Teach me, oh wise ones, about HIDs

piperoo

piperoo

New member
Ok, so I came to the conclusion (actually my wife did) that my headlights aren't the best out there on low beam. SO...I have look around the site and can't find any real just basic info.

I basically just want someone to tell me what I need, post a link, and tell me is it something I can do or do I need help. I am electrically dumb when it comes to cars. I did hook up both of my amp, distribution block, etc...but have never done headlight changes.

Should I just change the bulb? Keep the factory housing? I see some people paint the housing....??? :fishing:
 
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What wattage should I get? Bulb type? Color? HID Harness? So those will just plug where the current bulbs are or I have to have something else?
 
Don't get bogged down with everything they say but from what I gather all you would need is to order a relay kit from link posted above and the complete 55watt or 35watt system with ballasts. It won't hurt to get the relay kit for either wattage but from what I've read you def have to get it for the 55watt. Most of the LC guys try to do things over the top so you have to take what they state as isn't up to snuff with a grain of salt. (I'm talking about the relay from the company) I haven't ordered this kit but it's not alot of money to try it out...and it's lifetime guarantee, free replacement.
 
piperoo said:
What wattage should I get? Bulb type? Color? HID Harness? So those will just plug where the current bulbs are or I have to have something else?
Click to expand...

I'd get the 55watt and get something close to the 4500K side so it doesn't look too ricer like they state in the forum. You simply choose the bulb type that we have and it should be a direct replacement. Maybe someone else can chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. I'm new to the whole HID idea myself.

Use their relay and connect it up like you would for any aftermarket offroad lights that you want to turn on when your headlight come on unless you can or know someone who can build your own better relay.

These kits are not Landcruiser specific. They are used for all makes and models
 
Those are cheap, less than the ones on eBay. They do NOT require a relay harness. HIDs draw less amps than halogens they also burn cooler. Anywhere from 6000k to 10,000k will work well. 6000k is the best frequency for the human eye. 4500 will be really yellow, 6000 is white, 10,000 is slightly purple. I'm going with 10,000k, on order. They are simply plug and play, 5min instal
 
Jon said:
Those are cheap, less than the ones on eBay. They do NOT require a relay harness. HIDs draw less amps than halogens they also burn cooler. Anywhere from 6000k to 10,000k will work well. 6000k is the best frequency for the human eye. 4500 will be really yellow, 6000 is white, 10,000 is slightly purple. I'm going with 10,000k, on order. They are simply plug and play, 5min instal
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how accurate the measurements are on that scale. If you read that thread you will see where that is debated. 5500 is pretty close to blue and if you go higher then it's more than likely not going to be ideal. Everybody on that thread states that is too high for their tastes but to each his own. Theoretically the 4500 will be yellow but in actuallity, with these kits atleast, it isn't.
 
If you can install an amp you can defiantly install hids lol. As far as cool I would go with 5000k to 6000k. Right now I have projectors with 35w 6000k hids and I love them! The light output is great and the color is not too blue but has a little tint of blue but mostly white. Once you go HID you will never go back! :thumb3:
 
Ok, can someone send me a link with everything I would need. 5500k, 55w, the correct bulb size, etc...I want something good..not the BEST, but not crap either. Thanks!!

Plug and play is great.
 
piperoo said:
Ok, can someone send me a link with everything I would need. 5500k, 55w, the correct bulb size, etc...I want something good..not the BEST, but not crap either. Thanks!!

Plug and play is great.
Click to expand...

As far as what I'd buy....here you go DDM Tuning

I don't know for 100% sure but I believe we use H1 bulbs, right? This info should be known before ordering.
 
I just finished taking HID's off my car. I don't like them, plus the ones I had were not dual stage. No Hi-Beam.

I was also pulled over for no reason (profiled) because of these things.
 
HID vs Silverstars

I have HIDs in my 2001 4runner, I put aftermarket Silverstar bulbs (that can be picked up at any Autozone, Checker, Pep Boys, etc in my wife's 2001 4runner.

Here is my experience with both, you can draw your own conclusion on what you'd like to use.

1. On my truck the HID bulbs that are equipped with a high beam have poor light output when the high beams are turned on. HID lights come up to temperature slowly, so you can't have a high beam that is HID otherwise it would take several seconds for the high beam to be effective. Thus when I click to turn on my high beams the light output is way below my normal HIDs (looks like my stock high beams or worse) pretty much making my high beams useless. My HID normal output is WAY better than the "high" beam output so I don't even use my high beams.

