Headlight Upgrade Options

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spaber05 said:
@hidesertfj40 - A proper retrofit is the way to go, see pics below of the lights I had built by Danny at RIHIDS. Mine are a bit overkill with the dedicated high-beam and the LED DRL/turn signal strip, but I'm very happy with the results and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others (in fact I think he's done several 100 series builds since I originally started plugging him on here :) )

20150930_205839_zpspkacrvvw.jpg



20150930_210153_zpsykpwsd2u.jpg


DSC_0014_zpscfi2mcf9.jpg
Click to expand...
That looks pretty good!
Where is he located? I'm wanting a quality upgrade. I really don't want to upgrade my grill as 1998 is first year...
 
brianrride said:
I did the HIR upgrade...super easy and mild improvement over stock.
Click to expand...

I went to the HIR 9011 and 9012 and it was all good. Then went to the HIR2, which are a bit better, and swapped an HIR bulb into the fog light.....which I couldn't even see before lol
 
Any issues with the hotter bulb melting the fog light lenses? Heard that was a problem.
 
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Matserelli said:
Can't remember the last time it snowed here, but nevertheless you guys have sold me on ditching the LED's and going HID. Just debating the projector retrofit. Anything wrong with going with a kit like this?: 9006: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc
Click to expand...
I'm just gonna be the first one to say it, please do not install HIDs without doing a retrofit. Your putting an HID bulb in a housing that was made for a halogen bulb. Not only will you not be using the light to its full potential, you will be blinding oncoming drivers.

A retrofit is honestly not hard as long as you take your time and pay attention to detail. If not, there's several companies out there that do it, as mentioned above. I even do it as a side business. Though having someone else do it brings a higher price tag due to the amount of time it takes.
 
Matserelli said:
That looks good! Is the center bulb a different temperature? Or is it just the camera not picking up the proper colors? I would hate if it didn't match.
Click to expand...

Thanks! @DirtDawg's explanation is pretty spot on. The pictures are a little off, but my HIDs are 6000k so not quite the yellow they come across as. Obviously you can't really choose the temp of the LED's but they match pretty closely (the picture with the high beam on is more accurate color wise.
 
hidesertfj40 said:
That looks pretty good!
Where is he located? I'm wanting a quality upgrade. I really don't want to upgrade my grill as 1998 is first year...
Click to expand...

He's located in Rhode Island (hence the RIHIDS) but can build and ship wherever. I think there's someone on here in Vietnam that had him build a set!
 
I'll also echo what @DirtDawg said, please do a proper retrofit with projectors. Not only is it safer for you with better visibility and use of the available light, but also for other drivers that you won't be blinding with improperly aimed ight going everywhere, you don't want to be THAT guy!

It is expensive but it's the best money I've spent on the LC so far, hands down!
 
Matserelli said:
Can't remember the last time it snowed here, but nevertheless you guys have sold me on ditching the LED's and going HID. Just debating the projector retrofit. Anything wrong with going with a kit like this? (Besides not having the nice cut-off line): 9006: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc
Click to expand...
It is easy to open the headlight and bolt in the MH1 projectors from theretrofitsource. There is a major difference between a 9006 HID bulb in the stock reflector and a H1 HID in the MH1 projectors mounted in the factory headlight as far as beam pattern goes.

9006 HID bulbs in stock housing (notice light everywhere, including other driver's eyes):


H1 HID bulb in morimoto MH1 projector (in my 2500HD but the output is the same; passenger side is too high and was adjusted later):


closeup:

the slight mod done to the housing to fit the shroud is visible here. If not done, the projector is angled down as you try to tighten it. Easy mod.

finished look on a stock 100



After trying ebay and ddmtuning hid kits, I will only buy OEM parts or morimoto stuff from theretrofitsource. No affiliation, but the few extra dollars is worth it.
I'd get 35w ballasts, 4500k bulbs for OEM look, mini gatlin gun shrouds, 9006 harness, no led rings, halos or anything else.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...al-kits/bixenon-morimoto-mini-h1-stage-3.html

Follow the install thread and you only have to slightly trim the top edge of the housing to clear the shroud. Not even noticable.

How To: HID+Projector Retrofit on a 100 Series.
 
Last edited:
bamabrock said:
It is easy to open the headlight and bolt in the MH1 projectors from theretrofitsource. There is a major difference between a 9006 HID bulb in the stock reflector and a H1 HID in the MH1 projectors mounted in the factory headlight as far as beam pattern goes.

