H.I.D Xenon/Sport Headlight Conversion

[MA-1]

Here goes the second post. Finally a member. Much thanks to all for all the great info. I hope I can be a worthy contributor.

Ever since I drove a vehicle with H. I. D lights, I knew my next vehicle would have them (one way or another. ) About four months ago I found an outfit called Phoenix Micro-lite who had a 9004 conversion kit. "Ever done one on a 2001 Ram?" I asked. "Nope, but it should work out good. " Boy, did it! I will never be satisfied with a filament bulb again! (within reason) Pricey? You bet. But there really is no comparison between a Xenon gas discharge lamp and a Halogen lamp. If this post stirs up any interest, I will post links to PML and the Philips Lighting Forum, (once I figure out how), and maybe post some comparison pix between H. I. D and stock. I'd be happy to talk about the install if anyone has any questions. I'ts deer season now, and these things light up a buck cummin' out of the woods at a 1/4 mile. Unreal.

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2001 2500 Red QC LB 4x4 Auto, Every option except leather, Luverne stainless nerf bars, H. I. D
Xenon headlight conversion, 0880 K&N with tube sock, ring removed, Pratt & Whitney style turbo noise.

 

[StakeMan]

I would be interested. Do they have to do the work or is it a kit? If you could email me the price and any info on the company, that would be great.

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2001 Flame Red Sport, Auto, 4. 10, 4x4, LOADED!, DC Sport Brush Gaurd, DC Painted Running Boards, DC Splach Gaurds, Line-x over the rails

1998 Durango SLT+

2000 FL60, 16 ft. Flatbed, Cat Powered

 

[JR2]

By all means tell us more, give us the addresses, tell us how much it cost you. We would all like better headlights... .

 

[Sasquatch]

MA-1,

Do you feel like a hamburger in a tank of piranhas? #ad
#ad
#ad


Don't keep us in suspense!

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97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), "Twister Turbo," Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson "Classic" rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake, Optima, "Red-top" batteries. Northwest Custom mudflaps, front/rear, and stainless rocker panels.

 

[drawson]

I want to know more also!!!!!!!

 

[OO]

PML site http://www.galaxymall.com/auto/microlite/

philips car lighting forum http://www.lighting.philips.com/forum/forum_6/wwwforum.cgi

 

[MA-1]

I wish it wasn't so **** late...

Here are the url's to get you folks started. they won't be hyperlinked because I don't have time to read the tutorial. Sorry.

Phoenix Micro-Lite: www.galaxymall.com/auto/microlite

Philips Lighting automotive lighting forum: (Philips is the most widely used provider of the D2S and D2R gas discharge lamps and HV ballasts), there is a wealth of info in this forum: www.lighting.philips.com/forum/forum_6/wwwforum.cgi

Prices: If you don't have a Sport, you need to buy the headlight package. H. I. D is for lo beam only. Gas discharge bulbs like to be on and stay on. Re-striking the arc in a hot bulb shortens their lifespan (i. e. , flash to pass, your hi-beams are on, moron,etc. ) The Sport setup will cost you around $290. 00 trade price for the pair. Just use your buddies body shop, towing company, whatever. Don't ever pay list. The H. I. D kit for the 9004 style bulb ran me around $570. 00. The kit included 2 Philips D2S gas discharge lamps with adapters for the housings(these put the gas envelope in the same position as the 9004 filament) 2 ballasts and connectors to fit into your existing lamp harness.

I know it sounds like a lot of money for "just headlights", but its like driving in the daytime.

That'll give you somethin' to chew on for tonight. Rich

 

[Sasquatch]

Rich,

Sounds like you've got an awesome setup. I have two questions, however.

1) Are your lights street-legal, or are they "off-road" lamps, installed in driving lamp locations?

2) It looks like close to a $1,000 investment when all is said and done. (... most of us don't have "sports," I'm pretty sure... ) So, I'm wondering, why you didn't just decide to leave the factory headlamps alone, and simply install a pair of auxiliary, off-road lamps, for way less money??

The Xenon sounds exotic -- cutting edge, even -- but my Warns will "cook" a deer at a quarter mile (not just "light it up") and for a LOT less money.