Some HID kits shift the HID light with a little motor when the high beams are activated, thus just pushing the light through a different part of the lens... I haven't tried these but was told that the motor (or part that shifts in the light) when the high beams are activated can break easily. I'd imagine these are more expensive as well.

2. The Silverstar high beam works as it should and is just as bright as the normal beam on my wife's truck.

3. The light output of the Silverstars is whiter than my stock bulbs and nearly as bright as my HIDs. I'm not saying the Silverstars are exactly the same light output as my HIDs but it is close.

4. It is definitly easier to install the Silverstar bulbs that install the HID lights. The HIDs are not difficult, the worst part is tapping into your side lamp light in order to get power that will turn off if you leave your lights on and turn off your ignition. If you wire them otherwise then if you forget to turn off your lights when you take your keys out you'll return to a dead battery.

Those are my experiences having both HIDs and Silverstars in two 2001 4runners that I drive. Good luck on your improved lighting quest.
 
I had hid's on my halogen lamp with a shield on the bulb's so I would not give to much glare. The light output was better than regular halogen but it only gave me light in front me. It was ok, but when I switched to a projector with 4300k philips bulbs the light output was awesome. If you want the best light output go for projector. Check these guys ( the retrofit source) I bought my kit from them.
 
I would not recommend putting HID's in a factory housing. They are not meant for the lights. I bought all of my retrofit components from the retrofit source and have nothing but good things to say about them. First the best bulbs to use are 4300k. This is what OEM manufacturers use. I used FX-r projectors in my headlight housings. They use a solenoid to open a shutter to let more light through the projector. This is exactly how the OEM manufacturers do Bixenom so I don't see how it could be unreliable.
 
ok so like most of the guys on this forum say that projectors are best since they have a cut off line but if u cant afford them or dont have time to retrofit them urself then i say just get an HID kit.

I currently am running the DDM Tuning 35w HI/LO 5000k kit. I was originally gonna go with the 55w and in 6000k but im glad i didnt bc my lights are really bright and if i had the 55w kit i know for sure id have gotten a ticket even with my headlights aimed downward. In my profile i have pics of the output if u would like to see them.. though the HI beam doesnt change much it does look diff to other cars and its needed to pass state inspection.

I wouldnt go for those $40-60 HID kits on Ebay bc for the same price u can get DDM Tuning which is a more reputable company and i know this from experience bc my friend said he wanted to try the EBay kits instead of the DDM and in the end his is not as bright and the kit has a tendency to not illuminate both headlights. He has to turn his HIDs off then back on to get it to hopefully give light out of both headlights...
 
ok so just get the DDM Tuning apexcone raptor kit bc the engine compartment has plenty of room for u to put it so no sense in wasting more money for the smaller ballast plus the smaller blast takes longer to fully illuminate the HIDs to fully color and brightness.

Link to the Raptor DDM kit:
HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

So wat u basically need is:
1. 35w or 55w (not suggested IMO)
2. H4 bulbs so that you will have full HI/Lo kit
3. Color Desired 4500-6000k is best

Once u have picked these it will come with a relay harness to protect ur wires from melting. Comes with all HI/LO kits from this company... You can just leave the HID harness and code eliminator options blank. If u need anymore help just let me know.
 
xskydivingdudex said:
ok so just get the DDM Tuning apexcone raptor kit bc the engine compartment has plenty of room for u to put it so no sense in wasting more money for the smaller ballast plus the smaller blast takes longer to fully illuminate the HIDs to fully color and brightness.

Link to the Raptor DDM kit:
HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

So wat u basically need is:
1. 35w or 55w (not suggested IMO)
2. H4 bulbs so that you will have full HI/Lo kit
3. Color Desired 4500-6000k is best

Once u have picked these it will come with a relay harness to protect ur wires from melting. Comes with all HI/LO kits from this company... You can just leave the HID harness and code eliminator options blank. If u need anymore help just let me know.
Click to expand...

So you are saying:
1. Do the 35w
2. There are 2 options...Should I do the "H4" or "H4 Hi/Lo (+$20)"
3. 6000k

Also, do I need to order Quantity 1 or Quantity 2? I wasn't sure if it was a set of 2 in the order or only singles.

Thanks!
 
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