9006 HID bulbs in stock housing (notice light everywhere, including other driver's eyes):


H1 HID bulb in morimoto MH1 projector (in my 2500HD but the output is the same; passenger side is too high and was adjusted later):


closeup:

the slight mod done to the housing to fit the shroud is visible here. If not done, the projector is angled down as you try to tighten it. Easy mod.

finished look on a stock 100



After trying ebay and ddmtuning hid kits, I will only buy OEM parts or morimoto stuff from theretrofitsource. No affiliation, but the few extra dollars is worth it.
I'd get 35w ballasts, 4500k bulbs for OEM look, mini gatlin gun shrouds, 9006 harness, no led rings, halos or anything else.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...al-kits/bixenon-morimoto-mini-h1-stage-3.html

Follow the install thread and you only have to slightly trim the top edge of the housing to clear the shroud. Not even noticable.

How To: HID+Projector Retrofit on a 100 Series.
Click to expand...


Who else here has used this kit.
 
DirtDawg said:
I'm just gonna be the first one to say it, please do not install HIDs without doing a retrofit. Your putting an HID bulb in a housing that was made for a halogen bulb. Not only will you not be using the light to its full potential, you will be blinding oncoming drivers.

A retrofit is honestly not hard as long as you take your time and pay attention to detail. If not, there's several companies out there that do it, as mentioned above. I even do it as a side business. Though having someone else do it brings a higher price tag due to the amount of time it takes.
Click to expand...

I have no doubt I can do the retrofit. I'm just worried I won't enjoy the look of the projector in the housing.
 
bamabrock said:
It is easy to open the headlight and bolt in the MH1 projectors from theretrofitsource. There is a major difference between a 9006 HID bulb in the stock reflector and a H1 HID in the MH1 projectors mounted in the factory headlight as far as beam pattern goes.

9006 HID bulbs in stock housing (notice light everywhere, including other driver's eyes):


H1 HID bulb in morimoto MH1 projector (in my 2500HD but the output is the same; passenger side is too high and was adjusted later):


closeup:

the slight mod done to the housing to fit the shroud is visible here. If not done, the projector is angled down as you try to tighten it. Easy mod.

finished look on a stock 100



After trying ebay and ddmtuning hid kits, I will only buy OEM parts or morimoto stuff from theretrofitsource. No affiliation, but the few extra dollars is worth it.
I'd get 35w ballasts, 4500k bulbs for OEM look, mini gatlin gun shrouds, 9006 harness, no led rings, halos or anything else.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...al-kits/bixenon-morimoto-mini-h1-stage-3.html

Follow the install thread and you only have to slightly trim the top edge of the housing to clear the shroud. Not even noticable.

How To: HID+Projector Retrofit on a 100 Series.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks for the pics! The more I stare at them, the more I get used to the look. I've read the install thread a few times to get a feeling for it. Prob a mistake but I'm gonna ask the wife what she thinks.

Noticed most of you guys recommend and run the 35w ballasts. Anything wrong with the 50w?
 
I have the 35w H1 mini's in the stock housings and IMO they put out a perfect colour. For looks, the high beam /drl look muddy in contrast. I wasn't happy with the aesthetics in stock housings and will be switching to depo's soon.
 
Several reasons for 35w over 55w. The only advantage of running a 55 is a little more light intensity. However there are several draw backs:
-they generate a lot more heat than the 35w
-they have a shorter lifespan (due to the heat)
-they obviously draw more power
-more expensive

The shorter lifespan of the 55w is what keeps me away from them, even with a quality morimoto kit, you will still see it. And honestly the gain in intensity isn't worth it.
 
I went to a salvage yard and cut some headlight connectors off a IS300 equipped with hids. Paid a $1 for the connectors. Then used denso ballast to fire up my CBI bulbs. Drilled the ballast to the base of the headlight. Also I used tsx-r clear lens.
 
On a highway 7+ lanes, I lights it up easily. Nice wide spread across my front end. Razor sharp cutoff line. Bright white, when I pull up to cars with factory hid, my lights make oem hid look yellow.
 
bamabrock said:
It is easy to open the headlight and bolt in the MH1 projectors from theretrofitsource. There is a major difference between a 9006 HID bulb in the stock reflector and a H1 HID in the MH1 projectors mounted in the factory headlight as far as beam pattern goes.

9006 HID bulbs in stock housing (notice light everywhere, including other driver's eyes):

H1 HID bulb in morimoto MH1 projector (in my 2500HD but the output is the same; passenger side is too high and was adjusted later):


closeup:

I'd get 35w ballasts, 4500k bulbs for OEM look,
Click to expand...

Brother that is frickin impressive!!! Wow... I remember working for Acura when we got the TSX and the HIDs were beautiful... That cut off is sweet!

I'm really going to think about these soon. I've been to TRSs website and looked around.

Wanted to add closest to sunlight and the natural human eye sensitivity is 4300K, your 4500 is spot on.

Also why not 55W?
 
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