Another headlight thread from a lighting NOOB

Matt Franklin · Jan 21, 2021

Paging @OnSale or @1500ram12... (or anybody who's got some experience here):

Y'all seem to have had some very helpful advice for other guys as they started the process of upgrading their headlights. I'm hoping you've got some words of wisdom for me as well.

I'm looking to upgrade the stock reflectors in my 2019 classic SLT to something that I don't have to run on hi beams in a lit neighborhood...

I think I've settled on these ebay specials, I think they are the same as the AlphaRex sold as ModifyStreet, correct me if I'm wrong:

For 2009-2018 Dodge Ram Chrome LED DRL Dual Projector Headlights Left/Right Pair | eBay

I'm thinking I'll do this in stages, I'd like to install these and run them a while to see if I'm satisfied with the light they produce before I upgrade any further. To that end, I've got a couple questions:
1) I THINK all I need for phase 1 is the lights from eBay and a fuse tap for the DRL's, right? These lights come with the harness for the DRL's to wire up to the battery, the ground, and the fuse box. Am I missing anything that will be required here?
2) I THINK this will be plug and play on my '19, right? My worst issue may or may not be a message on my EVIC saying I've got a marker lamp or turn signal out? If I get that, I can deal with it at that time? I don't want to get into AlphaOBD programming yet, since I haven't gotten that setup bought yet.
3)Will I see a noticeable difference in light output, pattern, and quality between my factory setup and these with their included H7 halogen bulbs? If there is no point installing these without upgrading the bulbs to HID lows and LED highs, then I may investigate other alternatives now. Again, the reason I want to start with just these is to improve visibility while I work my way up to other bulb alternatives requiring programming in AplhaOBD.
4) I assume I won't have any issues with blinding oncoming drivers with these headlights, especially with the included halogens, right?

Thanks a ton for anybody that has any advice or input for me.

kurek · Jan 21, 2021

If you have the base model quad beams don't underestimate the value of just installing a high quality replacement halogen bulb & properly aiming the headlights.

I know everyone just wants to empty their wallets and buy as much shiny :poop:

as they possibly can but something I learned from old timers is make sure the :poop:

you have today is working its best before you throw it to the side.

NJ4X4 · Jan 21, 2021

Per a recommendation from someone here on the forum, a friend of mine recently replaced the high and low bulbs in his 2019 Classic with these LED's. They went into the factory black colored quad headlights. He absolutely loves them and there were no error codes after installing.

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3/H10 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 10000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Automotive

Amazon.com: Fahren H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 10000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Automotive

OnSale · Jan 21, 2021

Matt Franklin said:
Paging @OnSale or @1500ram12... (or anybody who's got some experience here):

Y'all seem to have had some very helpful advice for other guys as they started the process of upgrading their headlights. I'm hoping you've got some words of wisdom for me as well.

I'm looking to upgrade the stock reflectors in my 2019 classic SLT to something that I don't have to run on hi beams in a lit neighborhood...

I think I've settled on these ebay specials, I think they are the same as the AlphaRex sold as ModifyStreet, correct me if I'm wrong:

For 2009-2018 Dodge Ram Chrome LED DRL Dual Projector Headlights Left/Right Pair | eBay

I'm thinking I'll do this in stages, I'd like to install these and run them a while to see if I'm satisfied with the light they produce before I upgrade any further. To that end, I've got a couple questions:
1) I THINK all I need for phase 1 is the lights from eBay and a fuse tap for the DRL's, right? These lights come with the harness for the DRL's to wire up to the battery, the ground, and the fuse box. Am I missing anything that will be required here?
2) I THINK this will be plug and play on my '19, right? My worst issue may or may not be a message on my EVIC saying I've got a marker lamp or turn signal out? If I get that, I can deal with it at that time? I don't want to get into AlphaOBD programming yet, since I haven't gotten that setup bought yet.
3)Will I see a noticeable difference in light output, pattern, and quality between my factory setup and these with their included H7 halogen bulbs? If there is no point installing these without upgrading the bulbs to HID lows and LED highs, then I may investigate other alternatives now. Again, the reason I want to start with just these is to improve visibility while I work my way up to other bulb alternatives requiring programming in AplhaOBD.
4) I assume I won't have any issues with blinding oncoming drivers with these headlights, especially with the included halogens, right?

