$200 HID conversion? - or a scam?

[lovetoski]

I know only a little about lighting, enough to install the better bulbs in my 80, and to switch to Cibie lenses in my 60 (both with Slee upgraded harnesses).

But, I don't know enough to evaluate the claims made in this ad in craigs list.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/pts/167079912.html

Even with the better bulbs in my 80, it's not ideal. My 60 is better. Dark nights, wet roads, in the mountains in winter, I'm going to do a mod for this coming winter. Hella 4000's are easy - I know they'll work. But want to evaluate other options too.

Appreciate any comments...

 

[WildYoats]

Doug-

I've dabbled a little in HID as a BMW enthusiast. Within the last year, I replaced my headlights in my 5 series with HID's from Hella.

I will say that Hella Ballasts are among the best ballasts out there. Aside from BMW, many high end car companies use the Hellas.

Something to think about. Usually, there is a lot more involved in converting a vehicle from halogen to xenon other than ballasts and bulbs. One crucial thing is the projectors. Xenon projectors are quite different than the projectors halogen bulbs use. In turn, yes, you may have that nice xenon bright light, but will your beams be projected as they should? More than likely not.

I have been looking into some Hella ballasts for my BMW's lower fog lights. I am not concerned about projection becuase my headlights have that covered (and to the tune of $1600K) ouch. But more so for the xenon look.

One can find a couple Hella ballasts on ebay for under $170. Also, just for reference, a lot of my BMW buddies have installed HID and went with a hotter bulb (higher than 6K) and the hue really gets to be blue. FYI, BMW's oem heat range on Xenon's are 4300K. Which I think are perfect.

Okay, one last point, then I will shut up. I am not too sure if HID's can handle the road turbulance and shock of an off road vehicle. At least these type of kits. Just food for thought.

Johnny

 

[lovetoski]

One crucial thing is the projectors. Xenon projectors are quite different than the projectors halogen bulbs use.

OK, so I knew that there was a lot I didn't know...

What's a projector? Is it the back side of the lamp housing? It's not the lens I guess, and obviously not the bulb.

Can you get different projectors? Or are you "stuck" with what you have?

Really appreciate the info.

 

[WildYoats]

OK, so I knew that there was a lot I didn't know...

What's a projector? Is it the back side of the lamp housing? It's not the lens I guess, and obviously not the bulb.

Can you get different projectors? Or are you "stuck" with what you have?

Really appreciate the info.

Here's a pic of some BMW projectors. They are basically the lens and housing that your HID bulbs go into. So yes, the reflector if you will.

As far as 80's go, personally I have not seen and style or type of xenon projector for them. But that doesn't mean they are not out there, I just don't know about them. So the conversion would be putting Xenon into your stock halogen housings.

In the next little bit I will be trying to scrounge up some ballasts and bulbs for my BMW's fog lights. I guess I could temporarily put the xenon bulb in my 80 headlight and see how skeewampus the light pattern is.

 

[hoser]

I am not too sure if HID's can handle the road turbulance and shock of an off road vehicle. At least these type of kits.

The HID bulbs themselves can handle shock better than traditional bulbs because there is no filament to break. I am not too sure how well the ballasts handle vibrations but the ballasts can be completely waterproof(ed).

lovetoski, I would not install any plug and play kit into the stock 80 series headlamps. The amount of glare would make it dangerous to other drivers and the results would be less than satisfactory. Like WildYoats said, the best way to do it is to retrofit an HID projector into the headlamp. It can be time consuming but the results are worth it.

Your install will be slightly more work than the HID retrofit on my LX470. But overall, I'd say it's a 2.5 job.

 

[mot]

Ooops, hoser beat me to it!

As far as 80's go, personally I have not seen and style or type of xenon projector for them. But that doesn't mean they are not out there, I just don't know about them. So the conversion would be putting Xenon into your stock halogen housings.

