07 Headlight removal instructions with pics

[Tweek]

Check out my Ambers....

[blwright]

Kudos for the informative write-up.  Installed my HID's and ambers yesterday in my 08.  They definitely don't give you much room to work with.  I was able to do the install without completely removing the assemblies. 

[tobysAVI]

I can't seem to get the pictures with the procedure, anyone else having this problem?

[Mongo Ranger]

Sorry, I thought I had edited the post and fixed it already.  I had to move the images because there are several other people/sites that have copied my post and were hot linking to the images which is basically theft.  To me it is sad when people steal someone else’s work and even worse when they claim it as their own.

If something changes again I will try to keep this thread updated.  If for some reason it is not working you can always click on my signature and go to my site where it is posted in the avalanche section too.

[tobysAVI]

 
Thanks!!! Just starting the mods now. We went from the minivan to the AV about 3 weeks ago and have been consumed with this beautiful machine. I think the wife is starting to get a little jealous 
Thinkin about getting those European looking HL.

[avcruz z71]

Thanks for all the information Mongo Ranger, with your write up I was able to install my ambers today.

[GulfstreamV]

Mongo Ranger You da Man!  Thanks very much for the installation instructions.  I just installed them on my 2008 in about 2hrs.  Actually took about 1 hour but  neighbors kept coming over to drool over my new ride and I had to run the full dog-and-pony show twice for all of them.  I may have sold a few more AV's in the hood!  (But I told them they're not allowed to get Deep Ruby Metallic  )

I did find a couple of shortcuts after reading comments by others on this thread and added my photos to help explain how they (and I) did it. 

(I'll reference Mongo Rangers post for the changes I did which may help 2008 owners.)  Mongo Ranger did all the tough work on this, I'm only illustrating the changes I did after reading this post.  Take them or leave them.  Again - Mongo Ranger gets the big credit (yes, I'm emphasizing this since others have stolen his work and that's really  )

Unfortunately I just tried to build this as one reply and got the Heisman for to large a file.  Looks like this will be several in a row.

Photo 1 - Used painters masking tape to protect the plastic from scratches.   I also added cardboard between the light and bumper to act like a shoehorn to help the light "ride" out of it's position.

Photo 2 - (option to Step 2) - I only removed two 7mm screws and the 2 pop pins between them.

[GulfstreamV]

Photo 3 - (option to Step 3 and 4) - I removed the 10mm headlight bolt #3, but realized after removing it this is a channel type attachment and you don't need to remove the bolt entirely.  I loosened it on the passenger side which saved a minute or two, but also saved fumbling around trying to find the hole in the dark in a contortionist position with a socket wrench.  (Yes, sounds like a personal problem)

Photo 4 - (after Step 5, and part of Step 6 BEFORE removing the headlight assembly entirely) - Pulled the grill back with my hand and reached from here to unscrew the DRL (which is about 1/3 turn for the assembly).

[GulfstreamV]

Pulled out the old bulb noting which way it was previously installed.  I guess these lights do not work if you install them "upside down" and it took me several tries back and forth starting the engine, placing it in drive (parking brake on) and looking to see if the DRL's were on.  Unfortunately it was cloudy today and the sun wasn't strong enough a few times so the headlight would only come on.  Had to wait for direct sunlight for the sensor to kick on the DRL's  .

Once I ensured the lights worked I reinstalled everything, pulled the AV into the back yard, and here it is!

[Tango Chaser]

 

[Mongo Ranger]

Sweet!!

[GulfstreamV]

Thanks Mongo Ranger.  Wish I had the expertise to write my comments with the photos like you did.  Still learning how to navigate this website.

[chevydan]

Great Job!  Looks as if you took your time like suggested and it went real smooth.   

[GulfstreamV]

Take it slow and don't forget to tape or cover the plastic bumper so you don't scratch anything.

[terminex]

I found a really easy way to replace the DRL's on an 08.  remove the two bolts at the top of the headlight, and the bolts on the top front of the grill.  pull the top of the grill (gently) away from the truck.  reach in, and pop the clip for each headlight.  that gives enough room to remove & replace the DRL bulbs.  (putting your arm down the top of the grill opening.

