Halogens? Why?

My brand new Ram Classic is now 3 weeks owned by me. Altho a 2022, it came off the lot brand new. I'm not complaining but I do wonder in this day and age why the Halogen lighting system? Is there such a surplus of these 'old' bulbs that it is cheaper for them to build than LEDs? And with LEDs isn't it all about the cheaper cost, less power used and and much better longevity? Don't really get it.

I haven't looked it up, but I would guess halogens may be cheaper than LEDs. The manufacturer doesn't care about longevity or anything like that, so they use the presumably cheaper halogens on the lower-trim levels. That's my guess, anyway.

It is all about marketing. If they can charge you more for a higher model to get LEDs, or sell the LEDs as an upgrade for extra bucks, that is the whole game. The margins on a Laramie are WAY bigger than on a base truck and it comes from all of the high priced add ons. Remember when backup cameras, DRLs, rear seat belts and a host of other stuff were an extra option. As many of these things became mandatory the car companies keep finding "New" options to sell us.

MoToad said:

My brand new Ram Classic is now 3 weeks owned by me. Altho a 2022, it came off the lot brand new. I'm not complaining but I do wonder in this day and age why the Halogen lighting system? Is there such a surplus of these 'old' bulbs that it is cheaper for them to build than LEDs? And with LEDs isn't it all about the cheaper cost, less power used and and much better longevity? Don't really get it.

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Classic- halogens are classic right?
I think the new limiteds and trx has led dont they?

Why would a manufacturer do anything but control production costs and whatever is most profitable? They're in business to make money, nothing else.

And as Dean pointed out, the options are the cash cow for automobiles and always have been.

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I'm just thinking that like incandescent lighting, halogens would be fazed out. And had a quick look Chopperdog, and Hals are anywhere from equal priced to a lot cheaper than LEDs. Of course with pretty well all LEDs coming out of China (a nation I am convinced their true purpose in life is to screw with us) and the repeated failures I get that product, Hals could very well be the better choice.

Ever price a replacement LED headlight assembly? In order to charge you more for the option, the part has to have a higher retail...Not necessarily a higher production cost. Those LED ASSEMBLIES are not bulbs...And they cost so much your **** will pucker when you have to replace them.

MoToad said:

My brand new Ram Classic is now 3 weeks owned by me. Altho a 2022, it came off the lot brand new.

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As you pointed out, your truck is a Classic version and the headlights are still the same what went on the Gen4 (DS) body truck starting back in 2009 then revamped in 2013. LED headlights were not an option available on the 2013-18 trucks, no redesign happened for the Classics (that's why they're cheaper than a Gen5 (DT) body).

Ha! Are LED's that much better? Don't believe I have ever owned a vehicle with LED's or even ridden in one at night. Was not until I drove my father to work one day. Still dark outside. He he asked me if my headlights were on and if so they suck.

Lsujker said:

Ha! Are LED's that much better? Don't believe I have ever owned a vehicle with LED's or even ridden in one at night. Was not until I drove my father to work one day. Still dark outside. He he asked me if my headlights were on and if so they suck.

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Many years ago, my X was driving a Saturn and after a couple of rides as a passenger, I stole her car, took it to Canadian Tire and bought replacement lights.

The former lights were like driving with a pen light flashlight, near useless.

Many types of LED would be a vast improvement but so would buying a better quality halogen for most vehicles.

I'm hoping to upgrade my headlights to LED sometime soon but still watching reviews and the prices dropping as the competition increases.

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MoToad said:

My brand new Ram Classic is now 3 weeks owned by me. Altho a 2022, it came off the lot brand new. I'm not complaining but I do wonder in this day and age why the Halogen lighting system? Is there such a surplus of these 'old' bulbs that it is cheaper for them to build than LEDs? And with LEDs isn't it all about the cheaper cost, less power used and and much better longevity? Don't really get it.

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I'm an old fogie. I recollect when we in parts America, by and large, outlawed All but the old yellow incandescent lights. In the 70's I worked in a shop where folks would bring in cars with "outlaw" halogen headlights, have the original headlights in the trunk, and pay us to retrofit the OE lights in order to pass stringent laws restricting candle power on headlights during state inspection. THEN, we would reverse the procedure as soon as they would get their inspection!

As I've gotten older, and the laws restricting candlepower have been lifted, I have the high falootin' Phillips halogen bulbs in my rides. I have tried retrofitting LED lights as have many of my customers. Unless the vehicle was/is designed for the system, there is WAY too much EMI in the LED systems for the cars' computer and electrical systems to handle.