They don't exist.
Your best bet is to get the aftermarket clear headlight units somewhere (I believe LX_TREME posted a link to them in the US) a while ago, and graft in projector HID's in there like "hoser" did to his 470:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=91642

I've seen such a conversion done to a lense with texture on it like that of the 80, but the result "might" be less than ideal. I don't know to what degree, if at all. That's why I suggest getting the aftermarket units I mentioned above for such a conversion. But that'll add like $300-$400+ depending on where you get them (trade your HB3(or was it 4?) high for an H1 high beams).

I have seen the JDM H4 set-up with bi-xenon work OK, but it seems to differ by which brand is used, as well as playing around with the shield. This does not really apply to you guys in the US because your high/low are separate.

I think a couple of guys on Mud have done the HID conversion with their OEM housings; LX_TREME and possibly Montana Cruiser, as well. You might want to ask them, if they don't check in.

In the next little bit I will be trying to scrounge up some ballasts and bulbs for my BMW's fog lights. I guess I could temporarily put the xenon bulb in my 80 headlight and see how skeewampus the light pattern is.

Johnny,

I'm sure I don't need to tell you that you might not want to do the HID for the fogs if that's what you are going to be using them for, but you're going for the looks, right? Are you gonna color match the HID projectors or go yellow/amber?

Anyway, if one were budget conscious, I would probably just go with HIR's and put on aux. driving/spot lights on the bumper and be done with it.

Another option is to get aux./assist HID lights, such as Osram/Silvania Xenarc's:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Xenarc/XenarcKits.htm

Not that you asked, but you can get them at http://www.suvlights.com/ Here is the write up on installation:

http://www.suvlights.com/information.php?info_id=22

I think suvlights still sells them on e-bay, but I got them when they had them a little cheaper while ago ($275 or so with insured shipping to Utah).

You can remove the shield and make them into driving lights too (probably not that great as they are pretty small), or they offer yellow film to put on as well.

Anyway, this might be the easiest and cheapest way to go true HID.

Good luck!

Mot


Here are some pics borrowed from their site:


.


.


.


.

 

[hoser]

I've seen such a conversion done to a lense with texture on it like that of the 80, but the result "might" be less than ideal. I don't know to what degree, if at all. That's why I suggest getting the aftermarket units I mentioned above for such a conversion. But that'll add like $300-$400+ depending on where you get them (trade your HB3(or was it 4?) high for an H1 high beams).[/url]

It is possible to replace your glass lens with polycarbonate but you have to be fairly talented like this guy, Larry. Read about it here.

 

[mot]

...but you have to be fairly talented like this guy, Larry.

Or hoser.


Sure, I can do it no problem!

Mot

 

[WildYoats]

Cool! Interesting information, thanks Mot!

Hummmm.....So any 80 owners completed this task you say? I'm always game for something new and original.

Those kits are pretty neat (and reasonably priced too) Mot. One could mount those rather easily in a ARB bumper perhaps...

 

[mot]

Those kits are pretty neat (and reasonably priced too) Mot. One could mount those rather easily in a ARB bumper perhaps...

That's what I was thinking, too.

They used to start their auctions around or below $250, but now I see that they want more.

SUVlights are the only name mentioned on Sylvania's site for selling them.
I have no personal experience with the lights, but figure it's gotta be better than stock lighting or ghetto(sp) lighting that I would make them turn into if I fabbed them.

That said, I still dream of getting the aftermarket, crystal-clear headlights (I have a pair a pair of) and putting in a pair of projector bi-xenons for fun.

I'll look forward to seeing the end result of your HID grafting-into-the-ARB-bumper project now that you are done with the bumper.

Mot

 

[mot]

OK, I just remembered having posted these lights little over a year ago (BMW light conversion):


.


.


.


.

 

[WildYoats]

Wow, cool! Celis rings and all....

Did you find your aftermarket clears over there?

 

[mot]

Did you find your aftermarket clears over there?

Yes, with matching corner markers and all, but as I said, LX_TREME posted a link for the said lights in the US for $300US or something like that. The pic on the link did not show the corner markers, so not sure if they were included or not though.

This is the thread that I had about them, in case you missed it.

Mot