2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Improvement for weak headlights?

[WrenchRat]

Is there any aftermarket stuff out there that will noticeably improve the weak headlight situation on these trucks. If this has been hashed out on another thread, just point me there. Thanks.



1. Any replacement bulbs for the decidedly weak 45/55W 9004's that will not damage the stock lens and wiring? I see 80/100W bulbs available, but question whether they would damage anything. Also, 80W is a bit bright for street driving and out of consideration for other drivers, this may be a bit stiff for populated areas.



2. Does anyone make a complete replacement housing that is specifically designed for HID or at least a design that would provide better light focus.



3. I'm guessing that a 65W low beam would be quite helpful and not blind other drivers?



4. Looks like Wagner makes a 55/65W, 9004BL. Has anyone used them and are they an improvement?



5. I have the factory 55W fogs. Does anyone have specific experience with a round lamp that would fit in this 3. 5-3. 75 inch hole and help with this issue?



Yes, I could install another bank of well designed driving lights to substitute for low beams, but I would rather keep it simple. I already have auxiliary 100W six inch off-road beams for back road driving (all the better to see deer with). Can't even THINK about using these in populated areas as they will blind oncoming drivers. And the local constabulary frowns on that anyway.

 

[Bob4x4]

The best thing to add on the second Gens is the sport lights. Either factory or aftermarket,it will double the available lighting.



Bob

 

[InfernoB]

Out of curiousity... . Did you adjust your headlights after the lift?

I had driven my truck for over 5 months without adjusting them, and just did it this week. What a difference. My lights are newer than your's, but thougt I would ask.

 

[WrenchRat]

InfernoB,
Yes, I did adjust them. Had to. I was really surprised to see how much effect on the lights the minor 2+inch lift had. The darn things are just flat poopy out here in the country.

Bob, I see the Sport Truck option around all the time, but never paid any attention to the lights. Clue me in on what's better about them. Lens design? Do they take 9004's or 9007's? I'll go look and see if I can find good pics on the web and also start looking in parking lots... Thanks for the idea.

 

[WrenchRat]

Oh, and Bob, any particular year better than another?

I found the Sport Truck version. It appears to be a four lamp arrangement with a separate high and low beam bulb in each of the two housings? Are those the critters? Are they a direct mechanical drop in or are mods required?

If so, do you know of a wiring loom adapter or am I on my own there?

Thanks

 

[The patriot]

I put the sport lights on my 98. BIG difference.

Oh yea, I also had to go for a special wiring harness to go from a 2 bulb to a 4 bulb system.

I have mine so that all low beam filiments are on in low beam. But in hi beam all 8 filiments are on.

I dont remember the name of the harness I bought, might try to do a search under my name.

I would suggest to get the factory lights if you can. I got the "depot" brand... . theyre OK, just not as good as the factory stuff.

There might be some pics in my users rigs page.

Sorry I dont have more/better info. It's been a few years.

 

[jtwcummins]

The only thing making my lights better on the 97 was sport headlights. You have to cut some sheet metal to install. I used 2 sets of relays, one controlled the 9004s and the other the 9007s. The whole thing cost about $300 but money well spent. The hardest part was getting the original lite assys out.

 

[Bob4x4]

Oh, and Bob, any particular year better than another?



I found the Sport Truck version. It appears to be a four lamp arrangement with a separate high and low beam bulb in each of the two housings? Are those the critters? Are they a direct mechanical drop in or are mods required?



If so, do you know of a wiring loom adapter or am I on my own there?



Thanks

IRRC factory option 99 and up. The easist way to add them is using a harness from suv lights,pretty fair quality. I made my own harneses till I got to busy. No cutting should be required in your year.



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

InfernoB,

Yes, I did adjust them. Had to. I was really surprised to see how much effect on the lights the minor 2+inch lift had. The darn things are just flat poopy out here in the country.



Bob, I see the Sport Truck option around all the time, but never paid any attention to the lights. Clue me in on what's better about them. Lens design? Do they take 9004's or 9007's? I'll go look and see if I can find good pics on the web and also start looking in parking lots... Thanks for the idea.

