectors and produce an incredible amount of light. There is a very distinct cut-off, which means no light scatter and the ability to aim them properly so that you are not blinding oncoming drivers. Best of all, they are plug and play. Just replace your OEM halogen bulbs, no modification needed. I have gotten such good results that I am now running this brand LED bulb in all 5 of my vehicles.

Oh, wow that is a lot of help I will look into those. I would like to ask, for future reference, what do you mean by "reflectors" is that the type of headlight that the truck has? I heard something about projectors or reflectors but I don't fully understand what they do, I mean I know what the names mean but how does it translate into practice. If you don't mind explaining.

Thank you

 

[10Canyon53]

The reflector is the shiny concave piece behind the bulb in the headlight. It collects the light produced by the bulb and focuses it forward. Early LED replacement bulbs did not produce light at the same spot as the halogen bulb, so the reflectors were not able to properly focus the light, resulting in light scatter. Projectors use a lens to to focus the light. Personally I have never been a fan of projectors. I can't seem to get the same amount of useful light out of them.

 

[McChubbems]

The reflector is the shiny concave piece behind the bulb in the headlight. It collects the light produced by the bulb and focuses it forward. Early LED replacement bulbs did not produce light at the same spot as the halogen bulb, so the reflectors were not able to properly focus the light, resulting in light scatter. Projectors use a lens to to focus the light. Personally I have never been a fan of projectors. I can't seem to get the same amount of useful light out of them.

Ah, that makes sense thank you for the insight. I think I can see how reflectors might work a bit better than projectors.

Have a good one

 

[10Canyon53]

Here is what the TechMax LED's look like in my 2010 GMC Canyon:

 

[McChubbems]

Here is what the TechMax LED's look like in my 2010 GMC Canyon:
View attachment 344067

Damn those look nice, a lot better than my lights at the moment, that'll be good for me since I'm moving into a very rural area and there are a lot fewer street lights than in the city I live in thanks for the recommendation. On another note, I am also looking at cleaning and restoring my headlights I see the Cerakote kit (Here) and so far it looks pretty good but do you have any kits or processes that work for you?

 

[10Canyon53]

I have never had any luck restoring headlights, so I ended up ordering these: DNA Motoring HL-OH-CCOL044P-BK-AM Black Housing Amber Corner Headlights w/Signal Lights

 

[McChubbems]

I have never had any luck restoring headlights, so I ended up ordering these: DNA Motoring HL-OH-CCOL044P-BK-AM Black Housing Amber Corner Headlights w/Signal Lights
View attachment 344068

Ok, new headlights might be out of my price range right now but I will look into replacements if my restoration goes wrong, hopefully, I will be able to just restore them. Guess I should look into that though just in case.

 

[Hooky]

Here is what the TechMax LED's look like in my 2010 GMC Canyon:
View attachment 344067

 

[Hooky]

What size tires are you running on that beast ? 😮

 

[10Canyon53]

What size tires are you running on that beast ? 😮

At the moment I am running BFG KM3 Mud Terrains in the stock size for a 2010 with the Z71 package. 265/70-17 (Basically 31's) I plan to put on a 4" lift and 33's, hopefully later this year.

 

[Hooky]

Those are sick tires....!

 

[10Canyon53]

Those are sick tires....!

Not to mention expensive...
But, they are considered to be among the best all-around off-road tires in existence.
I will be putting a set of these in 32" on my wife's Jeep when I get the lift on it (that will happen before my Canyon gets lifted) and when I get the Canyon lifted with 33's these 31's will be transferred to my Suburban.
A little closer look....just because.

 

[Hooky]

Yeah, my nipples are hard.....!