ISO Headlight Advice

[Vostok]

I am in the market to purchase a DDM HID kit as they are only about $50 now for the 35w 9007 hi/low kit that many of you have. Personally I like the way 6000k looks (a slight blue).

I have a tint/film over my headlights (probably about 75% light transmission). The stock lighting has a difficult time passing through the tint. I have a hard time seeing the road in some circumstances.

I am looking to redo the tint on the lights and actually go even darker (somewhere in the 20% transmission range). I am trying to achieve an intense "blacked out" look.

Do you guys think it would be advisable to kick it up to 55w to compensate for the dark tint? I believe with the way the color chart works that I would also have to adjust to a different kelvin rating (8000k - 12000k) ?

Any insight and experience appreciated. Thanks. :beer:

[Marauder85]

I am in the market to purchase a DDM HID kit as they are only about $50 now for the 35w 9007 hi/low kit that many of you have. Personally I like the way 6000k looks (a slight blue).

I have a tint/film over my headlights (probably about 75% light transmission). The stock lighting has a difficult time passing through the tint. I have a hard time seeing the road in some circumstances.

I am looking to redo the tint on the lights and actually go even darker (somewhere in the 20% transmission range). I am trying to achieve an intense "blacked out" look.

Do you guys think it would be advisable to kick it up to 55w to compensate for the dark tint? I believe with the way the color chart works that I would also have to adjust to a different kelvin rating (8000k - 12000k) ?

Any insight and experience appreciated. Thanks. :beer:


I have ZEEZ Lighting works 10000K HID's for the headlights and fogs, I also have 20% gloss vinyl tint on my lights, corners, I don't need the fogs as much as I thought I would, HID lighting passes right threw the tint like it's not even there, with the fogs being HID as well turning them on just makes it even better, make sure if you install a HID kit for the headlights, fogs etc to do an adjustment, that way you wont blind people at night, especially law enforcement, I learned that the hard way lol, with ZEEZ their ballasts are weather proof, there's plenty of room for installation and it's very easy to install, basically securing the ballasts and plug everything in to the stock connectors, that's it, good luck with it! :beer:

[Marauder85]

Keep in mind that the higher the K (Kelvin color) the bluer and the darker the output of light, I've tried 4 different kits and with ZEEZ the 10000K In my opinion are the best, I can take a pic for you if you wanna see what a 03 Blk Rauder with 20% vinyl tint on the lights with ZEEZ 10000K HID headlights and fogs looks like It would be no problem, just let me know :beer:

[L.Mark]

Hmmm, sounds pretty good. I'd like to see what all that looks like please???

[Marauder85]

Gimme 5......Gotta move the wifes ride lol

[Vostok]

Keep in mind that the higher the K (Kelvin color) the bluer and the darker the output of light, I've tried 4 different kits and with ZEEZ the 10000K In my opinion are the best, I can take a pic for you if you wanna see what a 03 Blk Rauder with 20% vinyl tint on the lights with ZEEZ 10000K HID headlights and fogs looks like It would be no problem, just let me know :beer:

Yes, pictures during daylight (direct sunlight) and nighttime would be great. :D

[Marauder85]

These pics where just taken in my driveway at 130am, tomorrow Ill post day light pics :beer:

[Marauder85]

What?!?! I got the pics, took them at 130am for these guys, did everybody go to bed? lmao, I guess tomorrow is another day, night fellas :beer:

[ctrlraven]

I've had 6000k before and then switched to 5000k, it was a big difference and I could tell there was more light output since the 5000k put out more lumens. Anything over 6000k is a waste really and more for just a color show.

A 55watt kit is overkill in our housing and could lead to some light burn patterns on the reflector itself because the bulb get extremely hot. Go with a 35watt 4300/4500 or 5000k if you want max lighting output to get through your tint. The closer the color is to natural sunlight, the more you will see on the road.

I recommend 5000K to everyone, I've used DDM's 5000k kit on installs for DOOM, Mebot (two different cars) and Gmarsden9.

In your case because you want to go with darker tint it honestly doesn't matter the color but you want the most lumens/output you can get which would be 4300, next would be 5000k.

[Limited360]

I would look into a projector retrofit if your running tinted headlamps.

[CWright]

I've had 6000k before and then switched to 5000k, it was a big difference and I could tell there was more light output since the 5000k put out more lumens. Anything over 6000k is a waste really and more for just a color show.

A 55watt kit is overkill in our housing and could lead to some light burn patterns on the reflector itself because the bulb get extremely hot. Go with a 35watt 4300/4500 or 5000k if you want max lighting output to get through your tint. The closer the color is to natural sunlight, the more you will see on the road.

I recommend 5000K to everyone, I've used DDM's 5000k kit on installs for DOOM, Mebot (two different cars) and Gmarsden9.

