If you drive a 2009 to 2016 Dodge Ram with reflector style headlights, you have probably asked us the same question we hear all the time: what do you have for my RAM in an LED headlight bulb? We tested this thoroughly, and in this guide we walk you through the Dodge Ram LED headlight bulb upgrade using the Headlight Revolution Supernova V2 LED bulb bundled with a Dodge specific canbus module. If you have the 2013 and up projector style headlights, this article is not for you (subscribe to our channel and check out our projector headlight videos instead). This is strictly for the reflector housing.
Why This Kit Took So Long to Get Right
LED headlight technology came out a couple years ago and it has been evolving and growing pretty rapidly. At Headlight Revolution we do not like offering you a product until we have tested it and made sure it works well in your vehicle. That meant literally testing dozens of LED headlight bulbs. The problem was consistent: they either did not fit, they were not as bright as the stock bulbs, or they had issues with the canbus system on the RAM.
After all of that testing, we finally found a bulb that is LED, brighter than stock, fits the RAM headlight, and works with the canbus system. That is seriously big news, and it is exactly what makes this Ram reflector headlight LED kit worth talking about. You can browse the full Dodge Ram LED headlight bulb upgrade options on our store to see everything we offer for this truck.
Meet the Supernova V2 LED Bulb
The star of this kit is the Headlight Revolution Supernova V2 LED bulb. It is low profile, it fits inside the stock housing, and it works with the canbus system on the RAM. Most importantly, it is 52 percent brighter than the stock Ram headlight bulb.
Let us talk numbers, because this is the part that matters. The original h11 halogen bulb creates 767 Lux of light. The new Supernova V2 bulb creates 1168 Lux of light. Now, what is Lux? Lux is the actual measured amount of light output at a certain point. Forget lumens, because lumens only tell half the story. The Supernova V2 bulbs have double the lumen output, but that 52 percent more Lux is what is truly key. It measures the real, usable light where you need it.
Why We Only Offer a Low Beam Kit
Because we do not sell what we have not verified, we only offer the low beam kit for this truck. We still have not found a decent LED headlight bulb that works in the high beam of the RAM. The options either do not fit or they are not as bright as stock. Trust us, we keep searching, and when we find a good high beam option, we will let you know.
One more important note: do not just buy the bulbs. What you need is the whole kit. That means the Supernova V2 LED headlight bulb along with the Dodge specific canbus module, which we package together for you. That canbus module is what prevents electrical errors on the RAM, so it is not an optional extra, it is part of the complete solution.
How to Install the Supernova V2 LED Kit
The install requires no permanent modification to the headlight or wiring, and it is fully reversible. That said, getting the headlight off the truck is the bulk of the work. Here is exactly how we do it.
Step 1: Remove the Push Pin Cover
The first step is taking off the cover on top, which is held down by a bunch of push pins. Here is a trick: if you go straight at these push pins with a pry tool, they are too flimsy and you will deform them and ruin them. Instead, get underneath the cover itself and pry against that. It comes right up, and the best part is that it keeps the pins trapped in the cover so you do not lose them or put them back in the wrong spots (and yes, placement matters).
You can find a pry tool like this at just about any parts store for less than ten dollars, and it works great for this truck. If prying does not lift a pin, just give it a little twist and it usually pops up. Do not pry against the paint on the bumper or the grille. There is one pin by the radiator and one more on the fender. Once the cover is loose, we usually set it right back out of the way. As long as you do not start the truck, it will not make a difference.
Step 2: Remove the Grille and Headlight Bolts
Next we have four 10mm bolts. The outside ones have a different thread than the inside ones. The outside bolts thread into plastic with an aggressive thread, and the inside ones thread into the core support with a fine thread, so do not mix them up. You can do all of this with hand tools; we use power tools just for the sake of the video.
The tricky part is the grille, which at this point is held in only by press clips on the sides and along the bottom. To get it off, put one hand up top and one hand in the honeycomb and give a little pull. We have done over a hundred of these, so we know not to let the grille drag on the bumper, but if it is your first time, take two seconds to lay some tape down to prevent scratches.
Now there are two 10mm bolts holding the headlight in. The top one is easy to reach. The bottom one is accessible with a ratchet; we use a swivel and an extension, but a plain ratchet will get in there since it faces downward.
