Upgrade to HID?
10-24-2010, 07:35 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Upgrade to HID?
Well we have gotten to the point where my headlight can get no brighter. I'm currently running and have been for about 3 years the IPF X4 Fatboy super low beam bulbs. They are nice and bright nut leave something to be desired. I don't run with my hi beams much as I use the Lightforce 240's for those duties. I was looking here and there and I know the quality difference btwn cheap and good quality HID systems (you get what you pay for). I'm not particularly interested in switching to a projector setup so lets end that there. I am interested in around a 4300k color and might be swayed toward 5000k but will need to match them up to the Light Forces when they eventually get swapped over.
Anyhow I'm looking for input on people running HID's and no projectors. Quality systems are preferred but lets see what I get. I have an 02 4Runner and the light now are brighter with less glare than that of the Sylvania's which is what makes them so "bright".
A
Anyhow I'm looking for input on people running HID's and no projectors. Quality systems are preferred but lets see what I get. I have an 02 4Runner and the light now are brighter with less glare than that of the Sylvania's which is what makes them so "bright".
A
10-24-2010, 07:53 AM
#2
this is from my build thread, I did it last spring and to be honest since my truck has been sitting since may or june I don't remember but I am pretty sure they are 5000K,
I would like to swap housing, I get a little bit of glare, but no one flashing me or anything...
I think in a real headlight housing like in your 4Runner the beam pattern would be more refined than the H4 conversion housing i am using..
I would like to swap housing, I get a little bit of glare, but no one flashing me or anything...
Picked up an HID kit from Tofer and Yotaworks.
only took a few days to get
, just did not have time until today to do the install
how it arrived:
HID replacing the H4's:
I knew I would be running into some clearance issues, HID bulb assembly needs a bit more room than the stand H4:
I had to move the battery over a little bit for bulb clearance:
to solve that I dug through my secret stash and found a battery mount I bought a couple of years ago
to solve clearance issues with the coolant overflow/washer reservoir I used 1/2" spacer made of CPVC and some junkyard screws :
here are some comparisons--
H4 Low beams:
H4 High beams:
HID's
low beams
High beams:
overall install time was not too bad, maybe two hours. I am really happy with the outcome.
Just need to align them
If you are considering an HID upgrade, give Tofer a shout...good deal & complete kit. I opened the module and found it to be great quality--I know, I used to build brake control modules at the Motorola Automotive & industrial electronics group
only took a few days to get
, just did not have time until today to do the installhow it arrived:
HID replacing the H4's:
I knew I would be running into some clearance issues, HID bulb assembly needs a bit more room than the stand H4:
I had to move the battery over a little bit for bulb clearance:
to solve that I dug through my secret stash and found a battery mount I bought a couple of years ago
to solve clearance issues with the coolant overflow/washer reservoir I used 1/2" spacer made of CPVC and some junkyard screws :
here are some comparisons--
H4 Low beams:
H4 High beams:
HID's
low beams
High beams:
overall install time was not too bad, maybe two hours. I am really happy with the outcome.
Just need to align them
If you are considering an HID upgrade, give Tofer a shout...good deal & complete kit. I opened the module and found it to be great quality--I know, I used to build brake control modules at the Motorola Automotive & industrial electronics group
Last edited by rworegon; 08-19-2014 at 04:07 PM.
10-24-2010, 10:40 AM
#3
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went with Retro Solutions but they are a bit pricey for bi-xenon. I think they went a little down in price after I bought them (go figure). They offer some sweet fully digital HID's but you pay for them. I went with an 8k 55w bi-xenon and love them. Here's some older pics
As far as cheaper, DDM duning is the place to go. A lot of people are happy with there products, and simply for the fact they offer a full warranty on them. If you didn't wanna spend a fortune (like I did) then I'd go with then. The 99-02 housings really make a big difference I think and reduce glare a lot better than the older housings.
A big speculation is the 35w and 55w kits. 55w kits will produce more glare but are pretty dang bright. The 35s will have less glare but output of light will not be the same. Still, it will be greatly increased from that of halogen beams regardless of which wattage you get. DDM claims that if you get a 8k 55w kit it will be like getting 6K color. This meaning, the lower wattage puts out more precise light while the higher wattage washes out the light more. I don't think it's as bad as they make it but I do understand where they are coming from. I personally like the look of the 35w 6k kits. They are very white, and look good. I bought that kit for my previous gf for her mustang gt and they looked awesome. To each his own really. Good luck with your decision.
