Recent Headlight technology

[swoop]

hi all,

I’ve done some looking here but haven’t found much from the last few years. I am curious on upgrading the lighting for a 2005 lx470 and what current best options are.

I have had some Morimoto 35w 4,300k? Hids in the fog housing for a few years now, but the housing on one side is constantly filled with humidity/water. I’d like to get that figured out for one. Any suggestions? There was no moisture inside before the hid install so I assume it’s related.

Secondly, I had a low beam light go out this week, and am debating either going with a upgraded halogen light like a osram nightbreaker or Phillips extreme vision (concerned about longevity) or going with another hid kit in the low beam. Thoughts on how lx470’s handle hid’s in the stock low beam housing? Until I adjusted the fogs down a bit, I was under constant attack from other drivers with the hid fogs, so I’ don’t want to deal with that in my low beams. If the factory projector in a lx does not handle hid well, I’ll go with a halogen of some sort, and would love some suggestions for improved width and brightness, that hopefully does not decrease longevity.

Appreciate and thoughts on the topic.

 

[Daddy Rabbit]

I have a 2005 LC that I just got finished replacing all the lights inside and out with leds I got them all from Amazon..They make a world of difference and not too pricey..I did this to my 1999 a couple years ago and they have held up really well..The fog lights are a little too bright. I only use them when I'm off road..

 

[knewstance]

I have had some Morimoto 35w 4,300k? Hids in the fog housing for a few years now, but the housing on one side is constantly filled with humidity/water. I’d like to get that figured out for one. Any suggestions? There was no moisture inside before the hid install so I assume it’s related.

The retorfit source (and other places) sell dehydration packets like you find in beef jerky. That could solve your issue. Unless you cracked open the headlight, this really shouldn't have been an issue though. Regardless, I think that is your easiest/cheapest first solution.

Secondly, I had a low beam light go out this week, and am debating either going with a upgraded halogen light like a osram nightbreaker or Phillips extreme vision (concerned about longevity) or going with another hid kit in the low beam. Thoughts on how lx470’s handle hid’s in the stock low beam housing? Until I adjusted the fogs down a bit, I was under constant attack from other drivers with the hid fogs, so I’ don’t want to deal with that in my low beams.

I'd be surprised if your HIDs went out. You used quality materials. After so many HID installs, I've never needed to replace any components and I have always used the cheap China kits. Probably a connection issue. And if there is a hardware issue, you can just replace a single part. No need to replace the whole set up.

As for the blinding of other drivers, you have a higher vehicle than most. That will always be an issue. Just make sure your headlights are properly aimed and you should have zero problems with this. Park 25' away from a wall on a flat surface and adjust your low beams to be flat/slightly declining.

 

[Hokie LX]

There have been quite a few recent threads on headlights for our trucks ranging from drop in kits to full projector retrofits. I opted to do a Acura TSX D2S retrofit into my truck and the results are fantastic. I have pics in my build thread (check my signature for link).

Your fogs most likely have condensation due to a poor seal on the back of the light where the HID's were fitted or the seal on the lens has failed. I have HID's in my fogs with no condensation. I would check the caps or fittings to see if there are any gaps/holes. However, TRS also does sell moisture absorbent packs as well to help with this.

The stock LX projector housings are not great with a drop in HID kit compared to a real HID projector. You won't yield any more width but will gain some brightness and intensity and your squirrel finders will be more pronounced. Width is a function of the projector itself so you won't see any quantifiable difference in width or beam pattern from different bulbs, halogen or HID. You will need to retrofit a different projector into your lights to get a better beam pattern. Someone recently started producing HID projector brackets for retrofitting good HID projectors into our trucks. This is the route I would go if you are handy and want to do a retrofit which is what I would suggest.

LX470 HID RETROFIT PROJECTOR BRACKET

Check that out and search HID in this forum for more results. A different projector will give you the best results. My TSX D2S projectors have great intensity and brightness and a width of 6-8 lanes. I use the Morimoto 35W D2S kit with some good quality Osram NightBreaker Xenarc D2S bulbs.

 

[Simplespirit]

Best direct replacement bulbs are HIR. Just have to trim some tabs. Best overall would be an HID projector retrofit.

 

[abuck99]

Im very happy with the Osram Nightbreakers. I wanted a simple and inexpensive upgrade- these fit the bill. Alternate option locally available in most parts stores is the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra- fractionally different in performance so a good second choice.

Heres a good test & review resource:
BulbFacts | OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited vs OEM / Original Headlight Bulbs

 

[Leandro]

I have a 2005 LC that I just got finished replacing all the lights inside and out with leds I got them all from Amazon..They make a world of difference and not too pricey..I did this to my 1999 a couple years ago and they have held up really well..The fog lights are a little too bright. I only use them when I'm off road..

Which LED options did you get? I was looking at a few earlier this year, but didn't find any real life review/experience. Are they really brighter than a good quality halogen?

 

[swoop]

There have been quite a few recent threads on headlights for our trucks ranging from drop in kits to full projector retrofits. I opted to do a Acura TSX D2S retrofit into my truck and the results are fantastic. I have pics in my build thread (check my signature for link).

Your fogs most likely have condensation due to a poor seal on the back of the light where the HID's were fitted or the seal on the lens has failed. I have HID's in my fogs with no condensation. I would check the caps or fittings to see if there are any gaps/holes. However, TRS also does sell moisture absorbent packs as well to help with this.

The stock LX projector housings are not great with a drop in HID kit compared to a real HID projector. You won't yield any more width but will gain some brightness and intensity and your squirrel finders will be more pronounced. Width is a function of the projector itself so you won't see any quantifiable difference in width or beam pattern from different bulbs, halogen or HID. You will need to retrofit a different projector into your lights to get a better beam pattern. Someone recently started producing HID projector brackets for retrofitting good HID projectors into our trucks. This is the route I would go if you are handy and want to do a retrofit which is what I would suggest.

LX470 HID RETROFIT PROJECTOR BRACKET

Check that out and search HID in this forum for more results. A different projector will give you the best results. My TSX D2S projectors have great intensity and brightness and a width of 6-8 lanes. I use the Morimoto 35W D2S kit with some good quality Osram NightBreaker Xenarc D2S bulbs.

Thanks for the in depth response. I do have a cracked headlight housing, so I’m not sure if I want to go down the road of retrofitting considering the cost of a new housing as well as the retrofit, but what would that entire retrofit project cost time wise & $ approximately? I believe the replacement oem headlight assembly alone was $400 + last time I checked.

Do the moisture absorbing packs expire or get depleted after a certain amount of time? I live in Georgia, very close to TRS oddly enough, but I deal with a lot of high humidity so I’m curious how long I could expect that to last.

Based on your feedback and not wanting to do any sort of modifications to the housing other than going to hid - do you know of a halogen bulb id see a noticeable light output increase, where I wouldn’t significantly cut down on longevity of the bulb?

 

[swoop]

Im very happy with the Osram Nightbreakers. I wanted a simple and inexpensive upgrade- these fit the bill. Alternate option locally available in most parts stores is the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra- fractionally different in performance so a good second choice.

Heres a good test & review resource:
BulbFacts | OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited vs OEM / Original Headlight Bulbs

That’s closest to where my head is at now. I don’t want any sort of blue tint to the lights though. What type of longevity are you getting out of the Osrams? I’ve heard some pretty low hours reported before they are toast.

 

[abuck99]

That’s closest to where my head is at now. I don’t want any sort of blue tint to the lights though. What type of longevity are you getting out of the Osrams? I’ve heard some pretty low hours reported before they are toast.

So far- good. About 2 years in use. As for blue tint- there is none in the light output. The bulbs themselves have a blue tint in the glass but that does not show up in the shade of light output in fact it's a very bright white output, and with the OEM reflector I think you great light spread.

 

[knewstance]

I do have a cracked headlight housing

If you do not replace the cracked/broken housing you will never be able to remove the moisture. Dehydration packets will not be very effective because you are will always be reintroducing new/more moisture.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

That’s closest to where my head is at now. I don’t want any sort of blue tint to the lights though. What type of longevity are you getting out of the Osrams? I’ve heard some pretty low hours reported before they are toast.

The blue tint is based on color temp, when you order a bulb you will pick the color temp.
Color temperature - Wikipedia

 

[swoop]

If you do not replace the cracked/broken housing you will never be able to remove the moisture. Dehydration packets will not be very effective because you are will always be reintroducing new/more moisture.

Oddly enough I have no moisture problems in the headlight housing that is cracked. Just the fog light housing where there are no visible cracks.

 

[Hokie LX]

Thanks for the in depth response. I do have a cracked headlight housing, so I’m not sure if I want to go down the road of retrofitting considering the cost of a new housing as well as the retrofit, but what would that entire retrofit project cost time wise & $ approximately? I believe the replacement oem headlight assembly alone was $400 + last time I checked.

Do the moisture absorbing packs expire or get depleted after a certain amount of time? I live in Georgia, very close to TRS oddly enough, but I deal with a lot of high humidity so I’m curious how long I could expect that to last.

Based on your feedback and not wanting to do any sort of modifications to the housing other than going to hid - do you know of a halogen bulb id see a noticeable light output increase, where I wouldn’t significantly cut down on longevity of the bulb?

