HID replacement headlights for Jeep Wrangler?

[nwoods]

One of the best upgrades I did for my LR3 was upgrade the headlamps with H7 HID bulbs. So much better!

I'd like to do the same with my Jeep (2005 Rubicon Unlimited). These appear to be sealed beam headlamps, so a simple bulb and ballast swap is not going to do it. Does anyone know of a OEM style replacement that upgrades the existing mediocre halogens to clean white HID's?

Thanks in advance.

NW

[sdjeep]

I know on Ebay there are kits to convert the sealed beam to the style that accepts a 9004 or similar style bulb. Haven't seen any true HID conversions but for the money the Sylvania SilverStars are a good upgrade. Much more white and broader beam. The factory ones on mine were a nasty yellow color before, and now they are much brighter and more clear. Also did the fog lamps at the same time.

[Hilldweller]

I would just use a Phillips Vision Plus bulb and call it a day...
Here; read this.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html


Sylvania SilverStars are a good upgrade.I fell prey to those things too at one time. They only appear better; you actually can see less with them.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

Osram Silverstars should not be confused with the American Sylvania Silverstars, btw. The Osram E-DOT bulb is a true +50, is clear, and is wonderful.

[Beowulf]

If money is no issue than you can try the Delta full HID replacements. They give you a new lens and Reflector specifically made for HID along with all the other necessary HID hardware.
http://www.carparts.com/DELTA-7-HIGH-LOW-HID-HEADLIGHT-SYSTEM/GP_2014540_N__10618.car



Also these guys make 7” HID replacement assemblies. http://www.electrosport.com/off-road...d-lighting.php


But if you want vastly improved light performance for under $150, just do an H4 Bulb conversion kit. My recommendation is IPF. The 920H lens and the X51 Fat Boy Bulbs are the way to go.

It just so happens that Wendy at Sierra Expedition just sold me the IPF set. They are truly amazing.

[ExpeditionJeep]

Assuming money is an issue consider a set of IPF headlamp replacements, an ARB M002 harness upgrade and a pair of their fatboy H4 bulbs. The harness will take the load off the Jeeps electrical circuit so the bulbs (160/180 watt I think) work their best and the european cut of the lenses is a HUGE improvement over stock with decent cut off so they don't blind oncoming traffic. Not a cheap solution, but an easy improvement for about half the HID upgrade with similar light color and lumen output. I've used that combo on TJ's before and run it on my old hotrod now with great results. I only wish I had that option for my ZJ. What can you do...
Marc

[nwoods]

Thanks guys! Wow, the HID's that Beowolf linked to was $1,000! I'm pretty surprised by that, I figured anything Jeep would be cheaper than anything I had custom made for my LR3. I got my LR3 set up for only $350, with custom harness and ballasts.

I think the IPF set up is probably the way I'll go for now. I'll drop a line to Sierra Expeditions.

Cheers,

NW

[nwoods]

I opted to go with the IPF setup. IPF headlamp replacements, an ARB M002 harness upgrade and a pair of their fatboy H4 bulbs. I got them from Sierra Expeditions, it was under $200, and they shipped them extremely fast. Going to do the install tomorrow morning I hope.

[nwoods]

I installed the headlamp upgrades today. The (single) instruction page leaves a lot to be desired for someone not particularly mechanically inclined and generally scared of being a human toaster. The included wiring diagram was clearly not written by the same folks who did the instructions, because no attempt was made to label the parts consistently or even to show all of the connectors on it.

However, it wasn't all that hard. The harness has three connectors, and the fuse block has three connectors. I figured out that two of the three harness connectors fitted onto the new headlamps, and the third plugged into one of the existing harness connectors.

I have not figured out a need for the three connectors coming from the fuse block, but everything is working without them being connected, so perhaps they are for future use on an expanded harness (more lights)?

It took less than 2 hours, and that we me going very slowly and trying several different locations for the fuse block and harness routing. I also managed to drop a battery terminal nut under the battery, so I had to spend 15 minutes or so removing the battery to find the nut and then put it all back together. Nothing simple is ever easy!

[madizell]

So....do they work?

[FlyingWen]

I installed the headlamp upgrades today. The (single) instruction page leaves a lot to be desired for someone not particularly mechanically inclined and generally scared of being a human toaster. The included wiring diagram was clearly not written by the same folks who did the instructions, because no attempt was made to label the parts consistently or even to show all of the connectors on it.

