Welcome back to the Morimoto Lighting blog. In this guide we walk through the full Morimoto 4Banger fog light install on a 2019+ Ram 1500, and we cover everything you need to know before you order a set. We installed these pods ourselves, tested the fitment, and want to break down the two versions, the beam patterns, the color options, and the plug-and-play install so you can decide exactly which configuration is right for your truck.
What the Morimoto 4Banger Is All About
Before we grabbed any tools, we wanted to explain what these little pods actually are. The 4Banger comes in two different levels. The entry level version uses a Nichia chip, and we call this the NCS version. The secondary level is for the premium user, the off-roader, the top dog of pod lights, and this application uses an Osram chip. We call that one the HXB, or HX Boost. Once you decide which application level you want, you move on to picking a driving pattern.
If you want to see the full write-up and configuration options for this application, check out the Morimoto 4Banger Fog Lights for the 2019+ Ram 1500. You can also compare listings at Headlight Revolution’s 2019+ Ram 4Banger listing if you like to shop around before pulling the trigger.
Beam Patterns and Color Options
After you settle on the NCS or the HXB, you get to choose your driving pattern. We offer three different patterns: spotlight, wide, or a combo driving pattern. All three come in either amber or white, so there is a lot of flexibility here depending on your setup and your goals.
With the wide pattern, many people are drawn to it to help increase night visibility and to use it as a fog light replacement. No matter if you choose the NCS or the HX Boost pod light, you will experience the same driving beam pattern with the wide option. The combo beam pattern is a super cool spot beam with a little bit more fill. It still stacks up to the competition very well, but most people will end up choosing the wide beam pattern over something like the combo.
Then there is the spot beam pattern, which is still an incredibly bright beam that is tight and looks like a square. That square shape is done on purpose, because we at Morimoto know a thing or two about beam patterns. If you want to browse every version side by side, you can shop the full 4Banger fog light lineup and pick the exact pattern and level that fits your needs.
How the Yellow Lens Affects Output
All three patterns come in either a white or amber color, but there is one important thing to know. Your light output will be a little bit less with the yellow lenses. On the higher end, the HXB uses the Osram chip, but it does not come in yellow. The white light has to pass through the yellow lens, and it loses about 30 percent of its brightness. It is still an incredible option, just something to be aware of.
Something neat about the entry level: those Nichia chips do come in a yellow option. When you have a yellow light passing through a yellow lens, it does not lose as much, so the light output is closely matched to that of the white counterpart. That is a real advantage of the NCS if you specifically want an amber fog light without giving up as much brightness.
Footprint, Fitment, and Street-Legal Compliance
The overall footprint of the 4Banger is approximately 30 percent smaller than alternatives that offer comparable performance. This allows for an unbeatable flush-like fitment when paired with Morimoto’s fog light or A-pillar mounting kits. That smaller size is a big part of why these pods drop into the Ram 1500 fog light housing so cleanly.
With a standard negative 3 degree aim, the beam pattern produced by the NCS wide beam model is designed to be compliant with the latest SAE F3 regulations for use as a street legal fog light, and the same goes for the HXB wides. If you would rather run a fully integrated OEM-style look instead of pods, you can also look at the Morimoto XB LED fog lights for 19+ Ram. And to round out your options, The Retrofit Source carries the same pod kit through The Retrofit Source’s Ram 1500 (2019+) 4Banger kit.
Lastly, and this is a big one, the Morimoto 4Bangers are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. That kind of coverage gives you confidence that these pods are built for the long haul.
Tools You Will Need
Here are the tools we used for our install. You will want a ratchet of your own choice, a 7mm socket with an extension, an 8mm socket, an Allen set, and a Torx set. Having those on hand before you start makes the whole job go a lot smoother.