Thanks a ton for anybody that has any advice or input for me.

If you are going to buy those lights you will also want to upgrade the bulbs. You won’t get much of an increase in lighting with these lights without upgrading the bulbs and I would recommend installing the Hikari’s or the Katana LEDs off Amazon. Cheap but lots of members on here run them in these exact lights and I have too, before I retrofitted them with D2S projectors.

I would save your money and do a proper retrofit. I just completed a H1 8.0 retrofit on a set of oem quads for under $400 with new housings.

NJ4X4 said:
Per a recommendation from someone here on the forum, a friend of mine recently replaced the high and low bulbs in his 2019 Classic with these LED's. They went into the factory black colored quad headlights. He absolutely loves them and there were no error codes after installing.

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3/H10 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 10000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Automotive

Amazon.com: Fahren H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 10000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Automotive

Don’t buy these, they are not good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1500ram12 · Jan 21, 2021

Matt Franklin said:
Paging @OnSale or @1500ram12... (or anybody who's got some experience here):

Y'all seem to have had some very helpful advice for other guys as they started the process of upgrading their headlights. I'm hoping you've got some words of wisdom for me as well.

I'm looking to upgrade the stock reflectors in my 2019 classic SLT to something that I don't have to run on hi beams in a lit neighborhood...

I think I've settled on these ebay specials, I think they are the same as the AlphaRex sold as ModifyStreet, correct me if I'm wrong:

For 2009-2018 Dodge Ram Chrome LED DRL Dual Projector Headlights Left/Right Pair | eBay

I'm thinking I'll do this in stages, I'd like to install these and run them a while to see if I'm satisfied with the light they produce before I upgrade any further. To that end, I've got a couple questions:
1) I THINK all I need for phase 1 is the lights from eBay and a fuse tap for the DRL's, right? These lights come with the harness for the DRL's to wire up to the battery, the ground, and the fuse box. Am I missing anything that will be required here?
2) I THINK this will be plug and play on my '19, right? My worst issue may or may not be a message on my EVIC saying I've got a marker lamp or turn signal out? If I get that, I can deal with it at that time? I don't want to get into AlphaOBD programming yet, since I haven't gotten that setup bought yet.
3)Will I see a noticeable difference in light output, pattern, and quality between my factory setup and these with their included H7 halogen bulbs? If there is no point installing these without upgrading the bulbs to HID lows and LED highs, then I may investigate other alternatives now. Again, the reason I want to start with just these is to improve visibility while I work my way up to other bulb alternatives requiring programming in AplhaOBD.
4) I assume I won't have any issues with blinding oncoming drivers with these headlights, especially with the included halogens, right?

Thanks a ton for anybody that has any advice or input for me.

Chances are those are alpharex lights just being sold under a different company. They'll be plug and play. You'll probably have a parking light out message without alfaobd. Won't affect anything. I'd atleast upgrade the low's. The output with the included bulbs is slightly better than the quads due to the projectors. You can run led or hid's in these and as long as they are adjusted properly you won't blind anyone.

I'd recommend Innovited hid's or Aukee led's. Both will fit inside the housing so no drilling holes needed.

The included drl harness is plug and play. I'd recommend getting a fuse tap/add a fuse.

2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

NJ4X4 · Jan 21, 2021

OnSale said:
If you are going to buy those lights you will also want to upgrade the bulbs. You won’t get much of an increase in lighting with these lights without upgrading the bulbs and I would recommend installing the Hikari’s or the Katana LEDs off Amazon. Cheap but lots of members on here run them in these exact lights and I have too, before I retrofitted them with D2S projectors.

I would save your money and do a proper retrofit. I just completed a H1 8.0 retrofit on a set of oem quads for under $400 with new housings.

Don’t buy these, they are not good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I''ve been in his truck several times at night as well as helped him install them. So far, these bulbs are awesome. The member on this forum has them in his '19 Classic for about 6 months....and HIGHLY recommended them. These have been installed about a month now....and I agree with him.

704medic · Jan 21, 2021

They suck. I bought a pair and am not satisfied with them at all. The light output is pathetic and one of the DRL straps is already burning out. Barely had them a year. And, the truck is rarely driven as I have a company vehicle.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

NJ4X4 · Jan 21, 2021

704medic said:
They suck. I bought a pair and am not satisfied with them at all. The light output is pathetic and one of the DRL straps is already burning out. Barely had them a year. And, the truck is rarely driven as I have a company vehicle.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I've seen the light output. ZERO complaints. It's comparable to the set-up I have on my truck....for over $1K.

