Projector Headlights for less than $100????? HID for less than $400????

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by turbochad

Or you can just add the HID bulbs to your existing H4 setup and add the ballasts. I have a friend who just did this to his 944 turbo and the light output and spread is impressive. I am thinking of doing the same. Less than $50 bucks, and keep the classic euro look.

Not that it is illegal, but it also makes a bad light pattern. I had a set like that in my truck and it sucked. I removed very quick. You blind other people, and the high beam is just a halogen. In the meantime after converting my 911 I also did the truck using dot approved b-xenon from a 5 series BMW.

Here is what it looks like






Here is what the light looks like





Cheers

[gsmith660]

I just reread the specs this projector supports hi and lo beam in the controller supplied and has the ability to have both hi and low beam at the same time if desired. I dont think this would work right simply plugged into the back of a H-4 because the pattern on the lens would refract the light and give the wrong pattern it needs a clear lens to work right. These are D2S bulbs standard for a projector and the solenoid mechanism seems to be the standard method used to change beams in most cars. The way the controller works is it plugs into the stock harness plug and the hi/lo beam is triggered by voltage from the appropriate circuit. My plans appear to be sound the only variable here is the quality of the projector. I decided I am going to use 1/8 inch aluminum plate to make the bracket to mount the projector to.

[gsmith660]

Rothaus thats what I am talking about!

[mickey356]

I wonder how this would look with the clear VW lense?

Sierra Madre Collection :: Bosch H4 Headlight Reflector, 911/912/930 (65-87)

So, in concept, I could use the above bucket and one of these

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D941%2D1 15%2DH

and get a pretty clean projector-ish look, no? Or would I still need the projector set up?

[gsmith660]

Originally Posted by mickey356

I wonder how this would look with the clear VW lense?

Sierra Madre Collection :: Bosch H4 Headlight Reflector, 911/912/930 (65-87)

So, in concept, I could use the above bucket and one of these

VWC-111-941-115-H - CLEAR HEADLIGHT LENS - BEETLE 46-66 / BUS 50-67

and get a pretty clean projector-ish look, no? Or would I still need the projector set up?

That would need an H 4 lens to work

[mickey356]

Rats!

I guess I need to ejamcate myself a bit more on all of this. I haven't taken a headlight apart yet to see what the bucket looks like inside, I was just assuming it was something like the one posted with the fog light/ head light combo on the yellow longhood.
I'm hoping to get closer to the Singer headlight that has a chrome bucket AND the projector light with a clear lens. Are the stock buckets chromed inside? I figured I could modify the chrome bucket from Sierra with the projector to get teh "Singer look".

[midnight911]

jeep community has some ideas and options.
i wonder how this look in our bucket...

http://www.brightheadlights.com/JEEP-6024.JPG

[midnight911]

i also wonder if i could slip this in with little scraping...
98-04 05 VW BEETLE CHROME HALO+LED PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS: eBay Motors (item 170538900991 end time Oct-11-10 09:04:38 PDT)

[lateapex911]

Originally Posted by gsmith660

I am liking this setup the best. I asked lateapex911 for some details hope I get them

Got your PM, but it's been a bit since I did the project so I'm putting the details together. I know there are threads on here with lots more pictures I took while I did it. Maybe I can search them and link to them.

I had crappy sugar scoops so ANYthing was better, LOL. The H4 trims do look the part. My biggest issue was finishing the interior spaces.
Essentially, I got Audi HID bi xenon projectors and ballasts off ebay (used from a wreck(, and fabbed them in. I added some fogs to fill the space and add some warmth.
I'm adding 'fluting" to the clear lenses in all non pattern areas of the lenses to obscure the ability to see the interior.

One issue that really pisses me off is when people mod their lights with cheap crappy bulbs and/or HID bulbs not designed for the reflector/ lens they get put into. NOT blinding other drivers was priority number 1 for me, and I think it should be for all of us. By using the Audi units, I knew that they were approved by all agencies that were important. I really like what the BMW lights in the truck look like and I know they are legit.

[lateapex911]

HID Xenon for 911 - Initial pics

[KNIGHTRACE]

We have a kit I will try to post soon, HID 4500K very cool. William@knightrace.com

[turbochad]

Originally Posted by rothaus

Not that it is illegal, but it also makes a bad light pattern. I had a set like that in my truck and it sucked. I removed very quick. You blind other people, and the high beam is just a halogen. In the meantime after converting my 911 I also did the truck using dot approved b-xenon from a 5 series BMW.