Replaced my DRL's in just a couple minutes this way.

[chevydan]

I found a really easy way to replace the DRL's on an 08.  remove the two bolts at the top of the headlight, and the bolts on the top front of the grill.  pull the top of the grill (gently) away from the truck.  reach in, and pop the clip for each headlight.  that gives enough room to remove & replace the DRL bulbs.  (putting your arm down the top of the grill opening.

Replaced my DRL's in just a couple minutes this way.

Obviously you must have Stretch Armstrong arms.  When I did my ambers I tried that and got my arm in as far as my wrist. 

[ohiostar]

Thanks for the writeup.  Great job!

[terminex]

Obviously you must have Stretch Armstrong arms.  When I did my ambers I tried that and got my arm in as far as my wrist. 

I am 6'5" so I do have fairly long arms.

[jdebona]

I am 6'5" so I do have fairly long arms.

I have to admit, I seriously doubted your method at first.  I have a 2008, and it seems pretty obvious that you can't get the headlight assemblies completely out of an '08 without taking the bumper cover off (easily, anyway) because of the lip on the lights.  What I ended up doing was just removing the 2 bolts at the top of each assembly and also removing ALL the bolts across the top of the grille, not just the bolts closest to the light I was working on.  Use your right arm for the passenger side, and your left arm for the driver side.  Gently slide the headlights toward the front of the truck as far as you can to unsnap them from their holders.  Reach between the grille and the radiator toward the middle of the truck and all the way down until the grille nearly hits your armpit while making an L-shape with your arm.  You should be able to move toward each headlight assembly and reach the tabs on the DRL bulb holders with your fingertips this way.  Give it a twist, and pull it out.  While pushing the bulb holder up with your fingertips, you should be able to reach it over top of the headlight with your opposite hand.  After replacing the bulb, just put everything back in reverse.

I'm only 5'7", and it wasn't very easy, but given the options it seemed like the only way I was going to successfully do it on an '08.

[rdela23]

Mango Ranger your write up was very very helpful.  I was able to install my projector headlights and ambers with your instructions.  All in all it took me 3 hrs.  I had to rig a harness to power my halo.  I am waiting on my grill and longer bolts for my chrome bowtie.  I will probably take of my bug guard to give it a cleaner look.  I tried to paint my old gold bowtie, but that is a work in progress.  I will try to insert some pics if I know how, I am still pretty new to this forum.  Thanks again....Yea i don't know how to upload images

[roel1223]

Terminex,
   Everything went the way you explained in your short email.  Took no time at all to change over the DRL's to amber.  I'm lovin' 'em. Thanks for the help.

[Aussie Red]

After pressure  I had them put into the Pearl. I had to pay to have it done. Not a good thing at all. They had better not burn out any too soon or they will stay that way

[avusblue]

Last night I had to do this in order to change a burned-out sidemarker light.  As I was doing it, following the above instructions, I was thinking that Al Qaida must have changed their mission.  They have obviously infiltrated the regime of engineers sitting in their GM cubicles in Detroit.  Their objective is to reduce America's productivity by millions of cumulative hours of time wasted by this ridculous manner of changing burned out light bulbs.  There is no other logical explanation for the design of these front light modules!  Bin Laden must be laughing his bony butt off!

The saddest thing is that I could not locate a 2825LL bulb anywhere.  The "LL" stands for "Long Life".  I had to settle for a regular 2825, which probably means I'm set up to replace another burnout sometime sooner than I would otherwise have to.

Anyways, thanks for the instructions.  Cheers,

Dave

[Jeffowl]

thanks to all the information here, I did get my ambers in today, but I gotta ask...  Is there some secret to getting the push pins out?  I kinda brute forced them out and they seemed to go back in okay.  I just have to think that there must be an easier way.

[CntrySngr72]

got my Ambers done. HATED it!  Hope they last a long, long time. One of the bumper bracket bolts was stripped!