9004 amd 9007 both,clear lenses and more filaments with better reflectors.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

I was pleased with the Hella DOT bulbs I installed after the wife hit a couple of deer. They were like $40 for a set from Summit, but they made a noticeable difference. As for the housings, I'd stick with the Mopar units. My old dealer in Wy sold it to me for within $20 of the cheap knockoff's and it came with bulbs installed(I upgraded the bulbs anyway).

 

[WrenchRat]

Alright gents, now we're getting somewhere.



So it's the OE Sport lights and this wiring harness (Thank you Bob):



suvlights.com Dodge Ram (Sport Headlights) Super Heavy Duty Conversion Harness w/4 relays 9004



Looks like quite a viable solution!Oo.



All that's left is to scrape together the $ and make it happen!



Thanks ALL.

 

[Spunkys Ram]

Alright gents, now we're getting somewhere.



So it's the OE Sport lights and this wiring harness (Thank you Bob):



suvlights.com Dodge Ram (Sport Headlights) Super Heavy Duty Conversion Harness w/4 relays 9004



Looks like quite a viable solution!Oo.



All that's left is to scrape together the $ and make it happen!



Thanks ALL.

So is anyone using this setup?

 

[Chief USA]

I think the below link is what you may be looking for. Certainly a LOT cheaper. I installed this kit on my truck and it made a noticable improvement.



http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=AMC%2D509104&N=700+1003+115&autoview=sku

 

[Bob4x4]

I think the below link is what you may be looking for. Certainly a LOT cheaper. I installed this kit on my truck and it made a noticable improvement.



APC Headlight Conversion Wiring Harness Kits: AMC-509104 - summitracing.com

All you are doing with this kit is ensuring full batt voltage to the lights. With the sport lights you are adding better lenses,more bulbs with higher wattage and full batt voltage



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

So is anyone using this setup?

It is roughly what is on my 2nd gen and many others that I have done. It makes a night and day difference(pun intended)



Bob

 

[DonFitzwater]

I put a set of sport lights in my 97 and was very happy with them. I will be modding my latest 98 with them as soon as I get back to Tejas. You do have to trim some sheet metal and do a little wiring but the light difference is better than double at best. Just about the best price I've run into has been from LMC truck in Puxatawny, Pa. I think I spelled that right?

 

[Thomas]

All you are doing with this kit is ensuring full batt voltage to the lights . . .

I think you are also hoping to avoid a smoked headlight switch.

 

[DonTX]

Since I am old and don't try to drive at night much anymore, I went for the cheap and quick cure. I got a set of bulbs on EBay that are supposed to be three times as bright as stock bulbs, and don't take any more juice. They were a distinct improvement and I am satisfied with them.

 

[WrenchRat]

Yes, that headlight switch gets quite WARM. Making the switch to a relay wiring harness that sources power directly from the batteries should solve that. That's how auxiliary lights SHOULD be hooked up. Running all that current through switches is not a real good idea. Looks like SUVLIGHTS. COM has it sorted out. Thanks Bob.



As for prices on the lights. Buying them as a set with turn signal appear to range from $147 to $160 per side with various shipping arrangements. So far it looks like carpartswholesale.com has the best price at $147 plus $10 shipping. That's per SIDE. So it looks like about $314 plus wiring. From suvlights that's $133+$15 S&H. So about $462 for the swap. YIKES!



I'll poke around salvage yards to see if I can find some units in good shape. Given that most vehicles in the yards are front damaged, I'm not holding out much hope for any, but it's worth a try. Might even be able to get part of the wiring harness so I can make my own? We'll see. Gonna be tough to beat having a plug-in harness with all the right wire sizes, connectors, and relays. I could easily spend a lot of time and money looking for all the pieces and parts. So, I'll probably just get the suvlight harness.

 

[jkidd]

the aftermarket lights are not supposed to be as good of quality. some of them are plastic. The OEM material is good stuff. just watch out for low quality knock-offs