HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning
So this kit right here? Should I go with the 35 Watt or 55? I know these things create extra heat, so I want to be sure that I am not over doing it here.
Thanks
People typically go for the 35W and 4300K HID "bulb". With those specs, you will have close as you can get to getting OEM HID light. Riceandpho uses 50W and says that longevity really isn't too much of an issue.
how many hid thread do we need? retrofit is the best answer and money well spent, use the search button please. cookieroe retrofit will blow your crap kit away, but i have more lumens and put your kit to shame.
Thanks for that, but it's all good! Dude came on here for some answers and we should provide him with good stuff. Whatever he does with the advice is up to him.
First off welcome!!
With that said, from your signature I see that you have a 05 with reflector headlights. I strongly recommend that you save your money for either 06+ projector headlights or a retro-fit. As you mentioned, you have read through many HID thread over the past two weeks and I'm sure you have seen this debate.
The reflectors on the 03-05 4Runner were specifically designed to maximize the light from a halogen bulb and direct it forward rather than control the light. With most Plug and Play HID kits, the light source is on average 3x brighter than halogen. By placing them in a headlight not able to control the additional output, you will create a large amount of glare. This can and will blind oncoming traffic. The cars (is300, wrx, etc) that come from the manufacturer with non-projectors HIDs are designed specifically to focus this light away from oncoming traffic and onto the road.
Some will argue that you can negate the stray light by aiming them downward, however, all this does is lower the light "hot spot" but doesn't eliminate the glare. This is why HIDs in halogen reflectors "appear" to be brighter because the light is scattered everywhere. Even at approx 4-5" of lift, i still get blinded by small CRV's running HIDs in halogen reflectors.
Projectors, even the ones designed for halogens, are able to control this light and creates a cutoff line that allows the driver to experience the benefits of HIDs without the negative effect on other drivers.
This is your truck, your money, your decision. Do with it as you wish.:thumb3:
Ah yes, excellent description Darkie! Pretty much sums up what I wanted to say.
I response to you asking about people complaining about being flashed/having HID bulbs in their non-projector housing:
I think it's a two-fold answer: 1. It is more or less "common respect/courtesy" to NOT put the HID in a regular housing that it is not designed to be in due to the altered light output. I know there are a ton of people out there who could give zero &*$(#@ how it affects other drivers, even if it means they have improved visibility. 2. It is not (from what I understand) DOT approved, meaning if you live in a state where they require vehicle safety checks, etc. to be able to drive it, then you could fail since it's techinically illegal.
Hopefully that makes sense; I know, I'm in the same sinking canoe as you....I want HIDs for my low beams yet don't wanna fork over all the extra cash to get the projector housing or to the retro-fit myself....if that makes sense. ha.
I'm debating whether to just be happy with the halogens I've got or to save up and get the brand new projectors from an aftermarket company.
Hope my input helps ya! :uzi:
:fishing:
Yep, it's about courtesy sometimes. Even us with retros are technically illegal, even though we have the same exact projectors that came with their respective cars and those, of course, are DOT legal. Provided they are aimed correctly, we don't blind anyone. I totally hear ya on the "I want HID light but can't afford a retro". I used to have plug n plays on my 2000 Surf (4Runner), but in South America, at the time, retros didn't exist. When they started to surface, they were UBER expensive. Nowadays, that's not the case. My take is, if you can't afford it, then don't do it. It is a safety issue, not a "bling" issue. BUT, if you must, get some projectors (2006+) and install them there. At least the glare don't be epic. IF using reflectors, well, try to aim them down as much as possible to avoid melting others retinas. LOL
x2 I think maybe your best bet at this time would be to get some high quality halogen bulbs and maybe upgrade your headlight harness to be sure you're getting full power to the bulbs, then save your money and retrofit. You'll never look back.
Retros, if you choose do tackle the project yourself or shell out $$ to have it done, are the way to go! Riceandpho and crywolf are 100% correct. I've done both.
I've seen thread like this before and have been flamed for voicing my opinion (which is ridiculous). Please inform yourselves on lighting, if you MUST take shortcuts, well, at the VERY LEAST you will be educated on the matter. The way I see plug and play kits, well, it's like saying you are having safe sex by using saran wrap plastic instead of a proper prophylactic. :hatsoff:
