So I know I shouldn't install HIDs to replace halogens but...

You have to replace the entire headlight housing, including controllers. Halogen and HID are not interchangeable.

 

Get yourself a $60 HID kit off of e-Bay for a 9003 / H4 bulb (same thing) and give it a try. It's a quick simple plug and play set up.

And what ever you do, don't go buying some kit for $200 just because the vendor says 'theirs is the best'.

They are all made in the same place, turst me on this one.

Here is an example of your standard bulb along side ofan hid bulb.

 

what!??!?!?! no you don't....read on....


don't get a kit with the above type bulb...get a bi-xenon that allows you to keep your hi-beams -- looks like this...

 

I bought 2 kits from 2 separate sellers 1 was a 5000K one is 4500K - I like the 4500K much better - the kits were identical - I recommend this ebay seller --eBay My World - zgperformance

I paid $61 shipped for the kit -- he's a US (CA) seller so you should have it in a few days.

as for the light output --- its much much brighter -- there is a slight glare but nobody has flashed me, so it can't be too bad.

 

````How long does it take to install this kit?
Is it easy to install, what tools are needed?

 

its not too bad...I could probably do it in an hour easy...longer if you've never done it -- very basic tools are required -- there's a how-to on the site somewhere.

just take your time - its pretty simple really.

 

And again, it will not be legal* on public highways in the US, so expect to chat with Officer Friendly.

*You can't legally change the kind of light (Halogen, LED, HID) using the stock connector. If your individual car already has HIDs, you can change brightness color.

 

I need a quick catch up....


Im looking to make this switch as well. I have a Gen 3, with standard halogens. this thread is saying "buy x kit, install in place of the standard halogen, it will be illegal but will provide more light" is that correct?


also bagwell,

Could I bother you to find the exact auction for the correct bi-xenon bulbs from that seller? Theres a lot of terminology flying around the auctions and its a little confusing figuring out whats what.

finally, what is the life expectancy of the new bulbs compared to the stock halogens?

 

Our HID's have been fine for 90K miles, but many have had theirs paid for by toyota for early failure. Keep that in mind. I don't have the TSB handy or I'd post it ... but search around & you'll find it.

.

 

in a Gen III you have cool projector headlights so an HID kit will work great...unfortunately I don't know what bulbs the GEN III takes.

"4300K" is the stock color temp, I prefer 4500K which provides a slightly whiter lite.

here's what you need to do - find out the bulb type for the low beams of your car - then go to the seller I mentioned above and search his items for your bulb type.

oh the life epectancy of HID bulbs is around 3000 hours I believe....much longer than halogen...I've never had a HID bulb burn out.

I've installed HID kits on my past 3 cars over about 5 years and have never EVER been stopped or questioned.....and I have no worries about it either...had every car inspected tto -- guess what? no issues...

 

Lol u can mod as long as it fits the housing and the beam it set in the right direction

 

What do you mean by this post? Do you mean that it is physically possible to modify a halogen headlight assembly to hold HIDs, or that it is legal to do so?

As for legal, the answer is no, unless you have the design recertified by the DOT.

Tom

 

35W is a cheaper ballast kit compared with 50-55W, it's brighter and stronger. I am contemplating to get one for my 2010.

 

I expected to receive my HID kit from Xenon Depot on Wed...Are you guys running the positive wire from the rear battery terminal for the kit?

 

^Theres no need to run wires to the back--at least for me i didn't need to. I purchased a kit on my own, installed them (plug n play) real simple really, however people were flashing there brights at me..SO I decided to simply lift up the hood and twist the lever which lowers the lights.

Problem solved! had them in for over a year and a half NO problems whatsoever. ive even driven our other car and had someone drive mine at night and they look completely normal. sure, it may be illegal, but who cares! cops will never know, if done correctly.

good luck!

 

oh okay, because the kit I bought uses the battery and the oem connections to start the ballast...So I guess I have to look on how to run a positive wire from the back to the engine.

 

in the gen3 there is a place in the fuse box under the hood