2015 Ram Headlights

[SSchang]

I'm looking to trade my 2011 Ram Laramie for a 2015 Laramie. The only thing holding me back is the headlights. I can't get a straight answer anywhere, thought someone here could help.

The factory halogen headlights on my 2011 were awful. So I sent them off & had Bi-xenon headlights installed. They have been awesome!

But I want to know, does the 2015 Laramie come with Bi-xenon HID headlights? The dealer says yes, what I've been able to find online says they are Bi-halogen.

Does anyone know for sure?

 

[SnoKing]

In 2013-14(?) I think that was a Laramie Limited item!

 

[JLandry]

According to the 2015 Ram sales brochure, the following trim levels come standard with "premium projector headlamps" and "premium LED taillamps":

Powerwagon
Powerwagon Laramie
Laramie
Laramie Longhorn
Laramie Limited​

The following trim levels come standard with "quad-halogen headlamps" and "incandescent taillamps":

Tradesman
Powerwagon Tradesman
SLT
Outdoorsman​

 

[jus2shy]

All headlights are still halogen unfortunately. The premium headlight uses an HIR2 bulb which is still halogen but puts out 1,800 lumens of light. While the quad halogen bulbs are have much less light output (H11 at 1100 or so lumens). So no HID/Xenon headlights yet.

 

[Sikos]

SSchang, I have a 2015 2500 Laramie and a 2011 3500 BigHorn. Agree about the 2011 lights.
I haven't driven truck at night, only had it a week and its been at the Rhino dealer for the last 3 days.
I did drive it at dusk and I think it is a little better than the 2011. They are a projector type like JLandry referred to.
Hopefully will pick up truck today and after I drive it at night, I will update you.
Joe

 

[Ram4Sam]

I absolutely love the projector's on my LaramieOo. But I am easy to please after driving a 2nd gen truck with yellowing headlights for 14 years.......

Sam

 

[Doubleclutch]

Salesmen equate projectors with HID

 

[SSchang]

I think I understand - I downloaded a 2015 3500 owner manual, & looked at the replacement headlight bulbs. On the premium headlights, the bulb part numbers are HIR2LL and 9005LL. This indicates they are Halogen Infrared Reflecting bulbs, not HID bulbs. The research I've done shows:

2011 era halogen light bulbs - about 1100 lumens
2015 era HIR bulbs - about 1800 lumens (Projectors on the new Ram)
DS2 HID bulbs - about 3100 lumens (Projectors on other vehicles)

Doubleclutch, you're correct, because it says projectors, the dealer assumed HID - he's wrong

As I have the HID on my 2011, I don't think I want to go from 3100 lumens to 1800 lumens.

Have to decide if I want to spend the big bucks on the aftermarket HID upgrade again on a new truck.

You'd think, on a $60,000 truck, .....

 

[mwilson]

I think I understand - I downloaded a 2015 3500 owner manual, & looked at the replacement headlight bulbs. On the premium headlights, the bulb part numbers are HIR2LL and 9005LL. This indicates they are Halogen Infrared Reflecting bulbs, not HID bulbs. The research I've done shows:

2011 era halogen light bulbs - about 1100 lumens
2015 era HIR bulbs - about 1800 lumens (Projectors on the new Ram)
DS2 HID bulbs - about 3100 lumens (Projectors on other vehicles)

Doubleclutch, you're correct, because it says projectors, the dealer assumed HID - he's wrong

As I have the HID on my 2011, I don't think I want to go from 3100 lumens to 1800 lumens.

Have to decide if I want to spend the big bucks on the aftermarket HID upgrade again on a new truck.

You'd think, on a $60,000 truck, .....

I don't think you will be happy unless you upgrade them. I say that because after getting used to the HID lights on Hoopty everything else seems dim or yellowish.

Last night driving 225 miles in the pouring rain there was no issue with visibilty. They will light up reflective signs a long ways ahead. No comparison to a standard headlight.

Mike.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

You'd think, on a $60,000 truck, .....

Exactly. Ram should equip every truck with decent lighting IMO

 

[DonFitzwater]

Exactly. Ram should equip every truck with decent lighting IMO

I couldn't agree more! I'm a little disappointed with my lights. They are adequate but I still had to add a vision x light bar for road trips.

 

[HD-J78]

How/where do you get upgrades for headlights? I got a 2010.

 

[zmos]

The "projectors" are crap compared to HIDs. If Ram at least installed a 6k color bulb, they might be ok. Problem is there aren't to many HIR2s to choose from..Mostly OEM. Yellow is so 80's..lol
I'm waiting for some good evidence from a member before i waste money to trying to find the right formula.

If anyone wants to search the HIDplant forum, please do. Its not the gentlemen club TDR is.

cb

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Just remember Zmos. Those super bright HID's are great for you but terrible for those who have to look at them. Slapping in an HID bulb without the correct reflector behind it is offensive.

A few nights back, me and the family were in my wife's Tahoe driving down the mountain when some a s s hat pulled up behind with his HID's. I thought for sure he had his high beams on. I pulled to the shoulder to let him pass and then he DID put on the high beams. Wow! Good for him but bad, almost dangerous for other drivers.

Up were we live, our town literally only has one street light illuminating the HWY and we have all sorts of critters crossing at any given point in time so I totally get why people use the HID's. Not sure why people that live in town need em' though.

Just remember to be curious of other drivers.

 

[Sikos]

Finally got to drive at night. The projector bulbs in the 2015 are better than the quad lights that are in the 2011, but still nothing to get excited about. Agree with all that Ram could have done better.
Joe

 

[jacknife]

Go to AUTOZONE or Orielly. They sell the bright white bulb they are in a clear plastic case and sell for around $67 a pair. I have them in my semi which has projector lights and they really put out a brighter whiter light. Well worth the money.

 

[jus2shy]

There are whole forums dedicated to light bulbs. Be careful what you pick. In the case of tinted bulbs, a majority of them end up over-driving the filament to preserve lighting output that at least matches OEM (albeit you get a whiter-light color). The side effect is that you have far shorter life. Anybody can search the web for Sylvannia silverstarts and see plenty of examples of the short lifespan of these types of bulbs. However, there is another type of bulb that has more light output and only a mildly shortened bulb life. Bulbs like these tend to be the Syvlannia xtravision, GE Nighthawks and Nighthawk Platinums, Phillips Xtreme Power (non tinted) and Osram nightbreakers or silverstars (These are the german-made lights, not the US equivalent of silverstars as the osram version has no tint on it). I personally used GE Nighthawk platinums and you can typically find them for cheap online. They do have a mildly shortened life, but greater output than the standard OEM long life bulbs they tend to use. I'm satisfied for the time being to live with my quad lamps until I see someone start putting the JW speaker LED fixtures into RAM headlights. Maybe I should start a business and do just that since I haven't seen any out yet.

 

[jacknife]

I have had these bright whites in for over 2years and they are still working. I am sure driving a 100,000 plus miles a year l have them on more in one year then a pickup does in10. Sylvenias

 

[EGroeneveld]

Not sure why people that live in town need em' though.

.

Because we don't want to hit joggers, kids, dogs, bike riders that all wear black at night, in the rain, and don't believe in using cross walks....and many of them are wearing headphones or earbuds.

 

[bigblock_doc]

I heard through the grapevine that some states, only a couple, have outlawed them. Anybody heard this?