New HIDs

[LilCop2002]

I know that many of you MM.net guys and gals do not like the aftermarket HID conversion kits for one reason or another. I have seen many shoddy kits out there as well as shoddy installs and I was hesitant to do mine.

I ordered my 6000K Bixenon kit from http://xenonvisions.com/ on Wednesday and they arrived in my mailbox today. That's pretty damn good for a week with a holiday in it. Kudo number one.

Once I opened the box, the package was a very well thought out and executed setup that had two 6000K hi/low bulbs, slim ballasts, very clean wire bundles, and nice connectors. Kudo number two.

After getting everything mocked up, I realized that I did not have enough double sided tape so I ran to get lunch and tape.

I spent about 20 minutes getting all of my different little odds and ends taped up and zip tied out of the way before putting the bulbs in the housings and connecting everything. Total time for complete disassembly, mock up, prep, and install was about 1.5 hours. Could have been way less time, but I decided to make everything as neat, clean, and pretty as possible even though noone will ever see it. Kudo number three.

When I took the car out this evening, I was VERY impressed by the change of the look of the car as well as my improvement of lighting over my Silverstar Ultras/SUVlights.com harness. My mechanic and friend of 12+ years loved the kit and is going to purchase a kit for his '01 Mustang GT.


Overall, Rubin, the owner, that I have been talking to with http://xenonvisions.com/ has been absolutely great from answering all of my questions to cutting a deal to great shipping. I couldn't ask for better!

I did not get step by step pictures, but I will get the after pics as soon as I get back from my night time drive.

[ctrlraven]

Did your kit have a fused power & ground wire connection or is it being powered from the factory harness?

[LilCop2002]

It had fused connections and only uses the factory harness for the on/off command.


I went out for a drive and they're great. However, I left the camera sitting in the garage. Will try again soon. Sorry.

[Vortech347]

Are the bi-xenon's worth it over the singles?

[fastblackmerc]

Are the bi-xenon's worth it over the singles?

IMHO... yes they are.

[LilCop2002]

Are the bi-xenon's worth it over the singles?


I have never dealt with the xenon lights so I could not tell you if the bi xenon are worth it or not.

HOWEVER, the ability to go to high beams last night was very useful. I live off of a long, hilly, and DARK highway with a 55MPH limit where 70+MPH is the norm. The lights were great in low, but on high, I felt very confident in the ability to see signs, objects, animals, people, etc in the road.

[TiTo35]

Pics? :hmmm:

[LilCop2002]

I'm working on it. I was going to rotate the tires and change the oil, but I'll see if I can get some pics.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I feel like getting the 8000k kit. Seems like a real good price, and sounds relatively simple to set up.

[LilCop2002]

Pics now uploaded. (http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/)
(http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/)

[LilCop2002]

I feel like getting the 8000k kit. Seems like a real good price, and sounds relatively simple to set up.


It is a very simple Plug n Play kit. As I stated, the only thing time consuming for me was getting all my wires run and tied up for the aesthetics.


If I get enough interest, Rubin may be able to do something on prices. Is that against forum rules? Who do I ask about a groupbuy?


Anyone know the question to the above?

[LilCop2002]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01850.jpg
Beginning with my Silverstar Ultras with the SUVlights.com harness.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01859.jpg
After with the HIDs installed. (forgive the height difference as she is on jackstands.)

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01853.jpg
Fused connections to new harness.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01854.jpg
Slim ballasts with my Driver License shown for size comparison.

[LilCop2002]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01855.jpg
Lights on.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01856.jpg
Closeup of beat to hell headlamp.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01858.jpg
Both lights on. (6000K bulbs)

[LilCop2002]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01861.jpg
High beams on.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/lilcop2002/HID/DSC01862.jpg
Driver's view.


She will be on stands for at least another day, but I will get some outdoor shots as soon as I get the work on my brakes and oil change done.

If you need any other pics needed? Let me know and I will get them.

[Black_Noise]

just my opinion, but if you had the time and supplies, it might look better if your wires for the HID kit came up from the back instead of crossing the top of the battery.

[LilCop2002]

just my opinion, but if you had the time and supplies, it might look better if your wires for the HID kit came up from the back instead of crossing the top of the battery.


Absolutely! I can't remember what was behind the battery at the time of install, but there was something preventing the rear install.

[Glenn]

Is this the specific kit that you ordered?

BI-XENON KIT WITH SLIM BALLASTS (both low and high beam are in HID):

Glenn :burnout:

[LilCop2002]

Is this the specific kit that you ordered?

BI-XENON KIT WITH SLIM BALLASTS (both low and high beam are in HID):

Glenn :burnout:


Glenn,

I am not sure if that was a link or not, but that does look like the one I ordered. Edited to add: After adding one to my cart, that is the same price as my kit.

Julian

[blue_S_10]

Not saying anything bad about HIDs I love them but before you order a set make sure you know the difference in ratings a 4300 or 5000 will look white, 6000 will have more blue the higher you go the more drastic the color change up to including green and purple. Ive been running HIDs on my sonoma for 2 years now and love them.

[2,4shofast]

Looks like a nice kit...thanks for the pictures I have been thinking about doing a simular kit in the future

[ctrlraven]

Just a word of advice if you have never aimed your lights before re-aim your lights with HID down below factory spec, otherwise it's going to blind other people since the light projectors differently compared to a halogen beam.

[blue_S_10]

Another good comment about HIDs. Unless the lens was made for HID lights you will get a higher glare and blind people. And risk a ticket.

[ctrlraven]

You'd have to find a hard pressed johnny law type of cop to give you a ticket for it if they are aimed down. The moment you blind them they will be all over you. I had mine in 1.5yrs with no problem except blinding people at first then I aimed them down. Several cops asked me about them of course I asked them "if their not stock do you plan on giving me a ticket?" lol. I was honest, told them I had aimed them down and really needed them to see on the long dark roads I travel which they knew the roads I was talking about. A few of them did say to hurry up and get the fogs done so it matches.

I just recently removed my kit cause one of the bulbs was going up and I'd rather not have one going strong then get pulled over for a repair order. Went to auto parts store to get some Silverstars....all sold out and all they had was the Silverstar Ultras....junk. I wanted nice clean blueish light these Ultras are like bright oem color. Can't wait to order another set of bulbs here soon.

Either way, you put them in and yes stand the chance of getting a ticket. I would check with your local laws and see if it would just warrant a repair order and not an actual fine cause if it's just a RO, remove the kit, put the halogens back and get the RO signed off and then put the HIDs back in. That's what I would of done since it's pretty simple to go back to stock.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

How easily is it to go back to the stock lamps and connectors after the HID conversion is done? Just in case like ctrlraven when he needed to get some silverstars for the meantime?

[Peace2Peep]

IO hear a lot about tickets, but if you do 6000K and no higher...I SERIOUSLY doubt any police will notice they arent a stock part. Of course there are some cops that are bored, but c'mon really?

[Vortech347]

Technicly, if they arn't factory they're illegal (at least in my state) you'll be fine though, you see these cars and notice they DON'T have HID's and think something is wrong...

[fastblackmerc]

I've had my HIDs in for a few months, didn't change the factory aiming and have had no problems with anyone flashing me. I'd like to remove the defuser inside the lens to get more light......

Once you go HIDs you'll never go back!

[ctrlraven]

How easily is it to go back to the stock lamps and connectors after the HID conversion is done? Just in case like ctrlraven when he needed to get some silverstars for the meantime?
If you put the system in yourself it is easier to remove it.


Once you go HIDs you'll never go back!
That is the truth!

[DOOM]

Still on the fence about doing these.

[ctrlraven]

Do them DOOM! I can install them for you. I haven't done the fogs yet but there is a write up on here for what to do.

They make a world of difference when seeing while driving and also give the car a nice look with them on.

[blue_S_10]

I would recommend doing this to anyone. The difffernce is great. All I was saying about the cops messing with you is because HID have special lenses to reflect the light then normal ones. If you aim then down a little I would say that works

[sanco]

the lights look great but i am VERY optimistic on the cheap brands (from personal experiance). i myself have a McCulloch 6000k HID conversion which uses Phillips HID bulbs and i can tell you right now that there is a day and night diferance between these and $100 kits.

few tips for owning HID kits that will ensure that you have them last you for a long time to come:
1. dont start your car with the lights on, this can severelly damage your ballast
2. never turn your lights on and off repeatedly, this can also damage the ballast, its recomended that you wait several minutes between turning on and off
3. when installing it is VERY important that you do not touch the bulb, the oil from your fingers can damage the bulb

i have had my kit for over a year now and i love it, so if you guys want better quality kits i would recomend McCulloch, Philips, or Hella. also here are some pics of a 6000k conversion

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u232/sanco2k05/100_1098.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u232/sanco2k05/100_1102.jpg

here is a night shot, thats a regular low beam output, i only have low beams on my kit since i live in the city

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u232/sanco2k05/DSCN2709.jpg

[stryker]

:mad: Silvania silverstars are a crap,garbage that HID bulbs are the best I will make a budget to buy a set of these to blind and impresss anyone in the road, !!He he he he he he heeee!!


STRYKER.:burnout:

[LSp8]

I love the look of HID kits on just about any car but when I install mine I want to replace the fogs so they match, if I go 7-8000k on the top, what would you recommend for the fogs so I don't over-do it?

[sanco]

ive seen matching 8000 and 8000 for main and fog lights and it looks cool but it is too much blue in my oppinion. honestly my buddy had a 8000k main headlight and 3000k (super yellow) fog light and it absolutelly looked badass!!!

[Master]

Sounds like the HIDs wouldn't work either in Canada or on units with auto headlamps. We run daytime running lights - that's high beams at half voltage. And, with autolamps, you can not control how often they come on and off.
As for Silverstars, I put a set in the low beam of my mother's MAtrix and it was a major improvement. Those cars have some of the worst designed low beams I've ever seen a factory produce. Look like what you'd see on some old car from the 70's.

[sanco]

o yea thats another thing that i forgot to mention, do not use HIDs with daytime running lights, the voltage will fwuk the ballasts up. you would have to dissable DRLs in order to use the HIDs. i had to do that on my old car so they would function properly.

[Master]

At which point it won't pass inspection. I guess you could make the driving lights your DRLs, but there would be nohalf-voltage option if you went HID on them. This could work, though, eh?

[fastblackmerc]

I love the look of HID kits on just about any car but when I install mine I want to replace the fogs so they match, if I go 7-8000k on the top, what would you recommend for the fogs so I don't over-do it?

I installed 3W LEDs in my foglights.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Fog%20Lights/DSCN0019.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Fog%20Lights/DSCN0023.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Fog%20Lights/DSCN0021.jpg

They match my 6k HIDs.

[Loco1234]

My marauder has the DRL option & all you have to do is buy the dual bulb- single ballast HID kit. Mine is a 6000K kit that I have two bulbs inside the bulb. One is HID bulb & the other is the Halogen bulb. So I wired the ballast & the HID to the low beams & I wired the Halogen & the high beams w/o a ballast an they work fine with DRl. & when I turn on my low beams the HID's are much brighter than my high beams anyway so I just drive w/ those...

both bulbs can be used for flash 2 pass etc...

do you have a link for the LED fog lightr kit. Thats what I planned to add to mine this spring... Its far 2 cold out now...

[fastblackmerc]

My marauder has the DRL option & all you have to do is buy the dual bulb- single ballast HID kit. Mine is a 6000K kit that I have two bulbs inside the bulb. One is HID bulb & the other is the Halogen bulb. So I wired the ballast & the HID to the low beams & I wired the Halogen & the high beams w/o a ballast an they work fine with DRl. & when I turn on my low beams the HID's are much brighter than my high beams anyway so I just drive w/ those...

both bulbs can be used for flash 2 pass etc...

do you have a link for the LED fog lightr kit. Thats what I planned to add to mine this spring... Its far 2 cold out now...

Got them on eBay. I'll see if I can find the sellers info.


Found it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-HIGH-Power-LED-Aluminum-Pod-Module-3-Watt-light_W0QQitemZ350067008273QQc mdZViewItemQQptZCar_Electronic s_Parts_Accessories?_trksid=p3 286.m20.l1116

[Master]

Neat. But he keeps saying "Uses 1 Watt", but calls it a 3 watt LED. So, is it drawing 0.08A or is it drawing 0.25A ? He tells us the output in lumens, so obviously he isn't confusing watts (power) with lumens (output). Any thoughts?

[Joe Walsh]

I've always had great performance from my PIAA lights/fogs.
I thought that HIDs were a lot of trouble for the money.

NOT ANYMORE!

My stepson recently bought a XenonVisions #9006 -> HID conversion kit (6000K) for his car and Monday night he showed me how they looked.

WOW!!!

Brilliant white light with just the low beams!

(Although, as noted in prior posts, the light pattern is now too high.)

Easy, clean install too!

Now I've got ANOTHER mod that I can't afford right now....:(

[fastblackmerc]

Neat. But he keeps saying "Uses 1 Watt", but calls it a 3 watt LED. So, is it drawing 0.08A or is it drawing 0.25A ? He tells us the output in lumens, so obviously he isn't confusing watts (power) with lumens (output). Any thoughts?

No idea. Just know they look good on my MM!

