Need to figure out a headlight dilema with 2015 Impala

[i6pwr]

My dilemma is stick with OE or upgrade to LED like the GTR Ultra 2, but I don't want to blind oncoming traffic but I hear these are good especially in a projector housing. Here's where it gets complicated...We bought this used and there was minor repairs done to the front and the RH headlight housing was replaced. The production date is 9/2014 and is a 2015 model year which based on our VIN uses a 9012 bulb. However GM changed the housings after January 2015 and the body shop replaced with a 2015 housing and now the RH side is a 9005 and the OE LH side is a 9012. Not only are the tabs different, the electrical connector is different also.

I would like to choose one but I'm finding that the cost of these housings may put that on hold unless I can find a nice used one. I assume the 9005 is the better bulb and if so should I switch the LH to a newer housing and go with the 9005 or are we splitting hairs? The lights on this car are not great so another option is keeping the mismatched housings and just going with new LED's like the GTR Ultra 2 as previously stated, stock low beams are not great.

Curious to what others may have tried with this vehicle.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

For the 9005 side, use a slightly higher performance bulb like the Sylvania Xtravision, Philips Vision or Vision Plus. This should give the 9005 side very close if not the exact same output as a standard 9012 bulb on the 9012 side. See this page

DO NOT put a 9011 in the 9005 housing, as this will make the output too much higher than the 9012!

 

[97prizm]

My dilemma is stick with OE or upgrade to LED like the GTR Ultra 2, but I don't want to blind oncoming traffic but I hear these are good especially in a projector housing. Here's where it gets complicated...We bought this used and there was minor repairs done to the front and the RH headlight housing was replaced. The production date is 9/2014 and is a 2015 model year which based on our VIN uses a 9012 bulb. However GM changed the housings after January 2015 and the body shop replaced with a 2015 housing and now the RH side is a 9005 and the OE LH side is a 9012. Not only are the tabs different, the electrical connector is different also.

I would like to choose one but I'm finding that the cost of these housings may put that on hold unless I can find a nice used one. I assume the 9005 is the better bulb and if so should I switch the LH to a newer housing and go with the 9005 or are we splitting hairs? The lights on this car are not great so another option is keeping the mismatched housings and just going with new LED's like the GTR Ultra 2 as previously stated, stock low beams are not great.

Curious to what others may have tried with this vehicle.

Go with osram night breaker for the highest halogen bulb output. They aren't tinted blue like the silver stars. I put a set in my neon and had significantly better light output.

 

[HighHy21]

For the 9005 side, use a slightly higher performance bulb like the Sylvania Xtravision, Philips Vision or Vision Plus. This should give the 9005 side very close if not the exact same output as a standard 9012 bulb on the 9012 side. See this page

DO NOT put a 9011 in the 9005 housing, as this will make the output too much higher than the 9012!

9005 is already a 1700 lumen output, much higher than 9012's 1000 lumen and 9011 1350 lumen

 

[Sequoiasoon]

My experience in different vehicles is that the projector helps a lot IF you have it aimed correctly. If snow/ice is a concern then LED is less desirable for me. Possible with the new Morimoto 2Stroke 4.0 that circulate heat in housing but they are NOT in expensive. I also find that the really white from LED, factory or aftermarket, glares a lot more off wet roads. I prefer my HID's with lower color temperature.

No matter which way you go, confirm correct aim. 25ft from wall on level surface. The top of the "lower" stepped flat cutoff should be 1-2" lower than at vehicle.