Xenon HID headlight conversion

[243]

I saw this listed on Ebay and know nothing about it. It say's, the "look of HID" headlamps.

Are these junk?

I've also seen offroad replacement headlamps listed in JCW, like 55-85 watt and up, are these a better buy?

[Veepster]

Good Question!!!...I am also in the market for some hi power lights headlights.....anyone made this switch?

[River Beast]

My friend did the swap in a Wrangler... the 6"(or 6.5")headlights are available to swap... I think I saw some in JC Whitney...looking into this myself in the near future....DO NOT GET THE SEALED BEAM...get the ones with the H-3 Halogens.... that way you can swap in the Xenon bulbs!!!!

I think the mods would be minimal

[M/Z]

Those type of lights put out a blueish light. Most new BMW and Audis have them. I have driving lights on my motorcyle with that type of bulb and they really put out a much brighter and focused light. Can be expensive, but worth it if you drive in areas without street lihgts (or off road).

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Be careful here. A lot of the cheap lamps are simply HID (high intensity discharge) look. That is, the glass is coated so the lights are tinted blue. They're no different than any other bulb. JC Whitney and others do offer higher wattage replacement bulbs for non sealed beam systems, and so long as you have a reflector/light setup(electrical) that can handle the increase wattage, go for that. The Xenon gas is the difference vs the halogen for producing a brighter sort of whiter-blueish light. Most of the blue hid look bulbs are just blue paint on glass to look like a high end. If they are brighter it is because they are higher wattage. True HID systems should be able to put out higher candlepower without using more energy(wattage). Let me sum this all up with the fact that I can't prove this. It's a little GA Tech schoolin' with lot's o' looking at Pep boys. Cause I'd really like to find a bulb that is normal wattage at low, and super bright at high, and that would actually last. That way your road legal on low, and can see offroad on high. Anyway, Don't invest too much cash in HID look lights, unless you enjoy that blue glow. Later,

Daniel

[Jake_S]

JC Whitney has the lights that use H4 bulbs in the 6x8 housing. I'm looking at getting a set of these since the H4 Halogens are planty bright for on the road without blinding oncoming traffic, but it's still a big upgrade over the stock sealed beams.
Jake_S

[Dive 30]

Let me lay this one on you . . . The "HID" bulbs they are selling are not at all like the Audi/Porsche/Mercedes systems. Yes, replacing your lenses with the halogen interchangeables is awesome, I have had it on both of my wags. To get a true HID, that is one that actually takes advantage of the Xenon or Metal Halide lamp, they require a separate core and coil assy just like the HID lights you see in warehouses/streetlamps/etc. These are available but they cost about $400.00 and the lamps run $75.00 a piece. I can get you some info if you need/want it. The blue lamps are cool, and I think they help with night driving. The other thing, is that 85 watt headlamps are not legal for use on the road. Those lamps are listed for 'law enforcement and public safety' use only. The lamps you see are NOT these systems. If you want to look at one up close go to your local Porsche/Audi dealer and grab one of the new brochures or ask a mechanic to explain it to you. Just don't be overly expectant of the other replacements, because they do work much better than the original sealed beams.

[GaWd]

I agree with Dive Big Yeller.

If an HID setup doesn't include a ballast assembly, then don't waste your money because it's simply a coating on the glass.

Sam

[Nagy]

I don't know much about the HID headlamps but I just installed a set of the Hella vision Plus replacement headlights on my 89 Wagoneer and now I can really see at night. On low beam, I believe that light output is almost doubled.

So far, oncoming traffic doesn't seem to mind the brighter lights as I haven't had anyone flashing me.

And the best part is that you can replace the bulb instead to the whole assembly. You can even add higher wattage bulbs but I can't see that would help much more. Today, light output is as much about the reflector as it is the bulb.

[Puslinch]

Try www.hids4less.com (http://www.hids4less.com)

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: Puslinch ]

[desert_freak]

In the past I have upgraded the old round sealed beam with European Hella H4 knockoffs. They are easily found at many VW shops, they offer a replacable bulb that you can install the H4 bulb in if you desire. I used to run the H4 bulbs and I just made sure the lights were aimed REALLY well to not offend oncoming traffic.

There can be concern over the increased wattage those bulbs draw and the stock wiring not designed to carry it :eek: Instead I prefer to install decent driving lights. They are often cheaper than swapping out the old system, offer better and selectable light patterns, have a great cutoff to not offend oncoming traffic (less likely to get stopped), alleviat the stock wiring limitations, look great and combined witht the stock lighting are hard to beat.

But that's just MY .02

P.J.

[243]

The H4's you are referring to are similar to the HID's on Ebay which have a round light with a replaceable lighting element.

With either setup or foglights for that matter, I would use the headlight circuit to send a signal to a Bosch relay which in turn, would send full power to the lights via the battery. The relay's are cheap, a car-b-cue is not cheap, or fun.

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