However, it wasn't all that hard. The harness has three connectors, and the fuse block has three connectors. I figured out that two of the three harness connectors fitted onto the new headlamps, and the third plugged into one of the existing harness connectors.

I have not figured out a need for the three connectors coming from the fuse block, but everything is working without them being connected, so perhaps they are for future use on an expanded harness (more lights)?

It took less than 2 hours, and that we me going very slowly and trying several different locations for the fuse block and harness routing. I also managed to drop a battery terminal nut under the battery, so I had to spend 15 minutes or so removing the battery to find the nut and then put it all back together. Nothing simple is ever easy!

Glad you got them installed Nathan! Thanks for the support and I look forward to hearing about how bright they are.

[nwoods]

So....do they work?

Oh Yeah! Just came back inside after adjusting them. The color is a nice warm white, not the cold electric blue of HID. I am a bit confused by the nomenclature about being super low beams, they are suberbly bright in high and low beam. The low beams have a sharp horizontal cut off very similar to HID lights.

The low beam throw seems very wide, and there is considerably better illumination of the ground in front of the vehicle and to the sides. The high beams are stellar.

I have four off road lights on my Jeep, and they are significantly brighter than my stock headlights, but they are aimed more for off road coverage, so I cannot use them on the road at all. These new IPF H4 super low Fat Boy lights are even brighter than my off road lights (in high beam mode). I'm very impressed.

[Beowulf]

Looks like some inexpensive HID upgrade options are now on the market. One that is getting high praise over on the Rubiconownersforum.com is form a company called Skinny Pedal. $110 with your choice of color temp if you already have H4 housings. $150 with their housings. I may just have to try a set with the 4300k bulbs.

Link to the ROF thread. (probably need a login)
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=68708&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Link to the HID kit on Skinny Pedal.

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

[Mr. D]

I need to do this upgrade in the future as my eyes are not seeing as well in dark situations

[fzsk4p]

http://www.roundeyes.com/

VERY happy with these.

[CJC99TJ]

I ran the IPF H4 conversion with the M002 Harness in my Wrangler and the improvement was awesome! I wish they made a harness for the WJ, but instead opted for HIDs.

[Phreak480]

Looks like some inexpensive HID upgrade options are now on the market. One that is getting high praise over on the Rubiconownersforum.com is form a company called Skinny Pedal. $110 with your choice of color temp if you already have H4 housings. $150 with their housings. I may just have to try a set with the 4300k bulbs.

Link to the ROF thread. (probably need a login)
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=68708&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Link to the HID kit on Skinny Pedal.

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22



I have been running the skinny pedal setup for about 6 months or maybe a bit longer and it is by far the best thing i have done to my jeep. yes i needed to reaim my headlights, but once i did that (so i wouldnt blind the rest of the world) they have been perfect. Just this past weekend was driving through upper NY on unlit roads where there is the threat of deer jumping in front of your vehicle and having all that light at my disposal was a large step in safety.

[atm76039]

Looks like some inexpensive HID upgrade options are now on the market. One that is getting high praise over on the Rubiconownersforum.com is form a company called Skinny Pedal. $110 with your choice of color temp if you already have H4 housings. $150 with their housings. I may just have to try a set with the 4300k bulbs.

Link to the ROF thread. (probably need a login)
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=68708&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Link to the HID kit on Skinny Pedal.

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

Same here. I ordered the skinny pedal kit, $150 total with the 5000k bulb and housings, last week. FedEX says it will be bere Wednesday... I called and talked to Josh, he was very helpful, as electricity is not my strong point.

[Antichrist]

Just keep in mind that there is absolutely no way to legally retrofit HID bulbs in to a housing designed for Halogen lights.

[Gear]

Here is a link to a shop in San Diego that has HID kits for most vehicles. There prices are very cheap. Kits starting at $35.00.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/


I contacted them for a replacement HID bulb about a year ago. I thought I was going to have to pay some were around $150.00. The man behind the desk said it was going to be $20 for the bulbs. That's right I got 2 for that price.

