anyone using HIDs with non-projectors?

[V8Limited4wd]

I'm on the fence about buying an HID kit, but I don't want spend extra money on projectors. Has anyone with an 03-05 install an HID kit? I'm just curious at what the light output looks like compared to halogen bulbs and how bad the glare is.

 

[LBeard87]

i have an 05 with 4300k xenon kit from Xenon Depot. the light out put is fantastic and so much better in my opinion than the regular halogen headlights. i don't have any pics but you can check out xenondepot.com or call steve and talk to him. he should also have a coupon code for a good deal for t4r.org members. also, i upgraded and got the phillips xenon bulbs over the stock bulbs with the kit for a little bit higher light output and longer life. some people worry about burning the reflectors but i've had the kit for almost a year and have not had a problem.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

thanks for the info. you didnt have any issues with glare? did you have to adjust the lights?

 

[LBeard87]

thanks for the info. you didnt have any issues with glare? did you have to adjust the lights?

i did have to adjust the headlights down a little bit to avoid glare off of street signs and such but even then it wasn't that bothersome. it more annoyed the wifey sitting in the passenger seat.

 

[kimboy]

I've been running a pair for d2r bulbs (r for reflector) for a few years now. I have no problems with glare, at least from my vantage point. What are you waiting for?

Get them cheap on ebay, just search '9006 slim hid'. They are inexpensive and you'll need to pick up some double sided velcro at the hardware store to attach them. At the current prices, I'd even pick up some yellow hid's for your fogs.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

I've been running a pair for d2r bulbs (r for reflector) for a few years now. I have no problems with glare, at least from my vantage point. What are you waiting for?

Get them cheap on ebay, just search '9006 slim hid'. They are inexpensive and you'll need to pick up some double sided velcro at the hardware store to attach them. At the current prices, I'd even pick up some yellow hid's for your fogs.

i would prefer to get some quality HIDs, so i'll probably get some from xenondepot. i think HID fogs might be overkill for me(as well as more work) so I'll probably just get a pair for quality yellow fog bulbs too. do you have any pics of your lights?

 

[neogauge]

This is a picture of my 4RNR with the 2003 headlights with 6000K HIDs and 6000K HIDs in the fog light projectors. The light output is going to blow you away. The non projectors are not designed for HIDs, so there will be some glare. Of course my fogs are so bright (since I tilted them up a little) I almost don't need the headlights. The glare isn't as bad as those newer FORD trucks, man those guys have some big reflectors and the HIDs have a bad GLARE! I'm going back to the factory headlights from the projectors, just gotta but some more, LOL.

 

[PolkManiac]

How are you guys not blinding other drivers on the road by putting HID bulbs in the reflector housings?

 

[neogauge]

Well this is what I did have before I got some aftermarket projectors. I was happy with the light output in the reflectors but had read that HIDs are legally only to be used in approved housings. I had a couple people flash me with the reflectors and the same with the projectors. The projector fogs on my 4RNR have a halo from hell, I think they gave more of a glare than the reflectors. I had the 9006 kit at first and then just ordered the H11's for the 06+ headlights. So now I will have to buy an adapter after I order the good set of HIDs from XenonDepot.com with the relay and battery hookup. Still have the 6k fogs but was going to go with 4300K for the more light lumens.


It would be nice to see that side by compare of the reflectors and projectors. I would do it but I had a ballast and bulb burn out the other day.:sobbing:

 

[V8Limited4wd]

how long did they last before they burned out? how did you know the ballast burnt out? i thought it's usually the bulb that burns out.

 

[neogauge]

After I seen that the bulb was out I changed the bulbs from left to right and still nothing. The ballast makes a clicking sound. Not quite sure but I think it's a goner. I had these for a year this month. They are a set of the plug and play ones. Paid $120 a set last year. This time I'm going to the ones with the relay cause some times one would not fire and I would have to turn them off and then back on again.

 

[JBgotM]

How are you guys not blinding other drivers on the road by putting HID bulbs in the reflector housings?

I'm pretty sure they are blinding on-coming people. I get people all the time blinding me with glare from doing this. Its very annoying and inconsiderate.

The primary reason I bought a '06 was to get projectors with HID.

 

[paraordnance]

you can buy HID projectors for less than $150 these days to retrofit. Pair of E55 bi-xenons can be had for less than $100 on e-bay. But its a lot of work to retrofit. You would be better off with cheap HID kit and set of projectors instead of a "quality" HID kit in reflector housing. You have to realize that quality HID kit is a myth. They all made in China and internally have few, if any differences, I seen several open right up. But I would suggest using Phillips bulbs instead of kit bulbs, thats where all the difference is.

 

[JIMXEOD]

I'm pretty sure they are blinding on-coming people. I get people all the time blinding me with glare from doing this. Its very annoying and inconsiderate.

The primary reason I bought a '06 was to get projectors with HID.

Just an FYI.....My wifes 06 G35 Sedan has OEM HID's and reflector headlamps. So NO it is not illegal, and works when adjusted.
There is TONS of misinformation on this subject, such as Melting housings, ect.

