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Upgraded lighting options....

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Ranger50

· Just a poor shlep......
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Has anyone done it? And if so, what did you do?

I've been looking and don't find much. Driving around here at night is a PITA with all the coal dust and winding roads everywhere. I need something more visible.

Brian
 
#2 ·
I'm presuming you are wanting more light to be shining on the road so you can see. Several things I would suggest. First, check the headlight lenses. Your lenses could be fogged up (yellow tint on the outside). Some good plastic polish/head light cleaner will get rid of that. That would allow your current headlights to appear brighter. Second would be the headlights themselves. The bulbs will produce less light as they get older. I'm one to keep mine until they burn out completely or are so dim that they are useless. I won't endorse buying new bulbs just because your current ones are XXX months/years old. If the lenses are fogged up, then your current bulbs may be very good. If your lenses are nice & clear with little or no yellow on them, then it might be time for a bulb upgrade. People will probably point you toward some company on Ebay or something to get some bright blue bulbs. I don't do that & don't recommend that. I usually stick to good old Sylvania bulbs available at your local parts store. Lights are all they do, so I'd say they know how to make long lasting, quality bulbs. They have a line of bulbs called Silver Star. Those have been on the market for years. I've used a few sets before & was happier with them for the increase in light over the standard Sylvanias. There is another line called Silver Star Ultra. They are supposed to be better, but I haven't tried them. Here is a chart from their website:

Image
 
#3 ·
I just recently upgraded to the silverstar ultras....holy SHIT!!!!!!!!! Made a huge difference!!!!!!
 
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#5 ·
I just have the Silverstars, not the Ultra. Pretty bright too but sure the Ultras are really good. I got those cause I'm in the city so don't need quite as bright light and saved some money. BUT, in your case, I'd get the Ultras. It's a good company, haven't had any issues yet. Good bulbs.
 
#7 ·
I have one silverstar and one standard bulb..... Huge difference.

Im thinking of going to HIDs after the other regular one blows.

What about installing a set of driving lights? as anyone done that with out the "bright" package bumper that comes with the driving light openings?
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thanks for the input guys.

I started with the backend first, as I had one bulb blown for the brakes and one reverse light out in opposite lights. I upgraded the reverse 1156's to silverstars. Now on the actual brake lights, I installed 3496's after some google searching for upgrades as there aren't any for the 2057's. I don't expect to get 14yrs of use out of them, like the ones I replaced. but I do expect to get some use out of them.

For the front, I just can't pull the trigger on ultra's just yet.......

Brian
 
#10 ·
According to the Sylvania website, '98 Durangos used the 9007 headlight bulbs. Funny thing, I scooped up a pair of 9007 standard Sylvanias from work before researching what style mine had. :jester: I can't use 'em, I need 9004s. :forehead:
 
#12 ·
96BlkDak said:
I have one silverstar and one standard bulb..... Huge difference.

Im thinking of going to HIDs after the other regular one blows.

What about installing a set of driving lights? as anyone done that with out the "bright" package bumper that comes with the driving light openings?
Click to expand...
I got some driving lights on my Bumper. Baja Desert Fox. Bright suckers too. Can't remember the price, would have to go back to Kragens but they weren't outrageous.
 
#13 ·
I got fog/driving lights of the small rectangular variety in my faschia under the bumper....they help a lot too.....$40 from pep tards....

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#14 ·
The '92-'96 Dakota headlamps are pretty lame when new. A few years ago I replaced mine with brand new Mopar assemblies. My lenses were OK, but the reflectors weren't anymore (all the "shiny" fell off). Even with new ones, I still have to have the driving lamps on (Dakota Sport) to see at night outside of the city. At one time I had those "blue" tint bulbs and loved them. At first they don't seems to put out a whole lot of light but, actually they do. It made it so much easier to see the lines on the road, signs, etc. with no glare like you get from normal bulbs. I very rarely drive outside of the city lights anymore, even out on the freeways you don't really need much for headlights so I've never switched to the blue ones again (yet).
 

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#15 ·
rollers888 said:
do you still have them?
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I do. Not to rain on asking me for them, but I have the standard bulbs. The lowest light output that Sylvania makes. I looked at Advance Auto online, & they list for $11/ea. You'd probably pay the same to have my pair shipped to you. It would be cheaper & less time to wait. But, if you want these really bad, then I'll sell them to you. If that's the case, just PM me.

aspen79 said:
The '92-'96 Dakota headlamps are pretty lame when new. A few years ago I replaced mine with brand new Mopar assemblies. My lenses were OK, but the reflectors weren't anymore (all the "shiny" fell off).
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The shiny part fell off? I hope mine haven't. I couldn't tell due to all of the yellow on my lenses. :forehead:
 
#16 ·
Shelby said:
I do. Not to rain on asking me for them, but I have the standard bulbs. The lowest light output that Sylvania makes. I looked at Advance Auto online, & they list for $11/ea. You'd probably pay the same to have my pair shipped to you. It would be cheaper & less time to wait. But, if you want these really bad, then I'll sell them to you. If that's the case, just PM me.
Click to expand...
oh i gotcha. nevermind then lol.
 
#19 ·
aspen79 said:
The '92-'96 Dakota headlamps are pretty lame when new. A few years ago I replaced mine with brand new Mopar assemblies. My lenses were OK, but the reflectors weren't anymore (all the "shiny" fell off). Even with new ones, I still have to have the driving lamps on (Dakota Sport) to see at night outside of the city. At one time I had those "blue" tint bulbs and loved them. At first they don't seems to put out a whole lot of light but, actually they do. It made it so much easier to see the lines on the road, signs, etc. with no glare like you get from normal bulbs. I very rarely drive outside of the city lights anymore, even out on the freeways you don't really need much for headlights so I've never switched to the blue ones again (yet).
Click to expand...
where did you get that lower valence/under bumper thing and are there more?
I LOVE THAT THING SO HARD:mullet::clap2::D
 
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#20 ·
Just be aware that the Silverstars don't have the life of "normal" bulbs, they're "overdriven" a bit so they burn out. I went through one in a bit over a year in my Neon. I replaced it with a GE "Nighthawk" bulb and didn't notice much difference.

I need new headlights on my truck, they're in pretty bad shape, I think the drivers side was replaced previously but the pass. side wasn't, it's noticably brighter on the driver's side than the passengers.

I have a set of Hella 500's I've been meaning to install but haven't had the time yet... I'm going to drill a couple holes in the top of the bumper just inside the headlights and wire them in to my brights. That should solve the issue nicely. :)

MattB
 
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