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Bulb upgrade??

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141K views 360 replies 89 participants last post by  Collin.D  
#1 ·
I have had projectors or HIDs in my last few vehicles. I haven't done a bulb upgrade since I put Silverstars in my old 2007 Expedition. I liked the SS bulbs and they were an improvement. I considered it a decent upgrade at the time.

So what's new these days? What's a simple plug and play, true upgrade that I can replace the halogen's in my 2015 Outdoorsman? :4-dontknow:

I don't care to do a HID or projector upgrade...just a bulb.

Thanks!!
 
#250 ·
Wow, 25 pages and I'm more confused! I like the idea of a light upgrade and it's simplicity.

I have a 2017 Laramie w/ projectors. From what I gather the main benefit is to upgrade the high beams to Phillips 9011 and leave the low beams stock? Since I rarely drive with high beams I would prefer to upgrade the low beams. Suggestions?
 
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#251 ·
The upgrade it to put 9011s in the high beams instead of the stock 9005s, and H9s in the low beams instead of the stock H11s.

9011s make 2300 lumens compared to the 1700 lumens the stock 9005 highbeam bulbs make.

H9s make 2100 lumens compared to the 1250 lumens that the stock H11 lowbeams make.

So, with this mod your low beams will be brighter than your stock high beams, and your high beams will see a big improvement in output.

This is ok, because our headlight housings have glare shields that work with these bulbs, that keep the light out of other drivers' eyes as long as they are aimed properly.

In comparison, HIDs or LEDs dropped into these housings will not produce the light at a point compatible with the glare shield and will not focus properly, so you won't be able to see as well and will blind oncoming traffic.

Headlights are not only designed to shine and focus light in certain areas, but also to not cast light in other areas (i.e. other drivers' eyes), so it is important to use bulbs like h9s and 9011s that are compatible with the housings when you upgrade; and not to use LEDs or HIDs in these housings which are not designed to work with the reflectors and glare shields.

Make sense? :wavey:
 
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#252 ·
Thunderhorse said:
The upgrade it to put 9011s in the high beams instead of the stock 9005s, and H9s in the low beams instead of the stock H11s.
9011s make 2300 lumens compared to the 1700 lumens the stock 9005 highbeam bulbs make.
H9s make 2100 lumens compared to the 1250 lumens that the stock H11 lowbeams make.
So, with this mod your low beams will be brighter than your stock high beams, and your high beams will see a big improvement in output.
This is ok, because our headlight housings have glare shields that work with these bulbs, that keep the light out of other drivers' eyes as long as they are aimed properly.
In comparison, HIDs or LEDs dropped into these housings will not produce the light at a point compatible with the glare shield and will not focus properly, so you won't be able to see as well and will blind oncoming traffic.
Headlights are not only designed to shine and focus light in certain areas, but also to not cast light in other areas (i.e. other drivers' eyes), so it is important to use bulbs like h9s and 9011s that are compatible with the housings when you upgrade; and not to use LEDs or HIDs in these housings which are not designed to work with the reflectors and glare shields.

Make sense? :wavey:
Click to expand...
By George, I think I got it now!

9011's high
H9's low

Off to Amazon...
 
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#254 · (Edited)
KnurledNut said:
By George, I think I got it now!

9011's high
H9's low

Off to Amazon...
Click to expand...
Not quite if you have projectors 2016+

9011's high, and low. I think TH missed your comment about having a 2017 laramie w/ pj's.

2016+ the projectors started using 9005 SL+ which is identical in output to a 9012 (1875 lumens). Dont' confuse the 9005 SL+ with the regular 9005 which is only 1700 lumens. That's why you can swap a 9011 which is 2350 lumens.

I've probably confused you.

Long story short:

Quad upgraded bulbs:
Low = h9
high = 9011

2016+ Projectors
Low = 9011
High = 9011

2013 and below projectors
Low = 9012 (stock)
high = 9011
 
#257 ·
Whoops, my bad, thought you were asking about quads
 
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#260 ·
Question

Any help would be appreciated. I picked up a 9145 lamp for the fog lamp on my 2014 ram with quads. I noticed that a 9006 lamp is the same plug. The wattage is 65w and it has a glare cap. the 9145 is only 45w. would it be to much for a fog lamp. I drive the highway at night and want a bit more light. I already have the H11 to H9 swap in the works if it wasnt -20 outside. any help and thanks for the thread. its been good reading.
 
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#261 ·
Skull1313 said:
Any help would be appreciated. I picked up a 9145 lamp for the fog lamp on my 2014 ram with quads. I noticed that a 9006 lamp is the same plug. The wattage is 65w and it has a glare cap. the 9145 is only 45w. would it be to much for a fog lamp. I drive the highway at night and want a bit more light. I already have the H11 to H9 swap in the works if it wasnt -20 outside. any help and thanks for the thread. its been good reading.
Click to expand...
I'm a little tempted to say you might yellow or melt the housing going up 20W in that little guy. That being said I have no experience doing this or anyone that does. You could try searching around or if you've got a spare fog light, leave it on for a few hours and see what happens heh.
 
