CarolinaTrailEd.
New member
What HID Bulbs and other equipment do I need to order with the conversion kit to fit 2013 TE for headlights and fog?
DDM Tuning ?
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philsey
New member
HID bulbs are not designed nor intended for use in reflector headlights.
Spend some time here:
General Discussion
Spend some time here:
General Discussion
CarolinaTrailEd.
New member
Got ya, thanks guys. I have no experience in the light department. Trying to figure it out.
Best ideas for an HID conversion?
Best ideas for an HID conversion?
1engineer
Moderator
Here is a good starting point for how to do it PROPERLY.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...hid-projector-retrofit-installation-pics.html
Philsey and 1E are right. If you want HID lights, you should do a retrofit ("retrofit" is the key search word). It's not the same as halogen vs. florescent bulbs in your lamps at home. HID headlights use projectors, unlike the reflectors in your current headlights. Without projectors, the light is not properly aimed and blinds oncoming drivers. Plus the HID "conversion" kits that use your reflectors headlights produce poor quality light and look cheap.
Retrofits can be expensive, but they're the way to go if you want HID lights without making your new TE look like you accessorized it with parts you picked up from the local drugstore.
adam2562
New member
well you can.. it just had to shielded right. my Lexus GS 98-05 body had a reflective housing with oem HID's
i think it's just too much light and the housing isn't made to direct as much light as an hid would put out.. needs mirror redirection i'd call it.
1engineer
Moderator
I can also take a 4Runner and turn it into a track racer too. Just change out the engine, suspension lower the body and strip the interior, weld on a roll cage and boom! Track racer. Point is there is a right way and a wrong way. Do it right or end up being the guy who will get beat up because they blind everyone they meet or get behind at night.
adam2562
New member
i wasn't saying to do it.. i'm saying manufacturer's have used HID's in a reflective housing since they started using HID's.. I35's, Maxima's, IS300 first gen rx300 my GS400 98 ls400 also had reflective HID.. that's all i was stating.. so i was saying that you would have to have a whole new reflective backing or front shield made for all that extra light.
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CarolinaTrailEd.
New member
Decided to go with Black Flame Customs. Gonna get the ball rolling in the AM.
blizz86
New member
Good to hear you're doing it the right way. Post pics when its done eh?
jangoforhire
New member
Good call. Great guys!
philsey
New member
Good call. You'll not be sorry - ever. One last word of advice if you don't mind. Don't cheap out on the projectors. Talk it over with the BF guys, and buy quality componentry.
And thanks for doing it right....
philsey
New member
Got this email this morning, in case you're looking for a discount on components:
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As if shooting fireworks into your neighbor's yard while enjoying a cold one isn't enough fun, we're having our annual July 4th sale!
Check out the details by viewing the flyer below (not a virus, we promise!)
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-20% off-
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-Coupon code: "JULY4TH"
Have a fun and safe Independence day from your friends @ The Retrofit Source
As if shooting fireworks into your neighbor's yard while enjoying a cold one isn't enough fun, we're having our annual July 4th sale!
Check out the details by viewing the flyer below (not a virus, we promise!)
The Retrofit Source | Independence Day Sale
-20% off-
-Starts July 4th-
-Ends July 8th-
-Coupon code: "JULY4TH"
mfregeau20
New member
I think it is all a out perspective and how you aim your lights, I have never changed out my headlights to projectors and put HID's in all my vehicle's. Used to have a Acura 3.2 CL type S and it had factory HID's that were not in projectors. True the can be bright but who's fault is it for looking straight at your headlight's. Not yours, to be smart about it means do not buy 55w ballasts if you drive in the city all the time. 35w is just fine and work great it is easy to adjust so that the beam hits just below the drivers light and still get plenty of coverage.
Again my opinion as i see many here don't agree but we are all not created equal and make it work for whats best in our budget and taste.
Just get what works for you. My 2 cents
Again my opinion as i see many here don't agree but we are all not created equal and make it work for whats best in our budget and taste.
Just get what works for you. My 2 cents
It's not a matter of budget or taste. It's a matter of safety.
Your Acura was designed to use HID with a reflector rather than projectors. That's fine. Older Lexus RX had the same thing - HIDs used with reflectors. That was the intended use straight from the manufacturer.
The problem is that you are using HIDs in a headlight with specific optics meant for a specific bulb. When you change the bulb to non-OEM spec, the optics are not as intended. If you compare the light pattern coming from the OEM halogen bulb to the light pattern from an HID bulb, you will see they are not the same. Even adjusting the headlights downward isn't enough due to the severe scatter that usually occurs. It doesn't matter that yours are "only" 35W, they are blinding other people on the road that aren't staring into your headlights - they are blinding everyone in front of you that even remotely looks in your direction.
If you're going for what works for you, why not just get roof-rack mounted spot and flood lights and keep them on at night? Seems like that should be bright enough to work for you.
This issue comes up on every forum for every make and every model and it always has the same conclusion.
Good call going with the right route even though its more expensive. Seems like a lot of people don't do their research and just throw whatever in. I have friends who went the cheap route and think its badass that their headlights have a "blue" look. In reality they look like cheap crap and also limited their visibility by half. Ready to see how this turns out!
philsey
New member
Wow ... seriously? Man that is one of the most ignorant statements I've ever
seen. You obviously know nothing at all about proper lighting.
mfregeau20
New member
Didn't realize this I was going to get attacked for having a difference of opinion on this forum. First time I have felt this way after joining a forum to be a part of a group with similar interests.
Everyone has there preference on lighting and I am no different. My lights work just fine without blinding people if you would rather have projectors that's your prerogative. And your opinion based on your experiences not mine.