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LED headlights and fog lights for an '03

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deaner70

deaner70

sorry if this has been hashed before, post me a link but has anyone installed and tried LED bulbs for headlights and fog lights? I am in need of something better as the headlights on a Dodge are the worst of anything. Stepped up to the silverstar (i think thats what they were called) about 50 bucks a set and not a great improvement. Lens' are clean and clear, not yellow and dull. I would think that there would be a better bulb out there without having to install a Fogster or rig the high beam controller, etc. The only thing I can figure is the headlights are the same ones used when Dodge had a slant six in a truck, which would make them great because you would never "over drive" your headlights!

I have seen several on Amazon with different reviews and its like anything wlse, there is good stuff and junk

Thanks in advance
 
This is a somewhat touchy subject with me. I live in the country and it gets real dark out here when driving. I’ve tried it all and just bought LED headlights. Easy to installed and they light up the area ahead of me where I’m actually happy. I have yet to have anyone flash me letting me know they are not align right not over powering the on coming cars. The light is white and clear. They are not cheap, since I bought them from LifetimeLED ( https://www.lifetimeledlights.com ), I bought their best for $249 a set. But they are guaranteed for life and I tend to keep my vehicles for a couple decades minimum. When working right, I’m impressed with them.

But it seems the can bus for my year (’06) doesn’t work on 30% of the vehicles. I’m in communications with the company and they said they are getting in a new setup to replace the can bus and should help. I don’t like when I loose a headlight for a while when driving. I can get it back easily, but it’s a pain in the *****. Last taking to them was the end of last week and waiting to see what’s going to happen next. I will say they took the order and in two days I had my lights. When sending in an email, they responded quickly. Before I bought I had three questions and they responded directly with complete answers.

Are LED's worth the money verses even the Sylvania Ultra ?
Yes, Sylvania Ultras (less than a year old) were the ones I removed to put the LED’s in.

Can I see further than the Ultra ?
Yes.

Would I buy them in the future ?
Once these are corrected and I'm happy, I’m putting a set on my wife truck.
(Then I'm thinking of their fogs for both trucks.)
 
Not a dumb question. I didn't know what it actually did until I got into this. When you use LED's instead of the standard lights, they draw less power than usual. This can cause the LED headlights to flicker or quickly flash. The can bus regulates the flow of electricity where it is a constant and they work properly. (They connect between the headlight harness and the LED light unit. They are plug and play style.) It tells the truck it's a regular lighting unit when it's not. That's about as simple as I can make it. So it is a necessity when converting.

My issue is, it seems it doesn't work properly and they have another setup that should take care of this problem. If it wasn't for this issue I have, when they work, I'm happy with them. They are not as bright as landing lights off of an airplane, but way better than the Ultra and not yellow as the Ultra were for me. You can get the LED's from Amazon and save money. But from I seen they only warrantee them for 1 year. At $100 or less per set, that isn't to bad if you have to change them once in a while. But I thought when buying them, why not get the lifetime warrantee. I could have screwed up do it, only time will tell. The only thing I'm a little hesitant on is fog. I have yet to drive them in fig, so I can't say anything if they reflect much or not. This is my only concern.
 
AnOldBiker said:
Not a dumb question. I didn't know what it actually did until I got into this. When you use LED's instead of the standard lights, they draw less power than usual. This can cause the LED headlights to flicker or quickly flash. The can bus regulates the flow of electricity where it is a constant and they work properly. (They connect between the headlight harness and the LED light unit. They are plug and play style.) It tells the truck it's a regular lighting unit when it's not. That's about as simple as I can make it. So it is a necessity when converting.

My issue is, it seems it doesn't work properly and they have another setup that should take care of this problem. If it wasn't for this issue I have, when they work, I'm happy with them. They are not as bright as landing lights off of an airplane, but way better than the Ultra and not yellow as the Ultra were for me. You can get the LED's from Amazon and save money. But from I seen they only warrantee them for 1 year. At $100 or less per set, that isn't to bad if you have to change them once in a while. But I thought when buying them, why not get the lifetime warrantee. I could have screwed up do it, only time will tell. The only thing I'm a little hesitant on is fog. I have yet to drive them in fig, so I can't say anything if they reflect much or not. This is my only concern.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info..now I know!! I think I will try some and see what happens. Cannot be anyworse than the ones that are in there
 
You need to put a power resistor across the headlamp wires to show a load that the Canbus was calibrated for .
 
AnOldBiker said:
They are not cheap, since I bought them from LifetimeLED ( https://www.lifetimeledlights.com ), I bought their best for $249 a set. But they are guaranteed for life and I tend to keep my vehicles for a couple decades minimum. When working right, I’m impressed with them.

But it seems the can bus for my year (’06) doesn’t work on 30% of the vehicles.
Click to expand...


Do the LED's illuminate further down the road? I was just looking at this company a week ago. Since then it appears the CANBUS compliant lights are now available. Having trouble deciding between LED upgrade or Britebox upgrade. I had Britebox on my 1996 Dodge.



Canbus compliant
 
wcjp said:
Do the LED's illuminate further down the road? I was just looking at this company a week ago. Since then it appears the CANBUS compliant lights are now available. Having trouble deciding between LED upgrade or Britebox upgrade. I had Britebox on my 1996 Dodge.



Canbus compliant
Click to expand...

It probably just means that they already have the correct load applied to the wiring to prevent the computer from freaking out... I bought a set and the computer shut them off one at a time and then both until I clicked on the high beams. I bought the second best ones they had and had to add in the "anti flicker module" to put a load on the circuit that powered them.

LED's are worth the investment and I am quite pleased with the ones I purchased. I just wish I would have clicked on the same link you did the first time around!!

that ginger said:
i put lifetime leds in my headlights and they didnt make much of a difference. so i plan on installing these. https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...moto-mini-h1-7-0-projectors.html#.Vpyih_krLIU they should work amazing
Click to expand...

Did you make sure they were clocked right, or did you just add the insert and just stuff them in the hole?? If they don't hit the reflector just right, you will be disappointed with them. However, if they are installed and aimed properly, you will be amazed!!

I even went as far as upgrading my '92 with a set of Maxxima LED's!! Don't even ask what they cost because you will just walk away and shake your head in disbelief when you realize that the price given is for just ONE headlight!! THEY ARE WORTH IT!!
 
Projector hid's will 'outlight' a drop in led bulb any day in these trucks. That is the way to go if you want the best lights, i am sure glad i did.
 
I beg to differ, my son and a few of his friends had the HID's and my son was trying his best to have me convert. But over a few years period, they were having issues with them. I could consider that my son did his own installation and might have been the cause of it. But his friends had them professionally installed and had issues. They all converted to LED's and haven't had an issue yet. With that, I desided to convert myself. Products can be improved over time, but the prices of converting to HID's is not cheap. If you end up with issues, that can cost a lot more for the conversion and another conversion to something else. Just my 2 cents.
 
Just to be clear, HID's (drop in bulbs) and projector HID's are two very different lights. Not sure which you are referring to with your son's and his friends.
 
BILTIT said:
Just to be clear, HID's (drop in bulbs) and projector HID's are two very different lights. Not sure which you are referring to with your son's and his friends.
Click to expand...

i think he was just referring to hid's in genreal. whether they are drop in bulbs or projector hid's, you are still runnning an hid.

anoldbiker, i have installed a number hid's in my vehicles, fog lights and motorcycles. i have never had an issue with any of them. i would have to assume that they had really cheap hid's and/or they were not installed correctly.
 
Just had very long discussion/debate with major supplier of HID and LED projection and reflection. Specs indicated best lighting with LED reflection\, longer life but cost for either not cheep. I went with the LED in the end as I think the longevity and output may meet my needs. I am so sick of the stock lights I think they could have sold me anything. Hope they work out and I will post after I check them out. Given I drive in the sierras and had an accura that has LEDs that work beautifully I will be able to test these guys out in harsh conditions and be able to compare to a top notch LED system. Stay tuned
 
The main issue is installing a different light source than what the truck came with. The final test should put a friend in your truck and you get in your car and see what the on coming light is like as the issue with HID in non projected headlight they turn into floods and blind oncoming traffic. Thanks for keeping us up
 
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
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Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
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