HID conversion on xj

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

I desided to get started on it the other night and i finshed it last light. It took me 3 hours to set up and get everything put in. They are very bright. I would put pics up but i dont know how to get them on here.

 

[caddyman99]

What kind of headlight housings are you using??

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

I bought the ones from checkers for $40.00.

 

[xjnik]

those are going to melt eventually you should have got the ones from summit that are about 30 each i work at checkers thought it would be a good deal but even with regular h4 bulbs in it the housings got warped

 

[caddyman99]

No those won't melt. One thing you have to understand about HID is it only uses 35watts. Not very much extra heat at all, BUT with a low quality housing like that, you don't get a defined light pattern. You just get a "blob" of light in front of you. And a HUGE amount of glare for oncoming traffic.
I would reccommend a Hella, or Autopal E code housing. You can get them on e-bay fairly inexpensively, and they put out a Very defined light pattern.
I currently own two cars that I have converted to HID, and I run E code housings in both. In fact I just ordered another kit for my fog lights in my Caddy.:shocked:

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

I dont think they will melt. my HID system is from lexus and the bulds dont get very hot, but do get a little warm. I have had them in for 3 days and i have had no problems yet.

 

[philip_g]

Hrm, I have the H3 or H4 hella housings, I wonder how HID bulbs would work in those. I drive a lot at night, esp. in the winter.

 

[smithz]

PIcs pics pics please!

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

I would but how do i put pick up on here i have tryed

 

[smithz]

Just upload to an image host like google's picasa, then link to them.

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

Here are some pics of the hids http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559509672iIhDrK?vhost=good-times

 

[XJ_99]

Lets see some pix with them on ............I need to I just got the e-code autopal conversion and I would like to see them before I fork out the money for HID's

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

I will try to get some pics of them on but this see up is going to be differnt from anyone elses hid kit. All my hid stuff is from lexus, but will try on the pics tomorrow night.

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

Here is the link for all the pics of the hids setup and pics at night. let me know what you think.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559509672iIhDrK?vhost=good-times

 

[smithz]

Mayby it's just the pics, but they look like they have a lot of glare. How's the cutoff? You should take a pic of the beam pattern on a wall from 30-40 feet or so.

 

[jdogg4]

WOW them are some bright SOB's hahaha. melt our housing nothing your going to burn up the grass in the yard if your not carefull. that and I think you just age/light faded the paint on the camper in front of you. lol

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

Thats fun. hear is a update, on the lights. Have had them on the xj for a week now and not problems with melting the lens, have had only one person flash the lights at me. So i think im good for some time.

 

[smithz]

Not sure why people think HIDs are going to melt the lens. They are lower power, and hense lower heat, than halogens.

55W halogen = ~1000 lumens
35W xenon arc = ~3000 lumens

More light, less heat.

Good job on the retro.

 

[JUSTCRAWLIN92]

Ya i know, the hid computer turns the 12v system in to 24v to the bulb, but your right the hid system will not get as hot as normal bulbs, but they still get some what hot. I wll try to get some more pics up to show you guys.

 

[smithz]

24V? Actually the ballast will hit more like 20,000V for a few milliseconds during ignition, then it drops to around 80ish volts if i remember correctly to maintain the arc.

So how much did the setup cost you? I did a retro on my Accord that was around $700 with bulbs and ballasts. And it's hard to drive around in the XJ with it's puny lights.