quote:

Originally posted by dry-fly:
I was looking at PIAA bulbs for my 4Runner and saw HID conversion kits for like $80??! That can’t be right, can it? Who’s done this, any tips for brands or web vendors?

Edit.. they’re LED conversion kits.
https://www.hidnation.com/prod...1-led-conversion-kit

quote:

Originally posted by MikeNH:
Don't.


Those HID kits are all china junk. Poor quality ballasts, if the 4R uses a bulb that is not normally available in HID the fit of the bulb to the base will be poor and finally, everyone else on the road will hate you. HIDs have absolutely NO place in a halogen headlamp housing. You'll create tons and tons of glare for other drivers.

LEDs will be similar with glare, they won't have good reach and for $80, you aren't getting quality. I had quality LEDs in the Wrangler (total housing replacement) and while they had good reach, they were horrible in the rain and snow could cover the lights because LEDs don't get hot enough to melt snow.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeNH:
Don't.


Those HID kits are all china junk. Poor quality ballasts, if the 4R uses a bulb that is not normally available in HID the fit of the bulb to the base will be poor and finally, everyone else on the road will hate you. HIDs have absolutely NO place in a halogen headlamp housing. You'll create tons and tons of glare for other drivers.

LEDs will be similar with glare, they won't have good reach and for $80, you aren't getting quality. I had quality LEDs in the Wrangler (total housing replacement) and while they had good reach, they were horrible in the rain and snow could cover the lights because LEDs don't get hot enough to melt snow.

The blanket statement folks always seem to pop up in this thread.
Certainly SOME projector and non-projector housings are not suitable for HIDs or LEDs.

But if aimed and done properly with good components it can be done.
As long as you keep to good components and under 6000K you can do it properly.

I have had HIDs in a 2002 Ford Explorer with 5000k bulbs. Aimed properly there was no glare and no blinding at all.

I currently have 5000K HIDs in a 2012 Highlander and 2014 Sienna with Halogen projectors and the cutoffs are extremely precise and even better than some factory HIDs (Kia and Hyundai).

As for cheap China junk, if you mean inexpensive stuff that lasts sure.

The Explorer got VVME full size analog ballasts comparable to Hella and McCullough that I paid $150 for the kit at the time when Hella and McCullough were running 5-$700.
10 years later they still function as new and I have not even changed a bulb.

The Toyotas have Kensun with slim digital ballasts. The Highlander has been installed for 4 years without a hiccup and the Sienna for 1 without a hiccup.
Not even sure what Hella and McCullough run these days because I did not even bother to look.

Fit and finish are great on both. Bulbs fit with not issue, seal properly and don't allow moisture in the housing and there is no shake or vibration of the light from a loose bulb whatsoever.

Yes, HIDs can be done in halogen housings without blinding or having improper cutoffs.
Granted not all housings but certainly can be done.

quote:

Originally posted by P210:
What I believe matters most when converting to a different bulb type is getting a satisfactory beam pattern while not annoying other drivers. Car manufacturers may use auto leveling to help achieve best results but that’s impractical with conversions.