H.I.D. Headlight Options

[gixer2000]

The projectors won't melt but I'll guarantee the projector bowls burn pretty quickly. By burning I mean burn the reflective coating not so much the bowls themselves. Remember those are halogen projectors and even hid projector bowls burn with 55w and most are only rated for 35w. Some people get a good length of time using 55 but others don't so its a gamble.

Most think its the increase in heat but it's actually the UV. The UV breaks down the coating over time and in most cases halogen projectors dont last long at 55w. If you decide to run 55w I'd start getting some retro parts ready for when the bowls do burn

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

What bulbs are you running?
It might be worth retaining 35W ballasts and spending the money on the ultra-high-quality Osram CBI/CBH/Night Breakers out there. As much as you drive, running overdriven bulbs and their subsequent reduction in life expectancy may not be the best option.
I'll admit the Osram bulbs run $175-225, which is far more than replacement ballasts would be, but they are considered the gold standard in light output everywhere I've looked.

 

[gixer2000]

What bulbs are you running?
It might be worth retaining 35W ballasts and spending the money on the ultra-high-quality Osram CBI/CBH/Night Breakers out there. As much as you drive, running overdriven bulbs and their subsequent reduction in life expectancy may not be the best option.
I'll admit the Osram bulbs run $175-225, which is far more than replacement ballasts would be, but they are considered the gold standard in light output everywhere I've looked.

The issue with that is Osram bulbs are meant for an oem or D2s(or similar) not for 9005 like the factory projector takes. Osram doesn't rebase their quality bulb to fit other socket sizes but do offer halogen options of all sizes

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

The issue with that is Osram bulbs are meant for an oem or D2s(or similar) not for 9005 like the factory projector takes. Osram doesn't rebase their quality bulb to fit other socket sizes but do offer halogen options of all sizes

Thanks for catching that. I have gotten used to dealing with projector retrofits as opposed to putting HIDs in place of halogens.

 

[gixer2000]

Thanks for catching that. I have gotten used to dealing with projector retrofits as opposed to putting HIDs in place of halogens.

I enjoy retrofitting so ive been around the block a few times. Nothing can beat a CBI bulb though

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thank you! One final question, I've researched 55w HID bulbs and read in several places that they are only a modest percentage brighter than the 35w HID bulbs. That percentage, though small, is still enough that I am interested in upgrading to 55w bulbs at some point. Anyone here actually run them in their 3rd gen headlight housings? Any lens or housing meltage or burning? I just want to be sure that if I go up to 55w bulbs in my projector housings that I won't melt or destroy anything. I drive between 35,000 and 45,000 miles a year and a lot of that ends up being at night so every percentage of extra lumens I can get is helpful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I had 55W HIDs in my 17. I changed them out for 35W HIDs - I really saw no difference at all. I had no problems with them. I didn't install a relay kit and I started thinking that they would draw more current and that maybe I should install a relay kit so I just swapped them out with a new 35W kit - (Ballast and bulbs).

I have the set that I took out. I only used them a couple of times for maybe an hour of driving time (I don't drive much at night any more) I'd sell them for $50 plus shipping if you are interested, they are the 5K color temp with the Galaxy 55W Canbus Ballasts and HID bulbs.

https://www.xenonhids.com/55w-ac-canbus-ballast-hid-kit.html

 

[gixer2000]

I had 55W HIDs in my 17. I changed them out for 35W HIDs - I really saw no difference at all. I had no problems with them. I didn't install a relay kit and I started thinking that they would draw more current and that maybe I should install a relay kit so I just swapped them out with a new 35W kit - (Ballast and bulbs).

I have the set that I took out. I only used them a couple of times for maybe an hour of driving time (I don't drive much at night any more) I'd sell them for $50 plus shipping if you are interested, they are the 5K color temp with the Galaxy 55W Canbus Ballasts and HID bulbs.

https://www.xenonhids.com/55w-ac-canbus-ballast-hid-kit.html

^^ there ya go nice n cheap. Again I would have some EVOX-R projectors on hand if it were me. I say EVOX-R because they are the closest thing to a direct swap for those projectors

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

^^ there ya go nice n cheap. Again I would have some FX-R projectors on hand if it were me. I say FX-R because they are the closest thing to a direct swap for those projectors

How difficult is it to get the clear lens off so you can swap the projectors? Where do you buy FX-R projectors?

