HID owners get in here! Lol

[marauder21]

Which HIDs do you guy have? Im about to purchase these but before i do you guys think 55w will melt the house or something?

[Mebot]

Where's CtrlRaven? He'll know

[fastblackmerc]

Stick with 35W.

[MOTOWN]

35W is sufficient

[Guittard22]

I have 55w looks crazy amazing

[slickster]

I have 55w looks crazy amazing

how long have you had them any hot spots

[marauder21]

If Ctrlraven Chris, im already talking to him on fb lol
And you had no problems with 55w Guittard22??

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[marauder21]

I have 55w looks crazy amazing

You have 5000k on it?

[ctrlraven]

You have 5000k on it?
55w ballast on a 5000k bulb will look more like 4300/4500, white but with a very slight hue of "sunlight yellow". The higher wattage color washes some of the color out.

To get the 35 watt 5000 clear bright all white color you would have to do a 6000k bulb with the 55 watt ballast.
http://www.ddmtuning.com/images/custom/hid-bulb-color-guide.jpg

35 watts in the headlight and foglight with the 5000k is plenty bright.

[marauder21]

55w ballast on a 5000k bulb will look more like 4300/4500, white but with a very slight hue of "sunlight yellow". The higher wattage color washes some of the color out.

To get the 35 watt 5000 clear bright all white color you would have to do a 6000k bulb with the 55 watt ballast.
http://www.ddmtuning.com/images/custom/hid-bulb-color-guide.jpg

35 watts in the headlight and foglight with the 5000k is plenty bright.

Yeah im just gonna play it safe and go with 35w

You think for $80 bi xenon lights (low and high beam will be 5k) with a canbus is good?


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[marauder21]

Might be a different topic but does anyone here know how i could possibly mount spot lights like these behind the grill? Or anyone else done this?

[fastblackmerc]

Yeah im just gonna play it safe and go with 35w

You think for $80 bi xenon lights (low and high beam will be 5k) with a canbus is good?


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You don't need the Canbus feature.

$80.00 is on the high side.

You can also do HID Hi & HID Lo beams (2 bulbs per headlight), but you'll have to find space to mount 4 ballasts.

[marauder21]

You don't need the Canbus feature.

$80.00 is on the high side.

You can also do HID Hi & HID Lo beams (2 bulbs per headlight), but you'll have to find space to mount 4 ballasts.

So dont get canbus?
Isnt canbus a durable ballast? I heard that it doesnt heat up as other ballasts. True?

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[ctrlraven]

So dont get canbus?
Isnt canbus a durable ballast? I heard that it doesnt heat up as other ballasts. True?

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Canbus only has to do with new vehicles that have BOW (Bulb Out Warning) systems. Our car has none of that headache.

[marauder21]

Canbus only has to do with new vehicles that have BOW (Bulb Out Warning) systems. Our car has none of that headache.

Screw that then lol ill just get a regular ballast.
Thank you so much for the looking out guys lol

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[2,4shofast]

I have 8K 35w. If you want to be able to see better go with a 5 or 6K

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v259/shofast/MM/29493384018_large.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/shofast/media/MM/29493384018_large.jpg.html)

[whitey]

35w 5000k ftw! I think ddm tuning has great prices, and personally i haven't had any issues.

[ctrlraven]

For about $100 you can get a 35w fog and hi/lo headlight kit shipped from ddm.

[marauder21]

I hear ddm takes forever to ship though, that true?

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[ctrlraven]

That's because their shipment comes directly from the China warehouse. Normal shipment times to me is 7-10 business days, I've had it in 5 business days before.

[marauder21]

Ordered from DDmmtuning. Thanks guys lol now ill wait by the door.

But has anyone put spot lights on their cars however?

[fastblackmerc]

But has anyone put spot lights on their cars however?

Why? :eek::eek::eek:

[marauder21]

Why? :eek::eek::eek:

Behind the grill like in the picture i posted. I kinda wanna do that lol

[fastblackmerc]

Behind the grill like in the picture i posted. I kinda wanna do that lol

Like I said... Why????

Probably illegal unless off road.

[marauder21]

Like I said... Why????

