Replacing Halogen with LEDs for 09 RAM 1500

[BinaryData]

Howdy Everyone!

Hope all is well, your Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years were wonderful!

I have some questions in regards to converting from Halogen to LEDs on my truck. I recently had 2 more headlights go out, and was pulled over for only having 1 working headlight. Both my fog lights and my driver side headlight are out. This has become dangerous due to the ice/fog we've been having. With that said, here are my questions:

1. Can this be done with just swapping bulbs out or do I need to do the housing too?
2. Does this have any adverse effects that can happen?
3. Is this simple enough to do on my own, or should I take it to the shop?
4. Is there a specific lumen I should be looking for? Below are what I was able to find at AutoZone.

Headlights
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...evo-led-fog-light-bulb-9145zevoled/288053_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...ight-and-powersport-bulb-9006slbx2/201884_0_0

Fog Lights
https://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/fog-light/p/zevo-led-fog-light-bulb-9145zevoled/288053_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...ight-and-powersport-bulb-9006slbx2/201884_0_0

My knowledge on cars is very limited, but I'm pretty good at figuring things out and I'm overly cautious when I don't know what I'm doing or have specific instructions to get the job done. Here's what AutoZone lists my truck as when I use the VIN to identify the vehicle;

2009 Dodge/Ram Truck RAM 1500 1/2 ton 4WD 5.7L FI OHV Hemi 8cyl​

I saw this post and wondered how much information from it translated to my situation.

I don't NEED to put LEDs in it, but I'm going to continue driving it for another year or two before I buy a new vehicle. I want to put at least 50% down on whatever I buy.

As always, thank you for your knowledge and guidance. I'm open to ideas/suggestions, ultimately what I'm after is being able to actually see what's in front of me. Before my lights went out, I couldn't see jack squat without the lowbeams on and that only increased my viewing area by a small amount. My truck is old, it's crappy and falling apart but it does it's job of getting me around and saved my life recently, so I'm happy with it. =0] (I hit black ice doing 75mph, spun out, and ended in a ditch.)

 

[04fxdwgi]

Answers:
1. Yes, with OEM housings no problem.
2. No, if the lamp type is changed and the BCM is reprogrammed correctly. Is a DIY with right equipment. Many posts here about it.
3. Yes, As stated, with correct equipment (pretty cheap) it is a DIY. Many posts about the lights and equipment (a GOOD OBDII dongle and AlfaOBD program).
4. Lumen not important if it fits the housing. There can be a thing as too bright, though.

Search for posts for LED lamp swap and AlphaOBD program for the BCM.

Many of us have done it and love the outcome.

 

[BinaryData]

Thank you very much. This is what I needed.

 

[RamDiver]

Howdy Everyone!

Hope all is well, your Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years were wonderful!

I have some questions in regards to converting from Halogen to LEDs on my truck. I recently had 2 more headlights go out, and was pulled over for only having 1 working headlight. Both my fog lights and my driver side headlight are out. This has become dangerous due to the ice/fog we've been having. With that said, here are my questions:

1. Can this be done with just swapping bulbs out or do I need to do the housing too?
2. Does this have any adverse effects that can happen?
3. Is this simple enough to do on my own, or should I take it to the shop?
4. Is there a specific lumen I should be looking for? Below are what I was able to find at AutoZone.

Headlights
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...evo-led-fog-light-bulb-9145zevoled/288053_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...ight-and-powersport-bulb-9006slbx2/201884_0_0

Fog Lights
https://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/fog-light/p/zevo-led-fog-light-bulb-9145zevoled/288053_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...ight-and-powersport-bulb-9006slbx2/201884_0_0

My knowledge on cars is very limited, but I'm pretty good at figuring things out and I'm overly cautious when I don't know what I'm doing or have specific instructions to get the job done. Here's what AutoZone lists my truck as when I use the VIN to identify the vehicle;



I saw this post and wondered how much information from it translated to my situation.

I don't NEED to put LEDs in it, but I'm going to continue driving it for another year or two before I buy a new vehicle. I want to put at least 50% down on whatever I buy.

As always, thank you for your knowledge and guidance. I'm open to ideas/suggestions, ultimately what I'm after is being able to actually see what's in front of me. Before my lights went out, I couldn't see jack squat without the lowbeams on and that only increased my viewing area by a small amount. My truck is old, it's crappy and falling apart but it does it's job of getting me around and saved my life recently, so I'm happy with it. =0] (I hit black ice doing 75mph, spun out, and ended in a ditch.)

