I need to replace the headlamp assemblies on a 2005 Ram 2500 due to cracks and the lenses being extremely cloudy even after cleaning multiple times. The bulbs in the stock assemblies have always left a bit to be desired too in my opinion. Looking around online there are a myriad of different companies offering replacement headlamp assemblies but reviews online seem to vary wildly. Does anyone have first person experience with replacement headlamp assemblies? It does not have to be in a Dodge 2500 just trying to get an idea on what companies to look at for new headlamp assemblies.
Headlamp assemblies
- Thread starter CodyB
- Start date
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
Most aftermarket options tend to have online product reviews you can pull up on google.
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
Post on this forum and look for an answer from Virgil or Alaric.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=87
For my Ford Ranger, I order new lens from ebay, it was the TYC brand. The shipper was out of the TYC so they subbed a brand called "eagle eyes". Absolute junk, the reflector was loose on 1 of the assemblies. The seller took care of me.
I then ordered from amazon, also wanting the TYC brand, when I received these, they too were "eagle eyes" and one of the reflector's was loose on it also. Upon closer inspection, these 2 different seller's had used the same shipper, these were not the same assemblies I had just shipped back. Amazon took care of me this time.
I then went to my local parts store, they had the TYC brand, much better looking stuff. Cost me ten dollars more for the set. :victory:
For bulbs I got the SYLVANIA 9007 XtraVision . Not the brightest light but better than stock. I might try the silverstars next time.
I then ordered from amazon, also wanting the TYC brand, when I received these, they too were "eagle eyes" and one of the reflector's was loose on it also. Upon closer inspection, these 2 different seller's had used the same shipper, these were not the same assemblies I had just shipped back. Amazon took care of me this time.
I then went to my local parts store, they had the TYC brand, much better looking stuff. Cost me ten dollars more for the set. :victory:
For bulbs I got the SYLVANIA 9007 XtraVision . Not the brightest light but better than stock. I might try the silverstars next time.
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
Sylvania sells dreck; avoid the Silverstars.
Your best bulb in that size: http://store.candlepower.com/bfcopo90hbpo1.html
Ducky's Dad
Explorer
I have a 2005 Ram. Factory headlights were miserable, no matter what I tried, and I tried everything. If you read the headlight threads on the PW Forum and on DodgeTalk, you will find that nobody is/was satisfied with the factory lights. You can get a very modest improvement by using better capsules, such as the Philips Xtreme. Better, but still not good. Another minor improvement is to fit the factory foglights with Philips 9012 or 9011 Halogen InfraRed (HIR) capsules. The factory fogs were made by Hella and are actually pretty good lights, especially with the 9012 or 9011. 9012 will fit with no mods, but the 9011 can be made to fit with some minor trimming of the tabs and maybe a new O-ring. Makes a huge difference at moderate speeds on country roads. Availability of the HIRs can be spotty, but try Susquehanna Motor Sports or Candlepower.
When I had finally had enough of the factory headlights, I ordered a set of Morimoto HIDs fitted into a set of new factory headlight assemblies by Retro Shop. Most of the guys on the PW Forum and DodgeTalk seem to like the Retro Shop units, and I like mine. I think you can choose 35W or 55W, and can also choose your color temperature. For best results, stay under 5K (I think mine are 4300K). Depending on whose data you read, mid-day sunlight at the Equator is around 4300-4600K, so that's what's works best for human eyes. With the Morimotos, there is a motorized mirror that changes the beam from high to low, with a slight delay while the mirror moves into position. It does not change the output of the lamp, but changes the pattern. Good cutoff, not much stray light, decent shoulder coverage on low beam. But, they are not cheap. I think I paid about $500 a few years ago. Worth it.
The other thing I would recommend once you get the new headlight assemblies with fresh lenses would be to go to your local tint shop and have them apply a clear film to the outside of the lenses (just like the Porsche guys do). The film will give the plastic lens some UV protection and will protect against abrasion on the road. You may have to replace the film every few years, but it's a lot cheaper than new headlight assemblies. The shop I used has a lifetime warranty on the headlight film, and I'm getting my film redone later this spring.
If you go to the the CandlePower forum, they will probably rip the idea of retrofitting the truck with HIDs. That's because they don't have to drive with the crappy factory Dodge headlights. You gotta do what you gotta do.
