HID Lights

[tprice1985]

Hello everyone...I did some searching and couldn't come up with much of anything. Any of you guys have some info and pics of HID light install. Is there anything out there that is plug and play. I don't want to do any cutting of wires. Please let me know your thoughts...and brands and where you got them.

 

[adio3x]

There are dozens of threads about hids.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65812-installing-hid-kit-2010-sr5-pics.html

 

[NHinAK]

HID's belong in a projector, not a reflector. There are tons of kits on the market that are plug n' play. Most are complete crap though in terms of compont reliability and quality. Truly a "buyer beware" market. My opinion: save your money for something else.

 

[philsey]

Having authored this ...

There are dozens of threads about hids.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65812-installing-hid-kit-2010-sr5-pics.html

..... and then this

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...hid-projector-retrofit-installation-pics.html


I can attest that this is correct:

HID's belong in a projector, not a reflector. There are tons of kits on the market that are plug n' play. Most are complete crap though in terms of compont reliability and quality. Truly a "buyer beware" market. My opinion: save your money for something else.

Here ....

General Discussion

..... is a very informative forum on the subject of proper HID lighting.

 

[KidBobot]

I dunno about that... My Volvo XC90 T6 came with HID's from the factory, and didn't have projectors. I believe they still do. And you know those Swedes when it comes to safety on everything...

 

[Foques]

Yep, Projector does NOT mean HID.. and otherwise.

the "is correct" statement is confusing to me, too..

 

[philsey]

I dunno about that... My Volvo XC90 T6 came with HID's from the factory, and didn't have projectors. I believe they still do. And you know those Swedes when it comes to safety on everything...

From the Volvo XC90 website:

Active Dual Xenon Headlights
Compared to conventional halogen headlights, Active Dual Xenon technology helps to expand your vision range by about 230%. And using motorized lamps that turn up to 15 degrees in either direction this technology gives a 90% boost to your vision around bends in the road at night. You can enjoy highly effective low beam illumination on narrow, winding roads and extremely powerful full beams on the highway. A sensor disengages the adaptive function during daylight.

Does your car look like this?



Those are projectors sir.

 

[CookieRoe]

Yep, Projector does NOT mean HID.. and otherwise.

the "is correct" statement is confusing to me, too..

OEM HIDs typically come in projectors today. They used come in reflective headlights such as Volvos, Acuras, BMW, MB, Lexus, etc. These models used a specially designed headlight lens that were specifically designed for the brightness of an HID. However there beam pattern isn't a good as a projector. Nowadays, manufactures no longer use a typical reflective lens, they know that a projector is better able to point, aim and reduce light glare, thus making them the "vehicle of choice" for HID light.

 

[gvan1998]

Bottom Line, DO NOT get HID's. You will blinf oncomming traffic. I hate people with HID on their truck, it is sitting high enough from factory, to make it worse they add HID.

 

[dekeman]

Considering Philsey is the resident Editor-in-Chief on headlamps, his counsel is well worth following.

 

[thebwlife]

Haven't seen this, but does anyone have just HID fog bulbs. That would be ideal for turning on and off.

I'd love to see a pic of just HID fog lights on and factory headlights with HID fogs.

Here is a good thread from th FJ forum, that has bulb comparison on it.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...omplete-headlight-bulb-comparison-thread.html

 

[Foques]

Haven't seen this, but does anyone have just HID fog bulbs. That would be ideal for turning on and off.

I'd love to see a pic of just HID fog lights on and factory headlights with HID fogs.

Here is a good thread from th FJ forum, that has bulb comparison on it.

Complete Headlight Bulb Comparison Thread - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

My kits are coming in shortly - will be 6K lows and 4k fogs.

 

[thebwlife]

My kits are coming in shortly - will be 6K lows and 4k fogs.

Do fogs first and show us some pics. There are already pics with both and ones with just headlights, but we need some pics of what I listed above.

 

[Dispense]

I bought an HID Kit that came with the bulbs and HID-specific reflective housings in the past. I installed them on my 2002 TransAm Firehawk and immediately took them off.

The glare was just not acceptable to me. I then used Retrofit Source and HIDplanet and did it right. I don't think there is any comparison between a HID bulb with reflective housing and projectors. My advice is to do it right.

Here are some after pics of the retrofitted TSX projectors I used. I wish I would of kept the pics of the HID Kit...the light above the cut-off/glare was so disappointing.

