2003+ LX projector beam head/fog lamps

[SR.GRINGO]

The only other year would be a '06, but way too much $$$$. I got the '03 because it was the first year w/ the 5spd auto and last year w/ the ATF dipstick and type IV ATF. From monitoring this forum for the past 3 yrs, my feeling is to go '01 or newer. There were a couple of trannies on '00 LX's that blew way back, but I can't recall any major issues w/ '01+, plus I know one guy w/ a 01 and another w/ a 03 LC and both have been problem-free.

There is a shop in LA called illusion lighting (illusion-lighting.com) that will convert your lamps into HID's. They basically select a HID (e-code or DOT, you choose, but keep in mind e-code isn't street legal) projector housing and splice it into your existing lamps. They then use the normal HID bulbs/ballast. Cost is something like ~$1K and some change. That's the easy way to do what hoser did. I was thinking about doing that until learning about the xenondepot kit w/ rebased bulbs.

Jim,

Thanks for the advice. The 03 looks like the ultimate model especially considering the steep depreciation they have taken--the 01 wouldn't be as polished...ie 4spd trans, no side air bags, but it is pretty tempting right now.... I was set on a LX mainly becuase of the headlights and suspension--illusion lighting was sounding great until Cary posted up the Rallylights option--sounds like I can get Halogen that produces massive lumens at a reasonable price--and will look fairly stock--good thing about Illusions is it would look stock.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Any idea how the quality is on these Hella 90 and 120 modules? I am a little concerned becuase they have the same rubber cap on the back as the micro de. I have been boycotting hella for the last 5 years becuase I purchased a new 2000 4Runner and added the hella micro de--they corroded out in less than a years time and Hella would not honor the gurantee. Apparently it was a common problem-- I know the stuff like rallye 4000 has better quality.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

O.K. the first pic is the hella I had problems with, and the 2nd is a pic of the modules.

 

[cary]

Cary,

First off I wanted to say Thanks for all of the fantastic links--I have been reading non-stop since friday! Today took a small break to drive around in a hurricane--not used to rain, and wind! I have many questions but one that went unanwsered is this quote:

You also have two FACTORY HID options, using seperate low and high HID lamps (3000 lumens each) or a new style BI-Xenon lamp.

Where can I see the above product and how much does it cost? These modules that rallylights have look really neat. For the output I believe the 80 may get treated to some 120mm. Here is what I am seeing:

90mm high beam can use H9 bulbs that produce 2900 Lumens for $220
120mm high beam can use H1 Yellowstars producing 2500 lumens for $250
90mm HID with D2S ECE(illegal U.S.) for about $1000

This appears to be a hell of an alternative to the Rallye 4000--It will have much more of a factory look--on the 100 or LX could be placed in the front air dam. I think I would go for the 120mm becuase I can use the Yellowstars. How many lumens does the HID D2S ECE produce?

If you look under the 90 mm lamps, you will find they offer a Bi-xenon as an option below the regular xenon lamps.

An HID D2S ECE is 3200 lumens.

Double check with rally lights about running the high output bulbs.

Keep in mind, there is more than lumen bulb output, some lamps are more efficient at getting light out the front end, i.e. old fashioned lamps with a parabolic reflector and fluted lens were in the mid 20% and many modern FF lamps and projector lamps are approaching 50% efficiency, so you can have the same bulb in two different lamps and have a variance of 2x in actual output. Generally the larger the reflector the more light out the front, so the 90mm and 120mm modules may still not compete with that big assed 4000 FF lamp.

Finally, here is a great writup on the 90mm conversion lamps. Click on the phot pages to get some ideas on output.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/u/mulgeary/Hella90/