Alpha Rex Headlights

[Jim W]

FYI,...LED bulbs in any housing intended for H bulbs is still illegal (cept for fog lights). Sorry, but I work nights and I've been blinded by many a Dodge truck running illegal lighting. Shame on ya... How many accidents are being caused by this in America?

Please provide the NHTSA ruling against LED headlights on the Dodge/Ram 3gen headlight used in the housing.

As I have stated if the LED lights are Clocked properly, you will not be blinded by them. But if you buy the cheap LED headlights that are available you might not be able to clock them. I paid over $200 for my set of LED lights.

 

[TDRAdmin4]

Its the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards who specify the lighting standards, not the NHTSA. If a housing was certified for halogen bulbs, then halogen bulbs must be used as any replacement bulb. Only OEM headlight housings designed for LEDs, or direct OEM replacements, can legally use LED lighting. There's a huge set of requirements for the housings, bulbs etc found here
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-571/subpart-B/section-571.108
Motortrend provides an explanation if you don't want to read the entire 108 code (quite long): https://www.motortrend.com/news/us-headlights-standard-108-update-infrastructure-law/
Also, since state laws mirror/reference the federal law as part of their code, local law enforcement has the ability to ticket for it.

LEDs do in fact cause more glare even at the same light output and pattern as halogens because of the higher blue light output. Blue light scatters more in the retina, which is the cause of glare (not the same as too bright). Its why some people use blue blocking glasses at night.

 

[Rowdy Dalton]

I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for LED bulbs in a Halogen housing. Just another case of an impotent law. I can think of many other laws on the books that are ignored, but pose a more serious threat to the public than this topic.

 

[crispyboy]

A couple days ago there was an early 2000's model GM truck in traffic behind me with blueish looking headlights. It wasn't even dark and this thing was blinding me and I had to adjust all my mirrors. You could tell it was just a wash of light and no cutoff.
I don't mind people having upgraded lights but it seems like it needs to be done right with the correct parts and along the lines of the the correct color spectrum.

 

[CharlesinGA]

I have had the Alpharex Nova for about 2 years and they are great except for the adjustment part...............

How do your lights fit as far as matching to the fender, etc. Someone noted that they fit poorly. I find this hard to believe as even cheap China replacements fit well. Poor fitting headlights that cost a grand are not cool, and would result in a lot of returns. I'm having a hard time believing they don't fit properly. Did someone try to put them in a truck with a lot of bondo in the fender? and grumbled because they didn't match the fender? There is always someone who will complain.

I bought my truck in early 2018 and the guy I bought it from was a flipper (nice guy tho) and he had installed a set of new aftermarket lights, I suppose the originals looked bad, dunno. Well, the light scattered everywhere, and the heat from the parking light/turn signal bulb had actually melted the reflector that is suspended in front of the bulb (neighbor's truck has the same issue), so I sought out and bought a pair of new OEM Damiler Chrysler light housings and bulbs, in the original boxes. Paid a lot for them. Much better than the aftermarket crap but still rather poor lighting. My '91 Ranger (which has Fresnel lenses) casts much better light on the road.

So here I am, willing to spend the money on the AlphaRex Novas, just to get some decent light that won't blind the other guy. I'm 68 yo and need some good light for night driving, as I pull a travel trailer with it (see my avatar).

I've seen the Just Diesels videos, I like the sharp cutoff of light, I'm just not seeing any downsides.

I replaced mine with Depo from Geno's back in August. I wanted OEM, but for a 20 year old truck I was having a hard time justifying the price difference. The Alpha Rex would be great on a new truck, but not on an old truck. The Depo lights fit well, but they bug out about 3/4" from the truck where the OEMs were pretty much flush.

These are copies of the the OEM Damiler Chrysler lights. I'm trying to figure out the "bug out 3/4"" bit. Are you referring to where it matches the fender? The OEM light have two bulges on the lenses, one in front of the headlight, and one in front of the turn lamp. Yes, the OEM lamps are "popeye". Is it possible the lights you replaced were NOT OEM but earlier aftermarket lights?

Charles

 

[CharlesinGA]

I've been running a set since October, and I absolutely love them!! One drawback, is they are a real pain in the arse to aim. You have to remove the entire light assembly to make adjustments. Once they are set, you are good to go! A big plus is that they are indeed "plug & play", since you get to have LED's without dealing with CANBUS adapters.

Amazon product ASIN B08KXWW1P2

What year truck do you have? Your signature doesn't say.

Charles

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

What year truck do you have? Your signature doesn't say.

Charles

Not sure why my sig disappeared, or when it even happened... Anyway, my truck is an '09 2500 QCLB 4x4.

 

[AEdelheit]

How do your lights fit as far as matching to the fender, etc. Someone noted that they fit poorly. I find this hard to believe as even cheap China replacements fit well. Poor fitting headlights that cost a grand are not cool, and would result in a lot of returns. I'm having a hard time believing they don't fit properly. Did someone try to put them in a truck with a lot of bondo in the fender? and grumbled because they didn't match the fender? There is always someone who will complain.

The fit is fine, not as clean as OEM but better then most aftermarket.

 

[Crunch]

These are copies of the the OEM Damiler Chrysler lights. I'm trying to figure out the "bug out 3/4"" bit. Are you referring to where it matches the fender? The OEM light have two bulges on the lenses, one in front of the headlight, and one in front of the turn lamp. Yes, the OEM lamps are "popeye". Is it possible the lights you replaced were NOT OEM but earlier aftermarket lights?

Yes. If you place the palm of your hand on the top of the fender and run it down the front or side of the fender, the headlight will stick out about a finger's thickness. The OEM headlights that came with my truck when I bought it new were pretty much flush with the fenders. It's not a big deal for a 20 year old truck; just something that is noticeable.

 

[Jaysyl]

This doesn’t instill confidence in their product.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

This doesn’t instill confidence in their product. View attachment 136948

Why exactly? Are you upset they included the '02 half ton trucks that also take the same headlight? The product is the correct style for the selected vehicle.

 

[Jaysyl]

Why exactly? Are you upset they included the '02 half ton trucks that also take the same headlight? The product is the correct style for the selected vehicle.

I did not inquire about a 02 1500, I inquired about a 05 3500 , their information tells me 02-05 3500s all take the same housing.

 

[CharlesinGA]

'02 1500's and '03 thru '05 1500's, 2500's and 3500's all share the same light assembly.

3rd gen body was introduced on the 1500 series one year before the Heavy Duties. Same thing happened on the switch to 4th gens.

Charles