Upgrading stock low-beams - what are you using?

[eatSleepWoof]

The low-beams in my LX are abysmal. The headlight lenses are clean & clear, but the light output might as well be coming from a wax candle.

I believe the OEM setup uses HIDs in appropriate projectors. Has anyone swapped-in different HID bulbs? Did you do a direct swap or also install an aftermarket ballast? Any recommendations for specific parts?

(On a side note, how is it that there's not a single search result hit for "HID" in the 200-series forum? Is everyone happy with stock output?!)

 

[options2]

They make LED conversations for HID setups. If you already have projectors.....should not be an issue.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

They make LED conversations for HID setups. If you already have projectors.....should not be an issue.

I'm not sure I want to convert to LED. My understanding is that LEDs are brighter, but HIDs still have better light throw/distance.

 

[mpho]

I have the ARB LED Head light low and high replacement....Outstanding! Give Cruiser Outfitters a call.

 

[89FJ62inVA]

The low-beams in my LX are abysmal. The headlight lenses are clean & clear, but the light output might as well be coming from a wax candle.

I believe the OEM setup uses HIDs in appropriate projectors. Has anyone swapped-in different HID bulbs? Did you do a direct swap or also install an aftermarket ballast? Any recommendations for specific parts?

(On a side note, how is it that there's not a single search result hit for "HID" in the 200-series forum? Is everyone happy with stock output?!)

have the IPF led's for low/hi/fog and love them

 

[beretta]

I have the ARB LED Head light low and high replacement....Outstanding! Give Cruiser Outfitters a call.

I also have the ARB/IPF led replacements and they are Flame Throwers!

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Do any of you guys running IPFs live in climates that get significant snow? I'm worried that the LEDs will not produce enough heat to melt the snow as it accumulates on the headlights.

 

[mpho]

I live in the mountains of Park City, Utah at 7,000. Unfortunately/fortunately, I have another vehicle to drive during the winter months. I wouldn't worry....but that's just my opinion.

 

[Reckless]

I am in Chicago and it does have issues with ice/snow building up on headlights a bit more than the halogen bulbs. I had to use ice scrapper once or twice during a snow blizzard driving 8 hours through Canada to see clearly. Even through the chunk of snow/ice it was giving off as much light as the halogen bulbs.

I love the lights and have trouble driving other cars now including my Dads S Class which I used to think had the brightest Xenon lights. He wants to upgrade to IPF if we can find a way.

 

[bloc]

I have Phillips HIR bulbs in my high beam spots and would absolutely put them in the lows if I didn’t already have HIDs. They have worked SO well in every vehicle I’ve installed them in, and no funky issues waterproofing heat sinks or odd beam placement. In my cruiser hitting high beams will illuminate reflective signs to the point they are uncomfortable to look at.

All of that said.. check the condition of your wiring and relevant fuses and sockets in the box. This isn’t yet a common problem with 200s (that I know of) but older cruisers had issues with the wiring degrading over time.

No bulb will work well if it can’t get the current it needs.. though I do guess LEDs use less current in the first place so maybe bad wiring wouldn’t be as much of a problem.

 

[EPUro2019]

For those that have done the arb/ipf led, is it difficult to do? Any fancy wiring or electrical work?

 

[ckkone]

For those that have done the arb/ipf led, is it difficult to do? Any fancy wiring or electrical work?

You have HID low beams if you have a 13-15 LC, I wouldn't change those out to LED. You could add LED to your high beams though:

Anyone tried Xenopro LED headlights?

If you want to upgrade your low beams I'd get these:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/PHILIPS-フィ...F8&qid=1546978077&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+d4s

 

[Reckless]

For those that have done the arb/ipf led, is it difficult to do? Any fancy wiring or electrical work?

Nothing to do, very simple (my mechanic told me). After doing it, I don't know if I would believe so highly in IPF brand. It is a great bulb but one blew out in my fog light within 3 months.

 

[SQRRRL]

I know the OEM HID is a warm color compared to my IPF high beams. With that said the IPF LED fog blend well with the OEM HID.
Do the Philips HID’s our our more light then OEM or is it more white in color?

 

[Jmivorm]

My 2019 200 series has factory led low, high and fogs. They are bright also. Only vehicle Ive ever owned other than a range rover (2013 with hid) that I have not upgraded lights on. They are impressive.

