Projectors an upgrade?

[JoshR104]

Sorry, I think I figured it out. I got to looking at the projectors and removed a dust cover, where I saw the wiring to the bulbs themselves. The output of the HID ballast hooks up there, but do you mount the ballast inside there, too? (I assume it would get too hot) or do you mount it outside the housing on the truck somewhere and drill a hole for the wiring to pass through?

Making sure I understand everything before I pull the trigger.

I have mine mounted outside on a metal suface. They can get hot but some people I have seen keep them inside as well. Just make sure you dont mount them too far away the cords on the morimoto kit are pretty short.

Also I see you were looking at upgrading high beams. Take a look at the 2stroke 2.0 from morimoto they fit in the highbeam location and have crazy output but its a very snugfit. I have a 2018 and didnt need the resistors or trim dustcap at all on my stock projector style headlights.

 

[Ghost_RAM]

If I remember correctly I drilled my dust cap and used the supplied grommets for the wires to pass through. Then black RTV around that and between the wires where they pass through it. Ballasts are mounted to an outside surface beside the housing of the light. I also had to clock the bulb by loosening the housings 3 or 4 screws to line up the filament of the HID to remove the dark line. There’s a thread on this somewhere. I’ll see if I can locate it for you.


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[Ghost_RAM]

@Gibbs Here is one. Sorry, got delayed with some family stuff. Sending you a PM on an alternative way...other site.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/projector-headlight-issue.95264/

Read through you'll see where the screws are loosened to rotate slightly. Takes a little fiddling but the end result is worth it. The alternative method involves trimming of a tab which I did not want to do.

 

[Gibbs]

If I remember correctly I drilled my dust cap and used the supplied grommets for the wires to pass through. Then black RTV around that and between the wires where they pass through it. Ballasts are mounted to an outside surface beside the housing of the light. I also had to clock the bulb by loosening the housings 3 or 4 screws to line up the filament of the HID to remove the dark line. There’s a thread on this somewhere. I’ll see if I can locate it for you.


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@Gibbs Here is one. Sorry, got delayed with some family stuff. Sending you a PM on an alternative way...other site.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/projector-headlight-issue.95264/

Read through you'll see where the screws are loosened to rotate slightly. Takes a little fiddling but the end result is worth it. The alternative method involves trimming of a tab which I did not want to do.

Excellent! I'll read up on this and get a game plan. Seriously considering getting the HIDs and having everything all set up so I can install the new housings and be done with it.

 

[corneileous]

Yeah definitely with the HID’s, they’ll probably come with a big rubber grommet that’ll seal up a whole you have to drill into the access covers. The lowbeam harness in the headlight comes outside the headlight to plug into the ballasts and anti flicker things, then it goes right back into the headlight through that grommet and plugs into your new bulbs. If you go with an led bulb for your high’s, those little module things for them are small enough to house inside the headlight.


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[Gibbs]

Yeah definitely with the HID’s, they’ll probably come with a big rubber grommet that’ll seal up a whole you have to drill into the access covers. The lowbeam harness in the headlight comes outside the headlight to plug into the ballasts and anti flicker things, then it goes right back into the headlight through that grommet and plugs into your new bulbs. If you go with an led bulb for your high’s, those little module things for them are small enough to house inside the headlight.


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I probably should have done more searching for pics, but feeling under the weather right now. Thanks to your description I now understand how it all goes together. Thanks man.

 

[Gibbs]

Went ahead and bit the bullet on the DDM Tuning HIDs that @Ghost_RAM And @2010 Infantry Vet recommended....35W 6500K

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ICWXAZO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AW6LSIC7SRN9D&psc=1

Thanks to you guys for helping out an HID newbie, lol.

Getting really excited to get these put in!


*Edit : I just realized that I accidentally ordered the 9006 version! Apparently when I clicked 6500K, 9005 was not in stock so it automatically changed it to 9006. I was able to cancel the order...I didn't want 3000K or 4500K, which is all they had for 9005. Dang it, need to find another source for these.

 

[corneileous]

What do you plan to do for highbeams and fogs?


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[Ghost_RAM]

If memory serves me, there are two different size bulbs that went into the projectors depending on the year? Maybe someone has more knowledge on this. Should've thought of that earlier.

 

[corneileous]

If memory serves me, there are two different size bulbs that went into the projectors depending on the year? Maybe someone has more knowledge on this. Should've thought of that earlier.

In mine, its 9005 for the lows and highs, and 9006 for the fogs. You can get a wiring adapter for 9006’s for the highs. You just gotta trim the tabs a little bit on the bulbs so they’ll fit.


