When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The 9007s on the stock headlights are fairly terrible, and the locking ring doesn't allow a lot of LED upgrades to be used. In addition, the reflector cap inside the headlight makes it difficult to find a LED insert that is the right "depth" for proper focusing of the light.
Before you say that LED upgrades are worthless, I had 9008/H13 LEDs for my 2007 Mustang GT that were basically 100% drop-in replacements, complete with the same cut-off but just a lot brighter without any glare.
I do have LEDs (H11?) for my 09 SS foglights that works much better than stock, but the headlights are a problem. I don't want to go with an aftermarket housing unless the assembly has the same OEM quality (sealed, goretex patch, polycarb lens that doesn't leak or turn yellow right away).
I looked at VLED's latest 9007 but I don't think the fan module will work with the locking ring and its unlikely the diodes are inserted deep enough so the light can be focused into a usable beam pattern. If you just insert most generic LED 9007s, it will be a glob of light from the reflector housing - but if you manually insert the LEDs deeper (closer to the bulb) it actually focuses better.
I don't know if HIDs are a good idea because of the dump auto light feature (turns on when you start the car in a dark environment).
Is it all factory Cobalt headlights that are dim as fawk? I thought it was just me. And about upgrading to SilverStar or ZXE bulbs,although to look at them straight on they definitely look whiter, they made little difference on the road. I ended up trying Auxbeam LED's. They work pretty well, maybe not like HID, but they work in the factory housings and have a huge difference in light on the road. There is a distinct cut off line, so they dont seem to blind people. he only complaint I would have it the high beam isnt that much brighter, just seems to scatter light further, but still better then oem in my opinion. They ended up costing less then the Silverstars, also. You can find a few videos on Youtube. You do need to do a 5 minute mod to the Factory Cobalt Bulb retainer, despite what the youtube guy says. I left a how to in the comments. PM if you do it and have questions.
I just watched the video, it's the guy with the mullet and pickup truck right? That's the same issue I saw with any LED 9007 replacement. Without adjusting the headlight aim, they are aimed way high. If you look closely at the beam pattern it is really scattered and the high beams don't do anything.
The way to solve that is to move the LED diode array closer into the bulb shield and you'll see the beam narrow down with a normal cutoff. But unfortunately I have yet to find a 9007 replacement that works that way. I think they made one LED headlight insert and changed the adapters to make it 1 size fits all, resulting in poor beam patterns on the 9007.
I had 9007 LED bulbs in stock headlights. The locking ring doesn't work but I used tape and made it work. Been almost a year and it's fine.
They're awful and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone unless you have projector headlights.
The halogen housings don't focus the light well so you've got really bright lights for 20' and almost nothing beyond it and a ton of glare. Brights don't make a measurable difference.
I had 9007 LED bulbs in stock headlights. The locking ring doesn't work but I used tape and made it work. Been almost a year and it's fine.
They're awful and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone unless you have projector headlights.
The halogen housings don't focus the light well so you've got really bright lights for 20' and almost nothing beyond it and a ton of glare. Brights don't make a measurable difference.
LED's are like HID's you need protectors.
The problem is 9007 and not really reflector vs projector. My Mustang's stock 9008/H13 reflector housings worked fine with LED upgrades. I had the same VOR cutoff with LEDs as I did with halogens.
I figured as much. I may just live with the 9007 halogens since I drive the Cobalt only during the non-winter seasons and there's more daylight anyhow.
Depo makes a half decent projector headlight. I work in a body shop and as far as aftermarket "OEM" style headlights go, Depo is one of the better ones. If not the best.
Thanks! Are there issues with the beam pattern on the Depo? I read a few reviews, and it seemed like most were positive but a few people posted pics and complained about hot spots/uneven lighting and some said these needed to have horizontal adjusters because they were not centered correctly. One guy had H7 HIDs and said these scattered the light badly.