 

[philsey]

.... the "is correct" statement is confusing to me, too..

Fixed

Haven't seen this, but does anyone have just HID fog bulbs. That would be ideal for turning on and off.
......

HID bulbs in foglights is even worse that HID bulbs in reflector-type headlights. Most commonly, they scorch the innards, but they also cause extensive glare, same as the aforementioned headlight issue. AFAIC, this forum General Discussion is the holy grail of automotive (esp HID-related) lighting. HID bulbs in fogs are a frequently-asked newb topic, and are soundly discouraged by the experienced members. A yellow, ~3000K halogen bulb seems to be the most-liked.

..... That would be ideal for turning on and off.
......

No clue as to what this means. HIDs do not turn on like incandescents or LEDs, inasmuch as they have a (short) warm-up period, and do not 'like' being blinked on/off.

 

[philsey]

My kits are coming in shortly - will be 6K lows and 4k fogs.

Do fogs first and show us some pics. There are already pics with both and ones with just headlights, but we need some pics of what I listed above.

Sigh. Why do I even bother? Obviously you're after a 'look' rather than properly improved lighting.

 

[KidBobot]

From the Volvo XC90 website:

Active Dual Xenon Headlights
Compared to conventional halogen headlights, Active Dual Xenon technology helps to expand your vision range by about 230%. And using motorized lamps that turn up to 15 degrees in either direction this technology gives a 90% boost to your vision around bends in the road at night. You can enjoy highly effective low beam illumination on narrow, winding roads and extremely powerful full beams on the highway. A sensor disengages the adaptive function during daylight.

Does your car look like this?

View attachment 54493

Those are projectors sir.

Hmmm I guess they changed it. My '04 had reflectors...

 

[thebwlife]

No clue as to what this means. HIDs do not turn on like incandescents or LEDs, inasmuch as they have a (short) warm-up period, and do not 'like' being blinked on/off.

It means you don't always have to have them on. Your low beams are always on at night, fogs are optional.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

For what it is worth... here is my 2 penny's worth...

I have installed at least a half dozen various HID "upgrade kits" ranging in the cheap $50 kits to the most expensive $300-$400 kits and here is what I have found.

The cheaper kits using cheap components will give you cheap results depending on the brand. I installed a couple "ebay" HID kits for friends and the glare / cutoff and output was horrible. I recently installed a cheap HID kit from V-LED's in my 2001 4runner and the cutoff looks factory, light output greatly increased, and no glare.

Then I went with a kit that used genuine Philips balasts and bulbs in my 2011 TE and it is absolutely outstanding. The cutoff mirrors the OEM halogen cutoff, and the light output is GREATLY increased. I recently had a buddy who I was following on the freeway one night call me and say that he didnt know that Toyota had started putting HIDs in the 4runners. He was baffled when I told him it was an aftermarket kit and commented that there was no excessive glare while I was following him and the vehicle looked OEM with the 4300K philips HID's.

Ultimately, yes.... a projector is where a HID should be, but is it 100% necessary??? IMO... not a bit. As long as you buy a decent kit and ADJUST your headlights after lifting / new tires / and installing the HID kit, you are good to go in my book. However, be aware... the purple / blue hue HID kits will get you busted and on top of that, they dont put out as many lumens or lux as the lower kelvins. 4300K is the best all around - this is the bulb color temp that all OEM's use. If you reeeeaaaaalllly want that blue look, the 5000k bulbs will give you a slightly blue hue and slightly less light output to boot.

That being said. I plan on doing a full HID conversion using the Acura TL bi-xenon projectors here sometime in the near future. I have seen a couple retrofits in person and when done right, the results are outstanding. Also, i need a new project!!!!


As for fogs... I have some expensive 3000K 55watt HID's in my fogs and the glare is incredible. I only turn them on when I am driving through really $hitty weather by myself on the road. They are incredibly bright and great for inclement weather but not friendly to the fellow drivers.

Your mileage may vary, rinse and repeat, etc, etc.

Good luck.

 

[SoCalSnake]

Do yourself a favor...and take Philsey's advice.

I did and am very happy with the result.

Although, to do a retrofit right is not inexpensive. All in all probably 800 to 1200 depending on install costs and options.

see HID Projector Headlight Retrofit for Subaru, Honda, BMW, Scion and More | LightWerkz.net

you won't be sorry