Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? It's not really what I wanted to do. I was tired of the otherwise excellent incandescent headlamps on Naughty Truck being overpowered by the poorly designed headlights in newer cars and what are quite possibly off-road use only headlights used in older on-road vehicles. There's something seriously wrong when a new car that's fifty plus feet behind you is overpowering your car's own headlamps.
The lights I used, which despite coming from the "Z-Offroad" brand are said to be DOT approved, legal and designed for on-road use: amazon.com/dp/B0C64W451C
Or from the manufacturer's own site: z-offroad.com/products/chevy-avalanche-led-headlight-silverado-bulbs-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007
These do not require any modifications to the wiring or blinker relay. You can go right back to the original headlights and lenses if you so desire. They recommend sealing some of the less mechanically secure connections with weather resistant electrical tape, which I didn't think was included. I bought my own and used it before a little roll of cloth tape was discovered hiding inside one of the foam packing pieces.
None of these are affiliate links and I bought these just like most anyone else would.
"Padiddle" is a term that can refer to a burned out headlight in a car. It's also the name of a game people sometimes play, spotting vehicles on the road with burned out headlights (and maybe other lamps as well).
"safercar.nope" is a riff on a US government web site run by the NHTSA known as "safercar.gov".
I do think the headlights are aimed a bit lower and to the left than they should be. Nobody's flashed their high beams at me in the driving I've done so far. There is a very noticeable cutoff of the headlight beam when one approaches road signs and similarly reflective things. Speaking of road signs, their reflective coatings really pop when these LED headlamps hit them.
0:00 - Naughty Truck has yet another padiddle!
0:07 - Repair Step #1 - Get a Ford!
0:58 - Naughty Truck needs a bowtie injection.
2:12 - Moving into the shed.
3:05 - A (very) overdue apology for an old video.
3:40 - A word about carbon monoxide safety.
4:18 - The new headlights I bought.
5:15 - Peformance checks of the existing lights.
6:08 - Helpful commentary, as always. Old headlight assembly removal.
8:10 - Interesting things and pictures in the installation manual.
8:40 - Tips for aiming headlamps.
9:28 - I am Wrong On The Internet. Again.
9:56 - "Smoke Test" #1 (you people really need to stop with this, and no I'm not looking to have a discussion about it.)
10:20 - Marker/Signal Test #1
10:54 - DRL Test
13:03 - Headlight alignment inspection.
13:34 - It's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!
13:44 - The new lights fully installed and turned on.
13:57 - Mr. Badwrench says everything is good.
14:30 - Much ado about some old Ford advertising.
16:30 - More cattiness about modern cars.
17:32 - Get outta here! Time to put everything away.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? It's not really what I wanted to do. I was tired of the otherwise excellent incandescent headlamps on Naughty Truck being overpowered by the poorly designed headlights in newer cars and what are quite possibly off-road use only headlights used in older on-road vehicles. There's something seriously wrong when a new car that's fifty plus feet behind you is overpowering your car's own headlamps.
The lights I used, which despite coming from the "Z-Offroad" brand are said to be DOT approved, legal and designed for on-road use: amazon.com/dp/B0C64W451C
Or from the manufacturer's own site: z-offroad.com/products/chevy-avalanche-led-headlight-silverado-bulbs-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007
These do not require any modifications to the wiring or blinker relay. You can go right back to the original headlights and lenses if you so desire. They recommend sealing some of the less mechanically secure connections with weather resistant electrical tape, which I didn't think was included. I bought my own and used it before a little roll of cloth tape was discovered hiding inside one of the foam packing pieces.
None of these are affiliate links and I bought these just like most anyone else would.
"Padiddle" is a term that can refer to a burned out headlight in a car. It's also the name of a game people sometimes play, spotting vehicles on the road with burned out headlights (and maybe other lamps as well).
"safercar.nope" is a riff on a US government web site run by the NHTSA known as "safercar.gov".
I do think the headlights are aimed a bit lower and to the left than they should be. Nobody's flashed their high beams at me in the driving I've done so far. There is a very noticeable cutoff of the headlight beam when one approaches road signs and similarly reflective things. Speaking of road signs, their reflective coatings really pop when these LED headlamps hit them.
0:00 - Naughty Truck has yet another padiddle!
0:07 - Repair Step #1 - Get a Ford!
0:58 - Naughty Truck needs a bowtie injection.
2:12 - Moving into the shed.
3:05 - A (very) overdue apology for an old video.
3:40 - A word about carbon monoxide safety.
4:18 - The new headlights I bought.
5:15 - Peformance checks of the existing lights.
6:08 - Helpful commentary, as always. Old headlight assembly removal.
8:10 - Interesting things and pictures in the installation manual.
8:40 - Tips for aiming headlamps.
9:28 - I am Wrong On The Internet. Again.
9:56 - "Smoke Test" #1 (you people really need to stop with this, and no I'm not looking to have a discussion about it.)
10:20 - Marker/Signal Test #1
10:54 - DRL Test
13:03 - Headlight alignment inspection.
13:34 - It's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!
13:44 - The new lights fully installed and turned on.
13:57 - Mr. Badwrench says everything is good.
14:30 - Much ado about some old Ford advertising.
16:30 - More cattiness about modern cars.
17:32 - Get outta here! Time to put everything away.
