Lighting advice

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
It's getting about that time of the year again. Time for me to budget replacing these terrible headlights I have on the truck. Good news is that I don't drive at night often so I didn't have to use them that often.

So I've seen on other forums where people seem to recommend these for my truck:
Black Halo LED Projector Headlights

and on here Sport Mods are a thing that gets recommended more often then not.
Sport Mods on Amazon

So my question now is towards you more experienced headlight guys, which of these two would you recommend? Also if you don't recommend either I'm open to suggestions. I don't have the confidence in not ruining a set of headlights to make a set of projectors so that option is pretty much off the table.
 

chopperman1

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Posts
1,230
Reaction score
1,189
Location
Peoples Republic of Massachusetts
Ram Year
2018 Rebel
Engine
5.7L HEMI
Have you tried changing the bulbs? A simple change to a quality halogen in your current housings can yield much more life at a fraction of the cost. Both Sylvania and Phillips make some decent performance bulbs.
 

jlbayes

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2017
Posts
191
Reaction score
14
Ram Year
2001 & 1997
Engine
5.9l cummins
It's getting about that time of the year again. Time for me to budget replacing these terrible headlights I have on the truck. Good news is that I don't drive at night often so I didn't have to use them that often.

So I've seen on other forums where people seem to recommend these for my truck:
Black Halo LED Projector Headlights JUNK DO NOT WANT.

and on here Sport Mods are a thing that gets recommended more often then not.
Sport Mods on Amazon Ok upgrade for minimal investment.
https://www.amazon.com/Dodge-Sport-...rd_wg=ziVSO&psc=1&refRID=1AF1F4Q8GCHXYPQ8PG4G
So my question now is towards you more experienced headlight guys, which of these two would you recommend? Also if you don't recommend either I'm open to suggestions. I don't have the confidence in not ruining a set of headlights to make a set of projectors so that option is pretty much off the table.

The sport conversion is an ok upgrade. The only thing I recommend anymore is a projector retrofit but I understand most do not want to spend the money. Leds are trash, do not fall for them. Be warned the cheap sport lights will yellow quickly. Also you will need to clearance the light openings on your fenders to run them.
 

dapepper9

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Posts
5,908
Reaction score
2,224
Location
Iowa/Nebraska Border
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9L V8
Have you tried changing the bulbs? A simple change to a quality halogen in your current housings can yield much more life at a fraction of the cost. Both Sylvania and Phillips make some decent performance bulbs.
Sylvania does NOT make good bulbs. Philips or bust
The sport conversion is an ok upgrade. The only thing I recommend anymore is a projector retrofit but I understand most do not want to spend the money. Leds are trash, do not fall for them. Be warned the cheap sport lights will yellow quickly. Also you will need to clearance the light openings on your fenders to run them.
+1 to projector retrofit.

Honestly it all depends on budget. Small budget, oem and Philips extreme vision bulbs. Clear the lens to save it from yellowing and you should be good for awhile.

Small budget but willing to go a little further, sport headlights, Philips bulbs, britebox from Genos and as Jlbayes said be willing to cut the inside of the fender behind the headlight.

Lastly if you have some cash to spend doing a retrofit really isn't all that hard. Baking the headlight in the oven doesn't release any smells or smoke and they don't melt. Minor Dremel work sets them right up
 
OP
OP
Shadow_Death

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
The main issue I have is the housings, they're garbage. The LED bulbs aren't bright enough to blind anyone but they're also not that good either.

https://imgur.com/a/293Ji

Pictures for example I've got them adjusted as they should be since they threw off light higher up than the bulbs that came in the housings BUT even with regular bulbs the light was scattered like that crap too.

It was a terrible idea and unfortunately I didn't think to ask until I ordered them. :/


SPPC Crystal Headlights Chrome Assembly Set with Corner Light For Dodge Ram - (Pair) Includes Driver Left and Passenger Right Side Replacement Headlamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JBIACJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KGpxAb7SFWJ7B

And using Auxbeam LED Headlights F-16 Series 9004 HB1 LED Headlight

The light pattern these housings produce with both bulbs is pretty unacceptable.

So that's why I'm asking.

I've been sitting on the sport mod idea for a while now though. I upfit cars to emergency vehicles for a living so requiring the headlights with relays wouldn't be a problem at all since I have everything I need to do that job here at the shop.
 
OP
OP
Shadow_Death

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
Sport mod is good.

I had those same headlights with halogens for a bit and here is what the pattern looked like
View media item 25085


Damn, it was probably the bulbs I had then but it looked exactly like my LED pattern just dimmer. Thanks for the help guys. I think I'll go sport and relay it. Any recommendations on what brand to go with for sport housings? I know there are some cheap knockoffs out there so suggestions are welcome.


I was also thinking about going with Philips X-Treme vision. I agree 100% about Sylvania their bulbs don't last long and aren't even all that bright.
 
Last edited:

dapepper9

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Posts
5,908
Reaction score
2,224
Location
Iowa/Nebraska Border
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9L V8
Could get a set of the Philips 9004s and install in the current lights and see if there's any improvement. You'll need 9004 for the high beam spot of the sport anyways so you're not losing anything if bulbs really are your issue
 

jlbayes

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2017
Posts
191
Reaction score
14
Ram Year
2001 & 1997
Engine
5.9l cummins
The main issue I have is the housings, they're garbage. The LED bulbs aren't bright enough to blind anyone but they're also not that good either.

https://imgur.com/a/293Ji

Pictures for example I've got them adjusted as they should be since they threw off light higher up than the bulbs that came in the housings BUT even with regular bulbs the light was scattered like that crap too.