[CJC99TJ]

Here is a link to a shop in San Diego that has HID kits for most vehicles. There prices are very cheap. Kits starting at $35.00.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/


I contacted them for a replacement HID bulb about a year ago. I thought I was going to have to pay some were around $150.00. The man behind the desk said it was going to be $20 for the bulbs. That's right I got 2 for that price.


I have the DDM Tuning HIDs and they have been working very well! Paired with a set of retrofitted projectors and Im sure they'd be much better than using the stock housings. I haven't experienced a larger amount of glare in the stock housings like some, either.

[TOTJ]

Im saving for these
http://www.oman4x4.com/hidlights.htm

[Hilldweller]

I opted to go with the IPF setup. IPF headlamp replacements, an ARB M002 harness upgrade and a pair of their fatboy H4 bulbs. I got them from Sierra Expeditions, it was under $200, and they shipped them extremely fast. Going to do the install tomorrow morning I hope.I'm sorry I didn't notice this much earlier.
IPF has never submitted their housings for testing for compliance with DOT regulations; they've also skirted ECE certification but boast a bootleg and misleading "E" in a circle to look like an ECE stamp.
The Fatboy bulbs are also illegal.

The Sylvania/Valeo HIDs have been around for a few years and can be fitted legally; you can find them for around $900/set sometimes.

Daniel Stern and Rallylights make legal kits.
I've put lots of info on this thread (http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/10-jk-headlight-replacement-64850.html).

[atm76039]

I've put lots of info on this thread (http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/10-jk-headlight-replacement-64850.html).

I read thru this thread, very good info and it sounds like you are really trying to educate.

If you find a moment, could you take a look at the skinny pedal setup I ordered? It's the Jeep HID Conversion $110.00 for the TJ with the 5000k bulb and their housings (which I couldn't find info on and am still nervous about, however they said it was the same pattern as Hella housings.)

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

I want to be legal and the scenario you lay out is something I've thought about before... I don't want to be liable just because I wanted to change my lights.

[Hilldweller]

I read thru this thread, very good info and it sounds like you are really trying to educate.

If you find a moment, could you take a look at the skinny pedal setup I ordered? It's the Jeep HID Conversion $110.00 for the TJ with the 5000k bulb and their housings (which I couldn't find info on and am still nervous about, however they said it was the same pattern as Hella housings.)

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

I want to be legal and the scenario you lay out is something I've thought about before... I don't want to be liable just because I wanted to change my lights.
Those are rebased HID capsules and are completely illegal.

It's difficult to retrofit HIDs properly. Possible, yes. Lots of work, donor parts, patience. HIDplanet.com can help you with that.

For a TJ, the best/easiest headlight solution is a set of Cibie or Marchal H4 housings (Daniel Stern) with Phillips Xtreme Power bulbs. The Rallye 70/65 bulbs are sorta legal and put out more light (not a whole lot more), but they don't last long.
Rallylights.com has 7" Hella reflectors and great harnesses; the Cibie and Marchal reflectors are oodles better though. I have the Hella reflectors; they're best suited for slower than highway speed.
Mr Stern or Rallylights.com can build you a harness for the housings too. You'd use your stock wiring to trip a set of relays and wire the lights straight to your battery so they'd have almost zero voltage drop.

The Truck-Lite LED lights are worthless too if you were thinking of them...

[atm76039]

Those are rebased HID capsules and are completely illegal.


crap.

oh, and thanks for looking. :)

[Hilldweller]

crap.

oh, and thanks for looking. :)
No; thank you for caring.

Most people don't care if their headlights are legal, blind others, or cause any number of potential electrical problems to their vehicles.
I've heard so many rationalizing comments:
as long as I can see, that's what matters to me...
the cops don't care...
the vendor says they're legal...
I like the way they look...
but look at the cut-off; they're close enough...

Then there was a kid in Florida that said he had to install illegal HIDs to compensate for the spraypaint tint he sprayed over his stock headlights. :Wow1:

[atm76039]

... the skinny pedal setup I ordered? It's the Jeep HID Conversion $110.00 for the TJ with the 5000k bulb and their housings (which I couldn't find info on and am still nervous about, however they said it was the same pattern as Hella housings.)

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

I want to be legal and the scenario you lay out is something I've thought about before... I don't want to be liable just because I wanted to change my lights.


Those are rebased HID capsules and are completely illegal....

