Headlight Conversions
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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Mostly that's about the danger to emergency workers. You can confirm how dangerous HID's are with a quick Google on the subject. Dang things bite if you aren’t careful.
Personally I hate HID’s in oncoming cars, they destroy your night vision. They are popular in Europe but the road and driving conditions are totally different here.
I would think long and hard before tackling this mod. I also have found a lot of data on actual visibility in aftermarket conversions. The driver says it’s better, but the field tests usually don’t back it up.
Of course if you are just doing it for 'bragging rights' just to do it, or for show purposes, have at.
Chris
Personally I hate HID’s in oncoming cars, they destroy your night vision. They are popular in Europe but the road and driving conditions are totally different here.
I would think long and hard before tackling this mod. I also have found a lot of data on actual visibility in aftermarket conversions. The driver says it’s better, but the field tests usually don’t back it up.
Of course if you are just doing it for 'bragging rights' just to do it, or for show purposes, have at.
Chris
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Georgia
Originally Posted by JohnnyBoy
Something about being ILLEGAL to convert a vehivle to HID. Idiotic if you ask me. Just another way for DOT to take vacations on us.
) My goal is simply this; to improve my night driving ability and visibilty. I am not looking for the "blue look". I want the white light. It has been proven the the "blue look" (cheap imitations) actually tires your eyes quickly. However, the white (original HID's) or yellow (halogen) does not tire your eyes as easily. I do appreciate eveyones input in this matter though. It is very enlightening to know that they are more individuals out there with some sense of legal morales when it comes to safety. Any more input or info. would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 290
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From: South TX
A great source for automotive lighting info is Dan Sterns site @ http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 513
Likes: 10
From: Sunny San Diego
I've got a couple pairs of Projection lights on ebay right now... why?? Well... I changed out my stock headlamps on my '00 Excursion since they were a bit scratched up and not so 'clear'. I wasn't too impressed. Hence the reason they're on Ebay now. I have two sets, one brand new in the box and one I'll remove off of my Excursion.
I'm in the process of either installing the 2005 headlight assembly (all one piece - with 9008 or H13 style headlamps) or the 2004 which isn't on piece and more HIDs are available (9007 style headlamp).
The projector style (on low beam) did give me more light, but the high beam wasn't aligned correctly in the fixture. To align the high beam, you'd mess up the low beam in the process.
Mine are APC style projector lamps.... not too bad.
(here's a pic with the headlamp AND corner lenses)
John
I'm in the process of either installing the 2005 headlight assembly (all one piece - with 9008 or H13 style headlamps) or the 2004 which isn't on piece and more HIDs are available (9007 style headlamp).
The projector style (on low beam) did give me more light, but the high beam wasn't aligned correctly in the fixture. To align the high beam, you'd mess up the low beam in the process.
Mine are APC style projector lamps.... not too bad.
(here's a pic with the headlamp AND corner lenses)
John
Originally Posted by EnergizerBunny69
Hey jaytee04 
Thanks, I also looked at the projection lights on ebay as an alternative to the HID's. I was not to sure about the projection lights because of the possibilty of degrading the performance of the lighting, especially at night, which is when I do the majority of my driving. I am pretty much set on trying to get the HID's in my truck. I will "post" as soon as I can find some that will work, even if it means doing some modifications in order to do the install.
Thanks, I also looked at the projection lights on ebay as an alternative to the HID's. I was not to sure about the projection lights because of the possibilty of degrading the performance of the lighting, especially at night, which is when I do the majority of my driving. I am pretty much set on trying to get the HID's in my truck. I will "post" as soon as I can find some that will work, even if it means doing some modifications in order to do the install.
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
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I was doing a lot of research on HID conversions, and frankly it almost made me want to completely steer clear of even doing it. If you simply use your existing headlight fixtures for a conversion and "retrofit" a HID system in, this is illegal. It is illegal because of where the actual lightsource in the bulb is in regards to how it sits in the housing. All Halogen bulbs of each size have the filiment located in the same spot so it will reflect off of the housings designed for it. If you replace those bulbs with a HID bulb, the lightsource sits in a different spot which throws off the light reflection, which will give a bad glare to oncoming traffic, and not give you the performance HID should.
If you want to do a true conversion, you actually need to purchase a new housing. This is probably why you hear of some people actually just modifying lenses of stock HID to fit their vehicle. I have found one place online that actually modifies your stock housing to be compliant. They actually replace the reflective housing (usually with projection lenses). This will probably cost about $800-$1000 to get it done right. From the reviews I have read, I would steer clear of the bargain HID conversions. When you drop $300-$500 on those babies and they burn out after the first month, you just made a $100+ mistake.
If you want to do a true conversion, you actually need to purchase a new housing. This is probably why you hear of some people actually just modifying lenses of stock HID to fit their vehicle. I have found one place online that actually modifies your stock housing to be compliant. They actually replace the reflective housing (usually with projection lenses). This will probably cost about $800-$1000 to get it done right. From the reviews I have read, I would steer clear of the bargain HID conversions. When you drop $300-$500 on those babies and they burn out after the first month, you just made a $100+ mistake.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Southeast Georgia
Hey guys thanks for all of the info. I think that I will have to pass on the conversion lenses that go in the Excursion however. Thanks again. I will have to continue to do some more research on this. I WILL get it done. Like they say....... anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time.
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