Installed new interior ceiling light! Review and feedback.

[slicer]

CZmenghe posted that he had a new product that would brighten up the interior of the truck. I've hated how dark it is inside our trucks with the lackluster interior lighting. I immediately bought one and got it today. I am not affiliated with CZmenghe, I purchased it out of my own pocket.

I tried my best to have the camera exposure the same before/after to show the difference in light output in the photos.

Pros: Interior lighting has improved dramatically! Super easy to install, uses factory connection. Quality looks good. Not obtrusive.

Cons: Does not fit flush in the headliner. I could not get the headliner to drop below the side "clips". Is it a big deal? No, nobody would really notice it. Its securely mounted in the interior steel bracket. It's purely cosmetic and really not noticeable. I also didn't like the piano black - I actually was having trouble keeping dust off it as I was installing it. I would have preferred the OEM gray color and texture.

Feedback for improvement: It only needs 1 button. No need for buttons in both sides if they both do the same thing. It would've been amazing if pressing the button would change the intensity of the light strength by the location of the LED strips (changing lights to be front only, middle only, back only, etc). Redesign the headliner clips so it would fit flush in the headliner.

The most important question: Would I buy it again? YES! I recommend this product.

Here's some pics!

Before:

After (notice center console lighting improved):

Before:

After:

VIdeo showing minor headliner fitment issue:

 

[MNNJR69]

CZmenghe posted that he had a new product that would brighten up the interior of the truck. I've hated how dark it is inside our trucks with the lackluster interior lighting. I immediately bought one and got it today. I am not affiliated with CZmenghe, I purchased it out of my own pocket.

I tried my best to have the camera exposure the same before/after to show the difference in light output in the photos.

Pros: Interior lighting has improved dramatically! Super easy to install, uses factory connection. Quality looks good. Not obtrusive.

Cons: Does not fit flush in the headliner. I could not get the headliner to drop below the side "clips". Is it a big deal? No, nobody would really notice it. Its securely mounted in the interior steel bracket. It's purely cosmetic and really not noticeable. I also didn't like the piano black - I actually was having trouble keeping dust off it as I was installing it. I would have preferred the OEM gray color and texture.

Feedback for improvement: It only needs 1 button. No need for buttons in both sides if they both do the same thing. It would've been amazing if pressing the button would change the intensity of the light strength by the location of the LED strips (changing lights to be front only, middle only, back only, etc). Redesign the headliner clips so it would fit flush in the headliner.

The most important question: Would I buy it again? YES! I recommend this product.

Here's some pics!

View attachment 26985
View attachment 26986




Before:
View attachment 26981
After (notice center console lighting improved):
View attachment 26982
Before:
View attachment 26983
After:
View attachment 26984

VIdeo showing minor headliner fitment issue:

View attachment 26987

Thanks for the honest feedback brother! Regardless of your camera settings you can definitely notice a huge difference in the amount of light especially in the backseat! I do a lot of off-roading so my concern is that if it didn't clip properly up into the headboard, it might pop out when I'm out on a trail and possibly damage the light or the headboard.

I would agree with you as well on the buttons and how they operate the lights. It would be great to be able to have front or middle or back only instead of the entire fixture lighting up, but still a huge improvement over the factory lights.

That is one of the first things I did when I got mine a few years ago. I installed LED light strips in the passenger and driver cabin and under both seats. I I didn't put any LED strips in the back because I almost never have the seats down they are always folded up because I always have gear that I carry either for my work or whatever stuff the wife brings along.
I occasionally have the jumper seat down for the dog to sit in so I can seat belt for in when we go off-roading and I don't want direct lighting from the LED strips, so the extra overhead light in the rear would be great and it looks like it casts a lot of light in the rear. For the way I run my setup it would be difficult to put LED strips in the rear that would not cast direct light and still be functional with the seat occasionally.
I agree with you on the black piano color, but having the extra light definitely overrides being picky about the color and a little bit of dust. I looked at the link when @Mixander Xi first put it up and have it sitting in my Amazon cart right now. It's just not in the cards as far as funding goes at the immediate minute.
As I said it's great to see a good review from someone in the group! Hopefully @Mixander Xi will Make some revisions as far as the buttons and being able to control which section of light comes on.

 

[CZmenghe_Team_John]

Great setup! We’re glad to hear you’re happy with the quality.

 

[CZmenghe_Team_John]

Thanks for the honest feedback brother! Regardless of your camera settings you can definitely notice a huge difference in the amount of light especially in the backseat! I do a lot of off-roading so my concern is that if it didn't clip properly up into the headboard, it might pop out when I'm out on a trail and possibly damage the light or the headboard.

I would agree with you as well on the buttons and how they operate the lights. It would be great to be able to have front or middle or back only instead of the entire fixture lighting up, but still a huge improvement over the factory lights.

That is one of the first things I did when I got mine a few years ago. I installed LED light strips in the passenger and driver cabin and under both seats. I I didn't put any LED strips in the back because I almost never have the seats down they are always folded up because I always have gear that I carry either for my work or whatever stuff the wife brings along.
I occasionally have the jumper seat down for the dog to sit in so I can seat belt for in when we go off-roading and I don't want direct lighting from the LED strips, so the extra overhead light in the rear would be great and it looks like it casts a lot of light in the rear. For the way I run my setup it would be difficult to put LED strips in the rear that would not cast direct light and still be functional with the seat occasionally.
I agree with you on the black piano color, but having the extra light definitely overrides being picky about the color and a little bit of dust. I looked at the link when @Mixander Xi first put it up and have it sitting in my Amazon cart right now. It's just not in the cards as far as funding goes at the immediate minute.
As I said it's great to see a good review from someone in the group! Hopefully @Mixander Xi will Make some revisions as far as the buttons and being able to control which section of light comes on.

Looks like there might have been a little mix-up! I am the representative for CZmenghe, while Mixander Xi is actually with a different brand. But no worries at all! Your feedback is valuable, and I’ll pass your suggestions along to our R&D team for future product improvements. Thanks for your support!

 

[MNNJR69]

Sorry for the mix up. I bought products from both vendors.
Good product, Chevy absolutely positively dropped the ball when it comes to the interior lighting on these trucks.

 

[The_Q]

Great review. I was an early adopter of the BoostAuto overhead light upgrade. I too had issues with their light not fitting quite right in the headliner. BoostAuto recommended taking the metal clips off the OEM light and swapping them to their light. Apparently there is a difference in space for retention in the clips. BoostAuto has since changed their clips to resolve the issue. It might be worth a try on the @CZmenghe light to see if it makes a difference for you.

 

[Smokey0844]

Gotta admit. I was hoping for a disco ball when I clicked on this thread. But that’s still cool though.

 

[MNNJR69]

Great review. I was an early adopter of the BoostAuto overhead light upgrade. I too had issues with their light not fitting quite right in the headliner. BoostAuto recommended taking the metal clips off the OEM light and swapping them to their light. Apparently there is a difference in space for retention in the clips. BoostAuto has since changed their clips to resolve the issue. It might be worth a try on the @CZmenghe light to see if it makes a difference for you.

Thanks for the info.