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07 Headlight removal instructions with pics

Tdybr27 said:
My guess is that the same person that designed the headlights on the 07 is the same person that thought of removing the cladding.

:E:

Agreed.  traded an 03 with cladding for a 13 without.  I love my new truck but i gotta tell ya I miss my cladding.
Am thinking about the amber DRL's but this headlight assembly looks rough.
 
Bought my 09 last Saturday, and it had a burnt out DRL. Just finished up getting them swapped out. This write-up made it a breeze! Thanks!  (y) (Probably took about an hour, for anyone wondering..)
 
It's a "club thing" it helps us find other members on the road!
 
bigcahoonas10 said:
Why does everyone put amber lights in for drls?
Yep, what Butch said.
Click this
http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,50150.0.html
 
GoldBowTie said:
Yep, what Butch said.
Click this
http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,50150.0.html
I also think it makes you more visible than the white lights.

I didn't read this entire thread, but at Nationals I had a group help with my DRL's on my 2013 BDE.  They took out the chrome grill which made it MUCH easier for them.  Might be a good idea to do another thread just for the 2013's showing this easier method?
 
Old thread yet still helping others! I needed to replace a park lamp and did the amber DRL mod while I was in there. Thanks a bunch.  :cool:
 
I'm glad I found this, as eventually I'm sure I'll need it for my newly purchased 08.

For all those complaining about this design, from what I've heard the difficulty in removing them was deliberate. On the 03-06 Trucks and SUV's, several GM dealers had thieves steal the lights out of many of their trucks in a single night because it was a 10 second job to remove them. Faced with high bills for replacements and many complaints to GM, they made them pretty much thief-proof on the next body style.
 
I know this is old, but I will say #1.  It's obvious from looking at my new to me 07 why GM went bankrupt.  #2 you don't have to remove the headlight all the way to change the high and low beams.  I had to do it last night.  Still took 30 minutes.  I was able to get my big fat hand behind it and swap the low beam bulb.  #3 why didn't gm use the 'push rivets' in the fenderwells like on top of the rad support.  Those are the best thing since sliced bread.
 
Nice job on the write up.  I just bought some aftermarket headlight assemblies with the halos and LEDs and this is really going to help.  The place I bought them from also has a how to, but they actually remove the whole front bumper and grill assembly, which would probably make the light come out easier.  Either way, you did a nice job with your write up and pictures.

Thanks
 
Yes great write up. Thank you very much. Just did lower HID and LED DRL install and this saved me a lot.
You win the internet for today.
Congrats
 
2016 and this thread is still coming in handy, changed my low beams last night and added the amber DRLs. The only thing I did a little different was the three 10mm screws that hold the bracket and the back of the headlight you can just loosen them up instead of taking them completely out then pull the bumper sideways and it will slide out of the bracket
 
The Skippar said:
2016 and this thread is still coming in handy, changed my low beams last night and added the amber DRLs. The only thing I did a little different was the three 10mm screws that hold the bracket and the back of the headlight you can just loosen them up instead of taking them completely out then pull the bumper sideways and it will slide out of the bracket

That is great to hear!  (y)

When I installed the ambers in my 2013, I removed the top bolts in the grill, and the headlight, pulled it forward a little and slid my fat hand down in there and changed them...

Shortly after, a member showed me that the lower grill mesh insert is removable in the 2013's (not sure on what other years it works) and you can just slip in behind and change them... So much simpler  :laugh:
 
Ambers were an easy upgrade on my 08 LT...installed through the "over the top & behind the grill method". 

Electronic Goldmine has H11LL Philips Halogen Auto Bulb (Low Beams) at a great price...2 for $5!  They arrive wrapped in a little bit of foam and not in retail packaging.

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G21265

 
4x4dreamer said:
That is great to hear!  (y)

When I installed the ambers in my 2013, I removed the top bolts in the grill, and the headlight, pulled it forward a little and slid my fat hand down in there and changed them...