[Master]

Thought regarding changing to HIDs and the legality. If making any changes to the design was strictly illegal, then does that mean we can't put halogen sealed beams in any of our old cars that came with the standard headlights? Does it mean it is illegal to convert an old volkswagon from 6VDC to 12VDC? I would think that common sense would prevail in court if a cop was foolish enough to waste time issuing a ticket for something like this. Upgrading to the current technology in the name of safety should hardly be illegal. Then again, our legal system does seem to be pretty messed up.

[fastblackmerc]

Thought regarding changing to HIDs and the legality. If making any changes to the design was strictly illegal, then does that mean we can't put halogen sealed beams in any of our old cars that came with the standard headlights? Does it mean it is illegal to convert an old volkswagon from 6VDC to 12VDC? I would think that common sense would prevail in court if a cop was foolish enough to waste time issuing a ticket for something like this. Upgrading to the current technology in the name of safety should hardly be illegal. Then again, our legal system does seem to be pretty messed up.

Remember "It's only illegal if you get caught".

[burt ragio]

Has anyone done a headlight relay conversion in addition to the HID conversion ?

[Master]

Would it be necessary? The HIDs use less power and I would think that once the arc is established, the lower voltage problem that the relay conversion fixes wouldn't be much of an issue. Thoughts?

[burt ragio]

My thought is more amps 14.2 what ever we get off the altenator results in more output for better results reguardless of less required draw from HIDs or am I wrong ?

[burt ragio]

I recently purchased these HIDs I have not installed them I'am waiting for a warmer day.http://www.alpha-bid.com/media/Shared-Pics/XenonShared/HIDInstallationManual.pdf

[sanco]

i would not mess with anything that gives the ballast it's power supply. the whole thing with the HID kits is that they use LESS power than your conventional lights. the ballast is there actually to regulate and give the power needed to the bulbs. if there is a variance in the power going to the balast from the harness it can damage the ballast.

as for the legality. its kinda a gray area on that in the terms that you are saying. the factory HIDs are designed to specs such that the light output itself doesn't blind anyone. our housings are not designed for HID bulbs thus they tend to scatter the light (even when aimed) and can blind the oncoming traffic or the traffic in front of you. doing a projector retrofit would take care of this problem since it would give you a very defined beam with a crisp cutoff however that would mean modifying an existing housing which in return is illegal to do since it is not DOT approved and the modification did not pass testing necessary (so yea illegal).

do cops give you crap? in my case no, and neither did they give crap to anyone of my friends. only time they would is if you are a jackass and aim them too high.

[Speed]

There are alot of pros and cons with this, still hesitant on the purchase button. I guess I need to see one with a complete set up to include fog lights. I can't see just doing my headlights.

[Motorhead350]

Maybe I missed the memo, but what did these cost by the time shipping is done and all that fun stuff? :confused:

[fastblackmerc]

There are alot of pros and cons with this, still hesitant on the purchase button. I guess I need to see one with a complete set up to include fog lights. I can't see just doing my headlights.
Picture of mine with Bi-Xenon HIDs (hi & low beam) and 3watt LEDs in the foglights. Also LEDs in the turn signals.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0037.jpg

[Motorhead350]

I might have to jump on this.

[Marauderman]

Picture of mine with Bi-Xenon HIDs (hi & low beam) and 3watt LEDs in the foglights. Also LEDs in the turn signals.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0037.jpg

Hello fastblackmerc.........Hey fast, show'm pic comparison between yours and
the Silverstars next to yours----------so far there has not been a pic showing
this in this thread...........

[fastblackmerc]

Here it is. HIDs on the left Silverstars on the right.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0272.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0273.jpg

[Marauderman]

Very Well done my friend--Guess my Mod list continues to grow--and my page 2 is full already---just keep the list growing ...good work my friend.....cause you might know my best friend .........he can do all of this stuff...:lol:

[Vortech347]

I sent him a PM last week when I was intrested in a kit. I had no response. I bought some off ebay instead for 1/2 as much. bi-xenon with a slim ballast too.

[Got Diesel?]

I sent him a PM last week when I was intrested in a kit. I had no response. I bought some off ebay instead for 1/2 as much. bi-xenon with a slim ballast too.

How do you like them so far?

Link (if you still have it)

[xenonvisions]

All pms responded

[stryker]

:confused: Sorry Marauderers but I'm a little bit confuse and I have plans to convert to OEM to HID's/Xenon lights. ¿What means for "Bi-Xenon" ?

[xenonvisions]

:confused: Sorry Marauderers but I'm a little bit confuse and I have plans to convert to OEM to HID's/Xenon lights. ¿What means for "Bi-Xenon" ?


imorb1994 is completely right. Bixenon is where your low and high beam will have HID. You can either just get a single beam (HID just for your low beam) or you can get bixenon (HID for both)

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[xenonvisions]

ALL Pms responded!

[stryker]

imorb1994 is completely right. Bixenon is where your low and high beam will have HID. You can either just get a single beam (HID just for your low beam) or you can get bixenon (HID for both)

Let me know if you have any more questions.:confused: are you seller of this Bi-Xenon lights kits ? How much $$$ it cost with shipping I tell you I live in Puerto Rico. if you want send me a PM with all info I have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis but I will get the Marauder headlights and Side Markers.

[stryker]

:confused: are you seller of this Bi-Xenon lights kits ? How much $$$ it cost with shipping I tell you I live in Puerto Rico. if you want send me a PM with all info I have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis but I will get the Marauder headlights and Side Markers.Same as above

[fastblackmerc]

:confused: are you seller of this Bi-Xenon lights kits ? How much $$$ it cost with shipping I tell you I live in Puerto Rico. if you want send me a PM with all info I have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis but I will get the Marauder headlights and Side Markers.

You do know that the headlights and side marker/turn signal lamp assemblies will not fit correctly...... don't you?????

[stryker]

You do know that the headlights and side marker/turn signal lamp assemblies will not fit correctly...... don't you?????:eek: What ? why ? I hear that they fit because the front are the same ?

[Siege]

:eek: What ? why ? I hear that they fit because the front are the same ?
The Marauder parts will fit just fine on your 2003 Grand Marquis.

They're the same parts only blacked out.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9404/24712958.jpg

[imorb1994]

Has anyone done a headlight relay conversion in addition to the HID conversion ?
I was wondering what are the advantages of this are^^^^?

let me know if you have any questions
TTT

[fastblackmerc]

I was wondering what are the advantages of this are^^^^?

TTT

More voltage to the bulbs.

[DJCV]

I was wondering what are the advantages of this are^^^^?

I'm wondering, too, as I have the SUVLights relays and wonder if I should keep them (if they are actually useful with HIDs) or if I should sell them to recoup some of my HID-purchase expense.

Do HID assemblies derive benefit from relays, or is it redundant or ineffective?

What's the final word on this?

[xenonvisions]

I'm wondering, too, as I have the SUVLights relays and wonder if I should keep them (if they are actually useful with HIDs) or if I should sell them to recoup some of my HID-purchase expense.

Do HID assemblies derive benefit from relays, or is it redundant or ineffective?

What's the final word on this?

Relay conversions are usually done by those who have the high-end halogen lights. I've had customers who purchase these high-end halogens and then go do a relay conversion and they certainly do notice a difference in terms of brightness, then they come and get a HID kit and it's much brighter than anything they had before. Case in point, you don't need a relay conversion for the HID kit - it is redundant and with just HID's alone you will notice an outstanding difference.

I hope I explained it well, let me know if you have questions.

[DJCV]

Thanks for the response.

I think my question was not clear. I know I will see more light from HIDs than I currently do with halogens & relays. What I want to know is whether the relays are a functional benefit with HIDs-----that is, do they protect the LCM and/or minimize voltage drop-off.

Again, I am sure I will see greater distances with the HIDs. But, presuming I install the HIDs, would you recommend I KEEP and reuse the relays I currently have or will the system function just as safely without them?

Thanks again.

[xenonvisions]

Thanks for the response.

I think my question was not clear. I know I will see more light from HIDs than I currently do with halogens & relays. What I want to know is whether the relays are a functional benefit with HIDs-----that is, do they protect the LCM and/or minimize voltage drop-off.

Again, I am sure I will see greater distances with the HIDs. But, presuming I install the HIDs, would you recommend I KEEP and reuse the relays I currently have or will the system function just as safely without them?

Thanks again.

PM responded.

Yes, according to one of my installers he has stated a slight difference with HID + relay. Now this can be attributed to many other variables but it is something he stated, I cannot personally vouch for it but if you have relays then install it and see how it looks and if its not a difference then you can sell and recoup the money.

let us know too!

[NATEHAWK]

I wish someone will make a plug and play kit for our fog lights which are H1's, so we don't have to hack up our bulb housing and then have to use silicone to glue them in.

[FrankJAG]

There is another thread about DDR HIDs.
What is the difference between yours (other than double the price) and the DDR HIDs?