OnSale · Jan 21, 2021

NJ4X4 said:
I''ve been in his truck several times at night as well as helped him install them. So far, these bulbs are awesome. The member on this forum has them in his '19 Classic for about 6 months....and HIGHLY recommended them. These have been installed about a month now....and I agree with him.

Ok but any led or hid in a halogen housing is not “good” or “awesome”. Your friend is blinding incoming traffic and his lights are not good, they are bad. Don’t put led or hid in non projector housings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OnSale · Jan 21, 2021

Matt Franklin said:
Paging @OnSale or @1500ram12... (or anybody who's got some experience here):

Y'all seem to have had some very helpful advice for other guys as they started the process of upgrading their headlights. I'm hoping you've got some words of wisdom for me as well.

I'm looking to upgrade the stock reflectors in my 2019 classic SLT to something that I don't have to run on hi beams in a lit neighborhood...

I think I've settled on these ebay specials, I think they are the same as the AlphaRex sold as ModifyStreet, correct me if I'm wrong:

For 2009-2018 Dodge Ram Chrome LED DRL Dual Projector Headlights Left/Right Pair | eBay

I'm thinking I'll do this in stages, I'd like to install these and run them a while to see if I'm satisfied with the light they produce before I upgrade any further. To that end, I've got a couple questions:
1) I THINK all I need for phase 1 is the lights from eBay and a fuse tap for the DRL's, right? These lights come with the harness for the DRL's to wire up to the battery, the ground, and the fuse box. Am I missing anything that will be required here?
2) I THINK this will be plug and play on my '19, right? My worst issue may or may not be a message on my EVIC saying I've got a marker lamp or turn signal out? If I get that, I can deal with it at that time? I don't want to get into AlphaOBD programming yet, since I haven't gotten that setup bought yet.
3)Will I see a noticeable difference in light output, pattern, and quality between my factory setup and these with their included H7 halogen bulbs? If there is no point installing these without upgrading the bulbs to HID lows and LED highs, then I may investigate other alternatives now. Again, the reason I want to start with just these is to improve visibility while I work my way up to other bulb alternatives requiring programming in AplhaOBD.
4) I assume I won't have any issues with blinding oncoming drivers with these headlights, especially with the included halogens, right?

Thanks a ton for anybody that has any advice or input for me.

And yes ModifyStreet is the same exact company as AlphaRex.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OnSale · Jan 21, 2021

NJ4X4 said:
I've seen the light output. ZERO complaints. It's comparable to the set-up I have on my truck....for over $1K.

If you are seriously comparing $30 amazon led bulbs in halogen housings to $1,000 headlights, then your headlights are trash and you got ripped off. You can build a proper retrofit for $400-$500.

LED bulbs do NOT belong in the oem Ram quad headlights. End of story. I don’t care how good you think they look, I guarantee if you use a lux meter, those “amazing” led bulbs are putting out less light then the oem halogen bulbs were.

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NJ4X4 · Jan 21, 2021

OnSale said:
Ok but any led or hid in a halogen housing is not “good” or “awesome”. Your friend is blinding incoming traffic and his lights are not good, they are bad. Don’t put led or hid in non projector housings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LMAO...what part do you not get? I intalled these....looked at them from outside and drove in the truck. I love them.

hunterdan · Jan 22, 2021

All pictures posted here are direct screenshots from the following video:
Granted, these are images of only one housing, however, you can directly compare the beam pattern to the stock bulb. Honestly, from what I see, the cheap $30 nineo led gives the closest beam pattern to oem, but much brighter.

All that said, the stock bulb produces a decent pattern, limited by a long life bulb that values longevity over performance. Most of the leds posted provide very similar patterns to the oem bulb, with very minimal "scatter" above the "cutoff". My theory is this, the glare people are seeing from headlights with these bulbs is mostly due to improper installation (not clocked correctly) and improper aiming. Any bulb that is aimed higher than it should be, even the stock bulb at a paltry 220 lux will appear to have its high beams on due to the headlight being aimed level or above level. That's the biggest reason why most aiming techniques recommend a 2" drop below level at 25 feet. This gives you max throw, without shining into oncoming traffic. Everyone knocks these quad housings, but aimed properly, with a decent set of bulbs, be it led, halogen or even hid, they can produce pretty even, patterns with a very discernable cutoff line that isn't obnoxious to drivers.