#263 ·
ok, Ive have read through all of the posts, and had convinced myself to do this upgrade. I do alot of rural, two lane driving at night, and have already took out a deer. the stock headlamps are junk, and I was fighting to see just a bit more....
so, just for the hell of it, i turned them on the garage wall, and studied the intensity for a reference. WOW! you CAN see those extra lumens! Cant wait to take a nighttime drive to see. FWIW, the H9 bulbs have metal tabs, instead of plastic ones, and also, you need to trim the short tab inside the socket to get the connector in. I took me about 40 minutes, and i have a shudder grille, and i left that all in place. but i did have long reach needle nose pliers for the lower bolt.
 
#264 ·
Just did this upgrade to both low and high beam bulbs and the difference is MASSIVE. The OEM bulbs are downright dangerous if you do any night time highway driving. Upgrading to these took me about an hour (had to pull the grill too) and was one of the best things I've done to my truck in a long time. Only regret is not doing this sooner!
 
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#273 ·
The saying goes "when you assume, you make an @$$ out of U and me"


Learned that in high school English class
 
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#277 ·
P
#278 ·
9011 bulb upgrade

2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn.
Just completed my projection type headlight, Sylvania standard 9011 bulb upgrade on both the low and high beam. It is amazing the difference 5 extra watts makes on the visual light output/pattern. Thanks to "ALL" that recommended this inexpensive upgrade.
 
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#279 ·
PagePilot said:
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn.
Just completed my projection type headlight, Sylvania standard 9011 bulb upgrade on both the low and high beam. It is amazing the difference 5 extra watts makes on the visual light output/pattern. Thanks to "ALL" that recommended this inexpensive upgrade.
Click to expand...
It's not just the wattage that's boosting the output. It's a more efficient gas mixture as well. Even comparing a 9012 to a 9006 which are identical in appearance and in wattage, the 9012 puts out almost 50% more lumens.

Likewise with the 9011/9005...
 
#280 ·
Ok, This is probably a dumb question(s) but:

1) Why are the metal tabs different? Especially if everybody and their dog has been doing this upgrade for years.

2) What are the H9’s really meant for since the tabs are different than H11’s?

I guess both questions could be addressed with the same answer but still lol.

FWIW I’m gonna do this swap now before I buy a light bar for my ‘16s bull bar!
 
K
#281 · (Edited)
1. AFAIK the metal tabs still fit in the h11 housing just fine, it's only the little plastic nub inside the connector that needs to be shaved off to make it fit. You'll see how obvious it is by holding both bulbs up next to each other...

2. H9 application is actually meant as a highbeam. The reason why it's not a directly compatible swap for ALL housings is because highbeam designed bulbs usually do not feature a glare cap at the end of the bulb. It is compatible in SOME housings, provided they have a glare cap built into the housing. In the case of your ram, it does.

No such things as dumb questions. Asking questions is how you gain knowledge and distance yourself from dumb people.

3. while you're in there, buy a pair of 9011's and do the highbeam, it's worth it.
 
#284 · (Edited)
Well, I did the H11 to H9 and 9005 to 9011 conversion tonight. One of the grille clips broke and I was trying to be as gentle as I could. I guess I'll try and see if one of the dealers around here has any in stock. I better get four because I still have to take the grille back off. :p

I bought some harnesses that convert the H11 to H9, so I didn't have to trim the H9 bulbs. Made it a little easier and I can do it a little faster the next time. If you are interested, you can find the harnesses here They are made to order, so it took about a week to get them. I have attached a picture of the harnesses below. He uses 14-gauge wire when he makes them.

I haven't driven with them yet, but I will in the morning. I will tell you my thoughts then.

I found out something interesting that I did not know about the truck and it was actually making me mad. When you are testing the high beams, make sure your truck is running. They might even work with the key in the "Run" position. I was testing the lights and the low beams worked along with the high beams when I pulled the stalk towards me. When I pushed it away from me, nothing. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure that one out until a light bulb lit above my head. :LOL:

Thanks to Kelaog for the help in this thread.
 

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#285 ·
Devildog8791 said:
Well, I did the H11 to H9 and 9005 to 9011 conversion tonight. One of the grille clips broke and I was trying to be as gentle as I could. I guess I'll try and see if one of the dealers around here has any in stock. I better get four because I still have to take the grille back off. :p

I bought some harnesses that convert the H11 to H9, so I didn't have to trim the H9 bulbs. Made it a little easier and I can do it a little faster the next time. If you are interested, you can find the harnesses here They are made to order, so it took about a week to get them. I have attached a picture of the harnesses below. He uses 14-gauge wire when he makes them.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info...look forward to hearing your impressions! Can you post what bulbs to put in for the H9 and 9011?

Also found these: Adapter #1 and Adapter #2

Will those do the same thing as what you ordered? Just checking as they are cheaper and Prime...thanks again!
 