Search results for query: LED upgrade

www.ramforum.com

.

 

[wrench78]

Things to watch for if you are keeping the stock housing and going to LED bulbs. Beam pattern may not be the best. Your light might be brighter but if it's not thrown correctly, not going to do you any good. Some LEDs aren't compatible with it and will flicker. Also, you're talking about icing problems; Keep in mind that LED bulbs don't put out the heat like incandescent bulbs do and your lens might ice/snow over.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Things to watch for if you are keeping the stock housing and going to LED bulbs. Beam pattern may not be the best. Your light might be brighter but if it's not thrown correctly, not going to do you any good. Some LEDs aren't compatible with it and will flicker. Also, you're talking about icing problems; Keep in mind that LED bulbs don't put out the heat like incandescent bulbs do and your lens might ice/snow over.

This is very true!

LED's don't generate the heat like incandescent does... You need to be aware of this.

With LED's, you also need to ensure that you clock and align them correctly to provide the very best beam pattern output possible.

Fahren LED's with the slimline base are excellent, again, you must ensure you clock and align them properly to reap the benefits of what they proport!

 

[BinaryData]

After reading the responses, and the extra effort needed for it, I think I'll pass on it for now. I was looking for better lights because the stock ones suck tremendously, and I only wanted to take apart my truck once. However, after being pulled over tonight for having a headlight out, and fog light out, I'm going to go with standard lights. It sucks, I was hoping to improve my night driving.

I will bookmark this, and circle back in a few months to look into it again. Bummer, I was hoping for a quick hour or two fix but with it hitting 15F outside, not keen on spending that much time outside =P Off to the shop I go, $250 is brutal

As always, thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge/wisdom. I appreciate it a lot, I'm not a mechanic, and every vehicle I've owned has been a PITA. Having a place to go to ask what feels like a dumb question, is rather nice. So thank you, everyone. You are greatly appreciated!

 

[RamDiver]

After reading the responses, and the extra effort needed for it, I think I'll pass on it for now. I was looking for better lights because the stock ones suck tremendously, and I only wanted to take apart my truck once. However, after being pulled over tonight for having a headlight out, and fog light out, I'm going to go with standard lights. It sucks, I was hoping to improve my night driving.

I will bookmark this, and circle back in a few months to look into it again. Bummer, I was hoping for a quick hour or two fix but with it hitting 15F outside, not keen on spending that much time outside =P Off to the shop I go, $250 is brutal

As always, thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge/wisdom. I appreciate it a lot, I'm not a mechanic, and every vehicle I've owned has been a PITA. Having a place to go to ask what feels like a dumb question, is rather nice. So thank you, everyone. You are greatly appreciated!

I can appreciate not wanting to start a PITA project while the temperatures are frosty but, you might want to plan for the switch to LED when the spring weather arrives, you won't be disappointed.

Sure, removing the grill and light housings is a bit of a PITA but there are many threads on the topic and videos on YouTube.

The LED lights I installed on my truck are one of the best upgrades I get to appreciate every time I drive the truck at night.

For decades I've been very dissatisfied with the performance of halogen lights, the LED are wickedly bright.

And, thanks for the positive feedback. It's always a pleasure to help and great to see the appreciation.

.

 

[04fxdwgi]

After reading the responses, and the extra effort needed for it, I think I'll pass on it for now. I was looking for better lights because the stock ones suck tremendously, and I only wanted to take apart my truck once. However, after being pulled over tonight for having a headlight out, and fog light out, I'm going to go with standard lights. It sucks, I was hoping to improve my night driving.

I will bookmark this, and circle back in a few months to look into it again. Bummer, I was hoping for a quick hour or two fix but with it hitting 15F outside, not keen on spending that much time outside =P Off to the shop I go, $250 is brutal

As always, thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge/wisdom. I appreciate it a lot, I'm not a mechanic, and every vehicle I've owned has been a PITA. Having a place to go to ask what feels like a dumb question, is rather nice. So thank you, everyone. You are greatly appreciated!

The only dumb question (usually) is the one that isn't asked.

Of course there are exceptions when someone is completely out to lunch and asking not stupid, but absolutely ridiculous questions. I thing THEY do it on purpose just for a rise. They are ridiculed accordingly.

The boating sites I frequent have quite a few that shouldn't own tools.