After reading this response I called up my friend and asked him about his xenon conversion and the issue of light spread. He decided to just come over and let me judge for myself.

I drove his 944 turbo last night that had a simple bi-xenon bulb swap in standard Bosch H4 housings with fluted lenses and it was great. There was no issue with undesirable light pattern. The light pattern was just the same as with halogens but with xenon light (4300K) and high/ low beam combination. He bought the kit on ebay, it is a simple installation, and it is reversible. The kit is intended to be used this way and does not incorporate any "projector" housing. It is a bulb swap that includes a set of ballast/controllers. I think this is the kit he used.

H4 Pure White 4300k HID Xenon Conversion Kit: eBay Motors (item 270467600539 end time Nov-02-10 20:49:55 PDT)

I can understand that some may want to convert the look of their headlights, but for those who like the classic H4 look, you can still do the bi-xenons and not be concerned about the light pattern with fluted lenses. This is what I will be doing in the near future.
Regards,
Chad

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by turbochad

After reading this response I called up my friend and asked him about his xenon conversion and the issue of light spread. He decided to just come over and let me judge for myself.

I drove his 944 turbo last night that had a simple bi-xenon bulb swap in standard Bosch H4 housings with fluted lenses and it was great. There was no issue with undesirable light pattern. The light pattern was just the same as with halogens but with xenon light (4300K) and high/ low beam combination. He bought the kit on ebay, it is a simple installation, and it is reversible. The kit is intended to be used this way and does not incorporate any "projector" housing. It is a bulb swap that includes a set of ballast/controllers. I think this is the kit he used.

H4 Pure White 4300k HID Xenon Conversion Kit: eBay Motors (item 270467600539 end time Nov-02-10 20:49:55 PDT)

This is done all the time on motorcycles with no problems, and I did it on my last 3 beemer bikes. The key is to ensure the part of the capsule that holds the xenon gas is exactly in the same position as the filament in the halogen bulb. You can easily compare by putting the 2 side by side.
The results are awesome!

Originally Posted by turbochad

I can understand that some may want to convert the look of their headlights, but for those who like the classic H4 look, you can still do the bi-xenons and not be concerned about the light pattern with fluted lenses. This is what I will be doing in the near future.
Regards,
Chad

I am with you there, and I don't want my 911 looking like a ricer either with LED or neon extra lights.

[mickey356]

If I'm reading all the info correctly I get this - a projector is a bulb/lens combo that on its own works together and directs the light properly, this set up would be ok to use a clear "protective" lens and the original trim ring.
The other option would be to use a sealed beam type with a clear "protective" lense like
the OP used.
I'm looking to get away from the fluted lens look (also would prefer to avoid the diamond pattern reflector used on the sealed beam) but want a very clean look inside the light, what is my best/most economical route?

[Ramathorn]

so does anyone have a night pic up against a wall to show the actual cutoff of the ebay setup?

[lateapex911]

Chad, that's interesting. HIDs have been used in projector setups (as have halogens) in many applications. Projectors are chosen because if the incredible beam control they have, while being able to provide cutoffs that comply with the strict regulations. Euro bi xenons comply with different counties regs with simple shutter changes.

To this point, I haven't seen (but I honestly haven't been looking either) any kits that have created HID bulbs that orient the filament (err...spark) exactly in the same location and orientation, as say an H4 filament. There vast majority of the kits are merely shoving something that sparks and has pretty colors in the general vicinity, and have no real concern for pattern or cutoff. (More has to be better!). If these do indeed put the actual light source in exactly the same location as the bulb they replace, with the same internal shielding (if there is any) then that's a huge step.

When you get the kit can you provide side by side pictures if the H4 bulb next to the HID bulb?

I still have to think that a projector setup will, in most cases, be superior to a fluted lens setup, but I'm no lighting engineer.

[gsmith660]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I am with you there, and I don't want my 911 looking like a ricer either with LED or neon extra lights.

If you think it is ricer then you dont have to hook up the angel eyes I will reserve my opinion for when I see them and disconnect the outer light if I dont like it. But right now I am looking more at getting projectors theat will except D2S bulbs and use them instead of the ones that have the extra lights much like lateapex911 did I want a clean functional look. The only complete projector kits out there are these ones with the angel eyes in them.

[gsmith660]

I didn't realize the higher end BMW's have the "angel eyes" around their projectors.

[lateapex911]

another source of what appears to be quality parts all intended for retrofits. They didn't really have a lot of this when I was doing my set up

The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications

[rothaus]

You can find more info here, tons and tons of HID


HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum