HID Headlight Upgrade
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
From: Gunnison, Co.
HID Headlight Upgrade
A couple of months back I changed out my existing head light bulbs to a 55w RetroSolutions HID lighting kit. The light output is unbelievable and bright white. Not only can I see far in front but also far to the sides of the vehicle. This is great for avoiding the local deer. Shortly after installing the new bulbs I noticed that around 10% of vehicles coming at me flash their lights at me - even more when I have a heavy load in the back. Obviously my lights are extremely bright and bother people, especially those in little cars. Some people turn their high beams on and leave them on after I flash my highs at them to let them know I am on my low beam setting. For those who choose to do this I give them my two 300,000 candle power off road lights on top of my high beams. 
My lights are still adjusted the same as when they had the old halogen bulbs in them. I have thought about aiming them down a little bit but I doubt that will make any difference as the lows are currently aimed below windshield level of a typical SUV at 20 yds. I think that the bright white 5000k lights are going to be bright to oncoming traffic no matter what.
Have any of you who have changed to HID lights had a similar experience with oncoming traffic flashing their highs at you?
My lights are still adjusted the same as when they had the old halogen bulbs in them. I have thought about aiming them down a little bit but I doubt that will make any difference as the lows are currently aimed below windshield level of a typical SUV at 20 yds. I think that the bright white 5000k lights are going to be bright to oncoming traffic no matter what.
Have any of you who have changed to HID lights had a similar experience with oncoming traffic flashing their highs at you?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,799
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Yep!! People hate my truck now with just 55 6k lights from dt tunning or who ever it is. But I've had them since December and I still turn offthe lights on the highway when I'm by myself and see the ridiculous amount of light these things give off.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Yep I have the same problem as well. DDM 55w 5000K Raptor kit. Whats odd is some days nobody seems to be bothered, and other days its almost everyone.
Just curious but did you install HID's in the stock headlight housings?
Just curious but did you install HID's in the stock headlight housings?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 257
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From: Templeton, Ca
Keep in mind that an HID 35W is the same output as a standard 55W halogen. So a 55W HID is about the same as an 85W halogen. This is why people flash you because it about the same brightness as your standard high beams
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
This :Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
is an interesting read that will hopefully answer your question as to why people are flashing their lights at you. After reading this and doing some research I decided against going HID. No doubt sticking HID bulbs in halogen housings will put out a lot of light, everywhere, which is great off road or anywhere you aren't encountering oncoming vehicles, but it is my opinion that running them on the road is distracting to other drivers and possibly dangerous, not to mention illegal.
is an interesting read that will hopefully answer your question as to why people are flashing their lights at you. After reading this and doing some research I decided against going HID. No doubt sticking HID bulbs in halogen housings will put out a lot of light, everywhere, which is great off road or anywhere you aren't encountering oncoming vehicles, but it is my opinion that running them on the road is distracting to other drivers and possibly dangerous, not to mention illegal.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
From: Gunnison, Co.
I did install them in my stock headlight housings. They still look like new, no clouding or discoloration. The nice thing about Colorado - no rust and trucks look like new as long as you take care of them.
As far as other cars go, I live so far out in rural Colorado that on coming traffic is not that common. Deer running into the side of my truck is much more common. I only noticed the flashing due to the fact that I had a late night run back from a river trip for the kids spring break and passed through several populated areas. Mostly got flashed on the busy stretch tetween the Telluride turn off on Dallas Divide and Montrose. Telluride people are usually uptight anyway. The Sheriffs and State Troopers didn't care nor did they flash their lights at me.
More light where I live is more important than bothering other drivers. I only use the truck in some of the least populated parts of western Colorado and eastern Utah...
As far as other cars go, I live so far out in rural Colorado that on coming traffic is not that common. Deer running into the side of my truck is much more common. I only noticed the flashing due to the fact that I had a late night run back from a river trip for the kids spring break and passed through several populated areas. Mostly got flashed on the busy stretch tetween the Telluride turn off on Dallas Divide and Montrose. Telluride people are usually uptight anyway. The Sheriffs and State Troopers didn't care nor did they flash their lights at me.
More light where I live is more important than bothering other drivers. I only use the truck in some of the least populated parts of western Colorado and eastern Utah...
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
HID's were NOT designed for the stock diffuser lens housings. You are probably blinding the crap out of oncoming traffic, and you aren't getting the benefit of the HID's at all. If you want to keep the HID's buy a set of clear headlights off Ebay.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
Yeah, that probably just puts out a blob of light in front of you with the stock Diffusers.
I really want to ride in a truck with the Crystals and HID's to check out how bright they are.
I hate my stock ones. I'd have re-wired them by now, but I been too lazy. =(
I really want to ride in a truck with the Crystals and HID's to check out how bright they are.
I hate my stock ones. I'd have re-wired them by now, but I been too lazy. =(
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Waynesville, OH
Can you post a pic of the light pattern against a wall?
Most of the HID kits I've installed had decent patterns with little scatter, of course never as good as factory installed HIDs. If they do scatter too bad then I take them back out because I have to share the road with them.
Most of the HID kits I've installed had decent patterns with little scatter, of course never as good as factory installed HIDs. If they do scatter too bad then I take them back out because I have to share the road with them.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
From: Gunnison, Co.
The HID bulbs are a great improvement from my point of view in the truck. I will look into new lenses. Anyone have any links to a good set up? Do I need to replace the turn signals and marker lights as a whole package or can I just replace the headlight lens?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
I will try and get you one tonight.
fridgeddiesel- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...s-install.html
fridgeddiesel- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...s-install.html
