Was hoping for a good straight answer?

[TBarrett]

I asked the dealer, got 2 answers. Asked here and got go to other hits on the site. Can I PLEASE have someone walk me thru if I can just put on some 55w driving lights, non factory. The dealer said, yes and no. If you go to the battery the computer will read to much amp or volt draw and screw up something in it???. If you go to the computer your Ok as long as you stay with 55w lights. I looked into the kit and a major 6 ft of wires in a big loom, change the switch, change the grill plastics and so on, Oh, about 2 bills for the kit. Like I have the money and the major time to change everything out. I see alot out there that arent stock, I ask and they say got the truck used and came that way. How about all you out there? How are you all doing the extra lights? Help Please. Thanks, been great help so far. Im very happy with my truck pretty much stock but just a couple add-ons would be cool. Terril

 

[Rattler]

Hey T, i added a set of 55w lights about the same size as the stock driving lights ,and put them in the stock location. They were a cheap set(about 40 bucks). I used the small harness that came with them,and ran a hot wire from the kit's relay to the battery and a trigger wire to switch the relay was hooked to a parking light. The only thing i don't really like about the setup is that the lights come on any time the parking lights are on. Hope this helps.

 

[Thomas]

"If you go to the battery the computer will read to much amp or volt draw and screw up something in it" — total nonsense.



"If you go to the computer your Ok as long as you stay with 55w lights. " — I have no clue what this is.



Your biggest problem with auxiliary lighting will be finding a place to attach the lights. The electrical is pretty straight forward. Use a FUSED 10 or 12 gauge wire from the battery to a relay to the lights. Control the relay with a dedicated switch or the high-beam wiring. Be aware that model year 2000 and newer Rams use switched ground on the headlamp circuit.



Here are some PIAA 60XT's in the bumper cutout on my truck. Difficult to attach. Difficult to aim. Easy to wire.

 

[dan_gilson]

I do not know what the dealer were smoking but...

My winch which has about about an 0 cable is tied directly to the battery. And it certainly pulls more that 50+watts. (can you say welding)



Good wiring, relays and fuses with a connection to the battery should work just fine AND keep you out of trouble.



The alternator should be able to handle this with ease. I seem to remember that the alternator is 140amps.

140amp * 12V = 1680 watts.

So do not exceed 1680 watts total or you will start discharging you batteries. Keep in mind that this is the total power (e. g. power to keep the electrics of the mighty cummins running as well as you stereo, vent fan, lights and anything else that draws electricity).

 

[klenger]

I doubt that those lights draw more current than all the lights on my 5er when I tow it.

 

[illflem]

Was hoping for a good straight answer

Thought you were going to ask if you should use Amsoil...

 

[JHansen]

Or who makes the best torque converter..... !



Jason

Standing on the Sidelines Waiting for Someone to Hit Him in the Head With A Rock... .

 

[DavidD]

Your dealer must be on Big Drugs! I have 2 aftermarket amps hookd to the battery, and Hella 550 driving lights. they are wired to the battery and the high beams with a switch on the dash. On or Off with high beams works great! Both replies earlier were correct If you think about it 1) if you tow a trailer look at alll the power that draws. 2) A winch, aux. air pumps all that stuff works great you have a 2 battery system with a high output alternator, No sweat! Go for it, Dave

 

[LarryB]

Who makes the best K&N?

 

[illflem]

Larry, Snap-On of course

 

[HiPerf360]

Why pay for the Snap-On K&N when Craftsman has the same warranty. LOL

 

[B-52]

Here's the straightest answer I can give you.

You can have 55w fogs for about 16 bucks and 5 minutes.



The stock fogs have replacable bulbs which are 38w. I went to one of the better local auto parts stores and found 55w replacements. Each bulb has its own series-number based on the design of the holder and the wattage - will post the number of the 55w replacements when I'm home tomorrow night, but I think they are 853s or 856s.



For comparison's sake, I have a set of PIAA 1100x fogs on another vehicle and my BOMB'd stockers work as well, if not better than the PIAAs, for about $170. 00 less



Mike

 

[Eric Horne]

Mike,



Did you ever get a chance to confirm the bulb numbers? I have one of the stock ones burt out, so I might as well upgrade them both.

 

[B-52]

Sorry - Hate that it took me so long to post this. Ended up having to pull one of the bulbs out to get the number off it...



The type-885 bulb is the 55w direct replacement for the factory 38w fog light bulb. Picked mine up at the local Pep Boys.



Good luck



Mike

 

[Eric Horne]

Thanks for going through the trouble of pulling a bulb Mike. I appreciate it.

 

[jandtjil]

Ditto Thanks Mike!



JJ