In your case because you want to go with darker tint it honestly doesn't matter the color but you want the most lumens/output you can get which would be 4300, next would be 5000k.

+1^^^^^ I switched from 6K to 5K due to less blue and better lighting.

[Vostok]

What?!?! I got the pics, took them at 130am for these guys, did everybody go to bed? lmao, I guess tomorrow is another day, night fellas :beer:

Yep sorry bud I passed out. :P

Thank you for the pictures, looks good. :beer:

So the consensus is that 35w will still be plenty to pass through 20% tint. And in your case, even the more blue/higher kelvin (10000k) is still adequate, so realistically I can still pick whatever color I want.

Now for daytime pictures to see if 20% is dark enough for my liking. :)

[ctrlraven]

Yep sorry bud I passed out. :P

Thank you for the pictures, looks good. :beer:

So the consensus is that 35w will still be plenty to pass through 20% tint. And in your case, even the more blue/higher kelvin (10000k) is still adequate, so realistically I can still pick whatever color I want.

Now for daytime pictures to see if 20% is dark enough for my liking. :)
I can't promise the 35w would still be enough to pass through 20% tint, that is going to depend a lot on the kelvin color you pick as well.

Here is a great example of a 35 watt kit with two different color bulbs.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t249/crackerzot/IMG_08701.jpg

With the 20% tint I would recommend 4500k if you are going to use a ddmtuning kit. If you really want to do it all right, get a projector retro-fit done. Factory hid equipment will put out a lot more light than any aftermarket kit will.

[Limited360]

I can't promise the 35w would still be enough to pass through 20% tint, that is going to depend a lot on the kelvin color you pick as well.

Here is a great example of a 35 watt kit with two different color bulbs.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t249/crackerzot/IMG_08701.jpg

With the 20% tint I would recommend 4500k if you are going to use a ddmtuning kit. If you really want to do it all right, get a projector retro-fit done. Factory hid equipment will put out a lot more light than any aftermarket kit will.



Very good comparison. I always suggest the 4300k to people simply due to being the highest light out put with minimal yellow. Also it is the 'OEM' color so less likely to get bothered by police..


All that being said I stand behind a projector retrofit. I love mine! Bi-Xenon is extra nice on the back roads on the way home from woodward!

[Marauder85]

Yep sorry bud I passed out. :P

Thank you for the pictures, looks good. :beer:

So the consensus is that 35w will still be plenty to pass through 20% tint. And in your case, even the more blue/higher kelvin (10000k) is still adequate, so realistically I can still pick whatever color I want.

Now for daytime pictures to see if 20% is dark enough for my liking. :)

I have 20% on my car and obviously the posts from me I have 10000K, I went with ZEEZS because of the quality of their products, I've bought 3 different kits all at 10000K, one was so blue I used it for target practice, every manufacturer is different, if you look at the pictures I posted last night you'll see that my driveway wasn't blue, in my opinion what I went with I'm happy with, everybody is different, if you want to see how the tint looks in the sun look at my profile pic, if need be I'll take a close up for you, I agree the higher the Kelvin color the darker it will be, I went with ZEEZS and their 10000K is bright, even with the tint I hardly ever use the fogs, good luck! :beer:

[Marauder85]

http://www.xenonhidworlds.com

ZEEZS Lighting website, a lot of good info for people wanting to upgrade

[ctrlraven]

http://www.xenonhidworlds.com

ZEEZS Lighting website, a lot of good info for people wanting to upgrade
You do realize all aftermarket plug-n-play kits come from China and are all made exactly with the same stuff inside. Some may have different ballast casing but same guts. The only difference is if you want to pay an arm and a leg or not.

I can get a headlight hi/lo and foglight kit shipped for $100 from ddmtuning which comes with a lifetime warranty.

Not knocking where you get your stuff, that's your choice, just saying.

My first hid kit was a McCulloch kit which had a good rep but paid several hundred dollars for it, came with a 12 month warranty, it crapped out @ 13 months.

I've had a few issues with my DDM kits but since they are so cheap I ended up buying several kits at a time and just swap stuff out. I do run my lights all the time when I drive and my MM is a DD 70-80% of the time.

[Marauder85]

I give up, the kits from ZEEZS have a lifetime warranty and I've had 0 problems, I was just trying to help out a Rauder brother, obviously I don't know s*i*!

[ctrlraven]

I give up, the kits from ZEEZS have a lifetime warranty and I've had 0 problems, I was just trying to help out a Rauder brother, obviously I don't know s*i*!
No need to be like that. I wasn't knocking anything you said.

I looked on their website and it says they have a 12 month and 5 year warranty.



