Hello All,

So I've been diving into the search function trying to learn more about the lighting options I have ahead of me. I drive a lot of back roads as well as a few highways that are just dark as all hell.

Further, the lights on the truck have water in them... clearly a seal is gone somewhere.

So what are my options? I've searched ebay, but I am getting that distinct "cheap Chinese quality" impression when I am looking at a lot of them. That being said, I heard some people say they can be made better.

I found this thread: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/vendor-...mbers-103.html which seems to have a fair amount of information.

That all being said, I felt like a lot of different ideas and information was being tossed around in a bunch of different threads and I was having a hard time making heads or tails out of it all. I even searched the DIY area with no luck.

So with that all being said... I'm hoping some Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will jump in with information and perhaps this can help others (Yeah... I'm in the Army, we all use acronyms, but it doesn't help when no one spells them out!).

What I want: Bright lights. Focused lights. So I'm thinking I want HID. That is to say, perhaps something from hidextra.com - My understand is this is what we would call an HID Conversion?

I understand that using this in the stock housing is a no-no. So what should I look at to replace the housing? I've read the term "projector" tossed around a lot, but seen that some are for HID, some not and just _SAY_ HID and use a special bulb. From what I read at hidextra, and on here, is that an actual HID kit has ballasts and so forth.

So where am I going with all this? I don't know. I need some help to better understand what is required. I've heard the terms "conversion", "projector" and "HID projector" and seen the issues with some of the ebay projector light housings not being adjustable and having screwed up wires. I've also read of "retrofits" but I have no clue what that entails.

If I _MISSED_ a huge thread with all this info, I apologize. I've read a large number of threads on lighting, but didn't see anything that really laid it all down to be understood. So, maybe someone can? And can suggest a _GOOD_ housing unit that will properly allow for an HID kit with ballast, not just the overly blue bright lights (I don't want blue, just a bright white).

And further to that, what about the fog lights? My covers are so pitted and screwed that light doesn't even penetrate them. They look melted, like someone put in too hot of a bulb. Are there HID kits for this as well (I believe I saw them on hidextra.com) and is there a proper housing (preferably something to match the main lights)?

Wow... that got long. Not my intent. And just so I paint where I'm coming from - I've a 99 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport.

InfO.

 

Well, you'll want a projector for sure. A "retrofit" is installing a projector into a housing, such as your stock housing. Check out www.lightwerx.com (I believe that's the site) for more info. They can get VERY expensive but once you look at them, you'll see why. 6000K HIDs are about the perfect amount of white with slight bluish tint. They are pretty much plug and play, you just mount the ballast, switch, etc.

 

Looked around on hidextra a bit more and looked at the hi and low as well as fog HID kits. Will probably order all 3 tomorrow.

So what is he recommended projector housings and are there some for fog lights as well? I've seen all the ones on ebay, but considering all the options... I don't feel like being something that is junk. Not into wasting my money. And I'll look at the website you suggested.

Thanks for the quick response.

 

For those curious, the website is https://shop.lightwerkz.net

I've just sent them an email curious of costs associated with retrofitting a 99 Ram Sport. Looks like good work, but I suspect it'll be expensive. Atleast I'll know.

InfO.

 

You can try www.ddmtuning.com for HIDs too.

As for ebay housings, im not sure of the quality of the projector ones. But I can tell you that they're regular housings are crap. Look great, but they spread the light terribly.

Also, I believe HIDs shine a little cooler than standard bulbs. That's just what I've heard. I mean, it doesn't heat up a coil to emit light, it arcs from one point to another and that arc is what emits the light. Don't hold me to that lol.

 

I won't hold you to it, but atleast I feel like I'm being educated I'll look at that site as well, I just know that the other seems to have a sale on and naturally I find myself drifting to sales.

 

www.theretrofitsource.com
I get all my stuff through them. I custom retrod some Morimoto Mini H1 projectors in my truck and i put some blazer fogs with 3000k foul weather HIDs also. My hi/lows are 4300k 35w


email me if you need help. I have been retrying and installing HID's for a couple years. Im in alaska and i can give you my contact info if you want 1 on 1 details.

zmr7769@hotmail.com

 

Heads up, this is the email from LightWerkz. I'd have to buy some clear lights and then let them know what kind before getting info. I'm still pursuing information. See what I come up with and share.

Hi Chad


Yes in order to work with this model you would need to provide us with a set of housings with clear lenses. Once you find a set you like, show them to me and I can give you a price.

On Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 7:33 PM, Chad Thain <chadthain@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Chroma,

Those look very nice! A few questions if you don't mind - I'd like to keep most of our convo in public view so that others could learn if you don't mind.

I've a Sport model, which means it has separate hi and low bulbs. I'd like to have both set up HID. Plus the fogs I'd like to set up as well.

Did you buy a new clear lense housing and then have it retrofitted from there? If you could explain the process I'd appreciate it.

And how is Alaska? I rode up there on my motorcycle a few years back and have a friend posted there right now.

InfO.

 

Chroma,

Further to my last, I started to look at that website - seems to be a LOT of good information. I was looking at http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=141 and reading the information - seems pretty good. So my understanding is I'd most likely need to buy new housings (with a clear lense, the ones I have now... not so much) and then open it up and install this system. The one I linked above has 4 bulbs, 2 hi and 2 low which would work with the model I am looking at. The projectorThen all I'd need to worry about is the fog lights.

That's assuming I am reading this correctly. This is all new to me and I like to research a lot before committing.

Thanks,

InfO