Plan on going off road?

Yes i am, you know it:)

[whitey]

I dont know of any owners with lights behind the grill, but there is plenty of space back there. Go for it man! Looks interesting....like the newer mustangs with the fog lights on the grill.

[Serge]

Get yourself a set of these so you don't blind other drivers and light up low flying UFOs.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/projectors/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-h1-6-0-projectors.html

[Limited360]

Get yourself a set of these so you don't blind other drivers and light up low flying UFOs.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/projectors/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-h1-6-0-projectors.html



100% agree on the retrofit to avoid blinding drivers. However I suggest getting the D2S kit, you can run the 55w setup in the D2S, not the H1. Mini H1's can not handle the heat and the chrome peels on the interior of the housing.

I only buy from TRS for my own vehicles, amazing customer service and always strive to make things right if there is an issue on their end or our own!

[442freak]

Hids without projectors is bad. Shame...
I installed the morimoto mini h1's on another project with 5000k bulbs and was not very bright. And you are limited.These projectors are more for fog light applications.

[Limited360]

Hids without projectors is bad. Shame...
I installed the morimoto mini h1's on another project with 5000k bulbs and was not very bright. And you are limited.These projectors are more for fog light applications.

I had the mini H1's on my Silverado, no problems whatsoever with light output. Plenty of light. Problem with the mini H1's is the bulb mounting... you can easily push on it and skew the bulb position which reduces the output drastically.

This has a mini H1 on the left, not aimed properly yet and a regular headlamp on right.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1509219_10151774838841784_1148 218170_n.jpg?oh=ebcbafe9abf424 413e5a8a53a019b64b&oe=54E1433D&__gda__=1420686562_681be57d649 234b7f3541c0e61a99c4f

[jwibbity]

diode dynamics is my only source for HID's for both of my cars...

[djs2000mgm]

100% agree on the retrofit to avoid blinding drivers. However I suggest getting the D2S kit, you can run the 55w setup in the D2S, not the H1. Mini H1's can not handle the heat and the chrome peels on the interior of the housing.

I only buy from TRS for my own vehicles, amazing customer service and always strive to make things right if there is an issue on their end or our own!


This. TRS makes solid stuff at a decent price. I'd personally avoid DDM like the plague, to the extent that i'll be throwing out a set of bulbs/ballasts that came with some headlights I bought for my BMW.

Nice to see poverty beams are an issue here as well as CVN though.

[ctrlraven]

And not everyone has the know-how to DIY or $$$ for the retrofit.

I'll stick to my poverty beams and put the money towards headers.

I see more glare from improper aimed halogen lights or people running around with their high beams on.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

And not everyone has the know-how to DIY or $$$ for the retrofit.

I'll stick to my poverty beams and put the money towards headers.

I see more glare from improper aimed halogen lights or people running around with their high beams on.

The black housings on our Marauders make a big difference on not blinding people when compared to sticking HIDs into Grand Marquis full chrome lamps.

I know plenty of people who swear by DDM bulbs and ballasts, and have never had problems..myself included. Heck, my fog light slim ballast was dragging on the ground in front of my wheel a couple months ago for a couple of miles, sparking and all til a crotch rocket guy flagged me. It ground down much of the slim ballast's metal on a corner, unbelievably, it continued to work perfectly after that abuse.

[fastblackmerc]

And not everyone has the know-how to DIY or $$$ for the retrofit.

I'll stick to my poverty beams and put the money towards headers.

I see more glare from improper aimed halogen lights or people running around with their high beams on.

:beer::beer::beer:

[MOTOWN]

Ive had HIDs since 2005 , and only been flashed with highbeams once! if aimed properly they don't blind anyone , ive gotten more compliments than I can recall.

[fastblackmerc]

Ive had HIDs since 2005 , and only been flashed with highbeams once! if aimed properly they don't blind anyone , ive gotten more compliments than I can recall.

Same here... never ever been flashed. 6000K Hi & Lo HIDs - 4 ballasts.

[Serge]

And not everyone has the know-how to DIY or $$$ for the retrofit.

I'll stick to my poverty beams and put the money towards headers.

I see more glare from improper aimed halogen lights or people running around with their high beams on.

If CVN owners can afford projectors then Marauder owners have no excuse not to have them. Even if you pay someone to put them in you are looking at no more than $600 and that figure is on the high side. The quality of light output is worth every penny. Once you have projectors you won't want to drive a car without them.

[MOTOWN]

If CVN owners can afford projectors then Marauder owners have no excuse not to have them. Even if you pay someone to put them in you are looking at no more than $600 and that figure is on the high side. The quality of light output is worth every penny. Once you have projectors you won't want to drive a car without them.

This post is silly! what makes you think that everyone wants projector headlights on a Marauder:confused: The oem headlights is one of the most Marauder specific features of the car! give me $600 and im making more HP , or upgrading my sound system!:shake:

[fastblackmerc]

This post is silly! what makes you think that everyone wants projector headlights on a Marauder:confused: The oem headlights is one of the most Marauder specific features of the car! give me $600 and im making more HP , or upgrading my sound system!:shake:

Amen!

Well said!

[Serge]

This post is silly! what makes you think that everyone wants projector headlights on a Marauder:confused: The oem headlights is one of the most Marauder specific features of the car! give me $600 and im making more HP , or upgrading my sound system!:shake:

I guess if you are happy with this sort of light output then PnPs are fine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/capt512/IMAG0525.jpg

Personally I prefer this.

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/2003MercuryMarauder/HIDs/i-Nk2xwzk/0/L/DSCN3007-L.jpg

And if you are worried about your OEM headlights, get a pair of aftermarket ones off Ebay. People spend thousands on adding more horsepower yet fail to address one of the important safety features of the car. I don't get it. OEM headlight output on these cars suck.

Also, these look awesome.

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/1999C1500/engine-build-2/i-JpFQLCX/0/L/DSCN3038-L.jpg

[MOTOWN]

Your setup looks nice , but projectors are like opinions , and .......oh nevermind!

[jwibbity]

my 8k HID's look nothing like the picture above in regard to light output, plus I personally don't like the look of projectors in the MM housing:puke:

[marauder21]

I prefer this.


but:
day 456, still waiting by the mailbox for my HIDs lmao

[marauder21]

^^Oh those are just my fogs and corner lights.
(I rarely turn on my headlights. Actually i never turn on my headlights lol)

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[lji372]

I guess if you are happy with this sort of light output then PnPs are fine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/capt512/IMAG0525.jpg

Personally I prefer this.

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/2003MercuryMarauder/HIDs/i-Nk2xwzk/0/L/DSCN3007-L.jpg

And if you are worried about your OEM headlights, get a pair of aftermarket ones off Ebay. People spend thousands on adding more horsepower yet fail to address one of the important safety features of the car. I don't get it. OEM headlight output on these cars suck.

Also, these look awesome.

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/1999C1500/engine-build-2/i-JpFQLCX/0/L/DSCN3038-L.jpg

+1 on the projectors
+1 on non Oem horsepower and sound system

Ah.... Now I know how Switzerland feels :banana2:

[TiTo35]

I prefer this.


but:
day 456, still waiting by the mailbox for my HIDs lmao

Just fogs and corners you say??

[marauder21]

Just fogs and corners you say??

Yup. Nothing more nothing less lol
5000k LED Corner lights
5000k HID foglights.
Waiting on my 5000k HID headlights still lol

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[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Can't wait to get projectors.

[marauder21]

Got my HIDs for the headlights yesterday...should try and install them today. Well see how it all looks.

How do you align the headlights?

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[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Got my HIDs for the headlights yesterday...should try and install them today. Well see how it all looks.

How do you align the headlights?

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No alignment needed.

[marauder21]

No alignment needed.

My headlights seem to be pointing down. Like the light is low low lol gonna install the HIDs and see what else i can do lol

[fastblackmerc]

No alignment needed.

If aligned correct before the HIDs are installed. lol


My headlights seem to be pointing down. Like the light is low low lol gonna install the HIDs and see what else i can do lol

You need to adjust them. lol

[marauder21]

If aligned correct before the HIDs are installed. lol



You need to adjust them. lol

Quick HowTo on how to adjust the headlights? I haven't looked or touched my headlights so after work..im gonna learn today lol

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

There's a small skinny screw that adjusts the aim. Can't miss it.

[fastblackmerc]

There's a small skinny screw that adjusts the aim. Can't miss it.

What he said ^^^^^^^^

You'll need this tool http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-14540-Headlight-Adjusting-Ratchet/dp/B0002SR8AK unless you remove the headlights and adjust out of the car.

[marauder21]

Got the headlight out and omg

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[marauder21]

What he said ^^^^^^^^

You'll need this tool http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-14540-Headlight-Adjusting-Ratchet/dp/B0002SR8AK unless you remove the headlights and adjust out of the car.

To switch the Bulbs you take this off? O.o

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[fastblackmerc]

Got the headlight out and omg

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:dunno:
Maybe you shouldn't tackle this project.

[marauder21]

Lmao stupid ford making things hard to get

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[marauder21]

I installed them. Done.

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[marauder21]

Tried to take a good picture on my way to work. These are just my headlights and corner lights. But can you see how the drivers side light is "higher" than the passenger side?
The passenger side is aiming down so next step is to align them. Since i dont have the tool, you guys suggest taking it to a shop? Or is there another way i could align it myself?

[fastblackmerc]

Tried to take a good picture on my way to work. These are just my headlights and corner lights. But can you see how the drivers side light is "higher" than the passenger side?
The passenger side is aiming down so next step is to align them. Since i dont have the tool, you guys suggest taking it to a shop? Or is there another way i could align it myself?

Since you don't have the tool you'll have to take the headlight assembly out and adjust it, then reinstall to check it. Page 41 of the owners manual has instructions. You'll need a 4mm wrench or socket.

BTW... you can only adjust the vertical axis.

[marauder21]

Since you don't have the tool you'll have to take the headlight assembly out and adjust it, then reinstall to check it. Page 41 of the owners manual has instructions. You'll need a 4mm wrench or socket.

BTW... you can only adjust the vertical axis.

Ok well thats a start. Ill look into this when i get home from work. Thanks for the help :)

[fastblackmerc]

Ok well thats a start. Ill look into this when i get home from work. Thanks for the help :)

To raise the headlight you'll need to loosen / backout the adjustment screw.

[marauder21]

To raise the headlight you'll need to loosen / backout the adjustment screw.

The adjustment screw is that little skinny one right?
So to raise/lower = loosen/backout that screw
To move left or right = remove the headlight assembly and adjust?

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Some clueless lady kept flashing me at a red light last night with the HID fogs and headlamps on... weird as that usually doesn't happen.

[fastblackmerc]

The adjustment screw is that little skinny one right?
So to raise/lower = loosen/backout that screw
To move left or right = remove the headlight assembly and adjust?

It's the 4mm screw.

There is no horizontal (left or right) adjustment per the owners manual. Only vertical (up or down) adjustment.

[fastblackmerc]

Some clueless lady kept flashing me at a red light last night with the HID fogs and headlamps on... weird as that usually doesn't happen.

Your HIDs or her HIDs?

I've never gotten flashed with my HIDs on.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Your HIDs or her HIDs?

I've never gotten flashed with my HIDs on.

I had my HIDs on, and she kept flashing me. I was the only car facing her, and her par tof the street sat higher than my part of the street. She then proceeded to stare me down as I drove by. Really lady? Your SUV sits way higher than my headlight's line of sight so shut your pie hole.

35w 6000k
and 35w 5000k fogs.

[marauder21]

Some clueless lady kept flashing me at a red light last night with the HID fogs and headlamps on... weird as that usually doesn't happen.

I never had anyone flash me, then again i only use my foglights. Lol its Chicago 95% of the people who convert to HID don't change the housing and they just want the brightest light ever. Lol its just how it is

[fastblackmerc]

I had my HIDs on, and she kept flashing me. I was the only car facing her, and her par tof the street sat higher than my part of the street. She then proceeded to stare me down as I drove by. Really lady? Your SUV sits way higher than my headlight's line of sight so shut your pie hole.