 

[gixer2000]

How difficult is it to get the clear lens off so you can swap the projectors? Where do you buy FX-R projectors?

Ive never done the 15+ but the older models are easy. Ive heard the 15+ is permaseal thats very difficult but heating, prying and repeat it's doable. Theretrofitsource.com sells the EVOX-Ror you can get them through lightwerkz.net and Caesar over there has done so many retros in general he could offer a ton of advice

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I just checked the site and the FX-R are the Bi-xenon ones I would need the ones that don't have the high beams. There seems to be a lot to choose from. How do you know which one to go with?

 

[gixer2000]

I just checked the site and the FX-R are the Bi-xenon ones I would need the ones that don't have the high beams. There seems to be a lot to choose from. How do you know which one to go with?

You'd be best to use the bi-xenon if you want good vision all around then either leave the stock high beam dead or find another use for the area. Or maybe do some quad projectors...

Most decide what projector They use based on the output they want and space they have. If you have tons of space you could really pick whatever and trim your shroud as needed. Its also depends how much work you looking to do. Anything that's a threaded shaft is typically easier where others either require jbweld or nuts and bolts for mounting

You on Facebook? If you are lmk and I'll send you a link to my Facebook. I'll get you into the headlight junkies page

 

[gixer2000]

I actually meant to say EVOX-R btw not FX-R. I edited my previous posts so this doesn't confuse anyone

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

You'd be best to use the bi-xenon if you want good vision all around then either leave the stock high beam dead or find another use for the area. Or maybe do some quad projectors...

Most decide what projector They use based on the output they want and space they have. If you have tons of space you could really pick whatever and trim your shroud as needed. Its also depends how much work you looking to do. Anything that's a threaded shaft is typically easier where others either require jbweld or nuts and bolts for mounting

You on Facebook? If you are lmk and I'll send you a link to my Facebook. I'll get you into the headlight junkies page

Thanks, I just sent you a PM.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I actually meant to say EVOX-R btw not FX-R. I edited my previous posts so this doesn't confuse anyone

Okay I'll take a look a those. I'm not ready to major surgery especially since it has just gotten cold here but I want to be ready for the future.

 

[gixer2000]

Okay I'll take a look a those. I'm not ready to major surgery especially since it has just gotten cold here but I want to be ready for the future.

If You can find a 2015 or 16 accident victim with the lenses blown out thats the best way to learn. You could then use the guts and rear to complete the retro and just install your stock lense on the accident victim housings when your ready to install them

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

If You can find a 2015 or 16 accident victim with the lenses blown out thats the best way to learn. You could then use the guts and rear to complete the retro and just install your stock lense on the accident victim housings when your ready to install them

That's a good idea. The trick is to find them where there isn't any damage to the housings.

 

[Adieu]

I just checked the site and the FX-R are the Bi-xenon ones I would need the ones that don't have the high beams. There seems to be a lot to choose from. How do you know which one to go with?

I thought "bixenon" literally referred to 2in1 dual hi-lo beam bulbs????

 

[Muddy Bean]

Wow had a lot of catching up on reading here. Thanks for the offer on the 55w HID's. I'd be interested for sure. I'll PM you so we can figure out payment. As for the clear lens swap, I've researched that too, but I'm not sure how much I'll gain. Obviously a sharper cutoff, but they actually measure the quality of the projector/lens by the rainbow effect above the cutoff. I actually have that effect with my stock projectors and lens, so what will I gain? A fraction more lumens? A sharper cutoff? Mine seems plenty sharp. It's a cliff that bobs up and down as my truck bounces down the road. Any sharper and it would distract me. Maybe I'm selling it short though. I'd have to see a before and after comparison. My dream would be to have Morimoto projectors with the cut off little eyelid flipper thingy that's solenoid controlled so that my "high beams" would just be merely flipping that cut off lid up. Anyway, I'm busy so for now, having the HID bulbs in my stock projectors is wonderful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[gixer2000]

I thought "bixenon" literally referred to 2in1 dual hi-lo beam bulbs????

1 bulb but the cutoff shield flips down to allow all the light from the bowl out vs half being blocked by the shield

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I thought "bixenon" literally referred to 2in1 dual hi-lo beam bulbs????

It does but what they do with bi-xenon projectors is for the high beams they have a motor that rotates the blank off plate that cuts off the light and gives you that straight edge look to the light.