Yes, Another LED headlight thread

I have a 2019 Classic Big Horn 1500. I just put in some Sealight LED high and low beams and am not impressed. After sifting through the forums for more info, I have a couple questions.
1. Am I better off replacing the entire headlight fixture with the expensive-ass, but really nice ones like these AlphaRex ones ?
2. Can I put a better LED bulb in my stock headlight fixtures and get good results? I’ve seen both BriSource and Underground Lighting recommended in other threads.

I’m open to any and all suggestions. Thank you for your patience with my lack of acronym knowledge on the forums, other than knowing I’m new AF. I can only fit the Marine Corps acronyms in my thick skull for the moment.

I’m not worried about making my truck the flashiest. Just want to get around safely and effectively to doing more of this stuff:


*edit: apologies for any previously posted photos on this post that may have violated the forum rules. *

You can spend a decent chunk of change on LED bulbs alone. It depends on your budget. GTR has nice options and Morimoto has the 2stroke3.0 line up that is interesting. They're also pricey.

Honestly, as a driver coming from the other direction towards you, I hate, with a passion, most LED setups. Even many of the OEM LED setups that should be correct, but still hurt my eyes.

You could just upgrade the halogens and get good lighting. Simple bulb change and modification.

Even the OEM's screw up, GM is just one of many that should be recalled.

MoneyMike0311 said:

I have a 2019 Classic Big Horn 1500.

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Classic means old body style/4th gen. Big Horn is a 5th Gen trim. They do not use the same headlights or have the same headlight options.

If you have stock reflectors there are no LEDs that will improve your forward vision, and all will negatively impact other drivers.

If you have stock projectors there are a few LEDs that will make minor improvements.

The OEM 5th gen LED option is well rated, but I'm not sure if that's a common swap or what's involved.

The quality of aftermarket lights is all over the map, but the AlphaRex ones for a 4th gen/classic you linked to do seem to be a quality option and an improvment over the OEM 4th gen options.

I'll ask the obvious question.
Did you clock the LED chips at 3 and 9?
If not, output will be scattered.

I need help with some aftermarket headlights. When I first wired them up, they worked perfectly until I started the truck. Then the sequential light got a mixed up & only partially came on. So I put resistors on positive wir, no change.

i was recently told because it’s A Ram, that I need to put resistors on all wires including the ground. Any one have any advice, I’m ready to put these headlights back already. Thx in advance

RayGar said:

So I put resistors on positive wir, no change.

i was recently told because it’s A Ram, that I need to put resistors on all wires including the ground.

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The resistors should be wired from the positive to the negative wires already. Not sure what was meant by the ground needing a resistor.

Never got the LED craze. I grew up with glass halogens as a kid and never had issues with seeing the road. Now we have lights so damn bright that they blind the oncoming driver not only for the period of time they are exposed to them but for a short period after the light has gone by. I don't know how this is determined to be safe. Perhaps my age is a reflection of how these affect my vision now. If you need brighter lighting get a set of aux lights that you can use while traveling the low lit roads alone. It'll be much cheaper, as effective, and safer for those you share the road with.

I will respectfully disagree with some posters that LEDs aren’t viable upgrades. I have a 2018 BigHorn with factory quad reflector lenses. Quality LED bulbs, properly clocked and properly aimed make a big difference over stock halogen bulbs. The factory headlights are a very good quality so it makes sense to find a suitable bulb to work in the OEM housing versus laying out a lot of cash on aftermarket. As NJMOPAR asked are your LED bulbs clocked properly? The two common types of LED headlights are an 360 degree acorn style bulbs and a blade type bulb with LED chips on only two different sides. The acorn style bulb is not suitable for headlight use in a reflector housing. The blade style bulbs must be clocked or aligned properly to work. This means the LED chips face 3 and 9 o’clock when mounted in the lens. This replicates the fitment of a halogen bulb. There are some decent LED bulbs on Amazon that are inexpensive. You don’t necessarily need the expensive designer bulbs that go for a couple hundred bucks. Try Fahren, Cougar Motor and Auxbeam as low cost alternatives. Aligning the housings will help to eliminate blinding oncoming drivers. Properly clocking the bulb will help prevent a scattered light pattern.