Replacement bulp upgrade...expalin it like I'm 5

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

So I would love to get an entire new headlight setup but that is certainly not in the budget right now due to getting the lift, tires, tonneau cover, etc. done recently. I have been reading other light threads on here and sometimes come away scratching my head since I'm not as mechanical or well versed in how to make mods or what the tech terms are. I was thinking for now I'd like to just upgrade my halogen bulbs. I am looking at Recon and Putco right now. I also have seen a few people say they like Sylvania Silverstar. What I'd like is a brighter white with more output. I won't say the factory bulbs totally suck, but they aren't great. I'm only trying to swap out my fogs and running lights/low beams, since I never am in areas where my brights are used anyways.

I also have noticed that every thread I've read makes it sound like taking the headlights out to replace the bulbs is a total PITA. However I'm not sure if that is because the other people were doing more than just swapping out bulbs.

If anyone could give me advice on replacement bulbs that will be brighter and a nicer white, I'd appreciate it. Again...I'm new to this stuff so explain it to me like I'm 5 please haha.

Underarock13 · Mar 14, 2016

www.youtube.com

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

Underarock13 said:
www.youtube.com

Helpful lol. Was hoping for people on here to tell me what to avoid and what works best. If I wanted to sort through 1,898,467 lightbulb videos I wouldn't have posted. Uhhh...thanks though? Haha I know it's a question frequently asked on here and I have read tons of threads but need 5 year old language and less "just swap to HID" responses than those get. Unfortunately lights, lifts, and tire threads are annoying and repetitive, I know, but if you don't understand them ya just gotta ask.

SitKneelBend · Mar 14, 2016

Here's what I bought so far for my 2014 that should meet you criteria and they are plug and play...

Low Beam
OPT7 LED Headlight Bulbs w/ Clear Arc-Beam Kit - H11 (H8, H9) - 60w 7,000Lm 6K Cool White CREE - 2 Yr Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VNBDWPK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_0DV5wb864XN1G

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xrsman · Mar 14, 2016

Here's is what I recommend:

2013-14 Dodge Ram HIDs

You'll want the 6000K kit for Quad headlamp. You'll also want the 9005 one for your high beam.

Canbus adaptor is a must (already selected on there). It literally makes install a plus and play.

With a canbus adaptor you only need to do this: HID bulb -->Ballast Ballast -->Canbus Adaptor Canbus Adaptor --> OEM truck plug. Simple right?

Taking the lights out is easy. Just take the 4 screws off the top of the grille, remove it. Take the 2 screws off the headlamp. (10mm socket) There's a flap inside the wheel well. Open it and look up. There will be a tab that you push up, push it up. That unlocks the headlamp. Then the headlamp with pull right out. I'm not sure if you have a screwed in back panel on the quad headlamps, if so you'll need to unscrew those (8mm socket) and then you have access to the light bulbs.

I recommend HID because they really do make a HUGE difference. The OEM lights just plain suck..If you don't think they're bad, just wait until you put HID's in. It's like turning night into day...seriously.

Don't just replace the stocks with Halogen bulbs, it isn't much more expensive to go with HID. LED's are good, but they aren't quite as bright as HID yet, also if you live where it's cold the LED doen't get hot enough to melt ice off the headlamp quickly.

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

xrsman said:
Here's is what I recommend:

2013-14 Dodge Ram HIDs

You'll want the 6000K kit for Quad headlamp. You'll also want the 9005 one for your high beam.

Canbus adaptor is a must (already selected on there). It literally makes install a plus and play.

With a canbus adaptor you only need to do this: HID bulb -->Ballast Ballast -->Canbus Adaptor Canbus Adaptor --> OEM truck plug. Simple right?

Taking the lights out is easy. Just take the 4 screws off the top of the grille, remove it. Take the 2 screws off the headlamp. (10mm socket) There's a flap inside the wheel well. Open it and look up. There will be a tab that you push up, push it up. That unlocks the headlamp. Then the headlamp with pull right out. I'm not sure if you have a screwed in back panel on the quad headlamps, if so you'll need to unscrew those (8mm socket) and then you have access to the light bulbs.

I recommend HID because they really do make a HUGE difference. The OEM lights just plain suck..If you don't think they're bad, just wait until you put HID's in. It's like turning night into day...seriously.

Don't just replace the stocks with Halogen bulbs, it isn't much more expensive to go with HID. LED's are good, but they aren't quite as bright as HID yet, also if you live where it's cold the LED doen't get hot enough to melt ice off the headlamp quickly.

So $300 to do low beam and fogs basically. I guess it's not as bad as I thought. For some reason I kept thinking this was impossible for Quads.

xrsman · Mar 14, 2016

RAMblin1217 said:
So $300 to do low beam and fogs basically. I guess it's not as bad as I thought. For some reason I kept thinking this was impossible for Quads.

Yep it's pretty simple now! Back in the harness days it sucked! Canbus adaptors have made it way easier!

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RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

xrsman said:
Yep it's pretty simple now! Back in the harness days it sucked! Canbus adaptors have made it way easier!

