Top Dollar Performance at an Affordable Cost Morimoto XB Hybrid LED Headlight for the 2019+ Ram 1500
So, you have just finished signing your papers at the dealer and you are rolling off the lot in your new Ram 1500. The sun sets and you spend the remainder of your drive home squinting your eyes trying to use the terribly dim stock headlights. Thankfully, Morimoto has you covered with the XB Hybrid LED headlights specifically designed for the 2019+ Dodge Ram 1500.
Not only are these headlights twice as bright as the stock headlights, but they are also less expensive. The nice part is you do not need to sacrifice performance or styling for that price drop. In fact, you get headlights that are almost twice as bright and feature modern styling. Today we will look at how these new Morimoto lights perform and how to install them on your vehicle.
OVERVIEW
With the halogen reflector headlight, you are truly missing out on a lot. The XB Hybrid has two projectors inside, each with an LED chip. There are no bulbs, ballasts, or moving parts to go wrong. This means the outside projector does your low beam projector does your high beam.
When it comes to the Hybrid, this is a wallet-friendly option that skips on a few features that you can find on the premium model XB. However, the drop in price does not mean you lose out on performance. Both units have the same brightness and same great interior construction.
The Hybrid runs a stock incandescent light bulb for the turn signal, which can easily be replaced with an LED bulb (we recommend GTR Carbide Series bulb). Beyond the turn signal, this headlight has dedicated low beam and high beams and a dual-brightness DRL that requires no special wiring beyond a fuse box connection.
Looking at the rear of the stock headlight, you have a parking light (grey connector) that is the same on the XB Hybrid, a turn signal light, and a large connector at the base that controls all functions of the headlight. The XB Hybrid shares the same connector points, making it entirely plug and play.
PERFORMANCE
Looks and connection are not everything. The stock reflector halogen headlights are not very good. These put out 350 max. Lux on low beam and have a disappointing beam pattern and color. The only other car we have tested with this dim of stock headlights is the Toyota 4Runner.
With the Morimoto XB Hybrid, the output is bumped up 184% to 710 max. Lux for the low beam. This is higher than the stock halogen reflector high beams that are rated at 610 max. Lux. 610 is often lower than other cars’ stock low beams.
The high beams on the XB Hybrid come in at 1770 max Lux. That is 190% brighter than the stock halogen headlights.
INSTALLATION
To begin with, open the hood and find the 12 pushpins that are dotted along the plastic radiator cover at the front of the engine bay. To remove, take a pry tool and slide it under the pins and lift.
To remove the plastic piece, pull up and push back. Then remove the corner clips behind the headlights.
Next you will remove the trim that goes across the top of the grill and headlights. To do so, there are eight 10mm bolts and two push pins. For the center four bolts, be sure to hold the clip down as you are unscrewing them.
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Once this is done, pull the trim straight out.
Next, go to the fender lining and remove the four 8mm bolts. From there, pop out the fender liner down gently.
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Once that is done, reach behind the bumper and remove the 10mm bolt. After it is removed, push the small lip down to then pull the fender piece out. Be careful when doing this as to not break the clip behind the bumper.
When pulling the bumper away, check to see if there are two clips on the inside of the bumper piece that need to be manually removed.
Next, we need to remove the grill from the car. There are three 8mm bolts on either side of the grill and four on top. After removing these, unclip the top hinges that were once held in place by the bolts and pull the grill back and out.
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To begin removing the headlight housing, undo the pushpin on the top of the fender and unscrew the two 10mm bolts (one on top and one on the side).
Next, you need to pull out the rear connectors on the bottom and outside edge of the headlight.
Headlight Trim
Once the headlight is removed, you will need to remove the trim from the base of the headlight and apply it to the new housing.
Take a T25 Torx to remove five screws from the bottom of the panel. Then, take a T20 Torx to remove three from the top of the housing.
Next is to transfer the factor turn signal bulb to the XB Hybrid. Twist and remove the turn signal bulb and place it on to the XB Hybrid turn signal connector. This is where you can choose to keep the stock one or switch to an LED bulb.
WIRING
First, take off the lid of the fuse box and remove the number 10 fuse from slot 38. Then place the DRL fuse into that same slot.
Next, fish the short side to the closest headlight and the longer harness to the other headlight.
Grab your headlight and start by plugging in the main plug. Then plug in the DRLs and the side marker.
Before screwing everything back in, test all functions of your light to ensure they are working properly.
Excellent! Now you have finished your install. All that is left is to tighten up those bolts and push those pins back in. You will be back on the road in no time.
If you are more of a visual learner, be sure to check out our video on the Morimoto XB Hybrid LED headlight. While you are there, make sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest lighting upgrades for your vehicle.
Have any questions about one of the products we mentioned? Contact us today, and our customer service team would be happy to help.