Ok, I did a little more research, and I went back to their site to look for more details and found a nice little blurb I wish I would have seen before I ordered. Right above the shipping weight and manufactured by info:

"Off-Road Use Only"

I don't want to bash a company that actually TELLS you that they should not be used on the street. Kudos to Skinny Pedal. (Even though it's not super obvious)

[Eric06Rubi]

quasi legal or not, IMO this is one of the best mods you can do to any vehicle.
the anemic headlights my Jeep came with were terrible. couldnt see 50 feet at night, now with these I have mine adj. to about 200feet

[orangeTJ]

I'm one of the first owners of the SkinnyPedal kit from the Rubicon Forum (ROF).

I love it. It makes my KC lights seem like they aren't even on.

I'm running the IPF housings.




I have been running the skinny pedal setup for about 6 months or maybe a bit longer and it is by far the best thing i have done to my jeep. yes i needed to reaim my headlights, but once i did that (so i wouldnt blind the rest of the world) they have been perfect. Just this past weekend was driving through upper NY on unlit roads where there is the threat of deer jumping in front of your vehicle and having all that light at my disposal was a large step in safety.

[Hilldweller]

I tried very hard to get a big vendor to pressure IPF into submitting their 7" housings for tests for DOT compliance. The vendor replied that the product sells, his customers are happy, and that he didn't believe that it mattered much if they were legal.
I found that a bit irresponsible considering the litigious nature of our country.

It's very easy to legally upgrade the lighting on a TJ or JK. Hella makes a couple of housings, Cibie makes a few, and you can still find Marchal. In fact, there were a few sealed beam units made years ago that danced circles around what we've got ---- you really have to track them down though and they're expensive.

Legal matters to me and I hope it does to the greater ExPo community at large. It should certainly matter to vendors who might be open to subrogation in possible lawsuits.
It's a real issue and there are real cases of vendors being issued $10,000 fines for selling non-compliant products without specifying "for offroad use only."

[96discoXD]

I think the problem is that enforcement on those fronts seems pretty lax. I see way too many cars and trucks in my area running HID conversions that blind every oncoming driver even during the day, much less the night. I'm running Hella H4 conversion lamps with a relay harness and am happy enough with the light output. I may upgrade to higher wattage bulbs later if I feel the need. The other thing I did was wire my Hella 700FF lamps up such that the 12v power source to the switch to trip the relay is run off the high beams so I can flip on the highbeams and my 700's at the same time. I find this gives me more than enough light for traveling any country road at night.
That said I've been guilty of ignoring some of these things before, I had an older Porsche 911 that I painted the inside of the lenses yellow with stained glass paint to replicate the french lamps because I had a rallye theme going with that car and I ran euro e-code hella lamps in a couple of other cars.

[atm76039]

Legal matters to me and I hope it does to the greater ExPo community at large.

Ditto. My TJ isn't a daily driver, but it sees hours and hours of on-highway time when I take trips.

I contacted Skinny Pedal and they are letting me return the kit. I hadn't even fully unpacked it, and they were really nice about it.

[stankfoot]

i have to agree with HILLDWELLER.

adding illegal equipment to our vehicles gives all of us a bad rep.

that is just my .02:coffee:

[Beowulf]

I don't want to start a flame war, and maybe we need a second thread to discuss this, but don't many of us have different lifts, brakes, etc that are probably not DOT approved. Also, how many of us have vehicles that when ready for a trip are over their GVW. If you got into a wreck and they discovered any part was not DOT or that you exceed GVW, then the same fear of letigation is present. This could be a really good thread, but I will let someone with more legal knowledge be the OP.

[atm76039]

I don't want to start a flame war, and maybe we need a second thread to discuss this, but don't many of us have different lifts, brakes, etc that are probably not DOT approved. Also, how many of us have vehicles that when ready for a trip are over their GVW. If you got into a wreck and they discovered any part was not DOT or that you exceed GVW, then the same fear of letigation is present. This could be a really good thread, but I will let someone with more legal knowledge be the OP.

Good points for sure, but I think what makes the headlights different is that on coming traffic isn't directly affected by the weight/height of my vehicle. As well, once you install the headlights, they are there everytime you drive the vehicle, not just while on trips. But like I said, good point about other mods not being DOT approved, such as a big lift (or any lift I guess).

In summation, headlights are the only mod that comes to mind that can directly affect other driver's abilities, making them "cause" the wreck.