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Harnesses are exactly why I wanted 5th grade language haha. I avoid electrical stuff like it's the plague since it terrifies me. With stuff being plug and play....makes me a lot more comfortable trying this myself. I wanted to do some other lighting stuff but just don't want to mess with tying stuff into other lines or routing stuff.

cableguy_hd · Mar 14, 2016

Innovited 35W AC HID Kit H1 H3 H4 H7 H11 H10 H13 9003 9004 9005 9006 9007 6000K | eBay
did this for my fogs. plug and play. no flicker. 2014 may be a different story though. Opt 7 led for low beam may be fine but get capacitors and resistors to help with the flickering. that should be plug and play with no wire harness. You may have to remove the set screw and adjust the bulb so it perfectly vertical.
http://www.ramforum.com/f41/headlights_why_remove_grill-82011/
read this too

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

Pretty sure I'm going the HID route since my Dad has LED's and I'm not the biggest fan of them. I get the appeal of LED, and have no problem with them, just truly personal preference.

AustinB · Mar 14, 2016

What happens for the adapters after 2014?

Im lost when it comes to hid as well.

IMO

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

AustinB said:
What happens for the adapters after 2014?

Im lost when it comes to hid as well.

IMO

It's towards the end of the page...but looks like it's $65 more for 2015 on. 13+ Ram

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

xrsman said:
Here's is what I recommend:

2013-14 Dodge Ram HIDs

You'll want the 6000K kit for Quad headlamp. You'll also want the 9005 one for your high beam.

Canbus adaptor is a must (already selected on there). It literally makes install a plus and play.

With a canbus adaptor you only need to do this: HID bulb -->Ballast Ballast -->Canbus Adaptor Canbus Adaptor --> OEM truck plug. Simple right?

Taking the lights out is easy. Just take the 4 screws off the top of the grille, remove it. Take the 2 screws off the headlamp. (10mm socket) There's a flap inside the wheel well. Open it and look up. There will be a tab that you push up, push it up. That unlocks the headlamp. Then the headlamp with pull right out. I'm not sure if you have a screwed in back panel on the quad headlamps, if so you'll need to unscrew those (8mm socket) and then you have access to the light bulbs.

I recommend HID because they really do make a HUGE difference. The OEM lights just plain suck..If you don't think they're bad, just wait until you put HID's in. It's like turning night into day...seriously.

Don't just replace the stocks with Halogen bulbs, it isn't much more expensive to go with HID. LED's are good, but they aren't quite as bright as HID yet, also if you live where it's cold the LED doen't get hot enough to melt ice off the headlamp quickly.

I just saw the picture of the wiring on the site. Do I have to mount the ballast and everything else somewhere? The ballast looks like it has 4 holes for screws to mount it behind the light somewhere.

xrsman · Mar 14, 2016

It is recommended to, I think a lot of people don't mount them though

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adurm · Mar 14, 2016

You can zip tie it to a hole. Hid will be brighter but putting them in reflector dishes like non projectors will cause a lot of scatter. Oncoming traffic will hate you. Law enforcement might not like it either. I would spend a bit more and find some oem or tyc projectors on eBay first.

RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

adurm said:
You can zip tie it to a hole. Hid will be brighter but putting them in reflector dishes like non projectors will cause a lot of scatter. Oncoming traffic will hate you. Law enforcement might not like it either. I would spend a bit more and find some oem or tyc projectors on eBay first.

Ugh, this is why my original post just talked about switching bulbs that aren't LED or HID lol. It went from $300 for just low beam and fog HID to whatever the heck it's going to cost for OEM or TYC projectors. So far what I've seen on ebay is $400-800...so that makes me think I'd rather **** people off than spend $700-$1100 on properly making my lights brighter.

xrsman · Mar 14, 2016

I put HIDs in reflectors on my last truck. I have more people flash this truck with projectors than my last one. It's lifted but I also have adjusted the lights.

When I pass projector vs reflector lights I honestly don't see a huge difference in how blinding it is. I'd go for it in the reflectors man.

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RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

xrsman said:
I put HIDs in reflectors on my last truck. I have more people flash this truck with projectors than my last one. It's lifted but I also have adjusted the lights.

When I pass projector vs reflector lights I honestly don't see a huge difference in how blinding it is. I'd go for it in the reflectors man.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

I'd definitely be careful about aiming them, luckily when the shop put the lift on they re-aimed the factory lights. I have yet to see people pissed off at the drive-thru when I'm behind them. I think I'll just go for it and see what happens...worst comes to worst, I've got the bulbs and can hold out on ordering new housings.

SitKneelBend · Mar 14, 2016

RAMblin1217 said:
Ugh, this is why my original post just talked about switching bulbs that aren't LED or HID lol. It went from $300 for just low beam and fog HID to whatever the heck it's going to cost for OEM or TYC projectors. So far what I've seen on ebay is $400-800...so that makes me think I'd rather **** people off than spend $700-$1100 on properly making my lights brighter.

This is why OPT7 LEDs are a popular choice for quad housings. Not as bright as HIDs but 3x brighter than stock halogens easily.

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RAMblin1217 · Mar 14, 2016

I just realized I spelled "explain" wrong in the title...kinda funny given I asked to be treated like a 5 year old.

Replacement bulp upgrade...expalin it like I'm 5

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