BMRbrnSNRbrd
10-15-2011, 09:52 PM
I decided since I had a couple extra ballasts I would order some H3 bulbs and hook these up. I'm very happy with them.
A few notes:
1. The H3s are FAR from a direct fit unlike some people believe. I actually trimmed almost the entire ring around the bulb off and was able to turn the base 90* so that it wedged in the housing. I then used some black silicone I had to not only seal the small gaps but to help hold the bulb in place.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15194229.jpg
2. I've seen where some people do these by cutting off the factory reverse light socket to gain access to the wires. They then use spade style connectors to directly connect the power to the ballast. I personally am trying to avoid "permanent" changes to this truck. Sure, you could re-install the plugs with butt connectors, but then you also have to keep track of those plugs. What I did was use the harnesses that come with the ballasts and cut the ends off of those...this gives you the ability to have a true ballast plug on one end and then use the two ends to connect to the factory plug wires without destroying them using side connectors.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15194028.jpg
After figuring out those parts it was very simple. I don't have pics of where I installed the ballasts but they are just in the cavity behind the tails and attached with double sided tape.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15195726.jpg
Here's my garage with no lights on and it's pitch black outside.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15195742.jpg
A few notes:
1. The H3s are FAR from a direct fit unlike some people believe. I actually trimmed almost the entire ring around the bulb off and was able to turn the base 90* so that it wedged in the housing. I then used some black silicone I had to not only seal the small gaps but to help hold the bulb in place.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15194229.jpg
2. I've seen where some people do these by cutting off the factory reverse light socket to gain access to the wires. They then use spade style connectors to directly connect the power to the ballast. I personally am trying to avoid "permanent" changes to this truck. Sure, you could re-install the plugs with butt connectors, but then you also have to keep track of those plugs. What I did was use the harnesses that come with the ballasts and cut the ends off of those...this gives you the ability to have a true ballast plug on one end and then use the two ends to connect to the factory plug wires without destroying them using side connectors.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15194028.jpg
After figuring out those parts it was very simple. I don't have pics of where I installed the ballasts but they are just in the cavity behind the tails and attached with double sided tape.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15195726.jpg
Here's my garage with no lights on and it's pitch black outside.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/BMRbrnSNRbrd/2010%20Dodge%20Ram/2011-10-15195742.jpg