35w 6000k
and 35w 5000k fogs.

Just another idiot driver...............

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I never had anyone flash me, then again i only use my foglights. Lol its Chicago 95% of the people who convert to HID don't change the housing and they just want the brightest light ever. Lol its just how it is

Well I'm pretty sure the fog lights are scattering some and that's what she was bitching about.. I've seen lifted F150 like trucks with LED bars on front blinding the hell out of everyone this isn't nearly as bad.

[marauder21]

Well I'm pretty sure the fog lights are scattering some and that's what she was bitching about.. I've seen lifted F150 like trucks with LED bars on front blinding the hell out of everyone this isn't nearly as bad.

Exactly lol jeeps are the most common to blind the hell out of everyone...bro you gotta check out my corner lights now those ill admit are exaggerated bright lmao

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Exactly lol jeeps are the most common to blind the hell out of everyone...bro you gotta check out my corner lights now those ill admit are exaggerated bright lmao

I need those, since I tinted my corners, the LEDs I have are not bright during the day.

[marauder21]

I need those, since I tinted my corners, the LEDs I have are not bright during the day.

Im happy with mine. They light up my driveway. Just the corner lights lol

[marauder21]

Done. 5k everything lol

[Serge]

I had my HIDs on, and she kept flashing me. I was the only car facing her, and her par tof the street sat higher than my part of the street. She then proceeded to stare me down as I drove by. Really lady? Your SUV sits way higher than my headlight's line of sight so shut your pie hole.

35w 6000k
and 35w 5000k fogs.

Projector bulbs shine light differently than halogen bulbs which makes them reflect incorrectly in halogen housings. No amount of adjustment will fix the glare. You can point them way down and still be able to illuminate low flying UFOs with glare.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Projector bulbs shine light differently than halogen bulbs which makes them reflect incorrectly in halogen housings. No amount of adjustment will fix the glare. You can point them way down and still be able to illuminate low flying UFOs with glare.


Agreed. That's why I'm doing projectors this winter.


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[License2Bill]

Link discussing the importance of either retrofits or using projector housings when upgrading to HIDs

http://southrnfresh.com/2013/06/why-adding-a-hid-kit-to-your-car-with-non-projectors-housing-makes-you-a-ricer/

[fastblackmerc]

Projector bulbs shine light differently than halogen bulbs which makes them reflect incorrectly in halogen housings. No amount of adjustment will fix the glare. You can point them way down and still be able to illuminate low flying UFOs with glare.


Agreed. That's why I'm doing projectors this winter.


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6000K HID's

HMMMMMMMMMMMM....

:dunno:

See any low flying UFO's?????

Hi Beams
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0275.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/fastblackmerc/media/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0275.jpg.html)

Lo Beams
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0281.jpg (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/fastblackmerc/media/MM%20Mods/HIDs/DSCN0281.jpg.html)

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I've had 6000k in both my Grand Marquis and the Marauder. I will say the GM scatters way more light than the Marauder. I blame the all-chrome housings on the Marquis for this. I don't think it's as bad in the Marauder to have HIDs in the halogen housings, I just can't stand the dirty light pattern emitted since I have projectors on my motorcycle with such a clean cutoff.

[jmsa540]

Guys, how hard is it to install/remove HID's? Im not educated on electrical stuff... The car that I'm looking at had HID's but was later removed due to one of the ballasts going out. However, there are still foglight HID's in it.

[whitey]

Guys, how hard is it to install/remove HID's? Im not educated on electrical stuff... The car that I'm looking at had HID's but was later removed due to one of the ballasts going out. However, there are still foglight HID's in it.

Its not hard, and YouTube is your friend.

[fastblackmerc]

Guys, how hard is it to install/remove HID's? Im not educated on electrical stuff... The car that I'm looking at had HID's but was later removed due to one of the ballasts going out. However, there are still foglight HID's in it.

When I call you we can discuss.

[PB Marauder]

Put the Retrofitsource kit (5000k) in mine a few weeks ago. Looks great and I'm extremely happy with it.

[jmsa540]

When I call you we can discuss.


thanks, fast! :banana: