3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years Talk about the 2003 and up Dodge Ram here. PLEASE, NO ENGINE OR DRIVETRAIN DISCUSSION!.

Help Installing PIAA 520's

Old Mar 22, 2010 | 10:16 PM
  #1  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Help Installing PIAA 520's

Ok guys so I can either pay 50 bucks to have my lights installed or I can do it my self. It seems very straight forward but I wanted to ask a few questions to you guys that have actually installed them before.

I am really only confused on one part. The diagram shows a wire (white with red dots) labeled Switch power that comes off a plug where the connector goes together for the crappy PIAA switch. Where does this wire go? It has a 2 next to it and in the box that shows the 2 it shows you are supposed to use the "one touch connector" to tap into a wire but I am not sure which one.

Also I do not want to use the crappy PIAA botto thing. I want to change my switch to an actual toggle switch and mount it by my left knee. What amp rating and all that do I need to get for this?
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2010 | 10:23 AM
  #2  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
No one installed a set?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 12:26 PM
  #3  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Man not a single person has experiance installing them??? Someone... Anyone.....
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 12:45 PM
  #4  
marathon's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Wiring Diagram

This is diagram I found online that I used for my Westin lights. The wiring should be similar. The only problem I had was finding a "hot" wire in the dashboard for the white 12v line for the interior switch - I kept blowing fuses. Finally got some help and used a wire in the steering column. If you have problems you can put the wire straight to the battery like the yellow line. Put a fuse on the white line, too. It'll keep things from melting if something goes wrong.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
4-PoleRelayDiagram[1].pdf (55.4 KB, 224 views)
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 12:51 PM
  #5  
03RAMBUNCTIOUS's Avatar
I watch wind blow...
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Red Dirt territory of TEXAS
the diagram Marthon posted is good. Follow it. you absolutely have to use a relay, or you will melt switches right and left.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 12:59 PM
  #6  
RowJ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,234
Likes: 1
From: Texas/Oklahoma Border
I found the PIAA's very confusing. Totally different system than US lights. Positive ground, I think it's called.
Anyway I had to get help from an electrical engineer friend. Never did quite follow how it worked so can't help much.
Mine were the smaller 510's but should work the same.

RJ
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 01:05 PM
  #7  
03RAMBUNCTIOUS's Avatar
I watch wind blow...
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Red Dirt territory of TEXAS
one thing I do not like about the Diagram is, I would wire ' Supply voltage' to a constant 12v, This way you can leave the lights on with the ignition off.

I have found this to be helpful for what I use my lights for.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #8  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by 03RAMBUNCTIOUS
one thing I do not like about the Diagram is, I would wire ' Supply voltage' to a constant 12v, This way you can leave the lights on with the ignition off.

I have found this to be helpful for what I use my lights for.
I agree, I would want the lights to still fire when the truck is off as well. I may just suck it up and have the Ranchhand place install it. It would save me 50 bucks to do it my self but it doesn't look too promising so far lol
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 06:59 PM
  #9  
03RAMBUNCTIOUS's Avatar
I watch wind blow...
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Red Dirt territory of TEXAS
Or, you could invest that $$ into fuel and drive up to fort worth during the week or weekend and I would do it for you. I enjoy wiring, and meeting new Cummins fanatics.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 09:34 PM
  #10  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Well had I gotten all this stuff a month ago I would have taken you up on that. I was up in Brekinridge (sp?) at my inlaws
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 10:06 PM
  #11  
txarrowhunter's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Originally Posted by bansh-eman
Well had I gotten all this stuff a month ago I would have taken you up on that. I was up in Brekinridge (sp?) at my inlaws
Yeah, same deal here. I'm pretty good at wiring up stuff, but sometimes sparks fly. I was in Strawn three weeks ago driving around at a new lease.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 10:25 PM
  #12  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
We went through Strawn for something. I don't remember why we were that far East. Maybe it was just some site seeing at the Lake and that was the route my wifes father took.... I have no clue, but I do remember that name from something.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2010 | 06:29 AM
  #13  
n2moto's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA Winnemucca NV
Figure out if you are going to add other lights if so have them wire in everything for you. It doesn't matter if you don't have the lights yet. The expense is in the labor. Run everything now and you can just plug in later.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2010 | 08:21 PM
  #14  
bansh-eman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by n2moto
Figure out if you are going to add other lights if so have them wire in everything for you. It doesn't matter if you don't have the lights yet. The expense is in the labor. Run everything now and you can just plug in later.
I will not be adding any other lights. I will stick with the two PIAA's and my factory fogs. I can do the whole setup my self, minus knowing which dang wire you tap into. The instructions are generic so it doesn't explain exactly what wire I need to hit.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2010 | 08:25 PM
  #15  
03RAMBUNCTIOUS's Avatar
I watch wind blow...
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Red Dirt territory of TEXAS
What can we help you with?
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:50 AM.