How to HID

[JKloppe]

I wanted the best lighting available for my truck. So I did research to find out what the very best projector was. I then learned that there are two types of projectors. The two types are single xenon and bi-xenon. Bi-xenon has a solenoid that is energized when the high beam is turned on to pull a shield down to expose more light. Single xenon is low beam only. Hid projectors are rated in three categories; width, intensity, and cutoff. Width and intensity are self explanatory the cutoff rating is based on how sharp the light cutoff is. This is a personal preference, I think the sharper the cutoff the harder it is on your eyes. The projector with the best width and intensity is the Lexus LS430. It has the best width because beneath the projector lens it has a reflector to direct light to the extreme sides. The downfall to the ls430 is it’s a single xenon. The only other projector that I know of that uses this technology is the ls460 which has got bad reviews.



On with the project.



I could not source ls430 locally so to ebay I went, and waited and waited for two months. I got them and the project started.



I pulled my lights out and stuck them in the oven at 250 for 6 minutes. I did this so i could pull the clear lens away from the housing. Then it’s just a game of mounting them in the reflector housing. Mounting is difficult because rational adjustment is mandatory. I used hella gen three ballasts that were for an Audi. I used them because they have a bracket on them that makes it easy to seal to the housing.

The FCM was not that hard to beat. I used one 4. 7 ohm 75 watt resistor for low and high beam circuits. This will be 30 watts load with engine off and 40 running. You will need to mount on aluminum plate for heat sink. depending if you use bi-xenon or not, a diode will keep lights on for high and low beam. Mouser Electronics - Electronic Component Distributor has the aluminum encased resistors, I used Alcon brand. I would also recommend a heat transfer compound for the resistors. 30w is minimum to keep "light out" off.

Susquehanna Motorsports Home Page has some awesome weather proof relays and pigtails, the come wired with 12awg. The weather proof only come in SPDT but you can just cut 87a off.



I pulled fenders off and mounted of the outside of the square tube. The square tube will also draw heat away from the resistors. I put one relay on each side because it is a short run to the batt. If you use gen 3 ballast they fit behind the headlight on the bottom of the square tube. I used 1. 5" strap bent as a bracket





Feel free to ask questions



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[JKloppe]

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[JKloppe]

future pics go here

 

[Matt400]

That is some impressive low beam light. Have you had much resistance to on coming traffic?



Thanks for sharing your work!

 

[JKloppe]

The reason projectors have a cutoff is to keep light out of oncoming traffics eyes. The hard part is when you have 3” Lorenz springs and 35 inch tires. I have mine aimed with a 5” drop at 25 feet. The correct DOT aiming is 2. 1 to 2. 5 inch drop at 25ft, but because my headlights are at 42" above ground they have to be aimed way down. I will get some good cutoff pics so you can see how more light is blocked on the driver side than the passenger side. I have not been flashed by oncoming traffic once.

 

[DCreed]

see if you can get a side by side of a stock trucks lights too! nice job!

 

[2Rowdy]

:--) I wouldn't not even dream of attempting that. looks great.

 

[bighammer]

:--) I wouldn't not even dream of attempting that. looks great.

I dunno, I think his writeup almost makes it look easy. Way to go. Nice work.

 

[p-Bar]

Nice job Kloppe, alot more professional looking than mine.

 

[Lorenz]

If I sent you my 03 head lights could you do this mod to them?



Email me as to what you would charge all said and done. You have my intrest. I have a good lead on the HID bulbs and ballasts but haven't looked int what it would take to make it all work. Your install looks very clean.

 

[p-Bar]

If I sent you my 03 head lights could you do this mod to them?



Email me as to what you would charge all said and done. You have my intrest. I have a good lead on the HID bulbs and ballasts but haven't looked int what it would take to make it all work. Your install looks very clean.

Lorenz I tried to send you a PM on another matter , can you make some room?

 

[ccie]

Thats awesome. Are you going to build some kits to sell?

 

[Lorenz]

Try my email at

-- email address removed --
or call 619. 300. 3351

 

[JKloppe]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the comments.



Sean- I will call you tomorrow



Ccie- I have about 100hrs in this project, I could do it faster now that I have done it but not much faster. Just parts for my project cost an honest $900, so I don't think many people would be interested. I would also be worried about liability because this is not legal and I could not warranty them if something was to ever go wrong.

 

[JBee]

I've found the easiest and best compromise is to install a set of 9006 HID's in the fog lamps which work very well and produce a lower level of bright illumination to the point you could drive with just them on.

 

[Matt400]

Or if you are just looking to turn your oem fogs into a super flood you could install these bulbs:

HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs

 

[ccie]

I've found the easiest and best compromise is to install a set of 9006 HID's in the fog lamps which work very well and produce a lower level of bright illumination to the point you could drive with just them on.

I googled “9006 HID” and turned up kits with transforms in the $500 range, and simple replacement bulbs in the $25 dollar range. Are you referring to the simple bulb replacement? When you say “low level light” are you referring to the location of the fog lights being close to the ground? Thanks

 

[JKloppe]

matt- thanks for the link, great info. I orderd a set for the girlfriend. Do you have these bulbs, what do you think?



ccie- pnp hid kit should only be used for high beam, they will glare no matter what. not for city driving!



If you want hid in you fogs for high beam only what I would do is mount oem d2s bulbs in them and use oem ballast. I will pull my oem fog lights off the shelf and figure out a way to mount d2s bulbs in them. Gen 3 ballast use 9006 plug for power so you would not have to rewire. For $300 you can buy hella gen 3 ballst and bulbs, these will outlast any pnp kit or HIR bulb.

 

[Matt400]

matt- thanks for the link, great info. I orderd a set for the girlfriend. Do you have these bulbs, what do you think?

I don't have that bulb but want to get some for my wife's PT Cruiser.

Everything I have read says they are a good bulb upgrade.

The Cruiser takes a straight base plug and these being 90 degree base, may not fit down into the socket.



There is some more info on retro fitting them from a 9005 / 9006 application here: HIR 9011 and 9012 bulbs

What does your GF drive?

 

[Matt400]

update:



I did get the 9011's mounted in my wifes PT and wow, almost too bright if that is possible. Road illumination is much improved however the DOT/OEM reflector scatters high beam light enough that reflective road signs are borderline "too bright"



For our Dodge trucks the 9012 at 1875 lumens would be an interesting mod vs the 9005 at 1700 lumens many have done in the fog location on the Rams.

Probably a bad idea since so many run with there fogs on in traffic, can't imagine how a 9011 in the fog would do, maybe good for just slow going off road.