 

[paraordnance]

Just an FYI.....My wifes 06 G35 Sedan has OEM HID's and reflector headlamps. So NO it is not illegal, and works when adjusted.
There is TONS of misinformation on this subject, such as Melting housings, ect.

you wrong, it is illegal to modify your headlights in any way, in any state. Period. HID kits - modifying, retrofit - modifying, replacing halogen projector with HID projector - modifying. Your example with G35 is one of very few when car manufacturer opted for reflector housing rather than dedicated HID projector possibly to shave some cost, other examples are 03 Acura TL, Lexus IS300 and couple others. But, reflector all these cars use are DESIGNED for HID bulbs and produces somewhat descent results (you cant beat HID projector in terms of performance). Other thing to remember is what type of bulb they use. D2R bulb again is DESIGNED for HID applications in reflector housing. If your wife's G35 has OEM headlights I can bet you money it runs D2R bulbs, go check it out.

D2R vs D2S bulb

Its easy to see that D2R (for use in reflector housing) bulb is shielded in certain areas to reduce glare and point light output in right dirrection.

 

[Mr. Banks]

HID's in non-reflector housings

Let me see if I understand what's been said. I am interested in running HID's in my 05. I can order a HID kit from Xenondepot.com and get the D2R bulbs and I will be good to go on glare issues, and legal modding?

Or, I could order 2006 4runner projector headlights and install them, and then add a projector specific HID kit from Xenondepot.com and this will give me the better output than reflectors?

I would assume the HID kit would be the same, the difference would be in the bulbs, D2R or D2. The next question I'm still trying to sort out is, are the headlight housings from 06 up easy install? Like plug in, no modding for an 05?

 

[paraordnance]

Let me see if I understand what's been said. I am interested in running HID's in my 05. I can order a HID kit from Xenondepot.com and get the D2R bulbs and I will be good to go on glare issues, and legal modding?

Or, I could order 2006 4runner projector headlights and install them, and then add a projector specific HID kit from Xenondepot.com and this will give me the better output than reflectors?

I would assume the HID kit would be the same, the difference would be in the bulbs, D2R or D2. The next question I'm still trying to sort out is, are the headlight housings from 06 up easy install? Like plug in, no modding for an 05?

you cannot run D2R bulb in 9006 factory socket of 05 headlights. Bulbs have different base and will not fit in a bulb holder. There is re-based D2S Phillips bulbs out there on e-bay that will fit factory 9006.
And you still illegal because you modifying your headlights with HID kit. My properly done retrofit is illegal as well but in terms of functionality and performance I'm right up there. I have NOT been flashed, not even once in 10 months of my HID use and I'm running 55 watt ballast which is 30-40% brighter than anything OEM out there.
Replacing your reflector headlights with 06+ projector headlights is definatelly improvement but 06+ projectors are not designed for HIDs and they will never perform as good as dedicated HID projector (TL, TSX, S2000, LS430, FX35 etc). There is substaintial difference between halogen and HID projectors mostly in areas of intensity, hot spots and foreground
Here is side by side comparison for you on 4Runner
Halogen in OE 06+ projector housing:

HIDs in OE 06+ projector housing:

Notice how short that beam is, it doesnt even hit the ground, its not very wide with 2 bright hotspots right in a middle.

HIDs in 04 4Runner retrofited with TSX projectors:

I think pictures speak for themselves. Notice that there is no hotspots on last photo, just uniform and even spread of light

 

[kimboy]

It's kind of difficult to see how the retrofitted projector lights perform in direct comparison w/ re-based bulbs because the first two pics are indoors and the 3rd pic is taken with the vehicle further back. Also, TSX projectors come from a sedan. Hence, they may be designed w/ a wide beam pattern in mind.

 

[paraordnance]

It's kind of difficult to see how the retrofitted projector lights perform in direct comparison w/ re-based bulbs because the first two pics are indoors and the 3rd pic is taken with the vehicle further back. Also, TSX projectors come from a sedan. Hence, they may be designed w/ a wide beam pattern in mind.

I couldnt find any better shots but hey, take them side by side and you will be amazed in difference.
All HID projectors are wide, TSX in fact is a mediocore projector losing big time in terms of width and intensity to LS430, TL & FX35. It has nothing to do where it came from (sedan vs SUV), width comes from projector bowl design and nothing also.
This is a width of LS430 projector (which is believed to be widest among retrofitters), try to spot a car on first shot, now thats impressive!

 

[JIMXEOD]

you wrong, it is illegal to modify your headlights in any way, in any state. Period. HID kits - modifying, retrofit - modifying, replacing halogen projector with HID projector - modifying. Your example with G35 is one of very few when car manufacturer opted for reflector housing rather than dedicated HID projector possibly to shave some cost, other examples are 03 Acura TL, Lexus IS300 and couple others. But, reflector all these cars use are DESIGNED for HID bulbs and produces somewhat descent results (you cant beat HID projector in terms of performance). Other thing to remember is what type of bulb they use. D2R bulb again is DESIGNED for HID applications in reflector housing. If your wife's G35 has OEM headlights I can bet you money it runs D2R bulbs, go check it out.

D2R vs D2S bulb

Its easy to see that D2R (for use in reflector housing) bulb is shielded in certain areas to reduce glare and point light output in right dirrection.

Let's not fly off the handle here! I don't disagree. Yes, I know it is illegal to modify your headlamps. What I am saying is, all HID's are not projector style. The OP was asking if it would work, or if he needed projectors. D2R bulbs will work.