Hey everyone, just saying hi. New to here but definitely not new to forums.

Anyway, we got our 09 SLT Quad Cab 1500 back in April of 09. It's a 2wd Hemi with a 3.21 diff.

Before anyone comments on the diff, yes, at first we hated it, but have grown to think it was the perfect (for us). It's 2nd gear is matched almost perfectly to the truck's governor (just about redlines before the governor hits), which makes it really useful at highway speeds. We use this truck 90%+ on the (open) highway where average speeds are 80-90mph.

Anyway, I'm sure you've all noticed that the stock headlights are absolutely terrible and put out as much light as a cellphone screen. (We have the regular dual headlamps - not the quads.) I just ordered some Sylvania Silverstars and plan to put them in - but I know these have crappy bulb life. Has anyone put in an HID kit? If so which one did you go with? Anyone have general recommendations as to a quality kit?

The attached picture is of it parked outside of our condo in Mammoth, California during Thanksgiving. That was after about 10in of snow.

The only "mods" we have are a K&N drop in and a UnderCover Tonneau (yes there is a bed cover under there...the bed isn't totally full of snow lol).

 

I thought the same about my lights too. I live in the country and am scared to death I wont see the deer until it's in my grill. I too would be interested in upgrading the bulbs but heard the same thing about the sylvania's. Are there any other options? Not sure if I want to go with hid...wouls that void a warranty?

 

huge thread on here about HID, search for hidextra.

i also heard that our factory lights are adjusted to low and adjusting them up 4/5 turns will greatly improve the factory lights.

 

I am looking at some PIAA bulb, pricey, but good. Because yeah, the stock lights suck. I heard the same about adjusting them, but since I put in the leveling kit it is worse so adjusting up is not the answer in my books....

I am also going to add some driving lights, looking at some small ones for the bumper opening right now. And still looking for something that looks decent to mount a nice big set up front. I need the "legal for off-road use only' lights up there like I had on the old truck.


I read through 90% of the HIDextra thread and am not 100% convinced that they are the way to go. Not alot of complaints but enought to make me think...... sending a dead bulb back to get a replacement right out of the box. Now you need to put the old lights in and be without for a couple weeks? I live up in Canada and shipping NEVER goes nice and quick.

 

I have the hid kit and have the quad headlights and love them. it is true that the stock lights are pointed low, I turned mine up 3 turns and that helped but not enough so I changed to the hid lights. I am fairly knowledgeable when it comes to wiring but there are many horror stories with putting in the hid kits. I had a few problems that I was able to iron out and get them to work reliably. Others have been lucky and the hid kits work for them the first time. Only thing that would fix your problem without going the hid bulb replacement way would be to add a grill guard and put some lights in it.

 

To aim them higher, which way do you turn the adjustment screw?

 

So true!!

 

turn the screw in...to the right....i did mine 5 times i have a laramie with quads...was all i needed...and i run country roads in texas with no worries.

 

Remember sylvania Bulbs are warrantied for a year, on my previous vehicles, i got to change my bulbs 4 times in a year, and only had to pay for them once... Once my factories burn out, i'll be going back to Silverstar Ultra's...

 

Not sure about the lasting issues with Sylvanias. I have a set in my old truck that have been going for 3 years now...... no issues.