- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
- Posts
- 1,920
- Reaction score
- 1,495
- Location
- Killeen, TX
- Ram Year
- 2014
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
So I'm upgrading some lighting right now and snatched up a set of LED foglight bulbs from a fellow member (thanks adubree) and decided to do a little comparison. As I'm not quite sure if this brand of replacement LED bulb has been done yet I figured I'd inform all of you all on first impressions and the like. So here we go.
First off specs on my truck: 2014 1500 Express QCLB, 4x4, 5.7 HEMI, with Bils set at 2.8 and set of TGC 3/4" spacers in the rear. I trust that's sufficient info for you all. This comparison was done on the flattest ground I could find, my driveway. With as long as our trucks are, I backed mine up as far from the garage door as I could without coming off the driveway pad so I could remain as level as possible:
As you can see in the photo, I measured the distance and it came to right at 23 feet, shorter than I'd like but the best I could find on short notice. The truck was in this static position at all times during the swap.
This initial shot was at around 2020 EST (SC), there's still a lot of light out but this is just to show how gross the yellow pee colored tint the OEM bulb puts out. OEM straight on pic:
The following pics were taken at or around 2130 EST, fully dark here in SC.
The OEM cutoff at this distance measured about 18-20" off the ground on my garage door. The light shows up whiteish but it's dingy yellow:
Next an overlap with the SuperNova on the drivers side and OEM on the passenger side:
As you can see, there is a distinct color difference, it's brighter on the drivers side, a bit more throw laterally and vertically. However, on the vertical, the cutoff isn't as crisp.
Next the full install on both sides:
Combined now, the LEDs appear significantly brighter, lateral throw was increased, cutoff came in higher at around 24-26" after some adjustments. Initially with no adjustment it was closer to 34-36." I adjusted to 24-26" in order to mirror the OEM cutoff at the brightest portion of the beam pattern, which came in at or around 16-18," at 23 feet.
The head on shot:
Doesn't that look pretty.
To simulate the OEM beam pattern and cutoff, the LEDs had to be clocked at a 45* angle. This is the drivers side and the passenger mirrors it. / \ like that.
Once installed, I found that there was a little wiggle in the bulbs. So I took the rubber gasket off the OEM bulbs and used it in conjunction with the LEDs gasket and that eliminated nearly all the wiggle, however, the bulb tabs on the LED are smaller than OEM and may be prone to rotation so I'm gonna throw a lil dab of silicone on them for a little extra insurance. The only thing left after that is to zip tie the wiring up and out of the way and take a drive.
Initial impressions:
I like them. They are significantly brighter, have better lateral throw, the white light color looks better than OEM and appears to illuminate the surroundings much better and clearer, they are aesthetically pleasing looking at them from the front. My only gripe is the small tabs on the bulbs and not really "locking" into the socket solidly.
I will have night driving and usage pics up this evening or tomorrow morning. Feel free to comment or PM me any questions you have.
First off specs on my truck: 2014 1500 Express QCLB, 4x4, 5.7 HEMI, with Bils set at 2.8 and set of TGC 3/4" spacers in the rear. I trust that's sufficient info for you all. This comparison was done on the flattest ground I could find, my driveway. With as long as our trucks are, I backed mine up as far from the garage door as I could without coming off the driveway pad so I could remain as level as possible:
As you can see in the photo, I measured the distance and it came to right at 23 feet, shorter than I'd like but the best I could find on short notice. The truck was in this static position at all times during the swap.
This initial shot was at around 2020 EST (SC), there's still a lot of light out but this is just to show how gross the yellow pee colored tint the OEM bulb puts out. OEM straight on pic:
The following pics were taken at or around 2130 EST, fully dark here in SC.
The OEM cutoff at this distance measured about 18-20" off the ground on my garage door. The light shows up whiteish but it's dingy yellow:
Next an overlap with the SuperNova on the drivers side and OEM on the passenger side:
As you can see, there is a distinct color difference, it's brighter on the drivers side, a bit more throw laterally and vertically. However, on the vertical, the cutoff isn't as crisp.
Next the full install on both sides:
Combined now, the LEDs appear significantly brighter, lateral throw was increased, cutoff came in higher at around 24-26" after some adjustments. Initially with no adjustment it was closer to 34-36." I adjusted to 24-26" in order to mirror the OEM cutoff at the brightest portion of the beam pattern, which came in at or around 16-18," at 23 feet.
The head on shot:
Doesn't that look pretty.
To simulate the OEM beam pattern and cutoff, the LEDs had to be clocked at a 45* angle. This is the drivers side and the passenger mirrors it. / \ like that.
Once installed, I found that there was a little wiggle in the bulbs. So I took the rubber gasket off the OEM bulbs and used it in conjunction with the LEDs gasket and that eliminated nearly all the wiggle, however, the bulb tabs on the LED are smaller than OEM and may be prone to rotation so I'm gonna throw a lil dab of silicone on them for a little extra insurance. The only thing left after that is to zip tie the wiring up and out of the way and take a drive.
Initial impressions:
I like them. They are significantly brighter, have better lateral throw, the white light color looks better than OEM and appears to illuminate the surroundings much better and clearer, they are aesthetically pleasing looking at them from the front. My only gripe is the small tabs on the bulbs and not really "locking" into the socket solidly.
I will have night driving and usage pics up this evening or tomorrow morning. Feel free to comment or PM me any questions you have.