2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Headlights

[DonTX]

I just installed a new set of headlights and parking lights, it is the new clear type. My old lens were getting cloudy, and lights were never very good. Leaving on a 2000 mile trip tomorrow, think I will be impressed? Anybody else did this swap?

94-01 Dodge Ram Headlights Clear+ Corner 95 96 97 98 99:eBay Motors (item 350170829798 end time Aug-23-09 20:52:41 PDT)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You'll LOVE them!



The improved lighting is dramatic - especially if you wire them so both high and low beams are on when in the hi-beam position, and direct wire them to the battery thru relays - and activate both filaments in the hi-beam bulbs. A particular improvement for mountain and country drivers, is the improved lighting out to the sides - really helps see the various critters off the sides of the road just waiting to jump out in front of you! :-laf

 

[budnate]

I just bought the trick hid bulbs and wireing $... ..... bright! but dont work in stock Lenses!!, it throws shadows all over from the casting in the lense... I ordered the clear lenses like yours from ebay yesterday but with no lines in the lense, I will report back after there in... fyi hid's and stock lenses dont mix!! pizzed off in Bothell.



peace,B.

 

[DonTX]

I had added some super bright bulbs last year, helped, but not quite what I wanted. I just turned them on tonight, and was impressed with the added brightness over the old lens across the yard. They came with bulbs, so I just used the new bulbs for now. They seemed adjusted close enough for now, might have to tweak them on the road later.

I am afraid to use both filiments at once, would that not produce too much heat, shortening the bulb life and maybe melting the reflector?

 

[BILLVO]

I am afraid to use both filiments at once, would that not produce too much heat, shortening the bulb life and maybe melting the reflector?

I have had a bright box for several years and have never replaced a light bulb yet.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Fit??

How well did they fit? I know some of the headlights arent that great, and didnt fit so well. How did these do? Also, how did you wire them? Did you do the wiring yourself or did you buy the pre-made harness from somewhere like suv lights? Lastly, how hard were they to take out the old ones and put in the new ones?

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Head Lights

Had Old Man Bob 4X4 change mine out a couple of years ago, best investment I ever made!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

How well did they fit? I know some of the headlights arent that great, and didnt fit so well. How did these do? Also, how did you wire them? Did you do the wiring yourself or did you buy the pre-made harness from somewhere like suv lights? Lastly, how hard were they to take out the old ones and put in the new ones?

Mine look to be the same as Don's - and here's how mine fit:



#ad

 

[budnate]

they pop out real easy, lights twist in and out, 1 philips screw holds the turns in down low on the side kinda hard to see, then slide them forward to get them out.



I had to loosen the bumper and let it sag to get the main lights out, 3-10mm screws and there free, reverse and your done, worst part was doing the bumper by myself.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Those look nice, and don't look as flashy and bold as the EURO type with the halo rings and LEDs in them. I like them.

 

[DonTX]

They fit perfectly, look like something that came from the factory in fact. They are a tight squeeze to get in and out without dropping the bumper, but I did it by holding my mouth just right (and cutting a little bit off the backside of one). These just use the original wire plugs on the new bulbs, and the park/signal uses the old bulb and socket. No rewiring.

How well did they fit? I know some of the headlights arent that great, and didnt fit so well. How did these do? Also, how did you wire them? Did you do the wiring yourself or did you buy the pre-made harness from somewhere like suv lights? Lastly, how hard were they to take out the old ones and put in the new ones?

 

[Coalsmoke]

So Don, do yours only have one bulb then? Gary's appear to have two bulbs.

 

[DonTX]

Yeah, only one headlight bulb.

So Don, do yours only have one bulb then? Gary's appear to have two bulbs.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

So Don, do yours only have one bulb then? Gary's appear to have two bulbs.

Mine are "DEPOT" brand, sold on Ebay - about $180 for the pair as I recall, complete with bulbs, 2-filament brights, and a single filament low beam...

 

[Coalsmoke]

It would be interesting to put the two trucks side by side and see how the lights differ given the two different styles. I like the idea of two separate bulbs and chambers, as long as the light is still cast ok in the smaller reflectors. I sold my 08 and got a 97 and sure notice the difference in the headlights now that I have grown used to the newer style of lighting.

 

[ttbird]

It would be interesting to put the two trucks side by side and see how the lights differ given the two different styles. I like the idea of two separate bulbs and chambers, as long as the light is still cast ok in the smaller reflectors. I sold my 08 and got a 97 and sure notice the difference in the headlights now that I have grown used to the newer style of lighting.

If you want that newer style lightning back, do the sport light conversion on your 97. I finally changed my head lights on my 95 because they were so clouded and looked bad. Went with sport lights, and a conversion harness from SUV. What an improvement and it also took the load off of the light switch by using relays and connecting the head lights directly to the batteries. One of the best mods I've done to my truck. Can't believe that it took me 12 years to see this well at night. I got the harness that lights both low beam filiments on both bulbs at the same time as well as on high. Thought that on coming drivers might flash me but have been driving about six months now and not flashed once on low beams!

 

[DonTX]

It may be a long time before I find out how good these are. I only drive at night AGAINST medical advice, so it is more of a getting caught when the sun goes down, not planned.

It would be interesting to put the two trucks side by side and see how the lights differ given the two different styles. I like the idea of two separate bulbs and chambers, as long as the light is still cast ok in the smaller reflectors. I sold my 08 and got a 97 and sure notice the difference in the headlights now that I have grown used to the newer style of lighting.

 

[SMorneau]

I second the suggestion to go the sport light conversion route. I did it with the relays to wire direct to the battery and fire both high and low beams when on high beam. They are awesome compared to my old yellowed single lights. Though I did this years ago, I still get excited about it when I drive at night.

 

[charlessmith]

Here's a web page on the Sport Headlight conversion. Sport Headlights has two bulbs per side, a 9004 and a 9007. With relays, you can light them both for high and also for low beam.



Dodge Ram Sport Headlight Conversion



Do NOT run all this through a stock headlight switch without relays. The stock switch will fry in short order.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Guys, thank you sincerely for the information about the sport light conversion, especially with the website link. This is going to be one of the first things I do on my new truck. Finally there will be no more driving at night by faith.