Projector Headlights

[AH64ID]

Friends,

Not saying there isn't room for improvement on factory headlights, but one thing often overlooked on our trucks is headlight aiming and how much compromise there is associated with it. There is so much vertical wheel travel in the rear that headlight aiming is often a compromise between unloaded rear high (front low) to loaded rear low (front level or high).

My 5500 has very little rear height change due to HD suspension, so my headlight coverage changes very little and is very good all the time. My halogen projector light setup is the best non-OEM LED (halogen) setup I've seen and our 2019 Ram 1500 with LED headlights/fogs is the best lighting. Only downside on my 5500 is the yellow light versus white light, but not really worth the additional cost of upgrade (not) to Silverstars or equivalent. Aside from the most/best lighting coverage on the 1500 LEDs, the very white light is perfect illumination/reflection

I replaced halogens on my 2014 Jeep wrangler and aimed them, If you performing aiming adjustment per proper instauctions, you can see the improvments and tradeoffs of non factory LED lamps. My Jeep provides great vertical and marginal horizontal coverage in my opinion. At noght I can see refelction

There are articles that discuss the technology that incandescent/halogen emits light 360`and headlight reflectors are designed for it. LEDs don't emit 360' and aren't optimal. Next time you're at a Ram delaership, checkout the design and configuration of an OEM LED equipped truck. Not to say you won't find an LED bulb in a standard relfector housing an improvement, just understanding the compromise. FYI, I can get OEM LED headlights/fogs for my 2014 Jeep Wrangler for about $700. Not there yet, like many of y'all on that big of a jump. Same for my 5500 and the high quality aftermarket LED HLs for $1700. Not there yet either, but when you consider my 17 5500 asking price was $79K, the upgrade might would be worth it.

How to Aim and Adjust Headlights | Advance Auto Parts

Anyhoo, just saying verifying aim and understanding the aiming compromise related to significant load level changes has a very real impact on headlight performance. I guess the next gen would be nice with auto-leveling/load sensing healights.

Christmas Cheers, Ron

Headlight aim is very critical, and one of many benefits to the auto-level. I am always in 1 stance or 1.5" lower.. that's it. My headlight aim is always great.

You should try some LED bulbs in your 5500, its as much of an upgrade as the progector housings were over my 05's headlights. It was worth every penny to upgrade the hi/low/fog bulbs to LED's, every penny.

 

[RammerJam]

Friends,

Not saying there isn't room for improvement on factory headlights, but one thing often overlooked on our trucks is headlight aiming and how much compromise there is associated with it. There is so much vertical wheel travel in the rear that headlight aiming is often a compromise between unloaded rear high (front low) to loaded rear low (front level or high).

My 5500 has very little rear height change due to HD suspension, so my headlight coverage changes very little and is very good all the time. My halogen projector light setup is the best non-OEM LED (halogen) setup I've seen and our 2019 Ram 1500 with LED headlights/fogs is the best lighting. Only downside on my 5500 is the yellow light versus white light, but not really worth the additional cost of upgrade (not) to Silverstars or equivalent. Aside from the most/best lighting coverage on the 1500 LEDs, the very white light is perfect illumination/reflection

I replaced halogens on my 2014 Jeep wrangler and aimed them, If you performing aiming adjustment per proper instauctions, you can see the improvments and tradeoffs of non factory LED lamps. My Jeep provides great vertical and marginal horizontal coverage in my opinion. At noght I can see refelction

There are articles that discuss the technology that incandescent/halogen emits light 360`and headlight reflectors are designed for it. LEDs don't emit 360' and aren't optimal. Next time you're at a Ram delaership, checkout the design and configuration of an OEM LED equipped truck. Not to say you won't find an LED bulb in a standard relfector housing an improvement, just understanding the compromise. FYI, I can get OEM LED headlights/fogs for my 2014 Jeep Wrangler for about $700. Not there yet, like many of y'all on that big of a jump. Same for my 5500 and the high quality aftermarket LED HLs for $1700. Not there yet either, but when you consider my 17 5500 asking price was $79K, the upgrade might would be worth it.

How to Aim and Adjust Headlights | Advance Auto Parts

Anyhoo, just saying verifying aim and understanding the aiming compromise related to significant load level changes has a very real impact on headlight performance. I guess the next gen would be nice with auto-leveling/load sensing healights.

Christmas Cheers, Ron

My headlights just simply suck. Period. Worst headlights in human history. DOT shouldn't even allow them on the road, IMO. Had I test-driven the truck at night, I would not have purchased it.

It's that bad. At 40MPH, you're "out-running" your headlights.

Coming out of my In-Laws' driveway at night, where there are no streetlights or any other kind auxiliary lighting, I have to roll my window down in order to see the road so I can make a turn. Otherwise, I would almost certainly end up driving into a ditch. A deep one.