[Hilldweller]

In summation, headlights are the only mod that comes to mind that can directly affect other driver's abilities, making them "cause" the wreck.Yes. They are very much "photo torpedoes" and hurt other people.

[Hilldweller]

It's very easy to legally upgrade the lighting on a TJ or JK. Hella makes a couple of housings, Cibie makes a few, and you can still find Marchal. In fact, there were a few sealed beam units made years ago that danced circles around what we've got ---- you really have to track them down though and they're expensive.Found the info about the other 7" legal retrofit lights, the hard to find ones that work great.
The box says "sealed beam" but they're actually H4 housings.



...the Toyota P/N for that nice Koito-made 7" H4 light, by the way; it's 90981-01035. Looks like it's also available as Nissan P/N 26705 C9901. In both cases, has to be ordered through a Toyota or Nissan dealer outside the US/Canada region.

[Doin_It]

Found the info about the other 7" legal retrofit lights............Ok, so whats the info?

[Hilldweller]

............Ok, so whats the info?
Look at the quote from Scheinwerfermann; he lists the part numbers.

I found out about this product (http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/forward_lighting/model_8100.htm) today too. Looks like another 7" HID retrofit that's legal besides the (ugly as cyclops) Sylvania/Valeo product.
I'm hoping to dig up more info on it.

http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/images/model_8100.jpg

[WMac]

We recently installed the KC Daylighter 7" replacement lens's
http://www.kchilites.com/lights/headlights/7-replacement-headlight/

and a HID H7 kit with high and low beam, They are excelent

[Hilldweller]

We recently installed the KC Daylighter 7" replacement lens's
http://www.kchilites.com/lights/headlights/7-replacement-headlight/

and a HID H7 kit with high and low beam, They are excelentI didn't know that KC was selling a kit; I'd like to know more about it.
Like what bulbs came with it? Who makes it for them? Was it stamped or tagged with DOT, SAE, or ECE codes?

And what do you mean about an H7 HID kit with high/low beams? H7 is a single filament bulb for use with separate high and low housings. An HID kit to fit an H7 housing would be an illegal rebased affair...

My last motorcycle had twin Koito-sourced H7 reflectors that were the best lights I've ever had on any vehicle.

[Hilldweller]

I found out about this product (http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/forward_lighting/model_8100.htm) today too. Looks like another 7" HID retrofit that's legal besides the (ugly as cyclops) Sylvania/Valeo product.
I'm hoping to dig up more info on it.

http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/images/model_8100.jpg

Well, I asked Mr Stern about the Speaker HID lights and this was his reply:

Hi, Bill. Yep, I am familiar with that lamp. It is utter rubbish. Really
a headscratcher; light it up and scratch your head and go "Um...an HID
bulb of this type produces 3k lumens, so where's all the light?". Sort
of the headlamp equivalent of the old Wendy's "Where's the beef?"
advertisement from the 1980s. You get a dim, narrow, poorly-focused bar
of light. No real hot spot, no upsweep, not much of a cutoff to speak
of. And the high beam is useless; it takes an H8(!) bulb, a low-output
item intended for use in fog lamps.

He did mention that the LED 8700 model:

eyewateringly costly, but very robustly built. Its
performance, while certainly respectable, does not equal that of a good
Xenon headlamp.
I'd like to know more about them, maybe seen them in action some time.
The spec sheet on them didn't paint a great picture... ...maybe I was looking at the wrong product...

[billwilson]

I did my homework

Found Danny Stern

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

spend the money
proper install, new buckets, new harnes

i could not be happier

NASA and NORAD are now under contract with me
if they need additional lighting for night landings :sombrero:

[WMac]

I didn't know that KC was selling a kit; I'd like to know more about it.
Like what bulbs came with it? Who makes it for them? Was it stamped or tagged with DOT, SAE, or ECE codes?

And what do you mean about an H7 HID kit with high/low beams? H7 is a single filament bulb for use with separate high and low housings. An HID kit to fit an H7 housing would be an illegal rebased affair...

My last motorcycle had twin Koito-sourced H7 reflectors that were the best lights I've ever had on any vehicle.


Bill, KC makes there new housing that I used and YES they are stamped DOT.
I then ordered an H7 HID lamp set w digital ballests. These are avalible in what they call either single lamp or High/Low. I opted for the High/Low.