 

[speyrod]

I just picked up an 09 LX and the low beams are the worst. I was literally going to order these Hiraki and happened to see this

https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Headl...keywords=philips+h11+led+headlight+bulb&psc=1



When I noticed these with an adjustable beam.

https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Conve...keywords=philips+h11+led+headlight+bulb&psc=1



I think this is the direction I am going for the Hi beams

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077B7GJ5J/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A20DLZVH04R37U&psc=1

Thoughts?

 

[gaijin]

I think this is the direction I am going for the Hi beams

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077B7GJ5J/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A20DLZVH04R37U&psc=1

Thoughts?

I purchased those HB3(9005) Hikari bulbs for High Beams on my 2013LC. They are exceptional. Very bright with a great focused beam for great illumination at distance. They replaced the IPF Gen2 bulbs I had and the Hikaris are better than the IPF's.

If your lights are like mine where the High Beams are also used for DRL's, then the Hikaris will flicker when used as DRL's. To cure this, I purchased these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2OI1KN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They were an exceptionally easy install - just plug them inline with the bulb wiring, no additional power or ground connections. Now my DRL's are steady - absolutely no flickering.

My Low Beams are different from yours - I have HID's where yours are Halogens, so I cannot speak from expeerience, but I don't think you need the Hikaris you linked to that have the adjustable beam. I think they are designed to rotate so they can be used in housings that work best with bulbs that are not oriented vertically, but rather at an angle. You're probably OK with the (higher output) Hikaris that do not have the adjustable beam. Also the adjustables are just one more thing that could get out of alignment. Of course, just my $0.02 and those with more experience with your particular model year may have better advice.

HTH

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I purchased those HB3(9005) Hikari bulbs for High Beams on my 2013LC. They are exceptional. Very bright with a great focused beam for great illumination at distance. They replaced the IPF Gen2 bulbs I had and the Hikaris are better than the IPF's.

If your lights are like mine where the High Beams are also used for DRL's, then the Hikaris will flicker when used as DRL's. To cure this, I purchased these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2OI1KN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They were an exceptionally easy install - just plug them inline with the bulb wiring, no additional power or ground connections. Now my DRL's are steady - absolutely no flickering.

My Low Beams are different from yours - I have HID's where yours are Halogens, so I cannot speak from expeerience, but I don't think you need the Hikaris you linked to that have the adjustable beam. I think they are designed to rotate so they can be used in housings that work best with bulbs that are not oriented vertically, but rather at an angle. You're probably OK with the (higher output) Hikaris that do not have the adjustable beam. Also the adjustables are just one more thing that could get out of alignment. Of course, just my $0.02 and those with more experience with your particular model year may have better advice.

HTH

What are you using for your HID low beams? Stock D4S bulbs?

And how was the installation of those Hikaris into your high beams? Plug & play into OEM wiring?

 

[gaijin]

What are you using for your HID low beams? Stock D4S bulbs?

And how was the installation of those Hikaris into your high beams? Plug & play into OEM wiring?

I replaced the stock D4S bulbs with Made in Germany Philips 6000K Ultinon HID D4S 42V 35W Model#:42402WXX2 bulbs: Buy the Philips Ultinon HID 6000K Headlight bulb 42402WXX2 Headlight bulb. They are a perfect match for the Hikaris and brighter than stock.

The Hikaris install exactly the same as a stock Halogen bulb - unclip the wiring harness, twist out the old bulb, twist in the new bulb and clip the wiring harness back on. Yes, plug and play into OEM wiring.

HTH

 

[gaijin]

I replaced the stock D4S bulbs with Made in Germany Philips 6000K Ultinon HID D4S 42V 35W Model#:42402WXX2 bulbs: Buy the Philips Ultinon HID 6000K Headlight bulb 42402WXX2 Headlight bulb. They are a perfect match for the Hikaris and brighter than stock.

The Hikaris install exactly the same as a stock Halogen bulb - unclip the wiring harness, twist out the old bulb, twist in the new bulb and clip the wiring harness back on. Yes, plug and play into OEM wiring.

HTH

Edit to add: I purchased my D4S bulbs here: D4S - Philips HID Ultinon 6000K 42402WXX2 Bulbs (Pack of 2). Fast shipping with no problems. Note: the package I received looks identical to the pic I linked to on the Philips site, not like the product pic on the HIDConcept site.