Headlights

[CGresswell]

I just came back from Lake Tahoe from So Cal. Drove up at night. And was really disappointed with highbeams ability to see out (on the road).

Can anybody give me feedback on the application (from Geno's) that allows all lights to work at same time. It seems to be a "really" needed upgrade?

Are there any other ideas to this problem.

I really appreciate any feed back.

Dick

 

[fkovalski]

I had the Brite Box on my '01 and I was very satisfied with the improvement. I have just installed one (it is actually 2) on my '05. I have not been out at night yet to see the change although it is just like driving with the high beam switch in the middle "passing light" position. If it performs like my old one, then its a great improvement.



There was an article in a past issue of TDR (don't have the issue # offhand) but it was written by Joe Donnely. He reviewed the BB install as well as an upgrade for the fog lights.

 

[DJamrose]

i just added the fogster which allows the high beams and the foglights on only need one box and alittle cheaper works great. you can see the results by having your low beams and foglights on then pulling back the switch to turn on the brights.

 

[RockinJ]

Here's the BOMB for that ...

I noticed the same with my new '05, but fixed that real quick. I installed the BriteBox SD7+FLC (fog light control) and their "Fogzilla" fog lamp harness adapters so that you can swap the stock 9006 bulbs (1,000 lumens each) with brighter 9005 bulbs (1,700 lumens each). In addition, I replaced the stock headlamp and fog lamp bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars. E-Z project, takes about 1-1/2 longnecks to complete.



With this entire BOMB, the manufacturer claims 3X the lumens over stock (on high beam) without harming your wiring, lamp housings and headlamp switch. What I now get is an awesome carpet of bright white light out in front of my rig. If you do a lot of country road driving like me, it's well worth the investment!



Thank-you Joel Toy (Baker Auto Accessories) and Geno's Garage!

Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[RJOL]

Installed the BriteBox on my 2001 and again on my 2005. I got the "fogzilla" mod for the 2005. This setup adds a lot of light in front of the truck, but if your looking for a lot of extra light way down the road, you may be disappointed. If you need a lot of "high beam" light, you might look into aux lights as the BriteBox doesn't really change the long range lighting. That being said, I would still recommend this mod for night driving on country roads...

 

[fkovalski]

... you might look into aux lights ...

Anyone have recomendations for a 3G that did not come with factory fog lights? Looking for ease of installation, price, quality etc... to fit into the stock bumper location.



-frank.

 

[mberry]

Anyone have recomendations for a 3G that did not come with factory fog lights? Looking for ease of installation, price, quality etc... to fit into the stock bumper location.



-frank.

Check out PIAA's offerings. I have always had good luck with their products.



http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamps-VehicleSpecific.html

 

[jsimpson]

Installed the BriteBox on my 2001 and again on my 2005. I got the "fogzilla" mod for the 2005. This setup adds a lot of light in front of the truck, but if your looking for a lot of extra light way down the road, you may be disappointed. If you need a lot of "high beam" light, you might look into aux lights as the BriteBox doesn't really change the long range lighting. That being said, I would still recommend this mod for night driving on country roads...

That's what I noticed - a lot brighter close up, but no long range improvement. My Tundra's high beams see twice as far as my RAM's even with the switch pulled into "flash" position.

 

[bighammer]

Do a search for my "BOMBed multifunction switch" thread. I modified the high beam switch so it stays in the "flash to pass" position. Doesn't cost a penny and doesn't take too long to do. (I have instructions for removal of the switch WITHOUT removing the airbag/steering wheel.

I've been very pleased with it.

 

[RJOL]

... My Tundra's high beams see twice as far as my RAM's even with the switch pulled into "flash" position.

Well. . I hate to admit this, but my wife's Toyota Highlander has better brights then any CTD I've owned. The "BriteBoxs" have helped, but nothing short of changing out the headlight assemblies and reflectors is going to improve the situation in the current CTD's. If you need more long range light... get some aux lights...

