i have a 96 f-250 7.3 and i am looking to get HIDs for it. i have no clue what kit or wattage to go with or even what website to go to to order them. anybody that has done HIDs on an obs have any info? thanks

 

Check or retro shop

Just don't go cheap. There has been issues with no start after cheap hid install

 

Without projector style lenses it's going to be a very distorted light. I put a set on a fox body mustang (similar lenses as our trucks) back in the day and it was terrible. Just my .02.

 

This is the kit that is on my truck. They have been flawless for just over 2 years now. You need the kit for 9007 bulbs. I am running 6000k color and it is a very pure bright white color with almost no blue tint to it. If you are going to run them in stock style housings without projectors, I'd get the bulbs capped also.

55W DIGITAL HID KITS - Retro-Solutions Store

Now then, I will agree that the best way to do this without being an ********* and blinding people is to run projectors. I am not running projectors in mine and I have them aimed so low to prevent blinding people that all the light is basically useless.

If you want to get projectors retrofitted into a set of headlights, contact Cary @ CT Performance.

I'll throw out one more option you can try. LED headlight bulbs. I tried the following set in my SD. Very easy install and cheaper than HIDs. The problem that I had with them was that switching to high beam made zero difference in my Super Duty headlight housings. The OBS housing is slightly different, so they may work a little better in the OBS. If you don't use high beams very often or at all, the LED bulbs are the way to go. They shined the light in the same pattern as my halogens on low beams, just way brighter. I loved the LED bulbs and I would definitely run them if it weren't for the high beam issue. I use my high beams all the time, so halogens are actually shining farther than the LEDs were because I can use the high beams. If I wasn't using high beams, I'd run the LEDs and be happy with it. For what its worth, HID high beams suck also with out projectors.

https://www.lifetimeledlights.com/le...eadlight_bulbs


Here's the comparison pictures between old halogens and LED bulbs in my SD. I put tape down on the road and parked on top of it for both pictures.

 

ok, i'm hijacking headlight threads all over the place, so why not add this to the list. thanks for the write-up Travis - very good info. i'm thinking i may go the LED route you mention, as i'll be adding a light bar as well, so that can be my highbeams if the LED high beams are not sufficient.

now comes a potentially dumb question - what size are our bulbs? from what i can tell, they are 9007 style. in the drop down menu of Retro's LED bulb page, this is not an option. is there some other style that is close enough?

LED Head Lamps - Retro-Solutions Store

also, when going with LED bulbs, is the headlight relay mod still required? i'm sure its recommended, but with the power draw of the LED's much less than halogen, i would guess the voltage drop is not as bad?

 

i would not do HID lights, i would do the LED's

 

That's my question. Can you just put in LED bulbs or do you have to have the relay and all that stuff? Also, where does one get the bulbs?

 

you need the box also as far as i know.

 

the images for the kits on this page (which is recommended by the guys above, so good enough for me), show some sort of electronic device in line with the wire harness coming out of the bulbs: LED Head Lamps - Retro-Solutions Store

for $103, it looks like its just plug and play. ...though to my question above, they don't have the 9007 style bulbs that our trucks take. anyone know if any of their offered styles are "close enough?"

 

someone did the led conversion on their truck, but i don't remember what year it was.
but i do remember he used the older style that used a cooling fan, and to make the assembly fit he had to cut the locking nuts in half.

i would just contact the manufacturer and see what they say about using them in your rear truck.

 

This may help too.https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10971175