Mod Grocery List Item #3 - HID Lighting

Thanks Long-Island! I was just about ready to put the nail in the coffin on this one, because there was NO way I was going to fork out major cash for different headlight assemblies JUST to have HID.

So now I know that the game is still on for this mod!

Woot!

TRU - eventual HID owner
 
TDUB, if the headlight assemblies ARE the same on a Gen II for HID and non-HID then this wouldn't be an issue, correct?

TRU

Hey JoeGR, can you try and confirm that the headlight assemblies are the same since you have both? That would help a lot!! Would also be good for anyone else with a Gen II considering this mod.
 
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Tru-Blu said:
TDUB, if the headlight assemblies ARE the same on a Gen II for HID and non-HID then this wouldn't be an issue, correct?

TRU

Hey JoeGR, can you try and confirm that the headlight assemblies are the same since you have both? That would help a lot!! Would also be good for anyone else with a Gen II considering this mod.
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From what I know they are NOT the same, but I've never seen them in person. Why do the 2nd gen HID housings go for about $5-700 per light if they are the exact same as the halogen housing? It all depends on what you want though. Yes you can put HIDs in a halogen housing but like I said before they weren't built for the HID bulb so although they may be brighter, it won't necessarily be focused where you need it.
 
Hmmmmm :confused:

Guess this mod is gonna totally be dependent on whether or not the housings are the same.

I don't want to be putting HID lights in a housing that really wasn't designed for them to make it difficult for oncoming drivers.

TDUB, you posted that you were getting HID's from DDMTuning as well. Are you just not concerned with the glare/light splatter issue then?

TRU
 
I've gotta call Maxx at 5 Star for my A pillar trim pieces. I might as well see if he can help determine if there actually is a difference in housings for factory HID vs. halogen.

I'll post an update as soon as I can talk to him.

TRU
 
There is a difference in the housings. Not sure about in the reflector bowl, but there definitely is a difference in the shield. The halogen shield is just a cap so you can't see the bulb. The HID shield prevents a lot of the light from hitting the bottom of the bowl, thus preventing the terrible glare. I'll find a pic.

I'm doing HID shields right now. I just made them too big at first. I need to trim them down.
 
Here's a pic of a stock HID shield:

mb-reflector-d2r-rear-view.jpg
 
Mine are way more basic than that. Similar to this design, but mine are mounted in the housing, not on the bulb. And my bulb is not painted. The shield should go under the bulb when installed:

9006-hid-lower-shield-example.jpg
 
So Pek, you're saying that if you're gonna do HID's in a halogen headlight housing, you should put some type of metal shield at the bottom of the bulb mounting assembly?

Man, I didn't think this was going to be that tough - especially since so many LS'ers here seem to be running an HID mod.

Back to square 1, I guess. I had the kits in the checkout cart ready to go, too (but was waiting on talking to Maxx at 5 Star).

TRU - HID bummed
 
No, you don't need to at all. I am just trying something new. It literally takes 5 minutes and a dremel if you are interested in doing the mod.

I don't get flashed for my low beams the way they are. But I do know that there is some glare. Just trying to make it easier on oncoming traffic.
 
Tru-Blu said:
Man, I didn't think this was going to be that tough - especially since so many LS'ers here seem to be running an HID mod.


TRU - HID bummed
Click to expand...

Thats cause general bolt on/plug and play mods for the LS are far and few people jump on what they can.

And yes, for the sake of other people on the road ( as TDUB said Im sure it happened to you and just about everyone ) you should use those shields, they are called Casper shields.
 
I have not seen any for purchase though. not for 9006 bulb aplications anyways. Do a google search for your bulb style hid shield.
 
Yeah, I still cant find them either for 9006 but I know I saw people discussing them on another forum.
 
I'm using the touch up paint can for the shields. What do you think about painting them with a high temp grill paint? to absorb more of the light?
 
Pewter or aluminum in color?

that would work probably and look better.
 
I have no problem doing Pek's mod if it works and that is what I need to do.

Pek, once you get it ironed out on what would be best to do please let me know. I guess I'll hold off on buying the HID kits until I know that I'm not going to be the pain-in-the-you-know-where driver that creates a headache for oncoming drivers.

Thanks,

TRU
 
Long_Island_LS said:
such controversy haha... i think im going to have to chime in....
...
...the 2006 LS (along with all gen2s) uses the same headlight assembly for the HID and halogen headlights.... therefore i dont see why there is so much concern about "glare"....its the same headlight housing for HID and non-HID so what could possibly be the difference between factory HID and aftermarket HID?
...
Click to expand...

That is 100% wrong. The assemblies look similar. They are not at all the same. The reflector is different, and the ballast is built into the HID assembly. It's not in the halogen assembly.
Where did you get your information from?
 