Matt Franklin · Jan 22, 2021

OnSale said:
And yes ModifyStreet is the same exact company as AlphaRex.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Understood, I was trying to decide if the MotorsportsOutlet in the eBay ad I linked to was ALSO AR/ModifyStreet. Looks like 1500Ram12 thinks that's likely, as I do:

1500ram12 said:
Chances are those are alpharex lights just being sold under a different company. They'll be plug and play...

Thanks everybody for the feedback. It sounds like I need to look at bulbs to put in these housings, too. I'll investigate whether I want to go HID or LED on the lows, and figure out my brands and report back, in case anybody is interested

OnSale · Jan 22, 2021

Matt Franklin said:
Understood, I was trying to decide if the MotorsportsOutlet in the eBay ad I linked to was ALSO AR/ModifyStreet. Looks like 1500Ram12 thinks that's likely, as I do:

Thanks everybody for the feedback. It sounds like I need to look at bulbs to put in these housings, too. I'll investigate whether I want to go HID or LED on the lows, and figure out my brands and report back, in case anybody is interested

If you have AlfaOBD and you can enable HID’s, you can buy the $40 Innovited HID kit off Amazon and it works perfectly with the AlphaRex housings. I’ve used this kit for a few weeks before I opened the lights up and did my build that I actually just sold yesterday.

As for the eBay listing... just message the seller and ask them. If they really are ModifyStreet/AlphaRex, it will say so on the outside of the box that the lights are in.

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1500ram12 · Jan 22, 2021

Matt Franklin said:
Understood, I was trying to decide if the MotorsportsOutlet in the eBay ad I linked to was ALSO AR/ModifyStreet. Looks like 1500Ram12 thinks that's likely, as I do:

Thanks everybody for the feedback. It sounds like I need to look at bulbs to put in these housings, too. I'll investigate whether I want to go HID or LED on the lows, and figure out my brands and report back, in case anybody is interested

I've run Innovited 35w hid's, Hikari ultra led's, katana led's and Aukee led's in the stock alpharex projectors. The Aukee were the brightest out of the bunch. The Innovited hid's had a little more distance. If you upgrade just the low's you won't need to use your highs. The design of them makes the highs useless with brighter low's.

2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

hunterdan · Jan 22, 2021

1500ram12 said:
I've run Innovited 35w hid's, Hikari ultra led's, katana led's and Aukee led's in the stock alpharex projectors. The Aukee were the brightest out of the bunch. The Innovited hid's had a little more distance. If you upgrade just the low's you won't need to use your highs. The design of them makes the highs useless with brighter low's.

2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

The innovited hids I ran were horrible.in my alpharex housings and I tried multiple clocking positions. They just were not bright at all, even with a 5000k bulb.

OnSale · Jan 22, 2021

hunterdan said:
The innovited hids I ran were horrible.in my alpharex housings and I tried multiple clocking positions. They just were not bright at all, even with a 5000k bulb.

That’s really weird. I am betting you just got a bad set of bulbs because I too have ran the 35w Innovited kit in these exact same AR housings and had great results and I recommend them to anyone on a budget looking to do HID’s in the AR housings.

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kurek · Jan 22, 2021

A couple weeks back I took photos using my drone with the camera in full manual mode so it would not adjust its own exposure - on one side is the highest quality, most recommended and latest generation LED I could buy for that application and on the other side is a mirror image of the same vehicle 5 minutes later with Wagner ND incandescent bulbs.

I split the photos down the middle and mirrored one side to eliminate terrain imperfections and cut the color to black-and-white to eliminate personal biases from 6000k vs. halogen color profiles.

Minor difference in distribution, one is a little brighter down the middle and the other is a little brighter farther out in the pattern. Can you identify which is the $100+ LED set and which is the $23 halogen?

(this is on my Jeep Patriot, not my Ram.. way more work to swap bulbs on the Ram)

Matt Franklin · Jan 22, 2021

I’m guessing the passenger side is the more expensive bulb. I’m happy to wait for a few more guesses before you reveal though.

Another headlight thread from a lighting NOOB

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