So. what is a High/low H7 lamp. Well what they did was design a light that simply moves in or out by about 3/4 of an inch depending on HIGH or Low.

I'll try to explain how this works: There is bulb holder (metal adapter) that fits into the KC housing. Because the KC is for a H7 bulb, That is what the adaptor is, It has the three prongs that line up. the inside of the "Adapter" has a lug on it. The bulb has a slot like the number 7 that you simply insert into the adapter and twist it to lock into place, just like my Wifes Lexus.

So here is where they get HIGH and LOW. The adapter has a mirrored reflector that covers the entire bottom of the installed bulb. it also has a small square hole in it as well. the hole is twords the base of the bulb and is about 3/8" x 1/2".

When the lights are in LOW mode, The bulb is pushed all the way out. If you look into the KC housing you see that the "Light ARCH" is past that hole, and therefore 95% of the light is being reflected UP. which if one understands reflection, this causes the light to be cast down onto the street. It also creates a very distinct cutoff line at the top. adjusted properly, and there is no light cast into on comming drivers eyes.

Click the lights to HIGH, and the bulb is pulled in twords the base. This causes the ARCH to then be centered over that small hole I discussed earlier. what it does is allow enough light to be cast down onto the reflector, which in turn reflects up creating a HIGH Beam. The set I have was very well engineered and thought out. I now have some Real Headlamps that work like. look like, act like (dont blind others) real HID headlights that come from the factory.

[nwoods]

Bill, KC makes there new housing that I used and YES they are stamped DOT.
I then ordered an H7 HID lamp set w digital ballests. These are avalible in what they call either single lamp or High/Low. I opted for the High/Low.


So. what is a High/low H7 lamp. Well what they did was design a light that simply moves in or out by about 3/4 of an inch depending on HIGH or Low.

I'll try to explain how this works: There is bulb holder (metal adapter) that fits into the KC housing. Because the KC is for a H7 bulb, That is what the adaptor is,It has the three prongs that line up. the inside of the "Adapter" has a lug on it. The bulb has a slot that you simply insert into the adeapter.

So here is where thay get HIGH and LOW. The adapter has a reflector that covers the entire bottom of the bulb. it also has a small square hole in it as well. the hole is twords the base of the bulb and is about 3/8" x 1/2".

When the lights are in LOW mode, The bulb is pushed all the way out. If you look into the KC housing you see that the "Light ARCH" is past that hole, and therefore 95% of the light is being reflected UP which if one understands reflection, this causes the light to be cast down onto the street and has a very distinct cutoff line at the top. adjusted properly, and there is no light cast into on comming drivers eyes.

Click the lights to HIGH, and the bulb is pulled in twords the base. This causes the ARCH to then be centered over that small small hole I discussed earlier. what it does is allow enough light to be cast down onto the reflector, which in turn reflects up creating a HIGH Beam. The set I have was well engineered and thought out. I now have some Real Headlamps that work like. look like, act like (dont blind others) real HID headlights that come from the factory.

The KC kit (http://www.kchilites.com/lights/headlights/7-replacement-headlight) appears to be an H4 bulb, and I have not found this movable assembly for the hi-low feature you described. Great description by the way! But where did you get the H4(?) HID adapter kit?

[Hilldweller]

I now have some Real Headlamps that work like. look like, act like (dont blind others) real HID headlights that come from the factory.Just like safe/legal/proper lights except they probably aren't.

Clever design they've employed but it doesn't mean that it complies with the law.

[winkosmosis]

Hella or IPF e-code housings + relayed harness + higher wattage bulbs = win. No need for HID.

Actually I learned the other day that HID bulbs emit a lot of UV, and lenses must be made out of a special glass that filters UV (regular glass only blocks UVB). With a regular e-code housing, there's no filtering.

[Hilldweller]

Hella or IPF e-code housings + relayed harness + higher wattage bulbs = win. No need for HID.

Actually I learned the other day that HID bulbs emit a lot of UV, and lenses must be made out of a special glass that filters UV (regular glass only blocks UVB). With a regular e-code housing, there's no filtering.
The IPFs haven't been tested to meet ECE code standards; that's part of my diatribe. They have a bogus "E" with a circle around it to imply that they meet ECE criteria.

I never saw anything in Standard 108 about UV filtration...

