Old Guy Needs Replacement Headlights

[patchelect]

I've looked over all sorts of threads here and elsewhere for input and made myself more confused than informed.

Back in the day when cars had 7" round lights replacements and upgrades were straightforward. A set of Hella's or Cibie's and you were done. Obviously today things are a tad more complicated. I have the misfortune of owning a '14 RAM with standard (I believe) headlights that have a hard time illuminating in the garage, let alone on a dark road. I want to upgrade to something brighter that will at least allow me to drive at speeds over 50 MPH at night. I've seen inputs on LED's vs Halogens vs candles and reflectors vs everything else. I believe the generally accepted direction is the LED's for the instant on and durability. However reading up on them it seems that many need some sort of adapters to work electrically. I found what appear to be a decent setup via CARID but reading reviews it appears that after spending $500 for the lights you need to drop another $125 for adapters! $725 to give me lighting that should have been there from the factory? My lights on my '01 Dakota sucked at best but I assumed like a fool that by '14 whomever was manufacturing these vehicles would have improved illumination. My Subaru Outback has great factory lighting and my Miata does as well. I'm not looking to burn paint off the vehicles in front of me but seeing where I am going would seem like a reasonable request. I don't even want smoked lenses or halo illumination if I can avoid it. Being almost 70 makes ones perspective change!

This is what I've seen on CARID

https://www.carid.com/2014-dodge-ra...model[ourBaseSubModelName][]=1500&ratings[]=4

Am I going to have to bite the bullet on these things or is there a more reasonable option for me? Further down the list on that link is a "Chrome Halo Projector LED". Is that what I am looking for to gain illumination without breaking the bank or having to install adapters?

 

[MarshRam]

Chances are just a brighter bulb will do the trick for you for 50 bucks or less. Your right, the stock bulbs are not that great. I think a lot of guys on here are running sylvania silverstar and there are a couple other brands I have seen recommended. Someone will him chime in with specific bulbs for you.

 

[MADDOG]

Can we see what headlight capsules you have now? How about posting a pic.

 

[patchelect]

I'll get one in the morning and post it up. Thanks.

As for the Silverstars I've seen less than good reviews on them on other sites for other vehicles. Short lifespan seems to be their downfall. IIRC there have been reports of 12-18 month lifespans, although I could be mistaken.

 

[Ramm5.7]

Thats still a year to 1 1/2 yrs of seeing better for the price of bulbs

 

[gofishn]

google H9 to H11 headlight upgrade.

I do a ton of night driving and hated teh stock headlights, as well. Did not want to spend a lot of money on something I was unsure of. I did this headlight upgrade and could not be happier. essentially, you get a high beam headlight, in the low beam headlight socket and since the truck has a anti glare sheild, no one ever flashes you for your headlights being too bright, as it does not blind them.

seriously, it is that awesome a nd cheap upgrade too.



The H11 bulb is 50W, and the H9 is 65W. But the H9 is also more efficient, and produces 2100 lumens vs. 1200. Again, we're talking standard replacement bulbs here.

The H9 fits in place of the H11 exactly. They are of the same design, just different filaments. The filaments are in the same location. All you have to do is trim down one of the retainer ears as they were coded to not fit in eachother's sockets. You also need to remove a key in the connector socket.

 

[patchelect]

Here's an image of my existing headlights.

 

[Graygoose]

H9 to H11...simple swap!

 

[Chief_6.7]

Throw in some LED bulbs the should be plenty more bright then halogen. Bought some for my Yukon from a company called vanquish auto. They are plug and play but best of all they are error free you will not get the code on the dash. Way more brighter then my halogens. They were a lot more expensive but they give off a clearer light and brighter light.

 

[Chief_6.7]

Here you go about $100 for everything this is definitely a great way to go as I also own some of these

https://vanquishauto.com/headlight-bulb-low-beam-h11-true-led-kit-448001.html

 

[patchelect]

The Vanquish looks like $120 for two lights plus $30 for two "cancellers" that are needed. Total $150.


Unless I'm reading it wrong.

 

[gofishn]

Here's an image of my existing headlights.

View attachment 127060

on the top headlight, you will notice a cone that goes over the actual bulb, tht is the anti glare sheild which allows us to use the hi beam in the low beam spot.

again, there are many ways to upgrade the headlight, the H9 / H11 upgrde was easiest and most reliable, from my research of the topic. I am quite glad I did it.
though, imagine everyoen is quite happy with their upgrades, whichever ones they did.

my main concern was light output, ease of upgrade, cost and reliability.

 

[Chief_6.7]

The Vanquish looks like $120 for two lights plus $30 for two "cancellers" that are needed. Total $150.


Unless I'm reading it wrong.

You are correct........ that’s what I had paid for mine. Non the less I wouldn’t change a thing. Vanquish also give you a 3year warranty on them

 

[patchelect]

You are correct........ that’s what I had paid for mine. Non the less I wouldn’t change a thing. Vanquish also give you a 3year warranty on them

Something else to consider! Thanks!

 

[Chief_6.7]

Something else to consider! Thanks!

No problem, I just think for your situation it might be best to by better bulbs then to actually change out the whole housing. My fear with purchasing non OEM headlights is that they will start to develop moisture inside them. To top it off the aftermarket headlights use the same bulbs unless it’s a projector type capsule. But even that still uses a halogen bulb.

Anyway just thought I would share my experience with LEDs from a great company like vanquish since I do have experience with them. I have purchased 2 sets of HIDs from them and 1 set of LEDs from them. All of which I’m very happy with especially because I don’t get the dreaded bulb out message and it’s all plug and play

 

[patchelect]

Went with the Vanquish set up. Now I need to make the plan to install things when they arrive.

 

[Chief_6.7]

Taking out the headlight is really easy..... you can either remove the grill for easy access or get a long extension if you don’t want to remove the grill

 

[patchelect]

I think it's probably like my Dakota was, but since the actual grille on the Dakota went up with the hood there was less to mess with. I'll wait for the bulbs and then take it slow and easy.

 

[MarshRam]

Very easy to take the grille off, just 4 bolts up top. The bottom will have 3 clips, you just pull the grille out to detach. Just be careful not to.scratch.the top of your bumper when pulling it off and clipping it back in.

The headlights are only two bolts and a white clip behind the lights that you must push/pull to release/relock. That clip is accessible through the door on your fender well cover.

 

[eljefe]

Based on the feedback of this post I just purchased a set of these LED's from Vanquish as well. Can't wait to see how they are. Chief_6.7 did you have to adjust your head lights? Are you getting lights flashed at you?