What did you do to your Ram today???

[atdegs]

Finished removing the last of the chrome, and upgraded the reverse lights to LED. Now it just needs a bath.

 

[JamRam]

Finished removing the last of the chrome, and upgraded the reverse lights to LED. Now it just needs a bath.
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If u had to put a number to it, how much would you say the whole de-chroming cost you?

 

[atdegs]

If u had to put a number to it, how much would you say the whole de-chroming cost you?

About $300 off ebay, assuming I get nothing back selling the old stuff. I didn't have a chrome bumper or anything though, mine had the sport appearance package to begin with, so it was really just the badges.

 

[Grape_Ape]

Finished removing the last of the chrome, and upgraded the reverse lights to LED. Now it just needs a bath.
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Looks good. Can't believe they stuck incandescent bulbs in the tail lights Laramie and Rebel for 2025. Moving the blind spot module is an upgrade (looks like it's in the bumper now?).

 

[JamRam]

About $300 off ebay, assuming I get nothing back selling the old stuff. I didn't have a chrome bumper or anything though, mine had the sport appearance package to begin with, so it was really just the badges.

Ok. Can't base anything off your experience then.

 

[MboyRam]

Finished removing the last of the chrome, and upgraded the reverse lights to LED. Now it just needs a bath.
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Looks great.
I am doing the same thing with my Bighorn sport, I have all black badging ready, just waiting for it to get warm.

 

[nluft2007]

Adjusted my 6112’s from the highest circlip groove to the lowest (stock height) and started to swap stuff over to my belltech drop spindles. One was damaged in shipping, the threaded hole for the abs wire hold down was smashed, so now to wait for the replacement to show up. Might get started on the rear suspension before I get the replacement spindle.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Looks good. Can't believe they stuck incandescent bulbs in the tail lights Laramie and Rebel for 2025. Moving the blind spot module is an upgrade (looks like it's in the bumper now?).

Probably because there were enough complaints with the LED lights because you have to replace the entire assy, you can't just change a bulb. And then it's $300+ for new taillight

 

[FLiPMaRC]

Probably because there were enough complaints with the LED lights because you have to replace the entire assy, you can't just change a bulb. And then it's $300+ for new taillight

Well that sucks for me. Except for the CHMSL, I have oem LEDs all around and inside. I did replace my CHMSL bulbs with Lasfit LEDs.

I've been looking at aftermarket LED headlights for when my oem goes out. I haven't seen any aftermarket set for the tail lights.

 

[Montana_]

Well that sucks for me. Except for the CHMSL, I have oem LEDs all around and inside. I did replace my CHMSL bulbs with Lasfit LEDs.

I've been looking at aftermarket LED headlights for when my oem goes out. I haven't seen any aftermarket set for the tail lights.

The only ones I've seen I'd never waste money on. Really making me reconsider this setup since you can't get coverage through MOPAR on the extended warranty. I will say out of all the vehicles I've had in the past 5 years - quite a few - FORD covers this stuff the best. Granger warranties offer headlight/tail light replacement through them (it's an option along with rental vehicle coverage) but on the MOPAR ones - nothing.

Really wishing I would have just gotten a lower trim like a Big Horn and never had to worry about this crap, or the E-Torque system either.

 

[Grape_Ape]

The only ones I've seen I'd never waste money on. Really making me reconsider this setup since you can't get coverage through MOPAR on the extended warranty. I will say out of all the vehicles I've had in the past 5 years - quite a few - FORD covers this stuff the best. Granger warranties offer headlight/tail light replacement through them (it's an option along with rental vehicle coverage) but on the MOPAR ones - nothing.

Really wishing I would have just gotten a lower trim like a Big Horn and never had to worry about this crap, or the E-Torque system either.

Well, depending on what year you bought no matter the trim you were getting the etorque system. It's better to figure out the ways of working on the etorque imo. You can replace the mechanical portion of the etorque motor while retaining your truck's etorque electrical "computer" that mounts on top and it's none the wiser for example. Unfortunately new vehicles, for the most part, aren't made to be wrenched on the way they were in the past.

 

[Grape_Ape]

Probably because there were enough complaints with the LED lights because you have to replace the entire assy, you can't just change a bulb. And then it's $300+ for new taillight

Yea, I understand that downside - LEDs are just standard on the majority of vehicles now. Feels like backwards progress. I won't comment one way or another past that because I don't wanna jinx myself lol

 

[Montana_]

Yea, I understand that downside - LEDs are just standard on the majority of vehicles now. Feels like backwards progress. I won't comment one way or another past that because I don't wanna jinx myself lol

Yea it's backwards progress because they chose the monetization route over the actual function greatness that LED's provide.

I'll stop taking before I get ahead of myself and offend someone. It's 100% guaranteed to happen lol.

 

[boogielander]

LEDs, even though it's not serviceable, is not backward progress imo.. it's something that can be fixed with $ and for me if i can throw money at the problem that rarely happens to make it go away, it's not a problem.

now what's backward progress is when you need to drop the bumper to change a lightbulb... that's beyond backward progress lol especially when you have to take out the million screws and clips on the bottom of the bumper and in the wheel well.

 

[Montana_]

LEDs, even though it's not serviceable, is not backward progress imo.. it's something that can be fixed with $ and for me if i can throw money at the problem that rarely happens to make it go away, it's not a problem.

now what's backward progress is when you need to drop the bumper to change a lightbulb... that's beyond backward progress lol especially when you have to take out the million screws and clips on the bottom of the bumper and in the wheel well.

Except they cost hundreds to thousands to replace unless you break the housings open and solder new LED's to the board. That is indeed backwards progress in the history of vehicle design. Remember interchangeable parts? It's become less and less common. I mean, how many parts are you able to grease yourself now days? That's the topic, not the LED's themselves being used. Throwing money at a problem individually is not a solution for the overall concept of why they are designed this way - but you bit the hook it seems.

 

[PurpleRT]

Leds tend to not just go out, how many people do you know personally that have had to replace their led taillights or headlight because they burnt out? Bet it’s not common. The pros out way the cons by a long shot… yeah they can be pricey if you have to replace one but in the event of an accident… thats what insurance is for or you remind yourself if you can afford a $60-70k truck you can afford the cost of a replacement part. There’s always the used part route when in need.

I would be more offended if my very expensive vehicle didn’t come with leds from the factory or at least as an add on option.


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[Montana_]

Leds tend to not just go out, how many people do you know personally that have had to replace their led taillights or headlight because they burnt out? Bet it’s not common. The pros out way the cons by a long shot… yeah they can be pricey if you have to replace one but in the event of an accident… thats what insurance is for or you remind yourself if you can afford a $60-70k truck you can afford the cost of a replacement part. There’s always the used part route when in need.

I would be more offended if my very expensive vehicle didn’t come with leds from the factory or at least as an add on option.


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Ever see those newer vehicles driving down the road with one DRL? That's an entire headlight replacement and yes, the headlights themselves do fail for the same reason.

LED housings are on more than just expensive vehicles now too. And if you paid that much for a RAM 1500 I genuinely feel sorry for you. And insurance does not cover them, including extended warranties especially from MOPAR. Literally the only pro's are supposed to be longer lasting - which again if one goes out the entire headlight housing needs replaced instead of a single bulb, and two, less heat - which is debatable when they use cheap soldering techniques on cheap boards that do not even properly regulate the heat and are often assembled somewhere in china for pennies on the dollar and the replacements cost us thousands. But if the entire housing needs replaced in the process because of the manufactures chokehold on them, then it's indeed backwards progress. You can definitely buy knockoffs, but would you trust them? Or would you look for a brand that is equally or more expensive that has their own warranty coverage? Do you see where this is going now?

I agree overall - they are nice and they should be better. Super bright for sure. But it's beyond that. I feel both of you are missing the point on the topic. If they made them the same as being able to replace a standard bulb - and they can, there would be no need for this discussion at all. And I'll never side with the insurance companies even in the case of an accident. They do everything in their power to deny claims, not approve them. We have insurance because it's a necessity in the market but we waste thousands a year doing it too. It's great when they cover a claim especially when it's something they can't be bothered to fight against, but overall they don't exist for our benefit at all. If they did, our premiums wouldn't go up every year while their profits increase 300%. Just saying. Either way, the insurance discussion is irrelevant here. If you are in an accident and there is damage, that's entirely a different topic.

Like I said... 100% chance this would happen. It's a bit alarming people are so willing to throw money at something that should be better regulated instead of just advocating for said regulation. Are you two telling me you wouldn't just rather be able to apply the same logic as replacing a halogen bulb and would rather shell out thousands to warranties, insurance and replacement parts instead? Strange take. Even the richest of rich people I know would rather not spend more money if they don't have to.