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[Ghost_RAM]

In mine, its 9005 for the lows and highs, and 9006 for the fogs. You can get a wiring adapter for 9006’s for the highs. You just gotta trim the tabs a little bit on the bulbs so they’ll fit.


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That is what I did for my highs. Trimmed tab of the 9011 HIR

 

[Gibbs]

If memory serves me, there are two different size bulbs that went into the projectors depending on the year? Maybe someone has more knowledge on this. Should've thought of that earlier.

I looked at mine and it has 9005 for low and high.

What do you plan to do for highbeams and fogs?


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I'm getting some Sylvania ZXEs from @Ghost_RAM that he had lying around to put in the highs. I'm not sure yet on the fogs.

I edited my last post to add this about the HIDs...
I just realized that I accidentally ordered the 9006 version! Apparently when I clicked 6500K, 9005 was not in stock so it automatically changed it to 9006. I was able to cancel the order...I didn't want 3000K or 4500K, which is all they had for 9005. Dang it, need to find another source for these.


I need to find another source or wait for them to restock.

 

[Ghost_RAM]

The LEDs I mentioned earlier here are a very close match to the DDM Tuning 6500K for the fogs.

Edit: Couple pics

Fogs and lows



Lows with highs

 

[Gibbs]

Looks really nice!
After some searching, I'm now considering getting the DDMs in 4500K, as one source said it was the most usable light and was what OEMs came with if they had HIDs. (Actually it was talking about 4300K). Amazon has the 4500Ks in stock...

Thoughts? I don't mind a warmer temp as long as it's whiter than a standard halogen.

 

[Ghost_RAM]

Looks really nice!
After some searching, I'm now considering getting the DDMs in 4500K, as one source said it was the most usable light and was what OEMs came with if they had HIDs. (Actually it was talking about 4300K). Amazon has the 4500Ks in stock...

Thoughts? I don't mind a warmer temp as long as it's whiter than a standard halogen.

I believe standard halogen lamps are around 3200K or maybe even lower.

Chart for reference.




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[Gibbs]

I went with the 4500K kit. I think I'll like the additional lumens and still have whiter light than factory halogens. I guess I'll see when it's all put together

 

[Rikky001]

The Ram OEM projectors are not as good as they could be (halogen). If they were HID projectors, then it would be a different story. You could buy a set of OEM or aftermarket projectors and do a HID retrofit and have better light output. I know some have put HID bulbs in the OEM projectors, but the HID bulbs are not optimized in the halogen projectors.

I did that as well and have tinted headlights. Now I have some light where before it was more candle light!
Love my Ram but lighting is a weak point.

 

[BRETT sewell]

spent 7 grand more lol for the lights mainly and a few other things

 

[Gibbs]

Today was like Christmas. The mail-lady brought me the ZXE bulbs from @Ghost_RAM, the Venom projector wiring adapters from eBay, and the DDM Tuning HID kit from Amazon.

I'm not super impressed with the wiring adapters, as they look really cheap. (I might have gotten what I paid for!) But as long as they work I'm not gonna worry about em.



Each adapter assembly has 2 black boxes that have to be mounted somewhere, plus 2 ground terminals.



I studied for a while and ended up using a big handcuff-grade ziptie to mount the black boxes to the plastic beside the core support. They're about as sturdy as being bolted down, and I want to avoid drilling any more holes than necessary. I don't think they'll get in the way of the headlight, but if they do, I'll find anther spot. I used 1 screw for both grounds.



I then got the HID bulbs installed in the housings, drilled the dust caps, and buttoned them up.
The tabs on the bulbs were terribly off as far as bulb position. I had to clock both of them where the electrode wire was on the bottom. When I drilled the caps, I measured the grommet and it was sized to fit tight in a 7/8 hole. Well, the 9005 connector wouldn't pass through a hole less than an inch, but then the grommet would wobble around. So I went with the smaller hole and unpinned the connector to pass through, then repinned it. Sorry, my OCD got the best of me. Also, I hope I have the connector from the OEM headlight plug to the HID harness correct (Green and Black wire in the pic) It will connect either way, so I connected it so the black wires are together.






All done


Hopefully I can get them installed tomorrow so I can test em out. Crossing my fingers everything is hooked up properly.

 

[Ghost_RAM]

I totally forgot about having to take the pins out of the connector for the hole in the dust cover. Glad you figured that part out! As far as the wiring at the connector for the HID I can't remember as it has been too long but I think you're correct on black to black. Maybe someone who has done this recently will remember and let you know.

Looking good!