Step 3: Release the Rear Lever and Pull the Housing
The last thing holding the headlight in is a lever behind a trapdoor in the wheel well. Open the trapdoor by getting your pry tool under the little pin, twisting slightly to pop it up. To release the headlight, you actually push the lever up. Reach your hand into the trapdoor (it is very much to the left of the gap) and push it. The headlight is then free to pull from the vehicle. There is a small pressure fit connection back there, so you will feel a little resistance as you pull the housing free.
Step 4: Swap in the LED Bulb
With the headlight off the truck, access the low beam bulb. Here is something that trips people up: the low beam is on the top and the high beam is on the bottom when you flip the housing around. There are dust covers over both. Pull the cover off the low beam. The original h11 halogen bulb spins out easily. Disconnect it, then use the Dodge specific canbus module. There is a keyway inside the connector that matches a gap on the other side, so it only goes together one way. There is plenty of room inside this housing to hide these components, so stuff them in there and keep them out of the way.
Now install the LED bulb. Everything is plug and play, really simple. The LED plugs in, you hide the components in and around the bulb socket, then match up the three tabs on the mounting plate of the bulb with the three slots on the back of the headlight. Push it in, get it seated, and twist. You will notice the flexible braided lines coming out of the bulb. That is the heatsink, and it is an ingenious method invented about a year ago for LED headlight bulbs. Normally an LED bulb has a gigantic fan on the back, which is exactly what makes it so tricky to find a bulb that fits this housing. The braided heatsink just folds around and out of the way. Put the dust cap back on, and that is literally as hard as it is.
Step 5: Reinstall Everything
With the Supernova LED bulb installed in the low beam of your 09 to 16 RAM headlight, putting it back on the truck is simply the reverse of removing it. There is no modification to the headlight and no modification to the wiring. You literally put it back exactly how it came off.
LED vs Halogen: The Real World Difference
Once it is back on the truck, the difference is obvious. The stock low beam on the 2015 reflector headlight is actually not too bad, and it is not as dingy yellow as many halogen setups, but there is always room for improvement. At the 25 foot mark, that stock headlight measures roughly 1,000 lumens and 767 Lux.
Turn on the LED low beam and you get way more light output in a different, whiter color. The beam pattern grows a bit wider left to right, the hotspot in the middle is brighter, and the beam height is a little taller. Keep that in mind, because it means you will have to readjust your headlight aim with the extra light coming out. We went from 767 Lux to over 1,100 Lux, and from about 1,000 lumens to over 2,000 lumens. Double the lumen, more Lux, a bigger beam pattern, and brighter whiter light. For this truck, the LED kit is a home run.
What About an HID Conversion?
You do not have to go LED. HID is still technically a little brighter, by about 200 Lux at 25 feet, but the LED is not much further behind. The big advantage of the LED is a way easier install; you sacrifice a small amount of light output for a much more simple, non-modified job. If you want to see the more involved route, check out our HID conversion video for this truck. If you are shopping around, you can compare an hid lights comparison and see what other Dodge Ram lighting options are out there before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this LED bulb kit fit all Dodge Ram headlights?
No. It is made for the 2009-2016 Ram reflector style headlight housing. If your Ram has 2013 and up projector headlights, this kit is not for you and a different video applies.
What LED bulb is used in this kit?
The kit uses the Headlight Revolution Supernova V2 LED bulb, which the video states is 52 percent brighter than the stock halogen bulb and fits the stock Ram reflector housing.
Is a high beam LED option available for this housing?
No. The video explains that Headlight Revolution has not yet found an LED high beam bulb that both fits the Ram housing and outperforms the stock bulb, so only the low beam kit is offered.
Will I need to re-aim my headlights after installing the LED bulbs?
Yes. The video notes the beam pattern grows wider and taller with the LED bulb, so you will need to readjust your headlight aim after installation.
How does this LED bulb compare to an HID conversion?
The video states HID is still slightly brighter, by about 200 Lux at 25 feet, but the LED bulb is not far behind and offers a much simpler, non-modified install.
Meet the Experts Behind Headlight Revolution
Chris Nelson – Founder
Before founding Headlight Revolution in 2011, Chris worked as an automotive install technician specializing in lighting, sound systems, and engine performance parts. He has personally tested thousands of lighting products and works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation.
Josh Beberg – Content Production Manager
Josh leads hands-on testing and content production at Headlight Revolution. From beam pattern comparisons to real-world installations, he works directly with lighting engineers to ensure every review is grounded in measured results, not marketing specs.