What I'm waiting for is a unit that will just "plug into" the factory wiring harness replacing the stock lamps (like the "Bright Box") which is affordable (say, around a couple hundred bucks per side) that will be a big improvement on the factory lamps, but still street legal.

There is a service "hole" between my OEM lights (what the normal "high beams" can do) and what the Warns will do (off-road, interstate-sign-melting, over-kill... ). I'm intrigued by the notion of a set of better, brighter, all-around, everyday service lights -- both low and high beam.

I always used to laugh at guys who drove trucks that looked like "Christmas trees," with every light known to man strapped, welded, bolted and glued to their truck frames. After the last two years of making long, cross-country runs in deer/elk/moose country... Well, let's just say, I'm no longer laughing. I've become a "BELIEVER!" #ad
#ad


I also believe in the prudence of installing the heaviest front bumper/winch/cow-catcher your money can buy. These trucks DON'T stop fast!

Thanks for your good info. #ad

 

[azcummins]

I like to drive around with my lights on ALL the time so the rice burners here in PHX can see me blowing up there tailpipes...
If I bought the H. I. D. 's how long would the bulb last? $300 for headlights on a regular basis would be tough.

I agree on the H. I. D. If you have every been in a car that has them, they are simply wonderful. You can see SOOOO much more.

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Mark Callahan

1998. 5 3500 4x4 24V 5spd, Geno's Muffler Kit, Chrome exhaust, Western Hauler Headache Rack, Chrome Rocker Panels, A-Pillar Mounted Boost and Oil Temp Gauges, No Turbo Silencer Ring (Yeah Baby!)

 

[Sasquatch]

Amianthus,

I went to the site you linked, and I couldn't find a phone number anywhere to contact these folks. Neither the ordering link, nor the informational "movie" will run on my Mac...

Did you have better luck? Do you have a phone number for them?

Also, it was interesting to note that they state, in a very up-front way, that these lights are NOT STREET LEGAL, but are only recommended for "exhibition or offroad" use.

In Georgia law enforcement is VERY picky about aftermarket add-ons, and will pull you over to check your window tint if it's too dark, or stop you if you are running "clears" instead of the factory ("red") brake light lenses (for instance).

I wonder if people are being stopped for using these kits?

 

[MA-1]

Some answers...

Sasquatch-These light kits are installed in the stock location and are used as your service lo-beams. As far as being legal, they do not have D. O. T. approval for installation in a 2001 Ram, because they are not original equipment. Any bulb that is not original equipment/suitable sub, has no D. O. T approval. So, all the Super Whites, Super Blues, Ultra Whites, and the like, that have higher than stock current draw and subsequent higher wattage output are just as "illegal" as the H. I. D setup.

As far as the money thing and installing driving lights, well... Didn't you ever just have to have something? I had to have these lights. I wanted to see if I could make it work on my truck. As far as I know, no one has tried this before. I considered H. I. D. driving lights, but they were even more money. Check out PIAA's website. I think theirs are around $1200. 00 for the pair. Any halogen, I don't care how bright, will never have the color rendering of a Xenon. Halogens are yellow, Xenons are white. Period. You have to drive with them to fully appreciate their magic.

Yes, you can run a Brite Box legally, but does that really matter? Brighter lights are offensive to some people, legal or not. With my setup aimed correctly, I rarely get flashed. When I do, it's usually some Honda with Super-Pseudo-Blue-Xenon-Wannabees and a 7" exhaust tip flatulating down the highway.

azcummins- The advertised life expectancy of a D2S or D2R Gas Discharge bulb is 3000 hours, I think. You may never have to replace it.

A thing or two about H. I. D. kits: There are several out there. Philips bulbs with Philips ballasts seem to be the most popular. Sylvania/Osram also produces H. I. D. lamps. Some ballasts are made by other companies that may not have the quality control of the more reputable companies. Some kits have a standard D2S of D2R in their original base. These will not fit into a headlight housing designed for a 9004/9007 bulb without severe modification. The kit I purchased already had the bulbs adapted to a suitable lamp base. This is CRITICAL for proper beam pattern. There is nothing more annoying than the glare from these lights when improperly installed. Another thing, there is 23 THOUSAND volts running between the ballast and bulb at startup. The wire is thicker than a spark plug wire. (Remember those!) The kit I used has this critical connection already made for me. I'm a handy guy, but it looks tricky to me. Just be aware of what you are getting with the kit.

