2009 Malibu HAW Question - Please Help!!

[tomx20]

I just bought a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and want to put in hide-a-ways in the rear (2 tail lights, 2 rev. lights) but I'm not 100% positive that they will fit into the housings without interfering with the stock bulbs. Has anyone done an install on a 2008+ Chevy Malibu. Pictures/videos/comments would be helpful!


Here's a picture of the car:

 

[cory y]

Do you have the LED or halogen rear brake lights?

 

[tomx20]

Do you have the LED or halogen rear brake lights?

I have the halogen brake lights. Sorry, I know the picture I included of the rear is the LTZ but I only have the LT.

 

[Respondcode3]

Whelen vertex will fit in both. I have done them before just check the clearance on the body side of the light before mounting. The ballast were tucked in the trunk lid and behind the bumper for the tails.

 

[tomx20]

Whelen vertex will fit in both. I have done them before just check the clearance on the body side of the light before mounting. The ballast were tucked in the trunk lid and behind the bumper for the tails.

I really wanted to stick to a strobe haw, the vertex's are a little too expensive for me ($66 each). I know that the vertex's stick into the housings about 7/8", what about a regular strobe tube?

 

[cory y]

It depends on if you are using a grommet or flange mount tube. The grommet usually is a little taller than the flange (screw in) tubes But if you have about 2 inches of room they should fit.

 

[wduda152]

I know it may be a little off topic but how well would led haws perform with the factory led taillight, and say have a blue or blue/amber split module flash? My next car down the road may be one of these and it looks like you can do some pretty slick things with the lights. I think it would be cool to have the sound off universal led haws flash, and maybe put a diode or relay in that cuts the power when the brakes are applied, kind of like the way taillight flashers work.

 

[tomx20]

I know it may be a little off topic but how well would led haws perform with the factory led taillight, and say have a blue or blue/amber split module flash? My next car down the road may be one of these and it looks like you can do some pretty slick things with the lights. I think it would be cool to have the sound off universal led haws flash, and maybe put a diode or relay in that cuts the power when the brakes are applied, kind of like the way taillight flashers work.

I have halogen lights in mine ( which is an LT) only the most expensive package has the led lights (LTZ model)

 

[RL1]

I know it may be a little off topic but how well would led haws perform with the factory led taillight, and say have a blue or blue/amber split module flash? My next car down the road may be one of these and it looks like you can do some pretty slick things with the lights. I think it would be cool to have the sound off universal led haws flash, and maybe put a diode or relay in that cuts the power when the brakes are applied, kind of like the way taillight flashers work.

Prob wouldn't work too well since LED tail lights are pretty flush to the lens, leaving little if any room for a light head.

 

[opskmallory]

I think I'd avoid strobe HAWs if you can. We've done this for a couple 2008/2009 M'Bu's. We did Vertexes and they look great. But in doing them, noticed there is not much clearance at all. I would be concerned about heat build-up from strobes without much room to circulate/ventilate air and proximity to the plastic lenses. If someone can chime in and say it's no problem, then great. But until then, if it were me, I'd avoid it.


I'd suggest maybe just for now, do one in each reverse light. Because the lenses are clear, you'll get good output with any color combination. Maybe down the road, buy two more and move them around to better fit your needs. We did blue in reverse lights and red in brake lights, since they already had red lenses. They look really good.

 

[tomx20]

I think I'd avoid strobe HAWs if you can. We've done this for a couple 2008/2009 M'Bu's. We did Vertexes and they look great. But in doing them, noticed there is not much clearance at all. I would be concerned about heat build-up from strobes without much room to circulate/ventilate air and proximity to the plastic lenses. If someone can chime in and say it's no problem, then great. But until then, if it were me, I'd avoid it.

I'd suggest maybe just for now, do one in each reverse light. Because the lenses are clear, you'll get good output with any color combination. Maybe down the road, buy two more and move them around to better fit your needs. We did blue in reverse lights and red in brake lights, since they already had red lenses. They look really good.

I don't suppose you have any pictures or videos do you?


And how tight were the figments with the vertex's in the reverse lights?

 

[tomx20]

I found a Malibu with Vertexs:

I just like the "pop" of regular strobes better than the Vertex LED's

 

[tomx20]

Where should I drill the holes in the reverse lights for the HAWs? Top, side, bottom? I noticed the housings are a little tight but I've seen LED HAWs in them before.


Thanks