headlights
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From: Edmonton,Ab.
headlights
Has anyone tried to take out that chrome cover over the headlight bulb? It looks as though the lense will come off easy enough, I'm still searching for better headlamps from this beast.
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From: FL
Re:headlights
Probably not a good idea. Wanna get shot blinding another driver? Agreed headlights leave some to be desired but don't frig with them unless you know what you are doing. DC put that there for a reason eh?? Later
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From: Grayslake, IL
Re:headlights
Maybe try better bulbs?
Read this for info about what is a good upgrade:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/bulbs/s...uperwhite.html
The bottom of this page offers suggestions:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html
Depending on what size the Ram takes you may find what you need here:
http://www.powerbulbs.com
Read this for info about what is a good upgrade:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/bulbs/s...uperwhite.html
The bottom of this page offers suggestions:
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html
Depending on what size the Ram takes you may find what you need here:
http://www.powerbulbs.com
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From: Elkridge, MD
Re:headlights
I would like to do a HID conversion and not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in. The only thing I worry about is blinding someone. Our stock headlights really leave a lot to be desired...especially when it is raining out.
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From: The Great White North
Re:headlights
[quote author=RamDan03 link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198887 date=1066666776]
I would like to do a HID conversion and not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in. The only thing I worry about is blinding someone. Our stock headlights really leave a lot to be desired...especially when it is raining out.
[/quote]
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
I would like to do a HID conversion and not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in. The only thing I worry about is blinding someone. Our stock headlights really leave a lot to be desired...especially when it is raining out.
[/quote]
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
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From: Grayslake, IL
Re:headlights
not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in.
If you skim the articles I posted you'll note that the author agreed that most aftermarket bulbs are pretty much crap. But there are some gains to be had by sticking with the better ones. Not like an HID upgrade, but worth $20 or so.
If you skim the articles I posted you'll note that the author agreed that most aftermarket bulbs are pretty much crap. But there are some gains to be had by sticking with the better ones. Not like an HID upgrade, but worth $20 or so.
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From: Elkridge, MD
Re:headlights
[quote author=stevenknapp link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198891 date=1066667090]
not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in.
If you skim the articles I posted you'll note that the author agreed that most aftermarket bulbs are pretty much crap. But there are some gains to be had by sticking with the better ones. Not like an HID upgrade, but worth $20 or so.
[/quote]
Yeah, in order to get any noticeable gains, you have to use a bulb from a major manufacturer (Sylvania, Philips, etc.) From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try. Otherwise, HID is the only other option for me.
not just putting some cheasy aftermarket bulbs in.
If you skim the articles I posted you'll note that the author agreed that most aftermarket bulbs are pretty much crap. But there are some gains to be had by sticking with the better ones. Not like an HID upgrade, but worth $20 or so.
[/quote]
Yeah, in order to get any noticeable gains, you have to use a bulb from a major manufacturer (Sylvania, Philips, etc.) From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try. Otherwise, HID is the only other option for me.
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From: Elkridge, MD
Re:headlights
[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198889 date=1066666931]
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
[/quote]
It seems like with the proper retrofitting/aiming that HID lighting would work just fine. Afterall it is found on a lot of high end cars (Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Chrysler 300M to name a few). It is also factory installed on some SUVs like the Escalade, Navigator, Range Rover (not that I care for any of these trucks
). If all the other manufacturers are doing it, I don't see why it wouldn't work on our trucks.
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
[/quote]
It seems like with the proper retrofitting/aiming that HID lighting would work just fine. Afterall it is found on a lot of high end cars (Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Chrysler 300M to name a few). It is also factory installed on some SUVs like the Escalade, Navigator, Range Rover (not that I care for any of these trucks
). If all the other manufacturers are doing it, I don't see why it wouldn't work on our trucks.
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From: The Great White North
Re:headlights
[quote author=RamDan03 link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198927 date=1066672931]
[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198889 date=1066666931]
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
[/quote]
It seems like with the proper retrofitting/aiming that HID lighting would work just fine. Afterall it is found on a lot of high end cars (Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Chrysler 300M to name a few). It is also factory installed on some SUVs like the Escalade, Navigator, Range Rover (not that I care for any of these trucks). If all the other manufacturers are doing it, I don't see why it wouldn't work on our trucks.
[/quote]
My apologies, you are right and I'm wrong. For some reason when you said HID I was thinking of the lights the Baja trucks run.
After you mentioned that BMW et al run the HID's, I remembered reading an article about replacement HID lights. They are in fact available - but on the pricey side (around 800-1000, if I remember correctly). Performance wise, they cant be beat and are probably worth the money if you do a lot of highway night driving.
If I can find the article, Ill post the contact info.
[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198889 date=1066666931]
HID??? You must be joking. HID are strictly for offroad applications. Much too bright to use on the highway or around town...
[/quote]
It seems like with the proper retrofitting/aiming that HID lighting would work just fine. Afterall it is found on a lot of high end cars (Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Chrysler 300M to name a few). It is also factory installed on some SUVs like the Escalade, Navigator, Range Rover (not that I care for any of these trucks
). If all the other manufacturers are doing it, I don't see why it wouldn't work on our trucks.[/quote]
My apologies, you are right and I'm wrong. For some reason when you said HID I was thinking of the lights the Baja trucks run.
After you mentioned that BMW et al run the HID's, I remembered reading an article about replacement HID lights. They are in fact available - but on the pricey side (around 800-1000, if I remember correctly). Performance wise, they cant be beat and are probably worth the money if you do a lot of highway night driving.
If I can find the article, Ill post the contact info.
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From: Elkridge, MD
Re:headlights
[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198933 date=1066673529]
My apologies, you are right and I'm wrong. For some reason when you said HID I was thinking of the lights the Baja trucks run.
After you mentioned that BMW et al run the HID's, I remembered reading an article about replacement HID lights. They are in fact available - but on the pricey side (around 800-1000, if I remember correctly). Performance wise, they cant be beat and are probably worth the money if you do a lot of highway night driving.
If I can find the article, Ill post the contact info.
[/quote]
There are quite a few places selling the 9007 Kits that would work in our trucks. Here is a link to one:
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/hid-9007.htm
The only problems that I see are with the glare. Since our Headlight housings are designed for Halogen bulbs, the HIDs will probably not put out the correct beam pattern. $550+ is quite a bit of money to spend to use my truck as a guinea pig. One other thing to remember is that our bulbs have the low/hi beam in one bulb. If you don't get an HID kit with low/hi, you will lose your high beam capability. But from what i've seen riding in cars equipped with them, you don't really even need the hi beams.
My apologies, you are right and I'm wrong. For some reason when you said HID I was thinking of the lights the Baja trucks run.
After you mentioned that BMW et al run the HID's, I remembered reading an article about replacement HID lights. They are in fact available - but on the pricey side (around 800-1000, if I remember correctly). Performance wise, they cant be beat and are probably worth the money if you do a lot of highway night driving.
If I can find the article, Ill post the contact info.
[/quote]
There are quite a few places selling the 9007 Kits that would work in our trucks. Here is a link to one:
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/hid-9007.htm
The only problems that I see are with the glare. Since our Headlight housings are designed for Halogen bulbs, the HIDs will probably not put out the correct beam pattern. $550+ is quite a bit of money to spend to use my truck as a guinea pig. One other thing to remember is that our bulbs have the low/hi beam in one bulb. If you don't get an HID kit with low/hi, you will lose your high beam capability. But from what i've seen riding in cars equipped with them, you don't really even need the hi beams.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 485
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From: Grayslake, IL
Re:headlights
From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try.
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, MD
Re:headlights
[quote author=stevenknapp link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198946 date=1066675435]
From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try.
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
[/quote]
Yeah I agree...I'd definitely want the low/hi beam kit. It wouldn't make sense to lose high beam functionality no matter how infrequently I use them.
From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try.
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
[/quote]
Yeah I agree...I'd definitely want the low/hi beam kit. It wouldn't make sense to lose high beam functionality no matter how infrequently I use them.
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Posts: 1,424
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From: Sturbridge, Taxachusetts
Re:headlights
[quote author=stevenknapp link=board=20;threadid=21161;start=0#msg198946 date=1066675435]
From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try.
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
[/quote]
You can change the color temperature of the light (yellow, white, blue), but when you start to increase the light output you increase the amount of power being dissipated in the filament which puts a strain on the wiring and fuse ratings. So I would suspect that most replacement bulb's lumen output is somewhere in the range of stock bulbs. HID's are nice, but the last time I looked at HID systems, they were in the $1K range. I wanted more light so I added a set of PIAA driving lights. The difference is astounding when they're on. They have a fairly narrow aperture so most of the light is projected down the road in front of you. On divided interstates, I've gotten no "complaints" from drivers going the other direction. But on country roads they must be used with caution because you can literally project the sun into the vehicle directly in front of you. (I done it a few times to boneheads that cut me off
) I gotta smile when I flick them on because it makes driving dark roads so much easier.
From what i've seen, the Sylvania Silverstars are probably the only bulbs I would try.
I've got the Phillips bulbs in my bike and I noticed a difference. Not a huge one, but noticeable. A friend who's a bit **** got some light measuring meter and compared his two bulbs and found that the Phillips were indeed brighter. It's enough that I'm happy I made the change. It's pretty cheap and and easy (didn't require wiring upgrades).
You can also get high wattage bulbs if the RAM's housing can take the heat. Typically with this you also upgrade the headlight wiring with a kit that includes relays. I've heard some say that the relay kit is worth doing alone as there is less voltage drop between the battery and the bulbs.
The HID retrofit kits I've seen work well, but do make more glare. But I wouldn't throw away the high beams. The beam pattern of the low beam is intended to be down, an area in front of the vehicle, the high beams light further down the road.
This place has a solution that is supposed to work for both.
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/...ights-Kits.htm
[/quote]
You can change the color temperature of the light (yellow, white, blue), but when you start to increase the light output you increase the amount of power being dissipated in the filament which puts a strain on the wiring and fuse ratings. So I would suspect that most replacement bulb's lumen output is somewhere in the range of stock bulbs. HID's are nice, but the last time I looked at HID systems, they were in the $1K range. I wanted more light so I added a set of PIAA driving lights. The difference is astounding when they're on. They have a fairly narrow aperture so most of the light is projected down the road in front of you. On divided interstates, I've gotten no "complaints" from drivers going the other direction. But on country roads they must be used with caution because you can literally project the sun into the vehicle directly in front of you. (I done it a few times to boneheads that cut me off
) I gotta smile when I flick them on because it makes driving dark roads so much easier.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,358
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From: FL
Re:headlights
Another negative about the HID is that they are a target for the cops. Mr donut can be asleep at his radar unit and wake up to see your HID lights (they can be seen quite a bit down the road) and figures you have more money than him so why not pin you for a ticket. I sold my S2000 for just that reason. Was getting pegged at 5 over. I can fly by with my truck 10 or 12 over and not even wake them up..
I'll live with the crappy lights thanks. Paid enough to them.
I'll live with the crappy lights thanks. Paid enough to them.