89-91 LMC headlight upgrade

[SirRobyn0]

My fingers work better when they aren't cold- but you do have a bit warmer temps over there. It would be ideal to pick a nice 65-70 degree day...

my whole body works better when it's not to cold or to wet. My favorite place to work on the truck is in the parking area in front of the barn at the farm. IDK why I guess because it's outside and just me and the dog. But obviously it's not so much fun when it's 40F and pouring rain.

 

[gmbellew]

I finally got around to upgrading the headlights on the 1990 suburban. I had previously added relays when I was using sealed beams, and that definitely made an improvement in down range light.

LMC finally had their upgrade lights in stock that take 9006xs (low beam) and 9005xs (high beam) bulbs. They definitely threw more light than the sealer beams, but I was still not entirely impressed. especially with the low beams.

so I did some research on here and found that others had used 9012 bulbs (same 55w, but 87% more lumens) in place of the 9006xs bulb. I had to trim the headlight bucket at the bottom to make room for the bulb socket because it is a 90deg base vs the straight base of the 9006xs bulb. I used a dremel to cut vertical cuts and then just bent the tab back and forth until it broke off to clear the bulb base.

I will say that the 9012 bulbs REALLY woke up the headlights. I am finally happy with the downrange light. there is a good cutoff and plenty of light. I run some wide angle LED fog lights that are pretty bright. The fogs dont overpower the 9012 bulbs and it is pretty impressive.

Anybody looking to make the upgrade won't be dissapointed for a total investment of about $250.

I did try to smash a 9005 bulb in to the high beam, but just trimming the bucket wasn't enough. I was going to have to also cut into the core support and didn't feel like doing that as the 9005xs bulbs are plenty adequate.

just thought I would throw this info out there for others looking for more light.

bringing up an old post for an update. I installed some Diode Dynamics SL2 Pro LED 9006 bulbs in the low beam LMC housings. It is a very impressive amount of light with a solid cutoff, like modern car lighting. The LMC housings with the 9005xs in the high beams (what they come with) and the Diode Dynamics SL2 Pro in the low beams (needs lower tab trimmed off the bucket to fit a 90 deg bulb) is a fantastic lighting upgrade for anybody rocking the 89-91 front end and wants to keep the appearance looking mostly stock.

 

[Muddybuddy]

Pics @gmbellew ?

 

[gmbellew]

Pics @gmbellew ?

the best I can do in my urban area without driving farther. maybe I'll update with some pics next time I am out at the farm. one Pic on the road and another one shooting across the street at the neighbors fence and garage (different distances from the truck) to give an idea about the cutoff. low beams only, no fog lights on. street lights are overhead in both photos. #citylife

 

[Muddybuddy]

Looks good! How do the headlights/bezels look in the daylight?

 

[gmbellew]

Looks good! How do the headlights/bezels look in the daylight?

near stock.

 

[Camar068]

I got lens's off spamazon for about $28 a pair and threw in Osram H4 bulbs. Along with the LMC HL wiring kit (sucky relays), it's a huge difference.