Headlights

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dijets

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2001
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5.2
I want to upgrade to led headlights. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 318 cid 2wd . a basic w/no modifications. Stock bulbs are 9004. Any suggestions as to which LED would be my best choice
 

dapepper9

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Iowa/Nebraska Border
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None. LEDs are NOT suited to these trucks. Period.

It all has to do with pattern. Our trucks produce a bulbous pattern that has no real hotspot or focus. It's crap. LEDs, of any brand, will make this significantly worse because it glares atrociously. The other problem is that it doesn't actually improve your visibility. Though the headlights LOOK bright the intensity is lessened and they don't reach out. All that gets accomplished is it lights up the pavement within the first 10-15yds in front of the vehicle and makes you think you upgraded. However if you actually measure out the effectiveness both with distance measurement AND light meters you'll see that it is in fact a downgrade. A downgrade that makes driving dangerous for other drivers.

Now, this isn't the case for ALL vehicles. 4th Gen rams for example, CAN benefit from an LED bulb swap. However, brand and along with that the tech and designs used GREATLY affect the outcome.
Here is a video of both bad and good examples on a 4th gen ram headlight. I'll also post of photo of the standard pattern these trucks produce in a good case.
 

dapepper9

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Here as you can see it spreads badly at as little as 20ft and has no focused center to allow it to actually reach out received_539055973240647.jpeg
 

dapepper9

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OK then what are the recommendations for a 2014 ? I need LED headlights out here in the country...….
You don't "NEED" any 1 type. Question is vague as well.

What headlights do you have? Single bulb? Dual bulb? Projector?

For the first 2, either a Phillips Extreme Vision halogen or a Supernova V4 are both excellent options for a plug and play upgrade
 
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