The low beam in one of my headlights burnt out, and since it’s a 4×6 sealed beam unit, I have to replace the whole thing. I decided to replace both the driver and passenger side at the same time so that they match, and upgrade to LED units by GENSSI (4×6 G3) that also add the ability to have always on daytime running lights (DRL). (As opposed to always driving around with my low beams on.)
The (1995-1997) Chevy S-10 only has two headlight units and the factory sealed beam headlights (H6545) use a weird plug shape that is not the standard H4 (the ground plug is twisted about 45 degrees). They are rated at 65 watts on the high beam and 45 watts on the low beam, but for nighttime driving I have never been happy with their light output.
The GENSSI (4×6 G3) that I am replacing them with has a measured power consumption for one unit at 14.4 volts on my bench power supply of 1.8 A for high beam, 1.03 A for low beam, and 0.08A (8ma) for the DRL. This works out to 26 watts, 15 watts, and 1.1 watt for a single unit. The eBay auction page claimed 25, 20 and 1.1 watts for high/low/DRL, so the measured figures mostly match the online specifications, giving me hope that the specified lumen ratings may also be somewhat correct (Claimed at 2150/1800/57 lumens).
These units cost me $40 each, compared to the $15 replacement cost for a direct drop in Wagner H6546. However, the cost didn’t stop there, as I needed to pay an extra $30 for two adapters from the OEM socket to the H4 plug on the LED headlights. I could have just cut off the OEM connector and wired in a H4 socket for less money, but I decided to pay for the adapters to make the installation plug and play as well as retain backwards compatibility. Supposedly LED lights should last practically forever, but if I ever need to replace them in a hurry I want the ability to go back to the OEM 4×6 units which can be picked up at most auto-part stores.
The difference between the LED’s and the original headlights is quite apparent, as the LED’s are a “cooler” color temperature (white, not yellow) and brighter, which is why I am changing out both headlight units even though only one burnt out.
Here you can see a comparison of the new LED on the left and the original halogen on the right, shining on a garage door in the day and at night.
I paid an $80 premium for the LED lights as opposed to the cheap OEM halogen replacements. For that $80 I get a cooler color temperature (for a more modern look), more light (better nighttime visibility), minor energy savings, and the ability to wire in true daytime running lights if I decide to make the effort (not yet connected).
How do you wire up the drl on that exact set up? I have the same year model and the same exact led lights and they work great other then the drl. They’re not as bright as I’d hoped but still better then stocks
I have not wired up the daytime running lights. To do so, you would connect the two extra (DRL) leads to any 12v source that is enabled when you turn on the key. (I just automatically turn on my headlights low beam whenever I drive, so I didn’t bother connecting them.) My truck does not come with DRL from the factory, so did not have a wire for them in the stock harness.
I am using an adapter connector on the headlight end because of the weird plug shape on the truck connector(plug). Except I dont know what the wire configuration is on the truck connector . (EX. high beam, low beam, ground wires)
I love these lights they look cool, but I am having trouble with the light beam direction. These are hard to direct. I adjusted the headlight, but now the high beam is pointing to the sky, and if I adjust it downward, then the low beam points directly to the ground.I finally was able to get the lowbeam pointing forward, but the high beam is still out of alingment. What do you think?
I drove right up to my garage door, put some masking tape at the same level as the headlights, then backed up about 30 feet and adjusted them at night so that the high beam spots were below the tape level. They are so much brighter than the stock lights that you need to make sure they don’t blind anybody.
I have a 1996 Chevrolet S10 LS regular cab. My halogen head lamps look like candles at night. Will these LED head lamps fit my truck. My truck came with DRL and I want to keep them working. Once l remove my halogen head lamps can l just plug the LED directly in, align them and be ready to ride. Thanks
Mine was a 1995 model year, so you’ll have to check the compatibility. The “4×6” sealed beam units are relatively standardized headlight form factor that fit a lot of trucks/vans from that age, but I’m not familiar with the 1996 models and if they took the same form factor of lights.
These guys definitely have DRL compatibility (they have a center light area that you wire to the DRL circuit which are separated from the High and Low beams). I didn’t want to cut the wiring, so bought some adapter cables that didn’t support the DRL feature (as my 1995 didn’t include them…), but if you are willing to wire things up yourself and cut a few wires I’m sure it would work if the 4×6 units physically fit your truck.
The LED lights were MUCH brighter than the anemic OEM headlights.
I have a 1997 chevy S10 that I bought LED headlights for. Like you I dont want to cut wires but I am having a problem finding the adapter connectors.Where did you get your connectors?
I believe I purchased them (as well as the LED headlights) off of E-Bay, but being 7 years ago, heck if I can give you any more information about them….