How To Install Hids In 2013 Dodge Ram With Projector Headlights

Hids bulbs | Projector Headlights

Factory Projector Headlights on the 2013 Ram

The 2013 Dodge Ram offered factory projector headlights as an option. However, Dodge equipped them with halogen bulbs instead of HID lighting.

Because projector housings typically pair well with HID systems, many owners ask the same question:

Can you install an HID conversion kit in these headlights?

Yes — and the process is straightforward when you use the correct components.


Choosing the Right HID Kit

GTR Lighting designed the GEN 3 and GEN 4 HID ballasts to work seamlessly with Dodge Ram trucks.

Specifically, the 3rd Generation CANBUS Pro ballast makes the installation simple. It connects directly to the factory wiring. As a result, you avoid compatibility issues common with other vehicles.

Even better, you do not need:

  • A relay harness

  • Resistors

  • Warning cancelers

  • Capacitors

Everything connects plug-and-play.


Step-by-Step Installation Overview

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First, remove the factory halogen bulb from the projector housing. Then, insert the HID bulb into the projector exactly as the halogen bulb sat.

Next, mount the CANBUS ballast securely inside the engine bay. Choose a solid metal surface away from extreme heat sources.

After that, connect the factory headlight plug directly to the ballast input. Finally, plug the HID bulb into the ballast output connectors.

Turn the headlights on and test the system. If everything connects correctly, the lights will ignite instantly without flickering or warning messages.

Because the CANBUS Pro ballast communicates properly with the truck’s system, the install remains clean and trouble-free.


What to Expect After Installation

Once installed, the HID system produces a brighter and whiter beam. The projector housing controls glare effectively. Therefore, you gain improved distance visibility without excessive scatter.

Additionally, the crisp color temperature modernizes the truck’s front end.


Important Legal Information

In the United States, the Department of Transportation regulates lamps and related equipment under FMVSS108.

DOT regulations apply to all vehicles driven on public roads. Headlights must comply with FMVSS108 to qualify as street legal.

However, DOT does not regulate fog light bulbs the same way.

Keep in mind: This rule applies to all brands. No LED or HID bulb installed in a halogen headlight housing qualifies as street legal for headlight use in the USA.

For full compliance and optimal performance, consider complete headlight assembly upgrades.


Upgrading your 2013 Dodge Ram projector headlights with the correct HID kit can dramatically improve visibility. Use high-quality CANBUS-compatible components, follow proper installation steps, and enjoy the performance difference.


Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting

John Tobias, Better Automotive Lighting

John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn