HID conversions
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Upstate, NY
HID conversions
I bought and installed a set of HID (35 watt 4500 K) lights tonight. I took a drive around and I'm not pleased with the difference over the stock bulbs. On low beam there is more light than the stock bulbs, but not by a lot. On high beam it's terrible. Spots and shadows all over the road and more scatter to the sides, but not more light ahead.
Any chance those of you who have installed HIDs could take some shots of low and high from the cab on a dark road? I'd love to see the light pattern and would also like you to identify what you bought (wattage, color temp, etc)
BTW...install took well under an hour even with my OCD wire management disorder.
Thanks much
Any chance those of you who have installed HIDs could take some shots of low and high from the cab on a dark road? I'd love to see the light pattern and would also like you to identify what you bought (wattage, color temp, etc)
BTW...install took well under an hour even with my OCD wire management disorder.
Thanks much
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I bought the DDM Tuning HID kits. I have tried a number of combinations. 4500k with the 35w ballasts, 4500k with 55W, 5000k with both the 35W and 55W. The 4500 are white but with a very light yellow tinge. The 5000k start off slightly blue but get whiter.
Your experience is similar to mine. There is a lot of light on low and they are brighter than stock. The problem is the high beams. I had to lower mine to avoid getting flashed on low beams and it noticeably changed the high beam performance.
The answer is projector housings. I have written DDM Tuning and they are exploring the possibility of selling them. No one else I know of has them on the shelf.
Your experience is similar to mine. There is a lot of light on low and they are brighter than stock. The problem is the high beams. I had to lower mine to avoid getting flashed on low beams and it noticeably changed the high beam performance.
The answer is projector housings. I have written DDM Tuning and they are exploring the possibility of selling them. No one else I know of has them on the shelf.
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From: Upstate, NY
I agree. At this point I'm going to investigate getting a set of housings to dissect and install projectors into. Looks pretty straight forward and it's something this truck really needs.
Another option is a set of projector secondary lights mounted on the bumper.
Thanks
Another option is a set of projector secondary lights mounted on the bumper.
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
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From: Illinois
I have been waiting for someone to come out with the proper projectors for these trucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before they are out there.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
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I have been waiting for someone to come out with the proper projectors for these trucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before they are out there.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
The only people I can find that are doing anything with them is Black Flame Customs. They will modify your existing housing for $850. When you factor in the cost of the factory housings, that's $1k just for the projector housings!
I'm hoping DDM takes on the challenge. I think they would offer a reasonably priced solution.
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I agree. At this point I'm going to investigate getting a set of housings to dissect and install projectors into. Looks pretty straight forward and it's something this truck really needs.
Another option is a set of projector secondary lights mounted on the bumper.
Thanks
Another option is a set of projector secondary lights mounted on the bumper.
Thanks
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 610
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I would like to do the black flame customs set up myself. I think they look the most like an OEM setup (recon set ups have the 2 bulb appearance). The problem is the $1000 price is if you send them your headlights and wait for them to do the conversion, which means your truckless during the process. If you buy all new I think it adds like another $1400 to for the OEM housings!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Upstate, NY
I would like to do the black flame customs set up myself. I think they look the most like an OEM setup (recon set ups have the 2 bulb appearance). The problem is the $1000 price is if you send them your headlights and wait for them to do the conversion, which means your truckless during the process. If you buy all new I think it adds like another $1400 to for the OEM housings!
Projectors can be purchased for under $200
Here's the other option....buy these foglight housings and install a cheap HID kit and have it all for $100
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=249
I'm going to investigate this. I can tie the fogs into an outfitter or my high beams (or both) and have the best of both worlds.
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Ya...it's crazy...no way to justify that cost model other than trying gouge us. I won't do business with a company like that out of principal. They can't be trusted.
Projectors can be purchased for under $200
Here's the other option....buy these foglight housings and install a cheap HID kit and have it all for $100
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=249
I'm going to investigate this. I can tie the fogs into an outfitter or my high beams (or both) and have the best of both worlds.
Projectors can be purchased for under $200
Here's the other option....buy these foglight housings and install a cheap HID kit and have it all for $100
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=249
I'm going to investigate this. I can tie the fogs into an outfitter or my high beams (or both) and have the best of both worlds.
I wish they spent more time researching real world needs. I could seriously live without the air conditioned seats if it meant better lights!
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I can't agree any more with you then that!
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Posting Guru
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From: Upstate, NY
So I'm thinking about using those housings I linked earlier and mounting them on the metal bracket to the inside of the tow hooks. Anyone have any opinion on whether this will locate the lights too close together? I know I can angle them out a bit to compensate.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Upstate, NY
I have been waiting for someone to come out with the proper projectors for these trucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before they are out there.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
I have also been looking at this light bar on eBay: 1999-2011 F250 F350 super duty excursion light bar KC | eBay It seems fairly simple to install without losing the factory hooks. I was thinking of putting some nice LED lights on the bar and wiring it to one of the upfitters.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I would be really interested to see what you come up with and what lights you use. I like your idea.