headlight questions

[yamaha821]

ok guys, got a 1996 ram 1500 with stock headlights, as everyone know they fade real bad and get moisture in them and can't see for crap in the dark, I'm looking at getting new headlights looking at the projectors and hids and read a lot of bad about the projectors, now I was a mechanic for 3 years in a garage working on rigs but never could get a grip on big wiring deals but i know the basics really good but im sure I could figure it out just need alittle input, was looking at the Xenon lighting kits but what's the low beam, high beam, and all them other options and can I use stock headlights just getting new ones??? all confuses me. I want my lights bright but LEGAL! any input would be great, thanks!

 

[dodge dude94]

Get 99+ Sport headlight housings with a relay kit and some GOOD bulbs (GE NightHawk, and such). Those the best LEGAL headlights out there.

 

[Merc225hp]

DD94 has it down. The sport headlight upgrade is in my top five list of my fav mods I did to my truck.

 

[yamaha821]

Get 99+ Sport headlight housings with a relay kit and some GOOD bulbs (GE NightHawk, and such). Those the best LEGAL headlights out there.

any fabricating? I watched a video on it on YouTube and guy had to cut out holes for the 2 bulbs on each headlight to fit into the front and wire up another connector and what kid of relay kit? idk what's good and what's bad lol

 

[dodge dude94]

any fabricating? I watched a video on it on YouTube and guy had to cut out holes for the 2 bulbs on each headlight to fit into the front and wire up another connector and what kid of relay kit? idk what's good and what's bad lol

Only thing you really need to do is cut a slot in your headlight opening for the second bulb. You can get a headlight relay harness from Daniel Stern Lighting.

 

[yamaha821]

Only thing you really need to do is cut a slot in your headlight opening for the second bulb. You can get a headlight relay harness from Daniel Stern Lighting.

now the relay harness, do i order that for a 99 instead of a 96? theres so many options you can get with them like ballasts, canceller whatever that is, i be getting a dual beam im assuming? bi-xenon upgrade? im not understanding any of this, bare with me here

 

[dodge dude94]

now the relay harness, do i order that for a 99 instead of a 96? theres so many options you can get with them like ballasts, canceller whatever that is, i be getting a dual beam im assuming? bi-xenon upgrade? im not understanding any of this, bare with me here

Go here, scroll down until you find the RIK-RAM kit

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

[Merc225hp]

Here is the mod you have to do to the headlight pocket in the fender no its not the rad cradle you are cutting. Think I used a 3" hole saw and a sawzall.

So inner bulbs are 9004 outer bulbs are 9007, get your HID's to match these.

 

[rowdyram]

Another option not as good as the sport lights but a lot cheaper is to convert to 9007 from 9004

 

[Merc225hp]

Not a good idea.

C/P from a pdf on headlights

9004 and 9007 bulbs are keyed differently, so they can’t be interchanged, but the higher light output of the 9007 tempts some people to try making 9007 bulbs fit in headlamps designed for 9004 bulbs.

This is not an upgrade, and it’s unsafe.

It’s important to use the specified bulb. Each headlamp is designed to use only one type of headlamp bulb. It may be a 9004, a 9007, or some other type. Headlamps are optical instruments, and they depend on the filament being very precisely oriented and placed exactly how and where it’s supposed to be, in order to form a beam pattern with the right amounts of light in the right places.

If the filament is improperly oriented or placed because the wrong kind of bulb is used, the headlamps optics won’t see what they're expecting to see, and they won't be able to do their job. The result will be a damaged beam pattern that won't provide safe seeing light for the driver, and will cause blinding glare for other road users.

 

[rowdyram]

I have just done the 9007 swap and it works great. Good beam pattern and they are keyed almost the same

Of coarse there are always risks with modifications of any kind. But I don't see how using a bulb in a housing designed for a different bulb is any different than a HID or LED conversion.
They are 10 watts brighter on low beam 55 instead of 45 so they draw about .5 amps more and the filament is arranged differently but they work great. I'd say 30% improvement and only cost $34

 

[Merc225hp]

Piaa bulbs are rated at 65/55watts = to 120/110watts so I would just upgrade the 9004 bulb to that not mess with installing 9007 in the wrong housing.

That c/p comes from a very reputable headlight bulb manufacturer, I will stick to their vast knowledge on this subject and say don't do it.

 

[rowdyram]

Well that sounds like an easier upgrade.

 

[dodge dude94]

Um....3000 lumen LED bulb retro-fits FTW....?

 

[MoparMagic'00]

Merc would this be a good combo? Amazon.com: Dodge Ram Sport Conversion Headlights Kit For Standard Ram New Set Headlamps ...: Automotive

and relay harness? Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

 

[Merc225hp]

Yes it does the lights are DOT & SAE so thats good. And the relay harness looks right as well from LMC.