Not knocking the truck, I love the truck. But the headlights are borderline criminal. I'm willing to spend a couple hundred+ to upgrade them. Hopefully someone can chime in and help without telling us to spend most of our 401k on headlights that knock birds out of the sky.

 

[Wiredawg]

Headlight aim is very critical, and one of many benefits to the auto-level. I am always in 1 stance or 1.5" lower.. that's it. My headlight aim is always great.

You should try some LED bulbs in your 5500, its as much of an upgrade as the progector housings were over my 05's headlights. It was worth every penny to upgrade the hi/low/fog bulbs to LED's, every penny.

John,

Since I'm likely the happiest owner with my halogen projectors, I'm thinking the only lighting upgrade I would consider would be Morimoto. They have great R&D in that very much resembles 19+ OEM LEDs, which are the best lighting I've seen. Would be easier to decide if they had chrome housing versus black.

My headlights just simply suck. Period. Worst headlights in human history. DOT shouldn't even allow them on the road, IMO. Had I test-driven the truck at night, I would not have purchased it.

It's that bad. At 40MPH, you're "out-running" your headlights.

Coming out of my In-Laws' driveway at night, where there are no streetlights or any other kind auxiliary lighting, I have to roll my window down in order to see the road so I can make a turn. Otherwise, I would almost certainly end up driving into a ditch. A deep one.

Not knocking the truck, I love the truck. But the headlights are borderline criminal. I'm willing to spend a couple hundred+ to upgrade them. Hopefully someone can chime in and help without telling us to spend most of our 401k on headlights that knock birds out of the sky.

Sorry for your unhappiness. There are several recommendations for LED bulb upgrades in this and other TDR threads by reliable members. Recommend you choose one and go with it.... low priced ones on Amazon from $30 all the way to Morimoto for $1300ish.

Good luck finding something that works and please post results here.

Christmas Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

John,

Since I'm likely the happiest owner with my halogen projectors, I'm thinking the only lighting upgrade I would consider would be Morimoto. They have great R&D in that very much resembles 19+ OEM LEDs, which are the best lighting I've seen. Would be easier to decide if they had chrome housing versus black.

I have been very happy with my halogen projectors but I wanted a whiter light than the yellow, like you mentioned. I tried HID and it wasn't for me, but LED is fantastic for that. Made a great headlight better.

The HID's I ordered to go into my projectors were Morimoto's based on reputation. I was highly disappointed with the product and returned them.

They do have a complete replacement headlamp, but I have serious reservations that it would improve the lighting anywhere near their cost level. The housings are nearly 5x as expensive as new bulbs, and that got me fog light bulbs too.

They look good and probably work very well, but ouch!

 

[Wiredawg]

Y'all have piqued my interest in LED again, found these on sale $499 and free shipping. I emailed them asking about warranty and verify LED bulbs individually replaceable. Will let you know.

 

[NonFord]

Nice find WireDawg! I have the projectors and was about to give up on them. However, I just installed some LED's and let me tell yah, I'm afraid to drive at night with these things. They are wicked bright and I light up the road like its daylight. I also did the fogs. I havent really driven much with them at night and havent had on coming feedback, but these things light up like there's no tomorrow.....Just an fyi, they are the AUXITO brand....only reason i tried them was the 40% off....I'm happy, I can SEE!!!!

 

[Wiredawg]

Nice find WireDawg! I have the projectors and was about to give up on them. However, I just installed some LED's and let me tell yah, I'm afraid to drive at night with these things. They are wicked bright and I light up the road like its daylight. I also did the fogs. I havent really driven much with them at night and havent had on coming feedback, but these things light up like there's no tomorrow.....Just an fyi, they are the AUXITO brand....only reason i tried them was the 40% off....I'm happy, I can SEE!!!!

Did you get the 400% brighter ones or the 200% brighter ones? You might be illegal with the 400% ones. A friend gave me some 100 watt hallogens, but too bright for legal road use.

 

[NonFord]

Did you get the 400% brighter ones or the 200% brighter ones? You might be illegal with the 400% ones. A friend gave me some 100 watt hallogens, but too bright for legal road use.

Narrative said 400% brighter than stock...6500k bulb... I guess I'll have to wait for a defunded NM State Police Officer to pull me over in a sanctuary state to boot!!!

 

[RammerJam]

Found these. They seem to answer some questions I had about flicker and warning lights.

dunno

https://www.xenonpro.com/h11-low-beams-led-headlights-kit

 

[AH64ID]

You can put the truck in LED or HID mode with AlfaOBD too.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I'm spinning down to what y'all come up with. It's a bit of an effort to change anything with headlights on mine, so pretty much has to be equivalent with the OEM LEDs on our 2019 Ram 1500.

