I think I've read almost every thread on this forum regarding HID's and all the hassles that go along with them. I've also read too much regarding putting HID bulbs into stock housings and getting poor results.
So from what I've read over the past few weeks is that the best route is to mod the OEM housings with true HID projectors or don't do it at all.
The down side of this is having to cut open the housing, install the projectors then hopefully re-seal the housing. Then the wiring and all the issues with fooling the computer to think that there are still standard bulbs in the oem sockets, then lets not forget about the massive wiring changes and possible radio interference/computer codes.
Is there a simpler or easier solution to getting better light out of these Dodges? My Dakota headlights suck and from what I've read and seen on the highway (getting passed by Rams) my 2011 (when I finally get it) won't be much better.
I put up with the crap headlights on the Dakota for years and there is no way in hell I'm putting up with them on the Ram when I get her, so what is my best solution? Bite the bullet and mod? Buy aftermarket projector housings and HID them? Or am I jumping the gun? Opinions please! Thanks!

 

My opinion get recon projectors and get a reputable shop to install hids in them. Im getting hids in mine for 200$. I just dont have to worry about it, then i can go complain if something doesn't work instead of scratching my head troubleshooting.

 

I aways see ads for silverstars. But, I'm not sure if there any good?

 

I will admit I am not an expert, but I find it funny that the bulb types for our headlights are the same as the driving lights in my old car. They are so completely inadequate....

 

Silverstar is an awesome bulb. Stock is 3100 kelvin.yellow. Silverstar is 4100kelvin. They have white with just a tiny yellow. Bright. The 4500 to 6000 are white to blue up from that gets purple. I got 5000 for my 01 RAM and pulled them in a week and got Silverstar.great. now my 09 RAM. I got 4500 Kelvin thinking years of technology made them brighter and I wish I got Silverstar. Thats why hids are here. The white 55w bulbs suck. So I guess the whiter they are the more power they need to see. Silverstar is white enough without being too white. I'm so cheap I see 10 bucks eBay and forget 40 bucks for Silverstars. I can deal with my cheap Chinese ones now cuz I have cheap Chinese fog lights that help. YouTube the Silverstar commercial.

 

I put in DDM HIDS in over a year ago in my 09. I haven't had any problems with my radio or anything else. I got the error code cancelors and it was a simple plug and play. I did have to cut a small hole in the backing of my headlight housing, but with a small drill bit and a dremel tool, and a small file, I didn't have any problems. The hardest part of the whole process was getting the headlight out.

 

I have Silverstars in our Ram and they aren't that much brighter than stock.

 

Yeah silverstars are great for a quick cheap fix, if you want light go HID with a projector then you can get a bull bar, or a light bar and buy some offroad lights. I got these lights for my bull bar cant wait to get them! http://cgi.ebay.ca/6-inch-HID-SPOT-L...ht_1145wt_1139

did a lot of research on them and alot of people ran them with no problems and they look bright as hell, for the price for these hids its a bargain.

 

Well the Silverstar were much better than the brand new white eBay bulbs. The stock bulbs were 4 years old but watch the YouTube commercial. Side by side comparison of stock 3100 yellow bulbs and Silverstar.

 

Silverstars don't throw any more light, nor do they throw it any farther. Those two things are already decided by the wattage of the bulb, and the reflector it is in. Likewise, blue lights - the color can't be seen by the human eye ---- no kidding.

BUT, that being said, they are awesome lights. Their true beauty is in the reflectivity of the light they put out. The reflection of the object being lit up.

I have Silverstars in all my vehicles, car, trucks, motorcycle, etc. I just see things better, and because of that - quicker. If seeing things in the dark, better, and quicker, prevents an unhappy outcome - I'm a happy camper.

Also, I don't think the Dodge lights are that bad - they put out a lot of light, focussed very broadly, with a fairly intense wide beam, aimed very low, which is a good thing for people coming the other way. You just have to get used to what you are looking at. Get about 6-10 feet away from a white garage door, and note just what the light output pattern is - I think you will be surprised.

I don't care to be looking up at trees, and things above me - I just want to be able to see the things in front, and to the sides, of me.

The only downside to Silverstars is that they don't seem to last as long as other bulbs -- not bad, just not as long. You will maybe get 3-5 years out of one of the Silverstars, whereas regular Wagner bulbs might last 4-7. Keep in mind, though, that all bulbs put out less light as they age, and probably should be replaced long before most of us do just that.

It's all a trade off, of what you are willing to do, for what performance you want/need.

Lighting has come a very long way in the last 60 years - from weak 6V BULB systems, to much better performance today, with high output assemblies, and much better reflectors.

I remember them all!!!! LOL And these are vastly superior to lights of even 15 years ago.