TDUB said:
From what I know they are NOT the same, but I've never seen them in person. Why do the 2nd gen HID housings go for about $5-700 per light if they are the exact same as the halogen housing? It all depends on what you want though. Yes you can put HIDs in a halogen housing but like I said before they weren't built for the HID bulb so although they may be brighter, it won't necessarily be focused where you need it.
Click to expand...

I have seen them in person. My 06 has HID, and my 04 does not. The assemblies are different. I don't know where the claim that they are the same came from. Even the connector they plug into is different, so you can't just exchange them without modifying the connector.
 
Rich, DDM lists the H10 as the comparable replacement for the 9145 fog light. I don't know how different it is to the H11 that would be used for the low-beam.

TRU
 
I know that opinions are going to be pretty much everywhere on almost every thread within this forum. I appreciate everyone who HAS posted on this thread for taking the time to do so.

In summary, it sounds like it may not be a good idea for me to put HID's in an LS halogen headlight housing. It's going to be way worse in how the light comes out than the factory HID system - based on feedback from those who have direct experience with this.

My reasons for doing this mod were more for better bulb longevity and helping to reduce the electrical load on the car - not as much for a cooler or even brighter look. I guess all in all, this may not be worth pursuing if it's going to cause so much trouble or incapability in relation to the halogen housing.

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
I know that opinions are going to be pretty much everywhere on almost every thread within this forum. I appreciate everyone who HAS posted on this thread for taking the time to do so.

In summary, it sounds like it may not be a good idea for me to put HID's in an LS halogen headlight housing. It's going to be way worse in how the light comes out than the factory HID system - based on feedback from those who have direct experience with this.

My reasons for doing this mod were more for better bulb longevity and helping to reduce the electrical load on the car - not as much for a cooler or even brighter look. I guess all in all, this may not be worth pursuing if it's going to cause so much trouble or incapability in relation to the halogen housing.

TRU
Click to expand...

Dude, if you want solid honest to god facts join and log onto HIDplanet.com


Aside from the facts Joegr just pointed out abut the units not being the same they can tell you everything you need to know.
 
joegr said:
I have seen them in person. My 06 has HID, and my 04 does not. The assemblies are different. I don't know where the claim that they are the same came from. Even the connector they plug into is different, so you can't just exchange them without modifying the connector.
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Wouldn't happen to have pictures that show the differences would you?

Or actually are the two pictures I've attached a good example of the differences?

I'm in the process of contesting with the body shop that my HID's are stock and what they put in clearly isn't stock. (See Thread)

downsized_0912091009.jpg


downsized_0912091009a.jpg
 
soccerplayer2007 said:
Wouldn't happen to have pictures that show the differences would you?

Or actually are the two pictures I've attached a good example of the differences?

I'm in the process of contesting with the body shop that my HID's are stock and what they put in clearly isn't stock. (See Thread)
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No, I would pretty much have to pull them out to show the differences. Maybe Max can help you with part numbers?
Be warned that Ford's part number catalog seems to be messed up on this. You are not the first that I have heard of that got the wrong assembly or bulb.
 
Tru-Blu said:
I know that opinions are going to be pretty much everywhere on almost every thread within this forum. I appreciate everyone who HAS posted on this thread for taking the time to do so.

In summary, it sounds like it may not be a good idea for me to put HID's in an LS halogen headlight housing. It's going to be way worse in how the light comes out than the factory HID system - based on feedback from those who have direct experience with this.

My reasons for doing this mod were more for better bulb longevity and helping to reduce the electrical load on the car - not as much for a cooler or even brighter look. I guess all in all, this may not be worth pursuing if it's going to cause so much trouble or incapability in relation to the halogen housing.

TRU
Click to expand...

My additional 2 cents worth on this.

1. The power difference is 70 Watts for the HIDs vs 100 Watts for the halogen. I don't think 30 Watts is going to make much difference in the stress on the electrical system. Turn your passenger seat off and you'll save more than 30 Watts.

2. Bulb life. The HID bulbs cost so much more than the halogen bulb that there is no savings to be had here. Also factor in that when a HID fails, it might be the ballast instead of the bulb (also very expensive).

3. HIDs being brighter. HIDs throw out more light close to you. This makes them seem brighter, but it doesn't really help. Far out in front of you is where you need the light. Having more light close to you actually makes your eyes less sensitive to the light far out in front of you. The main safety factor for HIDs was supposed to be how the ultraviolet light from them would make signs and reflectors glow. I find that the halogen light on the LS does this almost as well.
(The halogen or HID lights on the LS are both way better than the halogen lights on my Grand Marquises were.) [What is the plural of "Marquis"?]
 
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