2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Headlight bulb change - secrect code?

[canblue]

OK. I tried for 2 hours to replace the passenger side headlight bulb. What is the secret code to get the collar back on? I replaced the bulb with the flat side of the 9004 unit facing up and I think that it was seated properly. I cannot get the collar to stay

on no matter which way I turn it.



So I call upon all of the knowledge of this web site for the answer.



I got so frustrated that I started to take out the battery box but quit when I found that there was another bolt down near the lower rad hose. I was getting dark out.



Thanks.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Not sure. Had no problem when I replaced both my bulbs with PIAA bulbs. I do recall it was a little tight though. I didn't have to remove anything to get it done though.

 

[mberry]

Mine were a PITA too. My only advice is to have patience and keep working it until you get it. If memory serves, it was clockwise.

 

[moparguy]

I just changed out both bulbs and after fighting the drivers side for a hour or so, pulled the batter and tray. When I could see the the bulb socket, I could see it had deformed due to heat. Since I had to get on the road, I very carefully ground the plastic body of the new bulb to fit the deformed socket.



Guess it's time to upgrade.



RR

 

[RBrunson]

I pulled the battery and the tray. You need to take another look at the lower bolts, they are not that bad. When you get everything out of the way it all becomes very simple, and besides you need to get in there and clean all that dirt and crud so your engine bay looks nice.

 

[stevegeorge]

The only trick that I have found, is to not plug the wires in before you get the locking nut on. Allways have a First Aid kit available when replacing the bulbs, i. e. - at least a 12 pack!!!!

 

[R-N-R]

I got them back on by looking through the glass while aligning the bulb. If the bulb is not in all the way, the ring will not go back on. I must have gotten lucky, it only took me 1/2 hour on the first and 15 min on the 2nd

 

[Tardog]

Might be a stupid question but is the plastic lock rings on backwards as mine are reversable when you take them off, then surely the tabs won't reach there home?????

 

[canblue]

Thanks for all of the replies. I finally got it replaced. Oo. I checked many times to be sure that the part were going on correctly. It appears as if I was trying toooo hard to push the plastic ring on. I thougth that there was a tight fit. I guess that I was wrong.



It appears that the lens is lose, another issue not related to the bulb. My son drove away with the truck still plugged in this winter. Did not see any damage then. Still no damage to see. How is the lens secured. I will want to replace it and upgrade to the 3rd party SPORT lenses. An diagrams of how to take it out.



They sure do design things to make replacements easy. I guess that we are suppose to buy a new truck when the lights burn out.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

canblue said: "3rd party SPORT lenses"

Explain what you mean by this...



I was under the impression that the Sport headlights were only available from Mopar/Chrysler/DC/whatever their name is this week.



Matt

 

[Tardog]

You can get the sport HL as after market items, sometimes on EBAY. Not sure where, maybe JC Whitney. The brand I got are DEPOT brand .

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Sweet! That's good news... .



Thanks for the info...



Matt

 

[Tardog]

I think I paid 200us a set i've seen them as low as 165 with bulbs.

 

[Thomas]

Canblue, the lamps are held in with three hex head screws per side, simple to figure out if you have replacements to look at.



The Depo brand seem to be sold by several vendors. I picked up a pair (illustrated below) from Import Vision for @210. My only complaint to date is the cheap Asian rubber the welts are made of. Reuse the OEM's.



I wired them with my own harness using 12 gauge wire and relays. The wiring lights all eight filaments on high beam with less than 2 amps through the headlight switch. Add to that the fogs-on-with-highs modification and you can have 535 watts to the front, a vast improvement over the OEM non-sport setup.



No signs of melt down after six months.





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[Tardog]

Ditto on the cheap rubber welts. Same thing here, changed out back to the originals.

 

[canblue]

Thanks for the information. How are the lights aligned? Different screws/adjusters? Once you change to the SPORT units do you need to re-align the beams?



Where can I get a conversion harness to go from 2 to 4 lights or does someone have a schematic and parts list?

 

[Tardog]

The new sports should bolt right up to the extisting mounts I think pre 99 you would have to cut out the fender to make room for the second bulb. Alignment is a different storey, as others can atest to. I tried doing it as per the manual (infront of a wall, measure, align,etc. ) but this only produces satisfactory results. Seems when switch from low to high the alignment point changes, So I then went out on an open road with some trees along the side (so I would have something for the lights to bounce off of) and aligned the high beam to where it should be. This works well as now low beam is slightly to the right (out of the oncoming drivers eyes) but lighting up the ditch. Here are a few Pictures of my conversion, but I had to cut out the fender.

I just used some realys wired directly to the battery and used the orrriginal wiring to trigger the relays, My wiring is slightly different to most as I had to contend with day time runners.

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[HoleshotHolset]

I bet the Sports are sweet with HID's..... never seen a set in a CTD in person, though... .



I have driven a few European cars with them... . and they rock.



Matt

 

[jeepit]

Thomas, What is the fog on w/high mod you talk about?

 

[Thomas]

Fogs with high beam from the Dave Fritz site. The 1999 is really the same as 2000, 2001, & 2002. Just pull the relay and install the jumper.