HIDs versus OEM headlights

[DynoDynge]

Projector on left
HID in halogen reflective housing on right

Looks like a halogen on the right (yellow) & I don't see the blinding light effect you seems to see. Not trying to ruin your sales pitch, just don't see the problem.

On my most recent trip downtown, at night, I pulled up behind a CHP & He never gave me a second look or inference that there was a problem. I could see the lights stopped at the top of his trunk.

 

[6.2]

Lol that guy had HID's no projectors, and then get projectors, did one side to compare. That's the pic he posted so idk.

Shows the difference perfectly.

 

[Humvee21]

Alright, now I'm piecing the video together. As it loads... I'll begin my write up. The install was really simple. 80% of my time was spent removing the headlights, finding a good spot to mount the ballasts, and finding a good ground.

So here's the step-by-step:
1. Unscrew the screw that holds up the splash guard next to the headlights (you'll see which one I'm talking about in the video).
2. Unscrew 3 bolts from each headlight (positions of bolts shown in video).
3. Pull the headlight straight out with decent amount of force.
4. Once the light housing is out, unplug all connections.
5. Unscrew the headlight bulb out and install the HID bulbs (DO NOT TOUCH THE HID BULB WITH YOUR HANDS. The moisture from your hand will shorten the life of the bulb.)
6. Find a good mounting point for your ballasts.
7. Connect the harness to the ballasts (leave the headlight housing out for now).
8. Find a good grounding point (position shown in video).
9. Install the passenger side headlight. Connect all the connections necessary.
10. Install the driver side headlight. Connect all connections necessary.
11. Wire the red wire (power) to the battery and secure to the terminal.
12. Once you have double checked all your connections, you may try the lights.
13A. If they work, congrats! Now bolt the headlights in place and make sure your ballasts/wiring is secure.
13B. If they don't, ask me a question and I'll try to help you as much as possible.

 

[Raptor Retrofit]

If you guys want I can put a h13 HID in a stock reflector and compare it to my retro's, not like I have the time to do it but I find it so comical that guys actually defend PnP kits that I will.

If you own up to the fact that it... LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE YOUR BRIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME... thats cool but if you actually try and say it doesn't your delusional.

 

[Drewa]

So how much are good quality replacement housings to put a good quality HID in. Is it worth the $$$$ I am curious, because my wallet does have a bottom to it, but I would like to upgrade the very bad headlights to something that allows me to see better. I was about to put HID's in my stock housings. They sure do look a lot brighter, so it would make sense that more light, should light stuff up better, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[Humvee21]

So... Windows Movie Maker is being a POS right now. What program should I use to combine and edit videos? If not, I'm just going to post them raw, but at least you'll get to see something.

 

[Drewa]

Just post a photo, no need for a video. I put HID 's in my stock Mustangs housings, and they are a lot brighter and better than the stock headlights. I bought them at NAPA and the Honda dealer installed them for me. They thought it was cool working on a car for a change, since they generally only work on Motrbikes, quads, watercraft and that sort of stuff. I was there shopping for a new helmet and bike tires and mentioned I had just bought the HID kits over at the auto parts, and they know me well in there so said they would do the install if I wanted. They put them in while I shopped, and then went and had lunch nearby. Came back and it was done, my first night time drive I was very impressed by how much better I could see in the dark, over the stock lights.

 

[Humvee21]

I promised a video of the install process. I did that... somewhat. I think I have a fix so it should be available shortly. As far as a picture of the light output, I'll have that in an hour or two. I'm waiting for it to be dark outside so I can get the best picture for you guys.

Drewa, if you look at the past posts, some guys have already posted up pictures of their lighting.

 

[6.2]

Everytime I see someone with HID's in stock housings I turn every light I have to bright as it will go.

One time some moron was coming at me, I couldn't see jack squat and ended up running over a deer which caused all kinds of problems.

USE PROJECTORS PEOPLE

 

[Humvee21]

Here's the video. Sorry I don't actually have footage of me plugging the wires together... It was pretty hard to do the video and work on it by myself. Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend you have another person work with you just so they can help you hold the headlights while you plug everything in. BTW - you don't really need to see me plugging in stuff anyways. It's VERY simple. I am 100% sure that you cannot mix up any plugs...

http://youtu.be/bWx-o7JT_hg
---------- Post added at 07:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 PM ----------

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Everytime I see someone with HID's in stock housings I turn every light I have to bright as it will go.

One time some moron was coming at me, I couldn't see jack squat and ended up running over a deer which caused all kinds of problems.

USE PROJECTORS PEOPLE

Sounds like a personal problem to me.

I see what you're saying, but I don't think it's that big of an issue. The cutoff is quite decent. That's why I took the time to research the HID's in our housings. On another set of factory housings... That might be different. IDK how it is for Chevy or Toyota or something. But I did my due diligence and researched for MY specific truck.

That picture you posted of the comparison is great and all but that doesn't show the Raptor or the F150's factory housings.