2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Broken headlight mounts - replace??

[canblue]

Last winter my son drove off while the block heater was still connected. The cord broke and wedged itself between the bumper and the headlight. There appeared to be no damage. A few weeks ago I had to change the passenger side buld. Took me some time to do this. Anyway, when I got finished I noticed that the headlight unit was lose. I could move it up and down about 1/4 inch. I have not taken the unit out as I might not get it backin . Does anyone have a diagram of the headlight and mountig assembly? I think one of the mounting points/brackets is busted. I would like to replace the stock units with the sport type but I need to get the support issue resolved.

 

[Thomas]

Check your PM.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Which light?



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33710&item=2429965298





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:edit: Aha passenger side

 

[canblue]

Thanks for the pictures. It is the large lens for the right side, not the side or turn signals. The truck is a 99 and looking at the assembly on the truck, I do not see the hex headed bolt. Maybe the 99's had a different arrangement or if the picture is for a 99, I am not able to see the

mounting spots. The bottom "pin" that I think is broken looks like a "pushin". There may be bolts below the bumper line that I cannot see, just yet. Have not pulled anything apart yet.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

heck those whole dang assys go for 50 bucks or so with the buy it now option.

follow the links and e mail the seller

 

[krs]

CAnblue,

You can see all 3 mounting points - just push down a little on the plastic on the bumper. There are also two small screws and a plastic pushpin thing attaching the rubber at the inside of each fixture. Remove the entire turn/headlight assy.

It's about the easiest headlight fixture to change since maybe a Model A Ford.

 

[Un-Hemi]

It may be a good time to consider the sport headlight conversion. I believe that the headlight support bracket (the part that is actually bolted to the fender) is different on the sport headlights, so it may not be wise to spend $ on something that you are going to change anyway.



Ask the parts department guys at your local dealer to show you the headlight illustration in the parts database. They should be able to print the page for you.



In any case, I suggest removal of the black plastic bezel from the top of the bumper. It's easy to reach up behind the bumper and squeeze the retainers to pop them out of their slots. There are two plastic rivets at the front of the wheel well to remove also. That way, the bezel won't get scarred up like mine was when I bought my used truck.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by TommyTurbosaurus

It may be a good time to consider the sport headlight conversion. I believe that the headlight support bracket (the part that is actually bolted to the fender) is different on the sport headlights, so it may not be wise to spend $ on something that you are going to change anyway.



Ask the parts department guys at your local dealer to show you the headlight illustration in the parts database. They should be able to print the page for you.



In any case, I suggest removal of the black plastic bezel from the top of the bumper. It's easy to reach up behind the bumper and squeeze the retainers to pop them out of their slots. There are two plastic rivets at the front of the wheel well to remove also. That way, the bezel won't get scarred up like mine was when I bought my used truck.

Just saw a sport headlight set on E-bay brand new for $219 I believe?



oh heck... . here ya go



Dodge Sport Headlights on E-bay!

 

[Thomas]

The seller is imv1. The Sport lamps are located in Simi Valley, CA.



Check the link to Import Vision Motorsports (imv1???) located in Simi Valley, CA. The Sport lamps sell for $210 at their website.



quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by TommyTurbosaurus

It may be a good time to consider the sport headlight conversion. I believe that the headlight support bracket (the part that is actually bolted to the fender) is different on the sport headlights . . .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The mounts are the same in all second generation Rams. Second generation Rams built prior to the introduction of the Sport headlamp (pre-1999 I believe) require minor sheet metal surgery to allow for the two-bulb lamp housing. And, of course, a wiring harness to provide for the additional bulbs is needed for all changes to the Sport headlamps.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Thomas



The mounts are the same in all second generation Rams. Second generation Rams built prior to the introduction of the Sport headlamp (pre-1999 I believe) require minor sheet metal surgery to allow for the two-bulb lamp housing. And, of course, a wiring harness to provide for the additional bulbs is needed for all changes to the Sport headlamps.