ps.. stay away from ebay HID kits
As far as cheaper, DDM duning is the place to go. A lot of people are happy with there products, and simply for the fact they offer a full warranty on them. If you didn't wanna spend a fortune (like I did
) then I'd go with then. The 99-02 housings really make a big difference I think and reduce glare a lot better than the older housings. A big speculation is the 35w and 55w kits. 55w kits will produce more glare but are pretty dang bright. The 35s will have less glare but output of light will not be the same. Still, it will be greatly increased from that of halogen beams regardless of which wattage you get. DDM claims that if you get a 8k 55w kit it will be like getting 6K color. This meaning, the lower wattage puts out more precise light while the higher wattage washes out the light more. I don't think it's as bad as they make it but I do understand where they are coming from. I personally like the look of the 35w 6k kits. They are very white, and look good. I bought that kit for my previous gf for her mustang gt and they looked awesome. To each his own really. Good luck with your decision.
ps.. stay away from ebay HID kits
10-24-2010, 11:09 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Fairbanks
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have hid headlights and 4 hid lightforce on my 04 Tacoma double cab. 2 striker 170s and 2 140s and I can't be more happy when I need it I have no problem seeing at night they light everything up
10-24-2010, 11:21 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A
10-24-2010, 11:25 AM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmm, well I'm trying to stay nearer to the 4300-5000k color just to keep it easy on the eyes. Long periods of night driving can have a high chance of fatigue if the eyes are subject to bright but not well lit roads.
A
A
Trending Topics
10-24-2010, 12:31 PM
#8
Registered User
tis true buddy.
a friend of mine just got a set of angel eyes for his '06 dodge 1/2 ton..35w 10,000K HID low beam, halogen high beam, and the low beams are BRIGHT, but not much useable light, and it doesn't spread out very much.
i'm trying to get him to grow a pair and retrofit a set of like FX projectors into his housings with some 55w 6000K bulbs but he won't do it...lol
hopefully i can have my HID kit sometime within the next few weeks....
a friend of mine just got a set of angel eyes for his '06 dodge 1/2 ton..35w 10,000K HID low beam, halogen high beam, and the low beams are BRIGHT, but not much useable light, and it doesn't spread out very much.
i'm trying to get him to grow a pair and retrofit a set of like FX projectors into his housings with some 55w 6000K bulbs but he won't do it...lol
hopefully i can have my HID kit sometime within the next few weeks....
10-24-2010, 07:34 PM
#9
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my buddy that's on here, 3.slow, has like a 2000 or 01 with the 5k 55w HID's from DDM tuning. I saw them today while hanging out and they looked great. I don't think you could go wrong with them if that's the look you're wanting.
10-24-2010, 10:15 PM
#10
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Little Rock, Ar
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I actually went with retro solutions as well. the 5k 55w is correct though. Love the set up
10-25-2010, 04:57 AM
#12
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it's not entirley waterproof. The connectors can get a little wet, not a big problem there. The ballast is the big part. So when they mention waterproof it usually means for that. I've seen HID bulbs get covered in mud and still work. My buddy has some on his 4wheeler. So usually half of the components are covered in mud or under water. He hasn't had any kinds of problems with them, they're from DDM too.
Last edited by JWaldz; 10-25-2010 at 05:01 AM.
10-25-2010, 10:31 AM
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A
10-27-2010, 05:23 AM
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm getting some fairly negative feedback from a few people with y setup and many w/o just being naysayers in regards to doing this w/o projectors, seeing as how I'm not particularly interested in wandering that far off the OE path (just yet Bill) I think I'll have to try this idea and see what I think of the light output. I still don't understand how the light source alters the beam patten to the extent that it goes beyond the cut off shield, but we will see. I know some have used spacers to get the bulb in an more appropriate position (none on a 4runner but found in searches). I went with a 45ook 35w from DDM tuning and will get a chance to night run them tomorrow night for about 3 hours.
A
A
Last edited by xcmountain80; 11-03-2010 at 01:14 PM.
11-04-2010, 09:46 AM
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have ebay HID's in my taco.. I got a set for my headlights, and i got two sets in my Hella 500's. They were cheap, but a huge improvement! Not even a comparrison to halogen. They are all 6k btw.
11-04-2010, 11:28 AM
#18
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The DDM tuning 35w 4500K HID cam via FedEx today and was installed within about an hour, still not certain of ballast, black ops box and wire routing so everything is tight but tucked away for permanent install after I determine whether this is a go go project or no no. I hooked it up turned them on and they look blue but we will see later when I get to really put them through their paces.
A
A
11-04-2010, 12:22 PM
#19
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HID upgrade
I did an upgrade to my 2002 runner I got the low beam only kit for $75. after researching online I decided to buy Onnex brand. I am very happy with the results (no glare). I believe I posted pics here but I can't find my post at this moment.
