HID's in a 2006 Dodge Ram?

[SmurfTacular]

I was browsing DDM Tuning, and I was looking at there selection of HID ballasts and bulbs. But near the bottom of the page I came across this:

(Dodge Ram Owners – Most 04+ will need (2) 100 ohm 25W Resistors)

So what exactly does this mean for me? Where do I buy said resistors and how are they installed? Also, what bulb type do I use?

Also any suggestions on great brands for Auto HID's in general would be great, I'm not sure which company to go with.

Thanks :twothumbs

 

[-Virgil-]

"HID kits" in halogen-bulb headlamps (any kit, any headlamp, any vehicle) do not work safely or effectively, which is why they are illegal. See here.

 

[Alaric Darconville]

So what exactly does this mean for me? Where do I buy said resistors and how are they installed?

You don't.

Also, what bulb type do I use?

None of them.

Also any suggestions on great brands for Auto HID's in general would be great, I'm not sure which company to go with.

With few exceptons, none of them. These exceptions are for those HIDs that are a complete projector retrofit with optics designed specifically for HID burners. However, you don't appear to be looking for those, you appear to be looking for a kit to stick an HID bulb into a lamp designed for a filament bulb. In which case, none of them.

Do not install HID 'kits' in headlamps designed for a filament bulb. It's dangerous, ineffective, and illegal. See this link: Thinking of converting to HID?

Or see the post above mine.

Darnit, you beat me to it, Scheinwerfermann!

 

[AnAppleSnail]

The article linked covers it. HIDs in non-HID bulbs don't let you see where you need to, and are unsafe for other drivers.

 

[kingofwylietx]

I think they have covered the 'don't do it' pretty well. I agree with them, your lights will just blind everyone else around because they won't have the proper beam pattern anymore.

The reason they advise adding the resistor is that in newer Rams, everything is computer controlled. Yes, that includes your headlights. 35w hid's will make the computer think that a bulb is out. Lights may not work properly or you may get a warning light on your dash.

 

[Diesel_Bomber]

Retrofitting entire headlight modules with the correct optics for HID wouldn't be that hard, and would keep you and everyone else on the road safe.

If you haul anything in your truck, please put some kind of air spring or air shocks in the back so that you can level your truck and keep your headlights aimed properly.

 

[SmurfTacular]

Retrofitting entire headlight modules with the correct optics for HID wouldn't be that hard, and would keep you and everyone else on the road safe.

If you haul anything in your truck, please put some kind of air spring or air shocks in the back so that you can level your truck and keep your headlights aimed properly.

Thanks for shedding light on this topic :candle:. I forgot to mention I do plan on replacing the reflectors for optimum performance, because I value the safety of other driver and don't want to blind them.

 

[-Virgil-]

Thanks for shedding light on this topic :candle:. I forgot to mention I do plan on replacing the reflectors for optimum performance, because I value the safety of other driver and don't want to blind them.

Terrific! Do it carefully. There are plenty of "gotcha" issues you have to overcome when doing an optics transplant. See this previous thread on the subject.

What optics are you thinking of using?

Since it sounds like you're interested in doing this right, your bulb/ballast questions are all but moot. Use original-equipment type bulbs appropriate to the optics you select (D1S, D2S, D3S, D4S if you are smart and pick a projector rather than a reflector. Use bulbs made by Philips, Osram, GE, or Narva, with the one and only correct/legal color temperature rating of ~4200K. Use any of the many OE 35w ballasts from a reputable OE supplier.

Forget the aftermarket kid stuff. It's all junk.

 

[Diesel_Bomber]

Hella modules are available in HID versions and are generally of good quality. Good place to start poking around.

If you were basing your cost estimates on the HID kit prices, make sure you're sitting down when you look at the Hella HID module prices. It costs a lot more to engineer a new lighting system and do it properly than it does to JB weld an HID capsule on a halogen base.

Edit: There's an inexpensive HID low-beam module on the page I linked above, it does not come with the HID capsule or ballast. You could probably find OEM ballasts and HID capsules elsewhere and have a much cheaper system that would still maintain safety.

 

[tay]

There's an inexpensive HID low-beam module on the page I linked above, it does not come with the HID capsule or ballast. You could probably find OEM ballasts and HID capsules elsewhere and have a much cheaper system that would still maintain safety.

Yup!

Ballasts and bulbs tend to be very overpriced when buying brand new, or from a dealer.

It's easy to find a pair of 35W D2 ballasts pulled out from a recent car for under $100 on ebay.

Brand new Philips 85122 bulbs are only about $70 per pair on ebay as well (people buy/import them in huge quantities, then sell them in pairs at much lower prices than dealers and most retailers)

Most have similar performance. Watch out for waterproofing. They should be sealed very well. Or, consider purchasing Matsushita Gen 3 ballasts (pull-out from many newer Nissan and Infiniti models). They are waterproof except for one connector on the top, which makes sealing a lot easier. They're designed to be inserted into a ~3" hole in the bottom of the headlight, and sealing against it, with the majority of the ballast exposed to the elements, whereas most ballasts are designed to be fully enclosed within the headlight, making them difficult to mount in custom applications. I just sold a pair last week. With the pigtails and wiring included, they're usually $90-$125 per pair.

I'd avoid buying used bulbs if I were you, because you have no idea how many hours are on them. With BNIB bulbs for $70 a pair, why buy used?

All in all, a fully legal Hella 90mm HID setup would be under $500, not considering the relay harness and housing. If you're brave, you can buy projector assemblies pulled out of another vehicle, but then you would need to fabricate your own mounting system, housing, adjustment brackets, and sealing. The Hella unit is just four screws into the front of the car, and it's already in a watertight housing.