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#290 ·
Hi All,
Sorry to be SOOO LATE to this party, but I find myself at the point of replacing bulbs and this mod looks to fit the bill! In my quest for bulbs online, I did notice there are B and C variants of these bulbs... Does that have any major influence? I believe it was more for the 9011s, but I do recall seeing an H9B, both Philips.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!
 
#291 ·
kelaog & thunderhorse.


First you guys are the bomb for all the information and support you have given to this thread. I read every page and every entry. I recently purchased a 2018 Lone Star Silver Edition and though I really like the truck (my third Ram) I have always thought the headlights both high/low beam just sucked...especially since I drive 50-70% of the time in the dark. I had finally made the decision to change them to either HID or LED, then I came across this post. I just ordered my H9/9011 bulbs and am really looking forward to installing them and lighting up the night. I cant thank you enough!!
 
#293 ·
We're all just here to share information
 
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#294 · (Edited)
Headlights-N-Bulbs!

Hi All,
It came time to replace my headlights as the lenses had stress cracks and were taking on water. I picked up these new headlights for a little over $105 or so, and upgraded the bulbs. After widdling away on one of the sets of bulb housings for about an hour, I test fit them only to find out that the headlight came ready to accept the upgraded bulbs!!! No mods necessary! So for less than $150; new headlights and bulbs.. hell of an upgrade over what I was struggling with! Only reservation was that the wiring on these replacements were considerably shorter (pic 3), than the units that I removed (likely not factory). Things were tight but it all worked. Heads were from Speed_Daddy, bulbs were random sellers. Hope it helps. I also replaced a front hub with a Timken.. running smooth as silk.


Mike.
 

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#319 · (Edited by Moderator)
Krausewich said:
Hi All,
It came time to replace my headlights as the lenses had stress cracks and were taking on water. I picked up these new headlights for a little over $105 or so, and upgraded the bulbs. After widdling away on one of the sets of bulb housings for about an hour, I test fit them only to find out that the headlight came ready to accept the upgraded bulbs!!! No mods necessary! So for less than $150; new headlights and bulbs.. hell of an upgrade over what I was struggling with! Only reservation was that the wiring on these replacements were considerably shorter (pic 3), than the units that I removed (likely not factory). Things were tight but it all worked. Heads were from Speed_Daddy, bulbs were random sellers. Hope it helps. I also replaced a front hub with a Timken.. running smooth as silk.


Mike.
Click to expand...
Wow! What a world of difference that makes! That was money well spent. If you told me it cost you $500, I would have still said it was worth it. Looks like a newer, nicer truck

Tred said:
Lets try this...

https://www.ramforumz.com/PHOTOPOST/data/722/medium/Cut_Diagram_01.jpg
Click to expand...
I don’t know how to give rep points, but you deserve one. I’m visual, so that diagram is literally worth a thousand words....to me:thk:
 
#295 · (Edited)
WooHoo......The bulbs finally arrived from Amazon. Looking forward to installing them this weekend. I'll have before and after pictures. I must say that I was a little disappointed in the life expectancy that is listed on the backs of the packaging.
H9 - 550hrs (that's only 225 days @ 30 minutes each use)
9011 - 150hrs (that's only 75 days @ 30 minutes each use)
 

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#296 · (Edited)
Yep! The same can be said about those Sylvannia silverstars ultras except these actually last longer and put more light on the road :p.

When you overdrive the Bulb it doesn't last as long and that's exactly what these bulbs are. Don't forget they are originally intended for use as a high beam which wouldn't see much use typically.

However, they are reasonably cheap, and a safe upgrade. IMO it's worth changing the bulbs a little more often. You could put a standard H11 long life bulb in there but I'm pretty sure you're not gonna be happy with it and change it long before one of these expire ;)


FYI: The 9011's will last a long time as they are replacing the highbeam. The H9's I'd order a spare set. And if you're really ambitious you could do a HID-projector retrofit. I'm doing another one this weekend for my commuter (Diesel chevy cruze) and my Dakota (girlfriends day vehicle)

Enjoy the upgrade.
 
#297 ·
Just did this upgrade today on my 2012 Sport and it's pretty awesome. Took the truck to dinner tonight and the improvement is noticeable. Also swapped Philips LEDs into my blinkers, tails, cargo, reverse, license plate, and interior lights. Whole thing took me maybe 5 hours, but that included multiple trips to Pep Boys to swap bulbs (kept mixing up bulb numbers, quantities, and colors), as well as a few brainfarts during install (like forgetting to replace the blinker in the headlight housing and forgetting one of the caps on the back of the housing, in separate instances). I bought Philip's Crystal Vision H11 low beams, high beams, and fogs in case the conversion hit a snag. Totally unnecessary. Gonna keep them and throw in at least the H11s and fogs when the H9s burn out, just for a change of pace and to try a "whiter" light. Big thanks for this very helpful write-up!
 
K
#298 ·
The 'whiteness' of the light is perception and brightness has a lot to do with it as well. The kelvin scale isn't super accurate.

My point being, you'll probably find the H9's to appear whiter just because they're significantly brighter =]

I'd return the H11's and buy an extra set of h9's but chances are you're not gonna need to replace them for at least a year man.
 
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