HID's Out!

[NathanJax]

I cannot believe it! Total BS!

care to put a wager on it?

 

[Stresst]

Btw, a retrofit need not cost $1000.

One can take the time to investigate how it is done, slowly accumulate good quality used parts, and do it themselves for less than $500.

But it's a difficult skill to acquire and mistakes are expensive, so most folks prefer to have an expert retrofitter do it for them.

I wouldnt even know where to begin....I see one of TYC sponsors is located in Long Island which isnt too far from me. I plan on stoping by and see what we can come up with. I have to be honest I really dont understand what needs to be done.

 

[OHSIXX]

Btw, a retrofit need not cost $1000.

One can take the time to investigate how it is done, slowly accumulate good quality used parts, and do it themselves for less than $500.

But it's a difficult skill to acquire and mistakes are expensive, so most folks prefer to have an expert retrofitter do it for them.

I agree. My retro was done for just under $700 and that price reflects a set of headlights as well since I didn't have the required downtime needed for the retro and be without my truck. Having a properly done retro is a night and day difference over anything else. Well worth the $$ IMO.

They had a halogen projector in the NBS, but they weren't meant for HID bulbs either

I can confirm with this statement. I installed a PNP kit with my factory halogen projectors and the light output was actually dimmer than stock--other than having the reflective properties of the HID bulb off of objects/vehicles.....

 

[felixgun]

So do install a pair of Sylvania Ultra's or just put HID's in? From what everyone is saying/posting I will not be happy either way! lol! Rather be unhappy with HIDs as it must be slightly better then stock!

I've had both in my Avalanche. I had a PnP HID kit and one night driving home from North Dakota to Colorado (12 hour drive), BOTH my HID's went out!! Can you believe that?! It was ddmtuning.com's standard HID kit that you hear highly about but obviously they need to work on some quality control. When those went out I went to AutoZone and bought the top of the line Sylvania Ultra halogen bulbs and put those in. Honestly they are yellow, look like shit, and output the same amount of light as the factory low beam bulbs!! Needless to say, I'm looking for the cheapest route to an aftermarket/factory replica housing with retrofit projectors right now...

 

[Stresst]

I've had both in my Avalanche. I had a PnP HID kit and one night driving home from North Dakota to Colorado (12 hour drive), BOTH my HID's went out!! Can you believe that?! It was ddmtuning.com's standard HID kit that you hear highly about but obviously they need to work on some quality control. When those went out I went to AutoZone and bought the top of the line Sylvania Ultra halogen bulbs and put those in. Honestly they are yellow, look like shit, and output the same amount of light as the factory low beam bulbs!! Needless to say, I'm looking for the cheapest route to an aftermarket/factory replica housing with retrofit projectors right now...

WOW, that sucks! As far as going the "cheapest route" did you see the housings on ebay? Some are way to much bling for me but some look ok......

 

[felixgun]

Serge got some of those and the light output is horrendous and they look like they are very cheaply constructed. Plus I'm not into halo's, random led's, etc. in the housings. I -LOVE- the factory housings... so definitely gonna get the same housing I have now but without the amber side reflector so they'll be cleared and with a projector w/ HID's in the low beam.

 

[Stresst]

Serge got some of those and the light output is horrendous and they look like they are very cheaply constructed. Plus I'm not into halo's, random led's, etc. in the housings. I -LOVE- the factory housings... so definitely gonna get the same housing I have now but without the amber side reflector so they'll be cleared and with a projector w/ HID's in the low beam.

Yeah too much with the halo's and led's.....I guess I should be looking for a set of stock head light housings so they can be retrofited. I only have one car at the moment and figure they can be worked on w/o the truck being out of comission.

 

[soulsea]

Yeah too much with the halo's and led's.....I guess I should be looking for a set of stock head light housings so they can be retrofited. I only have one car at the moment and figure they can be worked on w/o the truck being out of comission.

Sounds like a good start ... you want to get oem clone housings like TLC and the like cause the oem ones are a huge pita to bake open.

But go slow with the retrofit, do a lot of research and reading, ask questions, and make sure you get what you want. There's a lot a variables, including types of projectors, shrouds, lenses, ballasts, bulbs, and so on. It can be daunting at first but you'll get a good sense of it soon enough. Plus there's folks here and on HIDplanet that will gladly answer questions.

 

[Stresst]

Sounds like a good start ... you want to get oem clone housings like TLC and the like cause the oem ones are a huge pita to bake open.

But go slow with the retrofit, do a lot of research and reading, ask questions, and make sure you get what you want. There's a lot a variables, including types of projectors, shrouds, lenses, ballasts, bulbs, and so on. It can be daunting at first but you'll get a good sense of it soon enough. Plus there's folks here and on HIDplanet that will gladly answer questions.

Is TLC a company? As far as the retro goes I am in no rush......I need to do rear tires and a few other little things first but in the meantime gonna try and learn about this lighting. Years ago either you bought a car with em or you bought a kit and you were done. I would have never guessed its so complicated.

Thanks again for your help in answering my questions!

Angelo

 

[soulsea]

Sorry TYC not TLC.

And you're very welcome.