 

[boogielander]

Ever see those newer vehicles driving down the road with one DRL? That's an entire headlight replacement and yes, the headlights themselves do fail for the same reason.

LED housings are on more than just expensive vehicles now too. And insurance does not cover them, including extended warranties especially from MOPAR. Literally the only pro's are supposed to be longer lasting - which again if one goes out the entire headlight housing needs replaced instead of a single bulb, and two, longer life - which is debatable when they use cheap soldering techniques on cheap boards that do not even properly regulate the heat and are often assembled somewhere in china for pennies on the dollar and the replacements cost us thousands.

I agree overall - they are nice and they should be better. But it's beyond that. I feel both of you are missing the point on the topic. If they made them the same as being able to replace a standard bulb - and they can, there would be no need for this discussion at all. And I'll never side with the insurance companies even in the case of an accident. They do everything in their power to deny claims, not approve them. We have insurance because it's a necessity in the market but we waste thousands a year doing it too. It's great when they cover a claim especially when it's something they can't be bothered to fight against, but overall they don't exist for our benefit at all. If they did, our premiums wouldn't go up every year while their profits increase 300%. Just saying. Either way, the insurance discussion is irrelevant here. If you are in an accident and there is damage, that's entirely a different topic.

Like I said... 100% chance this would happen. It's a bit alarming people are so willing to throw money at something that should be better regulated instead of just advocating for said regulation. Are you two telling me you wouldn't just rather be able to apply the same logic as replacing a halogen bulb and would rather shell out thousands to warranties, insurance and replacement parts instead? Strange take. Even the richest of rich people I know would rather not spend more money if they don't have to.

well for me life's too short to worry about something like that, especially for something that has such a low chance of going wrong. hence i said if i can throw money at it to make the problem go away, im not bothered. i got other more important things to do. another reason is i get everything at cost, and even if I can't get it from my usual sources, I know where to look for discounted OE replacements. it's one of those "it is what it is and im not gonna get mad at something i can't change" things for me.

i mean, don't get me wrong, it would be nice to have replaceable LED like the halogens, but for me personally it's so low on the importance list, i don't mind spending the money when it comes to that. it's not like it goes out every year or every 6 months... if that's the case... all i can say is that truck is cursed.

 

[PurpleRT]

well for me life's too short to worry about something like that, especially for something that has such a low chance of going wrong. hence i said if i can throw money at it to make the problem go away, im not bothered. i got other more important things to do. another reason is i get everything at cost, and even if I can't get it from my usual sources, I know where to look for discounted OE replacements. it's one of those "it is what it is and im not gonna get mad at something i can't change" things for me.

i mean, don't get me wrong, it would be nice to have replaceable LED like the halogens, but for me personally it's so low on the importance list, i don't mind spending the money when it comes to that. it's not like it goes out every year or every 6 months... if that's the case... all i can say is that truck is cursed.

This.

I can’t really say that I have ever seen a led DRL that was out unless it was in a collision.. I’m sure it happens but probably just not common enough. Ive probably seen more halogen one headlight vehicles/taillights running around more then anything but I caulk that one up on a lazy owner.

There’s several option out their for those that are more concerned then others. Extended warranties, third party parts, oe replacement, salvage yards, etc. even making the repair yourself. Nothing last forever and some are just more unluckier than others. The good things is.. lesser trim packaged vehicles exist for those that wanna keep it simpler. I don’t do extended warranties other than what comes with the vehicle already, I have yet to have go through with an Insurance claim, I’m not afraid to turn a wrench and I won’t stress myself and throw a fit when something does break. I’ll just source what I need to fix it and keep on moving.

Up until this point every vehicle I had I either retrofitted a set of Hids, or did a projector retrofit so the stock halogen bulbs didn’t stay long so needless to say yeah my skill level was beyond a simple bulb swap.

 

[CalvinC]

All I know is the “lifetime” LED bulbs I get for my house seem to burn out more frequently than the old incandescents. Expensive ones, cheap ones, tried them all.

If that same “quality” applies to LED automotive lighting I’d say just give me halogens.

But what I’ve owned so far hasn’t gone out so hopefully the failure rate is low, in which case yes I like my LEDs.

That’s the problem… they’re darned whether they do or don’t.

Give em LEDs and people complain they can’t get an $8 replacement bulb.

Give em halogens and people complain they’re cheaping out.