LED or HID conversion for night highway mountain driving?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by rw53104, Oct 21, 2015.

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  1. rw53104

    rw53104 New Member

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    Had my '05 Prius for awhile now, never missed fog lights until now. I have a base model, so no HIDs and no fogs. I now have to occasionally drive 230 miles round trip in essentially total darkness, on mountain roads, often foggy, snowing, or raining. Seward Highway in AK, if anyone's familiar.

    I was thinking of installing an LED light bar (off-roader style), but now it seems to make more sense to just upgrade the stock headlights. I found a kit to convert to LEDs; my other option is to just go the HID/ballast route. Any experience or advice either way? Product endorsements welcome, too.

    I considered installing fog lights, but it seems like just a solid upgrade to the stock lights might be enough, and is better explored before tearing into my wiring.
     
    #1 rw53104, Oct 21, 2015
  2. ramattos

    ramattos Junior Member

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    I can tell you that with the gen 3 my fogs make everything better, most times I don't even have to use the high beams when mountain driving in pa. They might be worth the upgrade there anyway
     
    #2 ramattos, Oct 23, 2015
  3. rw53104

    rw53104 New Member

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    And I still may do a fog light installation, but I figured I would try to be as non-invasive as possible and work my way up from there. I ended up ordering an HID kit, after reading that LEDs may not be as bright. I never knew darkness so dark until I drove in these Alaskan mountains!
     
    #3 rw53104, Oct 23, 2015
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Forget about dropping in those LED replacement bulbs for your headlights, they aren't bright enough. HID is still the way to go when upgrading from Halogen for the time being.
     
    #4 Paradox, Oct 23, 2015
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  5. rw53104

    rw53104 New Member

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    That's what I've heard. Got a kit on the way. Thanks!
     
    #5 rw53104, Oct 24, 2015
  6. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    #6 DGH, Oct 24, 2015
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  7. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    Hey, @rw53104 See the attached priuschat thread, the video at the bottom of page 1 shows you how to remove the headlight assembly (Here's some helpful hints: If you remove the fuse box cover it is a handy place to put the clips and bolts so you don't lose them, for the Passemger side, remove the small snorkel that is part of the intake system it will make it easier to remove the pass. headlight assembly.), and about halfway through page 5 I have some pictures and instructions that may help with your install. HID is totally the way to go! I too drive late nights or early mornings down some super dark country roads to get to work and I won't drive them without the improved lighting! the Halogens just couldn't light the road enough.

    Anyway here's the link and don't for get to take some before and after pictures, and post the pictures of your install!

    Guess what turned up in the post today... | PriusChat
     
    #7 Daves09prius, Oct 24, 2015
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  8. rw53104

    rw53104 New Member

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    Thanks for the resource- I think I browsed that thread while researching and I'll definitely come back to it.
     
    #8 rw53104, Oct 25, 2015
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