[winkosmosis]

The IPFs haven't been tested to meet ECE code standards; that's part of my diatribe. They have a bogus "E" with a circle around it to imply that they meet ECE criteria.

I never saw anything in Standard 108 about UV filtration...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_discharge_lamp

Most HID lamps produce significant UV radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_radiation), and require UV-blocking filters to prevent UV-induced degradation of lamp fixture components and fading of dyed items illuminated by the lamp. Exposure to HID lamps operating with faulty or absent UV-blocking filters causes injury to humans and animals, such as sunburn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunburn) and arc eye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_eye). Many HID lamps are designed so as to quickly extinguish if their outer UV-shielding glass envelope is broken.

[Hilldweller]

I'm not questioning the complete and total accuracy of information on Wiki, but I've just read through the law (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=r49CFR571.108) again and there's no mention of special glass.

[Hilldweller]

Bill, KC makes there new housing that I used and YES they are stamped DOT.I looked at them; pretty pricey for a plastic lens and made in China, isn't it?
A couple of bucks more and you could get a real Cibie and have proven performance... ...something that won't melt or warp with overwattage bulbs...

And I hate when they say "DOT approved". The DOT doesn't approve or disapprove of any product. There's a law and it's incumbent upon the manufacturer to have their product independently tested to make sure it complies with the law; why can't they just say that it complies with FMVSS No. 108?


Superior Multi-Surface Reflector OpticsSuperior? Really?
Let's see the test scores and I'll show the scores from a Cibie Z-beam and a Marchal.

[WMac]

Just like safe/legal/proper lights except they probably aren't.

Clever design they've employed but it doesn't mean that it complies with the law.


Well let me say this: I didn’t share how I converted my lights to be part of an argument or debate on the legality of such, but I will say this.

I spend more time in my jeep than I do at my desk. And starting a few years ago we have had a huge influx in HID light conversions showing up in traffic.
Most of which are in clear violation, and blinding to oncoming traffic and well as in the rear view mirror. So without dissecting the FMCSA part 571.
And then applying the State of Oregon ORS subchapter to get a Real Legal answer. Again I will simply say this:

The KC lens as constructed, with the Hi/Low Hid I installed into them. Provide a very distinct cutoff line as prescribed in subchapter 571.108.

My point here is side by side. This set up "as far as what is being output to the street" and other traffic. Is as close to "Legal" as one could possibly hope for.
If I park both my Range Rover hse sport and the wife’s Lexus side by side and turn on the lights. They are tit for tat to each other on the performance and output. I’m talking amount of light, the cutoff on lo beam. Etc.

No if I park my jeep next to her Lexus, (as I did) again they are a match.

So my only point here was to simply share some info of a combined product. The KC's and the HID lights. Those simply perform as close to something that rolled off the showroom as you can get.

Now weather they are tested and approved by whatever authority, or have a DOT, FMVSS 108 certification to me is a moot point.

What I care about first and foremost is that by doing HID in my jeep that,
look like, act like (don’t blind others) real HID headlights that come from the factory.

Oregon does not have a vehicle inspection program like many other states, and because they perform like a stock set, I probably don’t have to worry much about being pulled over and sited.

And I stand corrected they are H4 and manufactured by ITA.

I purchased / ordered the light set from a local parts store.

All the best.

[nwoods]

Hella or IPF e-code housings + relayed harness + higher wattage bulbs = win. No need for HID.

I have the IPF replacement lens and the IPF H4 Fat Boy low beam headlamps. They are excellent, but they are NOT anything like HID's. Got my set up, including an ARB plug-n-play wiring/relay harness from Sierra Expeditions

[Hilldweller]

I apologize for being a party pooper when it comes to lights. I started off enthusiastic about it all too; I even bought a few of the products that I rag about now.
Then I learned the hard way that they didn't work well.



I have the IPF replacement lens and the IPF H4 Fat Boy low beam headlamps. They are excellent, but they are NOT anything like HID's. Got my set up, including an ARB plug-n-play wiring/relay harness from Sierra ExpeditionsYeah, that IPF reflector and bulb combo is pretty bright.
Not legal, of course. And the light is poorly focused and blinds other drivers.
Does the website at least warn that it's for offroad use only? He's a nice guy and I'd hate to see him involved in punitive actions in the future.