As far as the cost of the bulbs, they are around $130. 00 apiece, but that's without the correct adapter.

Hope this "sheds some light"

 

[Amianthus]

<font color=green>Here's another site that has a direct plug-in replacement kit for our 9004 light bulbs. Yes, they are HID too and they seem to be more resonable. Most of the cost is not in the bulbs, but the power supply. </font>
http://www.xenonshop.com/home.html

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1999 2500 ISB QC SLT (No Leather!), 4x4, 5sp, 4:10, 275inj. , PE, 4"exhaust, Pac-Brake, A-Pillar gauge pod w/boost and pyro, Line-X, V-1, lights, siren, lic. plt. frame that says "Diesel Fumes Make Me Horny!", and much more goofy stuff. (Too much to be listed. )

 

[Amianthus]

<font color=teal>Sasquatch,

All correspondance I've gotten from them has been through email. I haven't looked for a phone number. They have responded to my emails usually the same day. You might want to try that.
As far as the movie goes, it ran fine for me, but I don't use a Mac. Sorry. Email me if you have any other questions. </font>

[This message has been edited by Amianthus (edited 10-20-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by Amianthus (edited 10-20-2000). ]

 

[Ramrod]

Hey Rich. Are you still around?

Originally posted by MA-1:
Here goes the second post. Finally a member. Much thanks to all for all the great info. I hope I can be a worthy contributor.

Ever since I drove a vehicle with H. I. D lights, I knew my next vehicle would have them (one way or another. ) About four months ago I found an outfit called Phoenix Micro-lite who had a 9004 conversion kit. "Ever done one on a 2001 Ram?" I asked. "Nope, but it should work out good. " Boy, did it! I will never be satisfied with a filament bulb again! (within reason) Pricey? You bet. But there really is no comparison between a Xenon gas discharge lamp and a Halogen lamp. If this post stirs up any interest, I will post links to PML and the Philips Lighting Forum, (once I figure out how), and maybe post some comparison pix between H. I. D and stock. I'd be happy to talk about the install if anyone has any questions. I'ts deer season now, and these things light up a buck cummin' out of the woods at a 1/4 mile. Unreal.

------------------
RED 98 3500 12v 4x4 Quad Cab SLT Larimie, 4"BD exhaust and brake, triple mount AutoMeter Ultra Lights, govenor spring kit, delivery valves, 370 B injectors, 332-700 camplate, 16 cm2, new carter lift pump,Mag-Hytec diff,Horton Fan Clutch, NorthWest Fear This mudflaps,custom dynamic timed pump by AWD,Linex,Tonneau cover w/ bike rack over the bed,Billet grill and bumpers inserts, Eclipse w/center seat sub enclosure and remote alarm.

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Porsche Club Racing Trackcar, Totally Bombed
Cannondale Killer V 900 SL

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I talked to the owner at www.suvlights.com and he sells sirect plug in Xenon units for the Ram. You just remove the stock headlight bulbs and plug the new ballasts into the headlight sockets, then insert the HID bulbs into the stock headlight housings, its that simple. Absolutley no wires to cut. They are Bosch and Phillips components, same as BMW and Mercedes use. If i rember correctly, he quoted me a price of like $600 something for the complete kit. The guy knows EVERYTHING about lighting. We talked for like 45 minutes and he was talking about all these scientific formulas for lighting and what not, real impressive. You can use them on Sport or Regular Ram headlights, but, if you dont have the sport headlights you will lose your high beams. I have a set of PIAA fog lights so i never use my high beams anyhow. Also, the HID units are so bright, you really dont need aditional light. You can also wire the high beam switch to turn on a set of auxiliary fog or driving lights. Its alot cheaper then buying sport headlight housings. Go to there site, get the number and give them a call. They also sell all sorts of HID lights from Hella, PIAA and others.