How to Install the Morimoto 4Banger on a 2019+ Ram 1500
Step 1: Build Out the Bracketry
Before we get into the truck, we have to build out the bracketry for your 4Banger. Take your Morimoto 4Banger and uninstall the two smaller screws on the very back side using a T10. Once those two screws are removed, take the metal adjustment bracket and put it on the very top. There are two grooves, so make sure you get those lined up and everything fits onto the 4Banger nice and snug. In the kit you will find two longer screws, and you will screw those into place of the two shorter ones you just removed.
Now that the black adjustment bracket is on and installed, take the small black plastic piece, line it up into that square area, and push it into place. Next, take your plastic bracket and your 4Banger and feed the harness up and through, then sandwich it in between the two plastic bracket pieces. Make sure the top two grooves and the bottom grooves are lined up. Use the four provided smaller screws and place those in just like so. Keep in mind, do not tighten these down too tight, because you are working with plastic, so take your T10 tool and tighten them straight down.
With all four of those screws in, take the adjustment spring and place it in between that little gap edge on the very top of your 4Banger. Then take your adjustment screw and screw it into place as well. You do not have to tighten this down all the way just yet. You will do that at the very end when adjusting your 4Banger inside the housing area.
Step 2: Remove the Fender Well Panel
Now that your 4Banger is installed into the bracketry, let’s get into the install on the truck. Down beside the truck, start removing the 8mm screws that are on the outside of the fender well, and then two of them on the inside of the fender well. Remove the two on the inner side as well so you can get that black panel out.
Step 3: Remove the OEM Fog Light
With the panel out, you can start uninstalling your OEM fog light. To do so, unplug your OEM harness, and then there will be three screws you need to unscrew. Once those are out, you can pull the fog light right out.
Step 4: Connect the Deutsch Connector
Before installing your 4Banger, take your Deutsch connector, which is vehicle specific for your vehicle. All you have to do is plug it into your 4Banger just like so, and then it is ready to go for a full plug-and-play system. This is what makes the 2019+ Ram 1500 install so painless. There is no cutting or splicing needed.
Step 5: Install and Adjust the 4Banger
When installing your 4Banger, there might be some finessing when putting it into the housing area, so take your time. Once you have it installed, take those three 7mm screws and tighten them back down. Before buttoning everything back up, test out your 4Banger and adjust the height of it before putting that black piece back on. That final adjustment is where the negative 3 degree aim we mentioned earlier comes into play.
And just like that, your Morimoto fog light replacements are installed. For our build we went with the Morimoto white wide HX Boost pods, and they look absolutely amazing in the factory fog light location. The fitment is clean, the beam pattern is exactly what we wanted, and the whole job stayed plug-and-play from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
The Morimoto 4Banger is one of the easiest and most satisfying upgrades you can do to your 2019+ Ram 1500. You get to choose between the NCS with the Nichia chip or the HXB with the Osram chip, pick from spot, wide, or combo patterns in white or amber, and enjoy a compact footprint that fits flush with Morimoto mounting kits. Pair the wide beam models with the standard negative 3 degree aim for SAE F3 compliance, and back it all with a limited lifetime warranty, and you have a fog light replacement that is hard to beat. If you want to see what else we have in store for your Ram, head over to our website, plug in your year, make, and model, and we will catch you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two versions of the Morimoto 4Banger pod light?
The entry level version uses a Nichia chip and is called the NCS, while the premium version uses an Osram chip and is called the HXB or HX Boost.
What beam patterns are available for the 4Banger?
You can choose from spotlight, wide, or combo beam patterns, and each pattern is offered in either white or amber.
Does the yellow lens option reduce brightness?
Yes, on the HXB the white Osram light loses about 30 percent brightness passing through the yellow lens, but the NCS uses a Nichia yellow chip so its yellow output is more closely matched to the white version.
Are the Morimoto 4Banger fog lights street legal?
The NCS wide and HXB wide beam patterns are designed to meet SAE F3 fog light regulations when installed with a standard negative 3 degree aim.
Is the 2019+ Ram 1500 4Banger install plug and play?
Yes, a vehicle-specific Deutsch connector plugs directly into the 4Banger, making it a full plug-and-play fog light replacement.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
