HID headlights
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,544
Likes: 43
I've done quite a few installs. For our trucks you need a Bi Xenon kit to do both high/low beams. To me the only con is that the high/low is off the same bulb, the light gets dispersed on highs. Really easy to install, connect the kit to your trucks battery, two grounds, one ground to each ballast, and then plug one your trucks headlight plug into the kit to control the high/low.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,544
Likes: 43
Here is another good website to check to out.
The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
It you do decide to hid your fog lights, make sure you get the bulbs capped.
The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
It you do decide to hid your fog lights, make sure you get the bulbs capped.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Here is another good website to check to out.
The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
Based on all the research I did, I went with the FXR Stage III kit -http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=141
Do some reading on the forums there, there's often a group buy available at the Tacoma forums or somewhere else that will save you 25%, that's what I did and it was a great deal.
I bought a second set of headlights (got lucky at a local wrecker) and I plan to do the install in them when the weather warms up and then swap them onto my truck and sell my stock headlights (and hopefully break even lol).
My plan is to take a ton of pictures and post a write up/review on them when I'm done.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
What's the status on legality? Has anybody got pulled over yet for the HID retrofit?
I'm wanting HID, but thinking about getting brighter standard bulbs to avoid the problem...
I'm wanting HID, but thinking about getting brighter standard bulbs to avoid the problem...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: Land of the Free
are there any bulbs that can be changed out to give similar look and performance? without ballasts and all the other mods needed for true HID
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
I don't think that the brighter non-HID solutions are as bright as HID's. However, aftermarket HID's are under scrutiny because the crappy ones can be dangerous to other drivers. The HID's need to be coupled with a lens that keeps the light limited to a safe area so that you're not blinding oncoming traffic. The various makers have gone to marking some of the lights to "Offroad Only" for legal purposes, but it's up to the buyer to follow the guidelines. I have seen proposed legislation that would make HID's illegal on any vehicle that was not originally offered with HID's. Haven't looked in a while though...
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,544
Likes: 43
Your not going to match hid light with any regular bulb. High output bulbs also burnout so quickly vs hids which last for years. I've been running them in my vehicles since 09 and have never been stopped, driven through roadchecks. I only use 35w kits in my trucks due to the fact that they are higher. 55w in my car. If your worried I would go for the actual projector retro fit, keeping the hid light from scattering. My next project is going to be attempting to retro fit my f250 with projectors. Maybe I will wait to see your write up B&L lol
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
After doing a lot of research here - HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum - The Buzz - and a bunch of other places, I determined that to actually get the real HID benefit, retrofitting a proper projector setup was by far the best option compared to the HID bulb "kits". The cost isn't all that much more, and less in some cases than the simple bulb kits, it just takes the time, ability, and willingness to cut into your headlights and do some custom retrofitting on them. There's TONS of info out there on the how-to side to take the guesswork out of it.
Based on all the research I did, I went with the FXR Stage III kit -http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=141
Do some reading on the forums there, there's often a group buy available at the Tacoma forums or somewhere else that will save you 25%, that's what I did and it was a great deal.
I bought a second set of headlights (got lucky at a local wrecker) and I plan to do the install in them when the weather warms up and then swap them onto my truck and sell my stock headlights (and hopefully break even lol).
My plan is to take a ton of pictures and post a write up/review on them when I'm done.
Based on all the research I did, I went with the FXR Stage III kit -http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=141
Do some reading on the forums there, there's often a group buy available at the Tacoma forums or somewhere else that will save you 25%, that's what I did and it was a great deal.
I bought a second set of headlights (got lucky at a local wrecker) and I plan to do the install in them when the weather warms up and then swap them onto my truck and sell my stock headlights (and hopefully break even lol).
My plan is to take a ton of pictures and post a write up/review on them when I'm done.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Diamond in the Rough, Oh
I don't have experience with the newest trucks yet but I have them in my 2000 and they are awesome. To the fact that I'm spoiled and don't like driving the other cars at night, even my mark viii with factory hids in it ( the first production vehicle with them) I have a set of projectors in my cobra and they aren't as good as the truck. I never get flashed until I'm hooked to the trailer because the rear drops. I've followed cops and haven't had a problem. Adjusting them is what people do wrong or not adjusting them rather. The first upgrade in the new truck when I order it will be hids at least until I can figure out if I want to do a retro fit. I am thinking about doing a retrofit on my cobra since I've acquired an extra set of headlights for a test dummy.
I've had great luck with ddm tuning to get my kits. If you guys want I can take some pictures of the truck and the other 2 cars to give you a comparison...
I've had great luck with ddm tuning to get my kits. If you guys want I can take some pictures of the truck and the other 2 cars to give you a comparison...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Life keeps getting in the way. I look at everything sitting on the bench in my garage every day, but it'll probably be another 3 weeks or more before I get a free weekend to get around to it.