Just installed grill lights today and the stock 55w bulbs are WEAK to say the least, any recommendations on a nice bright H3 100w or so bulb? Not lookin for any funky colors, plain old white would be nice.

 

Bah I couldn't wait and bought a $50 kit from advance auto, looks like candles behind my grille. Hate it. Gonna try 100w bulbs and hope it helps. Hope it's not just the lights themselves.

 

You cannot just add 100 watt bulbs to a pair of lights sold as a 55 watt pair (110 watts total). You are going to melt wires and have major issues. You need to run heavier wires. I installed 55 watt Hella's behind my grille but ran 14 gauge wire to each light AND ran it into the light right to the terminal. Most cheaper driving/fog lights use 18 gauge wire which is way too light for 100 watt bulbs.

Make sure your relay is rated for it as well.

 

I didn't consider even for a second consider keeping the stock wiring with the kit when I installed it lol. 40amp relay and gonna hardwire at the switch end and eliminate it so no worries about an underated switch.

 

And dont forget the wires going to the lights as well.

 

I replaced everything, the wire that came with it was total garbage, couldn't even twist the copper, it was terrible. Pulling switched power from a spare relay bay in the fusebox, got rid of the accessory wire on the relay and ran the switched power right to it, no need to go through firewall and no need to drill dash for a stupid rocker switch. Lights come on and turn off with key.

 

So you are not running a switch at all? So the lights will always be on anytime the car is on, day or night?

 

Yeah, I always run with my headlamps on as well. Just my personal preference.

 

There is a HUGE difference between cheap 55W lights and good 55W lights. I have Hellas on the front of my Jeep and they are bright as hell, not near the 130W lights on my truck, but not bad. But I've seen some Wally World $18 55W lights and they DO suck.

I wouldn't put power with anything over 30W to a dash switch, that's how dash fires start. Instead use that relay and just use the switch to turn on/off the relay - you'll only pull about 1/3 Amp into the dash. And yes, you'll need to pull every inch of wire out of those lights right up to the bulb if you plan on 100W bulbs.

Guide for what gauge wire should be used:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...nd-relays.html

 

I can understand wanting to run with lights on during the day. But it's not the greatest idea to have the lights on the second you turn the key on. You are adding another 17 amps (two 100watt bulbs) to the battery's load of already trying to start the truck. It also makes it impossible to sit anywhere with the engine off but the radio on with the key in accesory. If you are already installing the relay, running a single wire to and from a dash switch is really not a big deal. These trucks have plenty of under dash room and access to the firewall grommet. It's very easy. Just a thought.