It probably has to do with how diligent the makers of aftermarket LED kits are. A LOT of RFI/EMI shielding needs to be addressed. Also, the difference in lighting circuit system resistance plays havoc with the system. Also, I've witnessed wiring and light fixture melting from how hot LED system circuits get.

I'd recommend that you consult FCA as to whether or not there is a Factory retrofit kit available. Otherwise, check into the Phillips (not an endorsement) halogen ultra white/blue bulbs like I do. They really improved my night visibility.

MoToad said:

My brand new Ram Classic is now 3 weeks owned by me. Altho a 2022, it came off the lot brand new. I'm not complaining but I do wonder in this day and age why the Halogen lighting system? Is there such a surplus of these 'old' bulbs that it is cheaper for them to build than LEDs? And with LEDs isn't it all about the cheaper cost, less power used and and much better longevity? Don't really get it.

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$. A buddy of mine works for a headlight manufacturer that supplies many of the major US and Japanese makers. The bulbs aren't the big expense. Housings and/or lenses (depending on type) are.

Plus how will they sell you a more expensive trim package without more betterer doodads like lights that don't suck? I bought the top trim package strictly to get the best headlights. I don't care about leather seats, etc, but I *love* my bending headlights (the lens adjusts the beam so they always stay centered on where your steering wheel is pointed).

I have a 22 Classic with the quad headlamps, as well. They are terrible.

I replaced the fog lights and housings with LED units made by Diode Dynamics. Made a huge improvement. They're plug and play; the install was easy. Think I paid around $300 for the set (Pro level) on Black Friday. Much cheaper than replacing the headlight housings and a lot less drama with no software changes needed.

It's simple economics, cost. Have you seen the price of everyday household LED bulbs vs the old incandescent? And they sure as heck don't last any longer in my experience.

Scottly said:

Ever price a replacement LED headlight assembly? In order to charge you more for the option, the part has to have a higher retail...Not necessarily a higher production cost. Those LED ASSEMBLIES are not bulbs...And they cost so much your **** will pucker when you have to replace them.

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100%

You might like your integrated LED headlamp assembly until the day you need to replace one or both. They can be $1000 or more for an OEM replacement.

HunterCat said:

I have a 22 Classic with the quad headlamps, as well. They are terrible.

I replaced the fog lights and housings with LED units made by Diode Dynamics. Made a huge improvement. They're plug and play; the install was easy. Think I paid around $300 for the set (Pro level) on Black Friday. Much cheaper than replacing the headlight housings and a lot less drama with no software changes needed.

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I have also done this before. The dropin fog lamps are widely available, reasonable and great. My replacements were for HAL units that, over several years had taken the brunt of winter weather. I would most likely do this again if the time comes (could be a while). But listening to all discussions here I am now much the wiser and have decided to leave well enough alone when the time comes. Of course by then maybe HALs might have truly faded away and LEDs might have truly met the price and quality parameters I would need. And maybe pig might fly. Regardless, I am grateful for all the great input. Thanks guys!

My '18 has the standard quad beams too. they're way better than my '06 Ford had (duh).

I plan to put stock projector headlights in, but they certainly are expensive.

I do agree, though, in that halogens really are obsolete anymore with all the LED lighting that's out there. Oh well. Companies are still going to make their money.

I feel like the simple answer is: they can charge hundreds more for LED "upgrades"...so why wouldnt they?

Not a boomer, but I'm going to sound like one here.

Most LED headlamps are in too high of a color range to be effective for good vision. Sure, they're bright AF and light things up like almost to the point of needing sunglasses at night, but the color temperature on the Kelvin scale of 5k to 6k washes the definition out. The bright white/slightly bluish light sells, so that's what is manufactured, but the slightly yellowish and lower on the Kelvin scale at around 3k-3.5k is what is more effective.

The best lighting of any vehicle I've been in was a 2014 Subaru with OEM halogens. If I ever have a vehicle with LED lighting, I'll probably be replacing the bulbs that come with it with some 3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin temp ones. On a separate note, I hate the hard cutoff lines that LED headlamps have, both as a driver and as the unlucky person driving towards them.

Now, get off my lawn you kids!

Have to say, I really like the LEDs on my Laramie 2500. The rear stop lamps are 4 or 5 times brighter than hte old style. If I step on the brake I can see behind me almost as good as when the backup lights are on. With repsect to the fogs and headlights, they really light stuff up for a long ways. It may be so white it washes out a little detail like the previous poster says but I can see deer and moose in the ditch much farther with these than I could with top quality halogens in my other vehicle. They make it much easier to not hit animals crossing at night, especially Moose, who absorb most light and whos eyes don't reflect Halogen lights like a deer does.