PIAA Platinum Bulbs.. Any Good??

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We just got a '99 2500 V8 gasser for our service rig at work (I couldn't convince them on diesel #ad
) Anyhow, I see alot of you guys have the PIAA bulbs. Are they worth the money ($125 Cdn)? The stock lights are a little dull in the bush and I don't want to fool around with relays and 10 Ga wiring harnesses to get 85/100 Watt bulbs in. Thanks in advance...
Happy Truckin'

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites.
205,000 miles & counting

 

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I have them in my truck and my wife's mazda. I really think they make a difference, but it really differs from driver to driver. I would go for it. One of the lesser expensive upgrades.

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96 Long bed EC, Banks Twin Ram, BD TC, BD EB, BD VB, Mag Hytec Pans, Warn 8000# winch, TJM Bull Bar, Speedliner, Katzkin Leather kit, K&N Filter, Trailmaster 2" Lift, 35BFG ATKO's, Kodiak Sidewinder Steps, Reflexion Cowl Hood, Autometer Guages, Horton Clutch Fan, PIAA Superwhites.

 

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They're worth it - as Wade says the difference is not "night and day" but they are noticably brighter. And they are much whiter, which at least in my case eases eye fatigue considerably.

You'll notice the difference more when you're not driving in traffic - we don't have traffic out here so I get to enjoy it all the time.

Best price I could find was $69. 95 at www.autobulbdepot.com -

Rob

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1999 2500HD 4x4 SLT Driftwood QC LB 3. 55LSD 5spd Camper/Tow, Custom Built(Deer Hunter Model)Brush Guard w/PIAA Pro 90's, PIAA Platinum Headlamp Bulbs, Diamond Plate Bed Caps w/full frt&rr DiaPlate Protectors -

 

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I have the PIAA Platnum bulbs in my truck too. I love them. They seem much brighter and whiter. They made the OE bulbs look yellow. I bought mine @ autobulbdepot too. They are DOT approved (street legal) and are NOT over wattage. Overwattage bulbs can overheat the stock wiring and possibly melt the headlight housings. #ad


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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)



[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 11-19-1999). ]

 

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Save some money buy Sylvaina Cool Blue head lights. You can get them at any auto parts store, they are much brighter than the stock bulbs and pretty cheap $25. 00 U. S. for a pair. They are much whiter than the stock bulbs too. I have them on my truck and I am very happy with them.
My two cents worth

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Pat S
1997 CC LB

 

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Pat, whats the # of the bulbs u use?? I was looking at replacements last week @ Checkers & Pep Boys but was unsure which ones I wanted. Ifn I recalls, there were two possible #'s. I think one was a direct replacement and the other was the upgrade.

\\BF//

 

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I think all the bulbs have the number 9004 in them for the single headlight set up on the RAM. I had some cool blue Philips but they weren't very good on wet or very black fresh pavement. I then went to the Philips 9004 over-wattage... better then stock... not as good as the PIAA super whites I have now.
Proof was available again tonight. Theres a certain road I travel and with the other bulbs I couldn't see all of the road. The PIAA's make a difference for me out on the remote roads.

SCOTT
Rammin' with less eye strain.

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LIFT IT... FLIP IT... BOMB IT! OR...
RAMIT!

 

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I read somewhere (I'm trying to relocate the web page right now) that the "Cool Blue" lights don't emit as much light as a regular halogen bulb. Here's the theory, and it makes a lot of sense to me: They are simply a high quality halogen bulb, coated with some substance to absorb some of the light coming out in order to generate the "cool blue" color. They burn at the same temperature as a regular 9004 (or whatever size), have the same wattage, draw the same current, are the same basic core - with the addition of the coating and generate the same number of lumens. Now, if this is all true, then coating the glass with a substance to absorb some part of the light spectrum so that the rest appears bluish means, to me, at least, that there is LESS light getting to the road. I was ready to run out and buy some of these until I started thinking about it and then did the research.

I'm probably going to go with a pair of the PIAA Platinums because at least they claim to have put more stuff in their bulbs to generate more light. Unlimately, I'm planning on adding some PIAA Pro 90s, but in the meantime, maybe Santa will leave a pair of the Platinums in my stocking.

If I can find that comparison link, I'll come back and post it.

OK, I found the link I was looking for. Plus a couple of others:
http://lighting. mbz.org/tech/info/ - great discussion of most lighting questions I've come across. I'm not sure of the source/authority of these posts, but they appear to me to be factual and straightforward.
http://www.autosupermart.com/shopcart/solaris.html - here's an option to the PIAA Platinum bulbs. These are for "off road or show use only" though.
http://www.autobulbdepot.com/bulbs_piaa. tpl?cart=302594315227112 - some info on the PIAA Platinum bulbs, which are DOT compliant.
http://www.sylvania.com/prodinfo/auto/cool/welcome.htm - The "Cool Blue" homepage. Interesting to note that their lights generate exactly the same number of lumens as standard 9004s! Read the effects of only allowing the blue spectrum (Blue Bulbs section of the first link) to be emitted.

Damn, now I've confused myself again and I don't know which ones to get! Definately not the Cool Blues, but either the Solaris or Platinmus. Sigh. Too much information!!!

[This message has been edited by joel (edited 11-20-1999). ]

 

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My Ram is not the sport model. What's the best way to upgrade my headlights? I have the seal beam and can't switch the bulb. Any ideas welcome.
Are the PIAA bulbs some of you are using sealed beam or just the small replacement bulb?
Thanks, Terry

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Terry Tucker, Terre Haute, Indiana, 4 wheel antilock brakes, 99 QC,LB,4X4,5SP,3. 54 LSD,Scott CONE SHAPED K&N, TED JANNETTY 4 IN EXHAUST, PYRO AND BOOST GUAGES, RV INJECTORS, TST PowerMax, Prime-Loc fuel filter system, Rancho 9000 shocks



[This message has been edited by TerryTT (edited 11-20-1999). ]

 

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Terry -

The PIAA Platinum Super White is a bulb replacement, not the sealed beam unit.

I think it represents the most "bang for the buck" with regard to increased lighting - there are less expensive options but I believe in this instance you get what you pay for. Not that the cheaper units are no good, they're simply a less effective option for less money - IMHO.

You do have the option to replace your stock headlamps with the Sport Quad set-up, it is a bolt-in requiring no mods in your '99 - cost is approx $365. 00-385. 00. The swap is written up in TDR Issue #25/Pg. 50, including part #'s.

Hope this helps,

Rob

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1999 2500HD 4x4 SLT Driftwood QC LB 3. 55LSD 5spd Camper/Tow, Custom Built(Deer Hunter Model)Brush Guard w/PIAA Pro 90's, PIAA Platinum Headlamp Bulbs, Diamond Plate Bed Caps w/full frt&rr DiaPlate Protectors -




[This message has been edited by Rob Myers (edited 11-21-1999). ]

 

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Rob,
Thanks for the response. I guess if I want to upgrade, will have to go with the sport lights first, so I can switch out the bulbs. Pretty hefty price tag. Any other suggestions out there?
Thanks, Terry

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Terry Tucker, Terre Haute, Indiana, 4 wheel antilock brakes, 99 QC,LB,4X4,5SP,3. 54 LSD,Scott CONE SHAPED K&N, TED JANNETTY 4 IN EXHAUST, PYRO AND BOOST GUAGES, RV INJECTORS, TST PowerMax, Prime-Loc fuel filter system, Rancho 9000 shocks

 

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Terry,

Does your 99 really have sealed-beam headlights?

My model year 2000 non-sport RAM 2500 doesn't and I've heard nothing about a headlight change from 1999 to 2000.

Thomas

 

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Thomas, that's a good question - I assumed Terry was using "sealed beam" to describe the stock units, not the literal sense of the term.

Then, I wasn't sure why he would want to change out the bulbs in the Quad lights as they should go long way toward solving the problem without the aftermarket bulbs - plus, it implied that he couldn't change out the stock bulbs, which shouldn't be right either... my fault too, I should have picked up on that also.

Terry ????????

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1999 2500HD 4x4 SLT Driftwood QC LB 3. 55LSD 5spd Camper/Tow, Custom Built(Deer Hunter Model)Brush Guard w/PIAA Pro 90's, PIAA Platinum Headlamp Bulbs, Diamond Plate Bed Caps w/full frt&rr DiaPlate Protectors -




[This message has been edited by Rob Myers (edited 11-22-1999). ]

 

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Scott1's post above indicates bulbs numbered 9004 are used in the RAM. I believe you'll find that the sport version uses two of these bulbs left and two bulbs right vs. the one bulb per side on the non-sport.

Terry can replace his bulbs.

 

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Thanks for the replies all!!!. Scott1 as you know there was freezing rain up north last week and the road turns into a black shiney mat. If the PIAA's will help on high and low beam with lighting up the road to avoid a moose, that's what I'm after.

I was also going to add some fogs as this base model didn't come with. Are the new projector style any good? Suggestions are welcome from all. Scott1, where did you get your bulbs here in Calgary?? Thanks again!!

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 55/100 HdLites. Bosch 100W Driving. Bosch 55W Fogs
205,000 miles & counting

 

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Terry, I'm pretty sure the new Rams come with the 9004 bulb. If you have a sealed beam unit, you put it in yourself.....

 

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The lights are 9004, and as for the lights themselves they were quite a bit brighter to me. There is also a miss understanding about the name cool blue. The lights are not blue like the HID you see in some luxury cars, it is just a coating they put on the lights to give it more white light. Refer to Joel's post he has the web link there for all the info on the lights. I myself am very happy with the lights and for the price you cant beat it. good luck

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Pat S
1997 CC LB

 

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Are any of you running the PIAA Platinum Super Whites AND the Brite Box?

I like the Brite Box and was thinking of upgrading my stock bulbs.

Thanks,

Thomas

 

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Thanks Joel, I'll take another look.
Terry

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Terry Tucker, Terre Haute, Indiana, 4 wheel antilock brakes, 99 QC,LB,4X4,5SP,3. 54 LSD,Scott CONE SHAPED K&N, TED JANNETTY 4 IN EXHAUST, PYRO AND BOOST GUAGES, RV INJECTORS, TST PowerMax, Prime-Loc fuel filter system, Rancho 9000 shocks

 

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Thanks Thomas,
I guess I just didn't check close enough. I'll just have to order me a couple of those PIAA bulbs.
I have the same question as someone posted. I have the bright box and wonder if the new bulbs will cause a problem? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks, Terry #ad
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