Moving the grill/brush guard makes the job a little more involved to change bulbs and more to change housings. I'd likely pull the trigger on Morimoto if they offered chrome housings. We'll see what seller says about warranty on ones I posted above, but suspect its only 30 days... I'm looking for a year at least and Morimoto is 5 years. I like some of the LED bulb upgrades that are lifetime.

Hoping y'all post good before after photos to help a brutha out deciding.

Christmas Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

Changing the bulb and changing the housing are the same amount of work, the housing has to come out for both. Another reason I went LED bulbs, as they should last longer.

Be cautious of the lumen rating on the cheaper bulbs. It’s seems too good to be true, and likely it is.

Some of the best rated bulbs are in the 2500-4000 lumen/bulb rating. Doesn’t make much sense that a cheaper bulb has 2-3x the output with similar amp draw. Likely something has to give.

There are also clearance issues with our housings. You can get larger dust covers, but that’s more money. It’s another reason I went with CSP Mini’s for both high/low beams.

Here’s my 0.02.. even thou it’s harder to pull your housings I’d order up 1 pair of the CSP Mini’s in 9005. Put them in your fog lights . If you like the light, pattern, etc then do the R&R of the housings and put them in the low beams. If you like that order 2 more pairs. Cheaper than any housing, great light and you upgrade your fogs too.

Use AlfaOBD to enable LED to fix the lamp out light.

 

[p-Bar]

Ron that pic you posted looks like a Morimoto knock off

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron that pic you posted looks like a Morimoto knock off

Yes Sir, my thinking too. Just for whiz bangz, I searched cost of 19+ OEM housings and priced out around $650ish EACH. That kinda becomes the price point.

Changing the bulb and changing the housing are the same amount of work, the housing has to come out for both. Another reason I went LED bulbs, as they should last longer.

Be cautious of the lumen rating on the cheaper bulbs. It’s seems too good to be true, and likely it is.

Some of the best rated bulbs are in the 2500-4000 lumen/bulb rating. Doesn’t make much sense that a cheaper bulb has 2-3x the output with similar amp draw. Likely something has to give.

There are also clearance issues with our housings. You can get larger dust covers, but that’s more money. It’s another reason I went with CSP Mini’s for both high/low beams.

Here’s my 0.02.. even thou it’s harder to pull your housings I’d order up 1 pair of the CSP Mini’s in 9005. Put them in your fog lights . If you like the light, pattern, etc then do the R&R of the housings and put them in the low beams. If you like that order 2 more pairs. Cheaper than any housing, great light and you upgrade your fogs too.

Use AlfaOBD to enable LED to fix the lamp out light.

John,

I'm almost there to follow your advice on the full meal deal (Dairy Queen jargon), as not too big of a cost. I believe my housing will come out enough for bulb change without messing with grill guard, but housing replacement will require loosening it and leaning forward.

Thanks, Ron

 

[RammerJam]

Changing the bulb and changing the housing are the same amount of work, the housing has to come out for both.

It does? That kinda bites.....

 

[RammerJam]

https://www.xenonpro.com/h11-low-beams-led-headlights-kit

A warning canceller (also known as an anti-flicker) is an accessory required on some vehicles to prevent your headlights and fog lights from flickering (strobing) and to eliminate dashboard warnings normally caused by aftermarket bulbs.

The warning canceller bypasses your car’s computer system so the aftermarket LED bulbs can function properly. If your car requires a warning canceller but it is not added to your order, our LED bulbs will not work at all or as expected.

Warning canceller is required on the following vehicle manufacturers:

• Acura , Audi , BMW , Cadillac , Chevrolet , Chrysler , Dodge , Ford , GMC , Honda , Infiniti , Jeep , Lexus , Mercedes , Mini , Mitsubishi , RAM , Volkswagen , Volvo

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am ok with my OE lights on my LongHorn. Question if I were to trade out the fogs what is a good replacement with a "WHITE" color that would be an improvement.

 

[p-Bar]

Compared to my 04 headlights I feel like I have aircraft landing lights

 

[AH64ID]

Compared to my 04 headlights I feel like I have aircraft landing lights

I had the exact same feeling getting in my 18 for the first time...and I was thankful as the drive home was 2/3 after dark, occasional snow, and 500 miles.

I never really complained about my 05 headlights, so I must have gotten used to them but the 18 was WOW.

 

[Wiredawg]

FReinds,

OK, I dove off the cliff... ordered 2ea pair SEALIGHT 9005 LEDs headlight bulbs and 1 pair 9145 Fogs on Amazon, free shipping, all for $100, due here Thursday. Worth a try. I'll post pics. If I take Jeep and LRE out of 4th bay, I can back in the 5500, mark the door with aiming marks, take pics with before and pattern, then with LEDs and pattern.

Christmas Cheers, Ron