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Replacing Headlights

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Old Nov 14, 2013 | 02:01 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by 4angrybadgers
Yes, I did something like that when I swapped Sport headlights into my 02 2500. I bought the sockets from http://www.autolumination.com/headlights.htm. (The site is ugly as hell and a real PITA to navigate, but I got what I needed and it didn't cost an arm and a leg.)

I used male sockets to plug into the factory headlight sockets, and ran wires from those to the control tabs on relays. The new headlight sockets were powered directly from the battery via the relays. This avoided any cutting into the factory wiring, and so far (almost 1 year) it's worked with zero issues..
Wouldn't by any chance happened to have pictures, would you?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2013 | 02:36 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by dodge dude94
Wouldn't by any chance happened to have pictures, would you?
I knew that question would come... I wish I would have taken pictures before I put it all in my truck. It was the dead of winter and I was rushing to finish a late-night install.

I'll try to get some pictures of the sockets and some of the harness in the truck - might be a day or two (wife and 3 kids suck up my evenings ).

I did create a wiring diagram of my harness, if that's any consolation (click for the full size image).
edit: Hmm, I have all 9004s, no 9007s in that diagram... crap. I need to revisit that diagram.
 
Attached Thumbnails Replacing Headlights-th_2002dodgeram2500non-sporttosportconversionharness.png  
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Old Nov 14, 2013 | 02:45 PM
  #23  
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Lisle 56500 Terminal Tool



I have used this tool to remove the electrical connectors from the plug housing. It works well and is perfect for an instance where someone would need a different plug but the same wires configured differently. It is better than cutting and splicing.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 03:57 PM
  #24  
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A little late, but I took a few photos of the harness I made for the Sport light upgrade. All photos link to the full-size copies on Photobucket.

I used a male connector to plug in to the factory driver-side 9004 socket, so I wasn't cutting into any factory wiring at all. Note that this is used only to switch the relays, so the small-ish wires aren't an issue.


A view of the passenger side headlight. The factory plug on this side is hanging loose, because both sides are switched by a single side of the original harness.


Messy wiring around the relays. I intended on making it neater and mounting the relays better, but life has stolen away any such free time. One relay is for highs (high-beam filaments on all 4 bulbs), the other for lows (low filaments on outer 2 bulbs only).


Tie-in to the positive battery terminal. High and low beams have separate power wires, 16ga each (if I remember correctly).


Ground wires.
 
Attached Thumbnails Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151154.jpg   Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151215.jpg   Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151133.jpg   Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151239.jpg   Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151253.jpg  

Replacing Headlights-th_20131117_151230.jpg  
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Old Nov 22, 2013 | 01:05 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by 4angrybadgers
Yes, I did something like that when I swapped Sport headlights into my 02 2500. I bought the sockets from http://www.autolumination.com/headlights.htm. (The site is ugly as hell and a real PITA to navigate, but I got what I needed and it didn't cost an arm and a leg.)
Which sockets did you buy? I think this is the right page (?) http://www.autolumination.com/hid_harness.htm
 
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Old Nov 22, 2013 | 10:04 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Timberstone
Which sockets did you buy? I think this is the right page (?) http://www.autolumination.com/hid_harness.htm
That page only has some of their sockets. http://www.autolumination.com/headlights.htm lists all of them. You have to scroll down pretty far to see the sockets. Search for "Headlight Pigtail Socket Receptacles 9" Long - 16 Gauge Wire Leads" and that should get you to the start (they have multiple categories of sockets).

I bought the "empty headlight connector shells" and pins separately, since I wanted to avoid soldering or using butt connectors to connect a pigtailed socket to my power wires. However, inserting the pins into the shells was a PITA, and I've already destroyed one pin when trying to put in a new high-beam bulb this week, so I'm regretting that decision. I suspect the pre-assembled pigtailed sockets would be more robust. I'm considering rewiring my harness eventually with 14ga or even 12ga wires, using the pre-assembled high-temp ceramic sockets.
 
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