HID or Halogen?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tewksbury, MA
HID or Halogen?
I have a 2004 f250 and im planning on doing an 05 conversion so I planned on getting better lights to go with the new headlights and I wanted to get a 6000k HID conversion kit but I've been reading up alittle and people say they think its brighter but its actualy not because it scatters light etc. So my question is is it better to go with HIDs or to get realy good Halogen bulbs. I love the look of the HID lights but I also want to be able to see what's infront of me at night. Thanks in advance for any input you guys have.
New User
Joined: May 2008
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You're correct about a "HID retrofit" scattering a lot of light and not really helping you see any better. This is explained well here:
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
You can get a significant improvement in the stock lighting by wiring the headlights directly to the battery to increase voltage to the bulbs(dfuser.com has a good kit), installing some better bulbs (Philips Xtreme Power) and adding some good (and properly aimed) aftermarket driving lights (Hella, etc.).
This is what I did on my 2007. The improvement was dramatic, and I don't blind people on the roads.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
You can get a significant improvement in the stock lighting by wiring the headlights directly to the battery to increase voltage to the bulbs(dfuser.com has a good kit), installing some better bulbs (Philips Xtreme Power) and adding some good (and properly aimed) aftermarket driving lights (Hella, etc.).
This is what I did on my 2007. The improvement was dramatic, and I don't blind people on the roads.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tewksbury, MA
That's good to know, thanks, since im going to have a conversion harness to change my bulbs from 9007 to 9008 will the kit still work or will I have to do something to the harness?
Elder User
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If you research modifying existing headlights, you'll learn that each housing is designed specifically for one type of bulb. The bulb's placement in the housing as well as it's shape, length and even orientation of the filliment must be exact. Swapping bulbs never accomplishes much.
HID conversions just **** everyone off. If you want real lights, get a set of Hella Rallye 4000s, either the halogen FF (free forms)or halogen 4000 Driving Lights.. They provide tons of light because they have big reflectors and unlike HIDs, they don't mind being turned off and on. HIDs prefer to be turned on and left on. They have a warm up time, which is not preferable for auxiliary lighting in street driven vehicles.
If you need to turn off your halogen 4000s for on coming traffic, they come back on instantly at full power. Not so with HIDs.
If you need light, get the 4000s. If you're looking for a poseur fashion statement, get something small with a blue tint.
HID conversions just **** everyone off. If you want real lights, get a set of Hella Rallye 4000s, either the halogen FF (free forms)or halogen 4000 Driving Lights.. They provide tons of light because they have big reflectors and unlike HIDs, they don't mind being turned off and on. HIDs prefer to be turned on and left on. They have a warm up time, which is not preferable for auxiliary lighting in street driven vehicles.
If you need to turn off your halogen 4000s for on coming traffic, they come back on instantly at full power. Not so with HIDs.
If you need light, get the 4000s. If you're looking for a poseur fashion statement, get something small with a blue tint.
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I'd do as XB70 recommends if you want better lighting. If you did your research I think you will find that there are no legal HID conversions unless you change to an afermarket housing that is designed and certified just for HID. Many police depts are cracking down on those who are using them.
New User
Joined: May 2008
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Check the dfuser website, they have harnesses for all the F250 bulbs. I expect they have one that plugs in to your exisiting harness (the harness plugs into the existing harness to get the headlight on signal) and also plugs into the 9008 bulbs.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tewksbury, MA
Those are nice im definitely looking into those because I've got a bull bar and I want fog lights for it
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Logistics Pro
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From: Tewksbury, MA
Dfuser does have the harnesses that's where im gonna get them from but I was curious if they would carry the more powerful current through it since the wires arnt as heavy duty
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From: Waynesville, OH
I've done a lot of HID conversions on 05 and up headlights probably mostly due to the bad design of the 9008/H13 bulb. Piaa replacement bulbs are normally twice the output of a standard bulb except for the H13 they are only about 35% brighter.
A good HID conversion kit does not scatter light too bad, granted not as good as a factory projector style HID. It is a very usable light without blinding other drivers. What gives these a bad name is the people who don't bother to aim them properly.
A good HID conversion kit does not scatter light too bad, granted not as good as a factory projector style HID. It is a very usable light without blinding other drivers. What gives these a bad name is the people who don't bother to aim them properly.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
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The facts remain HID conversions are illegal and nationwide, police are cracking down.
In my opinion and experience, it's easier to apologize to an officer for having my "off road" Hella Rallye 4000s on than explaining illegal HIDs. Police officers are satisfied when I flip the Hellas off. Fixing illegal HIDs means removing them and reinstalling original equipment. That happened to a friend of mine in California.
You really don't need more light in city traffic or in metropolitan freeway driving. You need extra light on interstates crossing the deserts, plains and mountains and you need extra light on country two lanes. After market HIDs are a pale comparison to auxiliary driving lights like the Hella 4000s.
In my opinion and experience, it's easier to apologize to an officer for having my "off road" Hella Rallye 4000s on than explaining illegal HIDs. Police officers are satisfied when I flip the Hellas off. Fixing illegal HIDs means removing them and reinstalling original equipment. That happened to a friend of mine in California.
You really don't need more light in city traffic or in metropolitan freeway driving. You need extra light on interstates crossing the deserts, plains and mountains and you need extra light on country two lanes. After market HIDs are a pale comparison to auxiliary driving lights like the Hella 4000s.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2010
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I have either a 9k or 10k kit in my F350 (head light and fogs) the lighting is amazing. This is the only picture I have on hand. It's from a company called euroefx.com And whats nice is all there units have a no question lifetime warranty.
Jordan