Fix for poor headlights

[BSkinner]

I ran across this site that might be of interest to those dissatisfied with the headlight output on their 2003's:



http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/tech.html



Of particular interest were the comments on small wires reducing the output of the headlights. Our trucks use 18 gauge wires so we could possibly increase output by using heavier wire in conjunction with the relays mentioned in the article. He also writes on his opinion on various lighting choices which I found interesting.



I e-mailed Daniel Stern on Sunday and have received two immediate replies which was impressive. I had asked him about the "Bright Box". Here are his comments to my questions (printed with his permission):



VERY dangerous to use this kind of thing on a system that has high and low

beam in the one bulb. You throw a double overload on the ground pin and

wire, pressure inside the bulb skyrockets and the bulb will frequently

grenade inside the headlamp (literally!) destroying it.



The current Dodges have poor headlamps, you're right. No debate there.

They really dropped the ball on it (actually they pulled a typical

Chrysler job on it... made it look pretty and never mind that it doesn't

light the road worth a darn... )



> I read you articles on relays and being able to use heavier wires. This

> makes a lot of sense. As soon as I find my multimeter, I'll check to see

> what kind of voltage drop I have due to the small wires.



As a multiple Chrysler-product owner: Yes.



> Is there an aftermarket bulb that might improve lighting?





Yes, a Sylvania Xtravision 9007XV (in the pink package) or the Philips

equivalent I carry will perform better than the long-life / low output

factory bulb.

**********



I'll be interested to read what other TDR members think about the above.



Bob

 

[ThomasCook]

This is really interesting reading. Basically, what we all want is to see batter, so we try to get more/brighter lights. Since our light sources are made to SAE standards, we get a light that puts out too much glare to get the light we want.



I am all for adopting harmonized standards like what the european standards are.



Look at the "maps" of light output for the 2 standards to get a good idea of where we all want to be, but just can't get to with the lights we can get in the US. :{



Any ideas on getting euro spec headlamp assemblies for our trucks?

 

[Moterhead]

Interesting website with lots of great info.



I noticed one of his products is a kit to install Sport headlights. My truck is a Sport and I must admit I didn't know the headlights were different. Anyone know what the difference is? Obviously the Sport housing are better, otherwise, why would anyone want to install them? Is it a looks thing or do the Sport housing actually produce better lighting?

 

[SLinse]

my 03 sport headlights sucked!!! My new 04 (not a sport) are actually pretty good!! High beams are now better than low beams with fog. did they change anything in 04??

 

[Moterhead]

Question remains. Why put in Sport headlights???



The '03 I'm getting rid of is a Sport. So is the '04 which should be here this week.



I'd still like to convert my factory fog lights to some good narrow beam focus driving lights.

 

[mgonske]

The sport headlight conversion is a second gen thing. Starting in '99 (I think), the sport package included separate high and low beam headlights. Converting to that meant you could run both (as with the BriteBox), but not be overloading the same, bulb, housing, and ground, as Daniel indicated in his response above. The Sport headlights also had clear, rather than fluted, lenses, so provided an updated look to older 2nd gen trucks.

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by mgonske

The sport headlight conversion is a second gen thing. Starting in '99 (I think), the sport package included separate high and low beam headlights. Converting to that meant you could run both (as with the BriteBox), but not be overloading the same, bulb, housing, and ground, as Daniel indicated in his response above. The Sport headlights also had clear, rather than fluted, lenses, so provided an updated look to older 2nd gen trucks.

Do the 2003 & 04's Sport's have have two bulbs per side? But, even if they did, that would be an expensive switch to get more candle power on the ground, I imagine. There's also the problem of wiring unless there were a harnes that would just plug in.



Bob

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by SLinse

my 03 sport headlights sucked!!! My new 04 (not a sport) are actually pretty good!! High beams are now better than low beams with fog. did they change anything in 04??

I wonder how a guy would find out if Dodge upgraded the 2004's to decent lights?



Bob

 

[BillGotthelf]

I don't believe changing the wires feeding the headlights will get you more light. My 03 lights were checked with a light meter and they are within GE's specs fo the headlight bulbs. I have added a new Westin Bull bar and two PIAA 100,000 watt driving lights. Big difference. I can either run the PIAA's without headlights on or have them come on with brights. I hid 3 way switch in ashtray.

 

[Northerner]

Originally posted by BSkinner

I wonder how a guy would find out if Dodge upgraded the 2004's to decent lights?



Bob

MY 04 lights are not as good as my 99's were. I don;t think there is a difference between 03 and 04.

 

[DPKetchum]

I thought the lights on my 03 were pretty good. wife and I discussed this one night. seem great to us. Light up the road and sides of it good. were surprised at folks saying lights were poor. Maybe us CRACKERS but the lights on my 03 is a darn sight better then my 1993 w250 was. I'm happy with mine.

 

[mbaston]

I want to know where you can get 100,000 watt lights!!!

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

I thought the lights on my 03 were pretty good. wife and I discussed this one night. seem great to us. Light up the road and sides of it good. were surprised at folks saying lights were poor. Maybe us CRACKERS but the lights on my 03 is a darn sight better then my 1993 w250 was. I'm happy with mine.

I went from a 2001 GMC to the Dodge. It seemed like the GMC was better but I hadn't driven the GMC for quite a while so didn't know for sure. Then, I drove a friends new Chevy gas burner back to back with my Dodge. Hate to say it, but the Chevy lights were much better. My Accord does a better job, as well.



You're right about one thing. It does seem like the Dodge lights up the sides of the road pretty well, but it's up close. I'd like to take some of that light and put it down the road.



Different bulbs and perhaps heavier wire might make more light but I wonder how much difference it will make using the same reflectors.



Bob

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

I don't believe changing the wires feeding the headlights will get you more light. My 03 lights were checked with a light meter and they are within GE's specs fo the headlight bulbs. I have added a new Westin Bull bar and two PIAA 100,000 watt driving lights. Big difference. I can either run the PIAA's without headlights on or have them come on with brights. I hid 3 way switch in ashtray.

I was going to check for voltage drop but had to make a quick trip to Denver. When I left, 80 degrees, now 14. I'll have to wait until it warms up a bit.



18 gauge does seem small to me. I'm not an expert on electrics but I did wire the airplane I built right down to the 22 ga. wires for the radios and was somewhat up to speed on electrics (but have forgotten most of what I learned, I'm afraid. )



My next project is to put on an aftermarket bumper. I'd sure consider some additional lighting to attach to the bumper. That's a whole different area to research as far as legality and light beam patterns.



Bob

 

[mgonske]

Originally posted by BSkinner

Do the 2003 & 04's Sport's have have two bulbs per side?

Nope, just one dual-element bulb per side. With the reflectors they're equipped with, switching from low to high beams justs removes some of the mid-distance intensity, and spreads light out to the sides more at the mid-to-far range, but doesn't extend the light any further down the road.



I've been driving my Jeep some this week, and what a difference! I've replaced the standard 7" round sealed-beams on it with E-code assemblies that take H4 bulbs, have 85/130 watt zenon bulbs in them, with the relay/heavy duty wire harness mod. Very intense white light, that extends well down the shoulder while being cut off sharply in the oncoming lane, and switching to high-beams is like throwing on a pair of very intense white pencil beams!



The new-style fancy-styled built-in headlight reflectors look nice in the daytime, but they sure don't leave you with much in the way of upgrade options

 

[Digger]

I have been thinking about removing my stock fog lights (03 sport), and installing PIAA PRO 80 driving lights in there place. I know that these lights will not fit in the stock holes and so hacking is going to be needed. The main concern I think would be the wiring. Just curious if anyone has tried this or has any knowledge about how to wire this.

thanks Dan

 

[lschultz]

I noticed that this 04 seems to have better lightning than the 03 did. Not that great but it is improving.

 

[JPM]

Originally posted by BSkinner

Do the 2003 & 04's Sport's have have two bulbs per side? But, even if they did, that would be an expensive switch to get more candle power on the ground, I imagine. There's also the problem of wiring unless there were a harnes that would just plug in.



Bob

\



No, just a dual filament in the inner reflecter area. I think they'll come out with a quad headlight on gen 3's in the furture, they have the housing for it. The turnsigs area is another headlight in waiting

 

[ISBPilot]

A bit of clearity............

I have been thinking of a similar system... ... ... ... I know your thinkin' sure you were, but anyway. Here is my question. Why hook the relays to the alternator instead of the battery, or does it matter. I have relays for other things hooked direct to battery with relay turn-ons from switched sources.



Todd

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by DanHill

I have been thinking about removing my stock fog lights (03 sport), and installing PIAA PRO 80 driving lights in there place. I know that these lights will not fit in the stock holes and so hacking is going to be needed. The main concern I think would be the wiring. Just curious if anyone has tried this or has any knowledge about how to wire this.

thanks Dan

I think the fog lights are too low to put driving lights. You want them up higher so they don't leave unlit dark areas while going over the crests of hills, where your line of site is further than the light's. Been there, done that.