Shortly after, a member showed me that the lower grill mesh insert is removable in the 2013's (not sure on what other years it works) and you can just slip in behind and change them... So much simpler  :laugh:

got any tips for removing the lower grill? i have a 2013 LT needing to replace the DTRL.
 
DOGZ said:
got any tips for removing the lower grill? i have a 2013 LT needing to replace the DTRL.
Heat gun on low will help warm the tabs up to ease removal. If it's your first time doing it, it seems a bit sketchy, the tabs take a good amount of force and common sense tells you to back off cause they're plastic and will break, but those suckers are pretty stout. I've probably done this 10+ times on Avalanches/Tahoes/Suburbans and have only ever broken 1 single mounting tab.
 
Ok, here we go!

Tools needed:
small regular screw driver - to help get the pop pins out
7mm and 10mm sockets 1/4" drive is fine
1/4" drive 6" extension
1/4" swivel
1/4" drive ratchet or I used my cordless drill with the extension in the chuck
10mm combo wrench

Time:
50 - 70 minutes

Bulbs:
High Beam: 9005LL
Low Beam: H11
DRL: 3157K
Turn Signal: 3457NAK

Please note that these images are of the driver?s side. Also, turning the wheel all the way to the right for the driver?s side and left for the passenger?s side helps give you more room to work.

Step 1:
Take out all 6 bolts along the top of the grille.

1.png


Step 2:
Take out the 2 - 7mm screws, 3 push pins, and 2 pop in pins in the wheel well

2.png


Step 3:
Pull the wheel well lining towards the tire and remove the 2 10mm bolts that go up into the fender. When you remove them the bumper mounting bracket will come out. Also note that this image shows the location of the 3rd headlight bolt as well as a bumper mounting bracket.

3.png


3a.png


Step 4:
Remove the 3 10mm bolts holding the headlight in. 2 are on top and the third is behind the bumper as shown in the last image. I found that I was able to pull down on the bumper and use the extension with a swivel to take the 3rd bolt out.

4.png


Step 5:
Pull the entire headlight forward. You will notice 2 guide pins that go into the fender and a part that snaps in on the inside of the headlight. Pull it forward just enough to clear those pins and unsnap the inside.

5.png


Step 6:
Pull the inner corner of the headlight out while pushing down on the bumper. Take care of the snaps along the edge of the headlight as they get caught on the bumper and can scratch it. TAKE YOUR TIME AND LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, this is the hardest part. As you get the inner side of the headlight out rotate the headlight leaving the outside stationary. The reason for this is the bracket that was held by the 3rd headlight bolt hangs down there. You have to get the inside of the headlight out then you can move the outside in and clear the top of the headlight and the fender.

6.png


6a.png


Step 7:
Once you have the headlight out, disconnect the wiring harness and remove the headlight.

Step 8:
Change what ever it was you needed to change and put them AMBERS in the DRL's!!

Step 9:
Replace the headlight the same way you took it out. It seems to go in much easier then it came out. Don?t forget to reconnect the wiring harness!

Step 10:
Repeat steps 2-9 for the other side.

Step 11:
Put everything back together in reverse order. I suggest testing the lights after you put the 3 10mm headlight bolts back in. (the same ones you took out in step 4)


Please do not repost this on another site without permission, remember it is copyrighted.
I just joined the fan club and found your post about replacing the lights, unfortunately all the photos are being blocked. Is there a way to unblock them. I want to replace all the bulbs in both headlamp assemblies and install ambers. Thanks. Suburbalanche
 
I just joined the fan club and found your post about replacing the lights, unfortunately all the photos are being blocked. Is there a way to unblock them. I want to replace all the bulbs in both headlamp assemblies and install ambers. Thanks. Suburbalanche
Likely not as the thread is so old, I doubt the pictures are hosted anymore.. But there is hope! Here is a series of moving pictures with sound that may prove helpful:

Edit, actually this method looks much simpler if you don't mind scraping your knuckles up just a bit
Good luck with the install! I just noticed a burnt out DRL on mine, so guess I'm doing this job too. Swapping over to ambers!
 
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