It was a terrible idea and unfortunately I didn't think to ask until I ordered them. :/


SPPC Crystal Headlights Chrome Assembly Set with Corner Light For Dodge Ram - (Pair) Includes Driver Left and Passenger Right Side Replacement Headlamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JBIACJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KGpxAb7SFWJ7B

And using Auxbeam LED Headlights F-16 Series 9004 HB1 LED Headlight

The light pattern these housings produce with both bulbs is pretty unacceptable.

So that's why I'm asking.

I've been sitting on the sport mod idea for a while now though. I upfit cars to emergency vehicles for a living so requiring the headlights with relays wouldn't be a problem at all since I have everything I need to do that job here at the shop.

What about these are not blinding?

20170405_060603.jpg
 

dodge dude94

Millennial Boomer
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
27,745
Reaction score
6,426
Location
East Texas
Ram Year
1998 Ram 1500
Engine
5.9 Magnum
Forget a BriteBox. That's a great way to burn up your bulbs and wiring in short order.

Sport headlights and the RIK-RAM relay harness from DanielSternLighting would be the way to go for halogen.
 
OP
OP
Shadow_Death

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
What about these are not blinding?

View attachment 118000

Yes those are blinding. Mine aren't that bright. Mine are more of a halogen bulb replacement brightness.

20180116_065912.jpg

Like that.

Mine aren't getting reused though. They'll get junked or thrown in a box and forgotten about.

Forget a BriteBox. That's a great way to burn up your bulbs and wiring in short order.

Sport headlights and the RIK-RAM relay harness from DanielSternLighting would be the way to go for halogen.

Do both bulbs in each housing come on at once with his harness?
 
Last edited:

dodge dude94

Millennial Boomer
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
27,745
Reaction score
6,426
Location
East Texas
Ram Year
1998 Ram 1500
Engine
5.9 Magnum
Diggin way back here to be Mr. Sacrilege.

11062024_700722703369725_994534467948448492_o.jpg
 

dapepper9

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Posts
5,908
Reaction score
2,224
Location
Iowa/Nebraska Border
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9L V8
Forget a BriteBox. That's a great way to burn up your bulbs and wiring in short order.

Sport headlights and the RIK-RAM relay harness from DanielSternLighting would be the way to go for halogen.
Really? I've seen nothing but good with britebox.

Forgot about the Daniel stern stuff
 

dodge dude94

Millennial Boomer
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
27,745
Reaction score
6,426
Location
East Texas
Ram Year
1998 Ram 1500
Engine
5.9 Magnum
Really? I've seen nothing but good with britebox.

Forgot about the Daniel stern stuff
Common problem. The extra load causes the switches to fry even faster. Plus the added head inside the bulbs from firing off two filaments at once causes them to pop.
 
OP
OP
Shadow_Death

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
Common problem. The extra load causes the switches to fry even faster. Plus the added head inside the bulbs from firing off two filaments at once causes them to pop.


Yep, definitely not what I had planned. I planned on relaying them to offload the light power through the relay to the battery and using the switch to trip the relay. I was going to do it with these LEDs but they pull next to nothing as far as power goes.
 

dodge dude94

Millennial Boomer
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
27,745
Reaction score
6,426
Location
East Texas
Ram Year
1998 Ram 1500
Engine
5.9 Magnum
Yep, definitely not what I had planned. I planned on relaying them to offload the light power through the relay to the battery and using the switch to trip the relay. I was going to do it with these LEDs but they pull next to nothing as far as power goes.
Low amperage draw is a reason why I have the LEDs.

Even if they are a double edged sword.
 
OP
OP
Shadow_Death

Shadow_Death

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
354
Reaction score
52
Location
Killeen, Tx
Ram Year
2006
Engine
5.7L Hemi
Low amperage draw is a reason why I have the LEDs.

Even if they are a double edged sword.

Yep, the high beams on mine are amazing but I can't and won't drive around with just those on. XD

Sport mod is good.

I had those same headlights with halogens for a bit and here is what the pattern looked like
View media item 25085

Do you guys have a specific Sport Mod housing brand that you recommend? I started digging into those "headlight depot" housings and it seems their quality is pretty hit or miss. Although I can't be sure how much may be installer error and how much is poor product quality.

I found these which can get me by until I can take the time to do a proper relay job. That should give me the freedom to not have to worry about buying a potential crappy set because they came with a harness.

Anything that looks like an oem replacement really

Edit: never mind I completely miss this one:
lol.
 
Last edited:

dodge dude94

Millennial Boomer
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
27,745
Reaction score
6,426
Location
East Texas
Ram Year
1998 Ram 1500
Engine
5.9 Magnum
Yep, the high beams on mine are amazing but I can't and won't drive around with just those on. XD



Do you guys have a specific Sport Mod housing brand that you recommend? I started digging into those "headlight depot" housings and it seems their quality is pretty hit or miss. Although I can't be sure how much may be installer error and how much is poor product quality.

I found these which can get me by until I can take the time to do a proper relay job. That should give me the freedom to not have to worry about buying a potential crappy set because they came with a harness.



Edit: never mind I completely miss this one:
lol.
I remember my Sylvania XtraVision bulbs i had were pretty well garbage. LEDs were a big upgrade compared to those, even if the LEDs don't have as good a throw.
 
Top