Unfortunately, in many cases, the stock lighting system for new trucks is adequate at best. Since OEM headlights don’t cast light across any great distance, the light they provide is on par with that of a turn-of-the-century oil lamp. When rigs like this are taken out on the trail or into the deep woods of the local hunting grounds, the stock lighting can fall short when it comes to illuminating the surrounding terrain.
Of course, there are many benefits to having additional lighting. Chances are, you’ve wished for more powerful illumination when hooking up to a trailer at night, or for times when you have to hunt for those tie downs that are buried in the truck’s bed. Good luck using that factory cargo lamp. Our goal for this particular project is simple: Improve the stock lighting on an ’09 GMC Sierra 2500HD with tasteful modifications that add appeal and usefulness, without breaking the bank.
To increase nighttime visibility, we’re installing a full line of race-proven LED lights from Vision X. LED (light emitting diode) technology is one of the brightest and most efficient lighting solutions available today. Unlike traditional filament lighting, LEDs provide high-intensity, bright light for maximum visibility with an efficient, low-amp draw. This means more light while using less power with little heat.
| At Alternative Offroad in Chatsworth, California, co-owners James Misiorowski and Dalton Bush begin the effort by disassembling the factory GMC foglight housing. Once the stock harness is unplugged and hardware removed, the housing and bulb are removed.
While this truck doesn’t see car-swallowing holes and isn’t used for aggressive desert running, we want to take advantage of improving the forward, behind-the-cab, and rear lighting for those last-minute camping trips or when we need to shed some light on a trailer while hooking up in the dark.
Our collection of illuminators includes Vision X’s 20-inch Evo Prime LED lightbar and direct-replacement LED foglights for the front of our Sierra. Out back, a pair of the company’s Duralux work lights for the corners of the bedrail join 3.6-inch Solstice Solo LEDs (with flush mounts) for the rear bumper. Vision X provides all the necessary wiring, weatherproof harnesses, switches, and relays for most of its lighting kits.
Vision X lights and accessories are the same units found on any number of pro and amateur full-tilt, off-road race vehicles, as well as transport, mining, OEM, marine, and ATV/UTV rides. While any of these lights can be installed in the comfort of your own garage, the lighting and accessory experts at Alternative Offroad in Chatsworth, California, are ensuring they’re set up properly on our truck—a process that shouldn’t take more than a day to complete.