Is the wiring harness a major pain to install? Does it require splicing wires or could it be something as simply as a plug in?(yeah right! :-laf )

 

[Thomas]

I built my own harness (relays, 12 gauge wire, all eight filaments on with high beams). Poke around the SUV Lights site. I purchased sockets and plugs from him. He sells harnesses and can probably answer your questions. A harness, with relays, similar to that pictured at the SUV Lights link would be extremely easy to install on my model year 2000 switched ground Ram.



FYI, from the factory, non-Sport Rams use no relays in the headlight circuit. Sport Rams use a single relay (switching only two highbeam filaments) in the headlight circuit.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Guys, IVM1 is a GREAT!!!!! Guy. I Had some MAJOR issues with my sport tailights and he came thru like a hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tell him the Tool man sent ya

 

[dresslered]

So, from what I gather, the conversion consists of the following:



1. Order the pair of Dodge Truck Sport Headlights (IVMAX3341102USC) from http://www.importvision.com/. I take it that these come without the bulb sockets? I should then also order a single pair of bulb sockets (9004) from http://www.suvlights.com/ which will accomidate the new 9007's.



2. Build the appropriate harness with relays ideally running each headlight assembly from each battery.



3. Order a pair of each of the Sylvania Silverstar 9007 (low beam) and 9004 (high beam). OR perhaps all 4 9007's might be a better set-up.



I will be wiring for a single pair of low beams and all four on high beams. Do the outside lights act as the low beams?



Did I leave anything out? Thanks,

 

[Thomas]

1. The lamps from Import Vision come with sockets and bulbs. Use the OEM rubber welt instead of the new one.



2. Sounds good.



3. Try the bulbs included with the Sport lamps. Wired as you plan, you will probably be satisfied with standard bulbs. Wired as you indicate you will have 460 watts of forward lighting on high beam.



The outside bulbs (9007) act as the low beams.



I'll PM later with info regarding SUV Lights.

 

[dresslered]

Thanks for the response Thomas.

 

[Un-Hemi]

On the non-sport trucks, the headlight is a 9004. In order to use the stock wiring harness on the outboard headlights (9007s) on a sport conversion, two of the wires must be swapped in the socket. The service manual will show the differences, and the swap is documented in the TDR archive and can be retrieved by using the site's search function.



On the sport trucks, the outer headlights (9007s) are used for low beam, as well as high beam. The inner headlights (9004s) are only used for high beam, and with the factory wiring, only one filament is used.



I used a factory fog light harness kit to wire in the high beam lamps on my sport light conversion. Although the lamp sockets are different on the fog light harness, the lamp contacts are the same. I purchased a couple of headlight sockets from NAPA and discarded the pigtails that were installed within. Worked slick.



The inner reflectors in the sport headlights are not appropriate for low beam operation as they were never designed for this function. You will find that the filament orientation inside the 9004 and 9007 is different as well.



Again I suggest using the search function of the TDR to look for "sport headlights" (without the quotes), and you will find a plethora of information about this subject.

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Tom on the tips. I had previously used the "search" feature but I had "anded" the word "conversion" which must have limited my results. I am tossing my OEM fogs since I am in process of installing a Buckstop bumper so your idea of reusing the contacts is great.

 

[Un-Hemi]

Dave, perfect! Not only can you use the contacts, but also the whole harness and fog light relay to run the 9004 inner headlight high beams. I believe that the only change needed is to move the wire that activates the fog light relay to the circuit that activates the high beams. I don't have my service manual here right now, but will look later tonight when I get home. Do you have a service manual for your 2001?



Tom

 

[dresslered]

Tom, thanks for the info. I do have a service manual and will be studying it during the harness design. I also went ahead and ordered four sockets for the 9004/9007 lamps and two plugs so that my new harness will plug directly into the existing OEM harness. Thanks again for the suggestions.