Custom LED Lighting Upgrades for Chevrolet Silverado Pickups

Upgrading Your Silverado with Custom LED Lights

The Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most popular pickup trucks in America. For many Silverado owners, customizing and upgrading their truck is almost as much fun as driving it. One of the most popular upgrades owners make is swapping out standard halogen bulbs for custom LED lights.

LED lights offer a number of advantages over conventional bulbs. They are much brighter, last longer, and look great. With so many options for custom LED lights, Silverado owners have a lot of choices to make their truck stand out.

Benefits of Switching to LED Lights

There are a few key reasons why more and more Silverado owners are choosing to upgrade to LED lights:

• Brightness - LEDs put out a lot more lumens per watt compared to halogens. This increased brightness makes driving at night safer.
• Longevity - LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours compared to just 1,000 hours for halogens. Less frequent bulb replacement saves time and money.
• Style - LED lights look crisp, bright, and modern. Switching to LEDs can completely transform the look of your Silverado.
• Efficiency - LEDs require much less power to run. This saves fuel and puts less strain on your truck's electrical system.

Popular LED Upgrade Options

There are LED replacement bulbs and whole LED assemblies available to upgrade most of the lighting on your Silverado truck. Some of the most popular options include:

• Headlights - Swapping halogen headlight bulbs for LEDs or replacing the entire headlight housing with an LED assembly can drastically improve visibility and style.
• Fog Lights - LED fog lights cut through weather better than halogens. Most trucks can be upgraded with LED bulbs or housings.
• Tail Lights - LED tail lights illuminate faster with less power. They also give the rear of your truck an updated look.
• Third Brake Light - An LED third brake light not only looks cool, but also increases safety by providing extra brightness.
• Bed Lights - LED bed lights make working and playing in your truck bed possible at night. Strip lighting and flood lights are popular options.

Choosing the Correct LED Bulbs

Picking the right LED bulbs for your Silverado is important. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Ensure the bulbs match the correct socket for your truck's headlights, fog lights, etc.
• Choose bulbs with the proper beam pattern to avoid blinding other drivers.
• Select the correct color temperature to match your preference. Lower kelvin numbers are more yellow, while higher is daylight blue.
• Consider beam angle. Narrower beams project light farther, while wider beams spread light over a broader area.
• Make sure bulb wattage is within recommendation to avoid electrical issues.
• Look for good heat dissipation to increase the lifespan of your bulbs.

Finding a Trusted LED Brand

With the wide variety of LED bulb brands on the market, it can be hard to know which ones to trust in your Silverado. Here are some of top options:

• Diode Dynamics - Very high quality and bright LEDs made specifically for automotive use.
• OPT7 - Well known brand offering good performing LED bulbs at affordable prices.
• Philips - An established lighting company with a line of durable Silverado LED upgrades.
• Hikari - Provides a warranty and extensive compatibility listings for their LED bulbs.
• Auxbeam - Reliable LED bulbs and headlight assemblies backed by good customer service.

Doing your research is important to ensure you get long lasting, bright LEDs from a reputable brand. Check reviews and warranty information carefully.

Getting Your Silverado LED Lights Installed

Once you’ve selected the right LED lights for your Silverado, you need to decide whether to tackle installation yourself or have them professionally fitted. Here are some tips on each approach:

• DIY installation - Switching LED bulbs in existing headlight, foglight, and taillight housings is fairly straightforward. Just be extremely careful not to touch the glass of the bulbs. LED assemblies require removal of trim pieces and are more complicated.
• Professional installation - LED installation is offered at most general automotive shops and truck accessory retailers. Benefits include proper fitment, minimized labor time, and warranty on work done.

Whichever route you choose, be sure to follow all safety precautions and manufacturer installation instructions closely.

Customizing Your Silverado's Exterior Lighting

Once you’ve upgraded your stock lighting, it’s time to consider adding some custom LED lighting options to really make your Silverado stand out. Some popular choices include:

LED Light Bars

LED light bars provide a ton of extra illumination for off-roading or working on your truck at night. Light bars come in various lengths and can be mounted on your roof, bumper, brush guard, or tailgate.

Underbody and Wheel Well Lights

Underbody and wheel well lights cast awesome ground effects illumination. They can be color-changing to allow you to select custom colors to match your truck.

Interior LED Accent Lighting

From cup holders to footwells, the cabin of your Silverado can be tricked out with LED accent lighting for a custom look. Interior LEDs are available in many colors.

Bed LED Strip Lighting

Waterproof LED strip lights installed around your bed provide plenty of illumination for loading and unloading at night. They also serve as unique styling.

Rock Lights

Mounted on the underside of your truck’s fenders, rock lights point down to brightly light up the ground around your tires. They're great for illuminating campsites and off-road trails.

Important Maintenance for Silverado LED Lights

Proper maintenance will keep your new Silverado LED lights operating at their maximum brightness and longevity. Here are some key maintenance tips:

• Periodically check for condensation or moisture inside headlight and taillight housings that could damage LED bulbs.
• Clean the lenses of all exterior lights using a quality plastic cleaner to remove haze and ensure maximum light output.
• Check that all interior LEDs are free of dirt buildup by wiping them down occasionally.
• Watch for LED flicker which could signal an electrical issue or faulty ground connection.
• Replace any burnt out LED bulbs immediately to maintain full illumination and avoid putting extra strain on remaining bulbs.

With just occasional cleaning and bulb replacement as needed, LED lights will provide many years of bright, reliable lighting on your Silverado truck.

Custom LED Lighting Takes Your Silverado to the Next Level

Upgrading to LED lights provides great looks, increased visibility, and reliability for your Chevrolet Silverado pickup. From simple LED bulb swaps to completely custom, aftermarket LED lighting setups, there are lots of options to transform your truck’s illumination. Just take care to choose quality LED lighting products and have them properly installed.

So go ahead and trick out your Silverado with bright, stylish LED lights. Your truck will not only look great cruising down the highway, but you’ll also benefit from improved visibility and peace of mind knowing your LED lights will be shining brightly for years to come.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of switching to LED lights?

The main benefits are much brighter illumination, longer lifespan, energy efficiency, and an updated, stylish look. LEDs simply outperform standard halogen bulbs in most ways.

What LED upgrades should I get first?

Headlights and fog lights are a top priority for visibility and safety. Tail lights and third brake lights also provide noticeable improvements. Consider LED interior lighting for convenience.

Can I install LED bulbs myself?

Swapping LED bulbs into existing housings is quite easy in most cases. Complete LED assemblies and wiring kits are more complicated and best left to professionals.

How long do LED lights really last?

Quality LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours. That's over 5 years of constant use. With average use, they should provide 10+ years of reliable lighting.

Are LED lights street legal?

As long as you choose DOT approved LED bulbs with the proper beam pattern for your Silverado's housing, they are street legal and safe. Avoid ultrabright and incorrectly angled bulbs.