 

[CGresswell]

RockingJ, was this an "expensive" upgrade? Did you do it or have it done?

Dick

 

[fkovalski]

... I modified the high beam switch so it stays in the "flash to pass" position...

Does not this method put more current through wires not designed to handle the extra load? I have heard and read where this is not preferable?

 

[RockinJ]

CGresswell,



Here's the price breakdown for my BOMB . . . it was a little steep, but well worth it for the type of narrow dark twisties that I drive on out here:



SDK7+FLC BriteBox = $189. 95 (Geno's Garage)

Fogzilla Harness = $21. 95 (Geno's Garage)

Silverstar 9007's = 44. 95 (2-pack from Osram Sylvania's online store)

Silverstar 9005's = 44. 95 (2-pack from Osram Sylvania's online store)

Rebate from Sylvania = <$10. 00> ($5. 00 per 2-pack, max. of 2 claims allowed)



PIAA super white bulbs are also very good, but more expensive. The Silverstars put out an equally bright white light, IMHO (I've tried both brands in a similar installation on my 2nd Gen). You could probably get the Silverstars cheaper than I did by going to Wal-Mart.



I did the install all by my lonesome, took about 25 minutes (1-1/2 longnecks at my age). It's all plug n' play with the stock headlamp and fog lamp harnesses. You do have to remove BOTH headlamps since there are two (2) separate BriteBox modules . . . but that's no hassle.



The only mod you have to do is quite simple, which is either a very slight modification to the locating tab on the 9005's lamp holders, or a similar mod the the lamp holder's receptacles on the back of the fog light housings . . . your choice, both solutions work fine. (I elected to do the latter with a Dremel tool so that I could easily replace the bulbs in the future without the need for further modifications).



This BOMB throws down a nice even blanket of bright white light. One thing that you should be aware of is that the SDK7+FLC BriteBox automatically switches on the fogs when you put on the high-beams, even if the fog lamp switch is still in the "off" position. The fogs can be turned ON and OFF manually with the fog lamp switch when on low-beam, however.



As fas as really L-O-N-G distance illumination goes, you may want to consider supplementing this setup with a good set of driving lights.



Hope this info helps.



RJ

 

[testraub]

Anyone have recomendations for a 3G that did not come with factory fog lights? Looking for ease of installation, price, quality etc... to fit into the stock bumper location.



-frank.

try this link

http://www.usautoparts.com/ fill in the info and they have fog lights about 63. 00 each

 

[JCrockett]

Anyone have recomendations for a 3G that did not come with factory fog lights? Looking for ease of installation, price, quality etc... to fit into the stock bumper location.



-frank.

Check my gallery for pics of a light bar I made before I had my bumper made.



I also have the SD7+FLC+Fogzilla and love it

 

[RJOL]

... Silverstar 9007's = 44. 95 (2-pack from Osram Sylvania's online store) Silverstar 9005's = 44. 95 (2-pack from Osram Sylvania's online store) Rebate from Sylvania = <$10. 00> ($5. 00 per 2-pack, max. of 2 claims allowed)...

Only suggestion I would make is to look for these lamps on eBay. They will cost about half what you would pay for them locally or from the distributor. I even sent the rebate form in, with my eBay receipt, and they honored it...

 

[CGresswell]

Thank you!

Thank you for all you replies. Everyone that I have talked with tells me the same thing about Dodge headlights and night driving.

I especially want to thank RockinJ for the "detailed" response.

It appears that this is an upgrade that "even I can do".

Does anyone know if this affects your warranty?

Thank you again.

Dick

 

[thmck]

Daniel Stern has good info at http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ or call him at 1-416-766-2327

 

[bighammer]

Does not this method put more current through wires not designed to handle the extra load? I have heard and read where this is not preferable?

The third gen trucks handle power differently than the older ones. The switches only signal the computer module thingy to output power to the headlights. The current doesn't pass thru the switch like the old ones. I've had no problems with overheating of the wires, bulbs, housings, etc.