Manufacturers Warranty
All ZTEC HID products including replacement components (ballasts and bulbs) are covered by the manufacturer standard warranty for a period of twelve months from the purchase date. For customer purchases complete HID kit(s), manufacturer will extend the warranty for a period of five years to ensure customer have the top quality products. Customer required to register the warranty with manufacturer within seven days of delivery to get warranty extension coverage, no exclusions. All warranty claim require proof of sale and warranty card with a $20 money order made out to CASH. The money order is for testing process and return shipping of replacement. There is a 35% restocking fee for all non-defective products returned. This includes problems with: compatibility, driver/software conflicts, improper installation, etc. Please include a detailed note inside the return package. Check out the registration instruction and claim instruction.

The ONLY reason why I mentioned something is because I know it is all the same stuff and there is no reason to pay more when you don't have to because you can find the same equipment a lot cheaper elsewhere.

[crabby125]

why not do a projector upgrade instead of Plug n Plays? You could paint the projector shrouds and inner headlight housings all black and get a cool look without having to tint the headlights. You'll get a perfect beam pattern, and better lighting performance since you won't get that nasty glare and hot spots that all plug n plays provide.

Just saying

[Limited360]

iPhone isn't best for these types of pics... Projectors for the win!!
Not the best angle... Black the housings out and get the same effect without loss of lumens. :)


35329

Lows

35327

Highs

35328

[Vostok]

why not do a projector upgrade instead of Plug n Plays? You could paint the projector shrouds and inner headlight housings all black and get a cool look without having to tint the headlights. You'll get a perfect beam pattern, and better lighting performance since you won't get that nasty glare and hot spots that all plug n plays provide.

Just saying


iPhone isn't best for these types of pics... Projectors for the win!!
Not the best angle... Black the housings out and get the same effect without loss of lumens. :)




What am I looking to spend for a solid projector set up? I am on a budget and was trying to accomplish better lighting for under $100. I'd like to think i'm a pretty strong "do it yourself" kind of guy with the proper instruction.

I think I've only seen one thread regarding projectors...links to others?

[Limited360]

What am I looking to spend for a solid projector set up? I am on a budget and was trying to accomplish better lighting for under $100. I'd like to think i'm a pretty strong "do it yourself" kind of guy with the proper instruction.

I think I've only seen one thread regarding projectors...links to others?

Info is sparce however with the new retrofit projectors it's very easy

Www.theretrofitsource.com is good for parts.

I am at ~$150 in parts + headlamps and his ballasts...

[Vostok]

Info is sparce however with the new retrofit projectors it's very easy

Www.theretrofitsource.com is good for parts.

I am at ~$150 in parts + headlamps and his ballasts...

Yeah I just did a quick search of projectors and it seems that it will cost upwards of $300 no matter what I do. Unfortunately that is outside my budget right now. My suspension is starting to go.... Got popping control arm bushings and weakening stabilizers links to attend to first.

I love the concept of projectors and the way they look but it'll have to wait.

[crabby125]

I had the kit from the retrofit source on my vic. I would avoid the actual hid ballasts and relays that come with the kit. In under one year I had to replace one of the ballasts within a year. I also had water collect in their clear relays. My cheapo ebay ballasts lasted a lot longer than trs. The projectors are bad ass when everything is working.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[Blackened300a]

I had the kit from the retrofit source on my vic. I would avoid the actual hid ballasts and relays that come with the kit. In under one year I had to replace one of the ballasts within a year. I also had water collect in their clear relays. My cheapo ebay ballasts lasted a lot longer than trs. The projectors are bad ass when everything is working.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Same here. My relays look like fish tanks and the ballast lasted exactly one week until I drove it in the rain to Carlisle. Then the right one burnt out and stopped working completely.
My $65 plug and play kit from ebay lasted 3 years with no issues at all and still work.

[Limited360]

I buy projectors only from there.. I use xenonwholesale88 on ebay for past 7-8 years with minimal issues.

[crabby125]

Here is my relays in less than 6 months. Its a shame cause it looks like a high quality kit, but you get fooled

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj289/crabby125/tempjpg.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/crabby125/media/tempjpg.jpg.html)

[capt512]

I have had two DDM kits, had to repin both as they were pinned wrong, but otherwise they worked. They did throw some weird blotchy light which in the end bothered me too much, and in all honestly I don't believe they put out much more light than a wiring harness upgrade and silverstars. And the longer I had them in the more I noticed they didn't even send me the same color/temp bulbs. It REALLY bothered me then. They said they could replace them but I had to send them both in on my dime, then they had to test them, and then match another to it, then I had to pay return shipping. Was not worth it at all.

Here is how then ended up looking after 1 year temp wise
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81671
My fogs never matched either.

This is how the throw is weird (the pic posted by Serge is of my car with the DDM) http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=76098&page=3


I know you don't have the money right now, but if an option I would save up and do projectors once instead of messing with a plug and play right now. Maybe get the suspension stuff fixed and then start saving.

Here is my thread to my projectors (didn't paint anything and it looks very factory IMO). http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=81812