When I had finally had enough of the factory headlights, I ordered a set of Morimoto HIDs fitted into a set of new factory headlight assemblies by Retro Shop. Most of the guys on the PW Forum and DodgeTalk seem to like the Retro Shop units, and I like mine. I think you can choose 35W or 55W, and can also choose your color temperature. For best results, stay under 5K (I think mine are 4300K). Depending on whose data you read, mid-day sunlight at the Equator is around 4300-4600K, so that's what's works best for human eyes. With the Morimotos, there is a motorized mirror that changes the beam from high to low, with a slight delay while the mirror moves into position. It does not change the output of the lamp, but changes the pattern. Good cutoff, not much stray light, decent shoulder coverage on low beam. But, they are not cheap. I think I paid about $500 a few years ago. Worth it.
The other thing I would recommend once you get the new headlight assemblies with fresh lenses would be to go to your local tint shop and have them apply a clear film to the outside of the lenses (just like the Porsche guys do). The film will give the plastic lens some UV protection and will protect against abrasion on the road. You may have to replace the film every few years, but it's a lot cheaper than new headlight assemblies. The shop I used has a lifetime warranty on the headlight film, and I'm getting my film redone later this spring.
If you go to the the CandlePower forum, they will probably rip the idea of retrofitting the truck with HIDs. That's because they don't have to drive with the crappy factory Dodge headlights. You gotta do what you gotta do.
HenryJ
Expedition Leader
I went through a similar dilemma with my 2005 Avalanche. Same story, cloudy scratched lenses, and poor performance.
I have HID on my motorcycles and that made a world of difference. I had seen some good things in newer projector HID systems for trucks so I went that route.
Projector Headlights LED Halo LED Amber Reflector Black Housing With Clear Lens
Since cycling is not desirable for a HID, I have the all on high mod to keep the lows on with the highbeams. Not only does that help fill the highbeams lighting, but also eliminates cycling lows. The projectors and reflectors are pretty good. The HID bulbs and ballast they came with , OK , but better quality is out there. I had one fail and replaced them both with a DDM tuning kit. The high are halogen and I also replaced those with HELLA Optilux Extreme White to better match the lighting.
I like the HID projectors for the color better matching sunlight. The light is strong down where it is needed and a good cut-off above for oncoming traffic, yet reaching higher to the shoulder.
The Highbeams are not spectacular as to be expected from the smaller reflector. The adjuster on the left headlamp doen't adjust up high enough IMO, but not a deal breaker. They are adequate for my application. However keep in mind that I have a pair of LED floods for fog lights and a set of HID offroad lights on the winch if needed.
I did not spend the big $$ on a projector set and did not expect top shelf stuff. I am pleased with my arrangement now and did not break the bank.
Food for thought.
I have HID on my motorcycles and that made a world of difference. I had seen some good things in newer projector HID systems for trucks so I went that route.
Projector Headlights LED Halo LED Amber Reflector Black Housing With Clear Lens
Since cycling is not desirable for a HID, I have the all on high mod to keep the lows on with the highbeams. Not only does that help fill the highbeams lighting, but also eliminates cycling lows. The projectors and reflectors are pretty good. The HID bulbs and ballast they came with , OK , but better quality is out there. I had one fail and replaced them both with a DDM tuning kit. The high are halogen and I also replaced those with HELLA Optilux Extreme White to better match the lighting.
I like the HID projectors for the color better matching sunlight. The light is strong down where it is needed and a good cut-off above for oncoming traffic, yet reaching higher to the shoulder.
The Highbeams are not spectacular as to be expected from the smaller reflector. The adjuster on the left headlamp doen't adjust up high enough IMO, but not a deal breaker. They are adequate for my application. However keep in mind that I have a pair of LED floods for fog lights and a set of HID offroad lights on the winch if needed.
I did not spend the big $$ on a projector set and did not expect top shelf stuff. I am pleased with my arrangement now and did not break the bank.
Food for thought.
Thanks. Will try these next.
Ducky's Dad
Explorer
I tried Hellas in my '05 Ram. Better than stock, but still not good. The lens and reflector design on the '05 Ram is so bad that nothing can make it work properly. Only solution I could find was retrofit HID projectors in the stock housings.
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
You tried Hella what?
Bulbs?
They're not good at all. Hella doesn't make them, just rebrands a house-brand bulb.
Ducky's Dad
Explorer
Of course it's bulbs. This is a headlight discussion and Hella does not make replacement headlights for the '05 Ram. OP has an '05 Ram and I have an '05 Ram. I ordered my Hella capsules from Susquehanna Motorsports. Limited choices for the Dodge factory sockets. Also tried the Sylvania and Philips stuff from the local parts stores. Nothing helps much in those light assemblies because they are junk. Probably did not try the Hella 2.0 because those seem to be new and I have had my HIDs for about three years. The new Dodge trucks have better headlights.
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
Yeah; FIAT has a better ethic about vehicular lighting than Muther Chrysler did.
The projectors are pretty darn good.