The headlight housing crack *could* be remidied with some adhesive (JBweld, Butyl or other adhesive to seal the moisture gap). My cost for headlight and foglight HID retrofit materials was ~$500 during their Black Friday 25% off sale. I also bought expensive bulbs. You could get away with just a headlight retrofit for probably $300 + the retrofit bracket cost if you chose to use one. I knocked my retrofit out in less than 1 day including, removal of stock headlights, baking them open, disassembling and modifying the existing projector mount to accept a new projector and reassembling them back into the truck.

I personally do not have experience with the moisture pack. I would advise the route of trying to seal the headlight crack to prevent additional moisture from entering the headlight rather than using moisture packs.

I would call TRS and talk to them, or swing by if you're close to their shop. They were immensely helpful answering my questions. If you seal the headlight correctly, there shouldn't be any humidity issues once installed. I have had mine in for ~2 years with no issues whatsoever.

I did the HIR retrofit into my truck and upgraded to HID within a month... The HIR does make a slight slight improvement over a stanard fit halogen but not enough that anyone would notice other than yourself. No halogen will compare to even a cheap HID projector retrofit.

My HID retrofit is my favorite part about the truck to be honest!

 

[KC100series]

@abuck99 Are you running the 9005 and 9006 for the highs and lows on the Osrams?

 

[swoop]

The headlight housing crack *could* be remidied with some adhesive (JBweld, Butyl or other adhesive to seal the moisture gap). My cost for headlight and foglight HID retrofit materials was ~$500 during their Black Friday 25% off sale. I also bought expensive bulbs. You could get away with just a headlight retrofit for probably $300 + the retrofit bracket cost if you chose to use one. I knocked my retrofit out in less than 1 day including, removal of stock headlights, baking them open, disassembling and modifying the existing projector mount to accept a new projector and reassembling them back into the truck.

I personally do not have experience with the moisture pack. I would advise the route of trying to seal the headlight crack to prevent additional moisture from entering the headlight rather than using moisture packs.

I would call TRS and talk to them, or swing by if you're close to their shop. They were immensely helpful answering my questions. If you seal the headlight correctly, there shouldn't be any humidity issues once installed. I have had mine in for ~2 years with no issues whatsoever.

I did the HIR retrofit into my truck and upgraded to HID within a month... The HIR does make a slight slight improvement over a stanard fit halogen but not enough that anyone would notice other than yourself. No halogen will compare to even a cheap HID projector retrofit.

My HID retrofit is my favorite part about the truck to be honest!

To clarify -the housing that shows humidity constantly is the fog light housing, where hids are currently installed.

The headlight crack is in the housing for the low beams. That headlight stays completely free of humidty somehow. I either want to install hids here if the projectors will work decently, or use upgraded halogens. I do a lot of driving at night on back roads and need as much light output as possible.

So given that the fog is the one I’m interested in getting a humidty pack of sorts for, do you think I’d be wasting time? Or will it keep humidty out for say a year plus?

 

[swoop]

So far- good. About 2 years in use. As for blue tint- there is none in the light output. The bulbs themselves have a blue tint in the glass but that does not show up in the shade of light output in fact it's a very bright white output, and with the OEM reflector I think you great light spread.

That’s great to hear - have you tried other halogens like the Phillips ultra or extreme vision?

 

[Simplespirit]

FWIW - none of the 9005 or 9006 bulbs will be as good as the 9011 and 9012 HIR versions.

 

[Hokie LX]

To clarify -the housing that shows humidity constantly is the fog light housing, where hids are currently installed.

The headlight crack is in the housing for the low beams. That headlight stays completely free of humidty somehow. I either want to install hids here if the projectors will work decently, or use upgraded halogens. I do a lot of driving at night on back roads and need as much light output as possible.

So given that the fog is the one I’m interested in getting a humidty pack of sorts for, do you think I’d be wasting time? Or will it keep humidty out for say a year plus?

If it were me, I'd just buy a new fog light housing and replace it. They aren't overly expensive, especially used. TRS would be able to give you a better answer on the effective lifetime of a humidity pack. Or check out HIDplanet forums as you may find your answer there.

The headlight housing may just not be cracked enough to allow moisture to enter or the vents are working properly.

If you are looking for the best light output for backroad driving, go with a proper HID retrofit. Mine lights up both lanes and the ditches on both sides of the road easily and gives me excellent visibility to deer and other creatures.

 

[KillerBox]

I am subscribing because I would like brighter headlights too. But, I only understand about 1/2 of what y'all are talking about.

I asked a forum member about buying a set but, I have a hard time spending 2k+ on a set of headlights. Maybe that is a good price because I have no idea of what parts are required?