Can anyone point out the differences between the HID headlight housing and the halogen ones?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by 2Fats, Oct 29, 2019.

  1. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I have the HID version, and I'm wondering if I could mod the much less expensive, and much more available halogen housing to work with the HID. If nothing else I'd like to be able to replace the lens covers themselves as my current ones are hazy and beyond repair at this point. (I've polished them before.)

    I've got five weeks before I'm home, I'd like to get a few things set up in advance so I can get it done while I'm there.

    Thanks for any help.
     
    #1 2Fats, Oct 29, 2019
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Halogen buckets don’t have the automatic leveling motors, HID buckets do. That’s most of the money difference.

    More importantly, the body ECU in your car is programmed to communicate with the leveling motors and throw a fit (warning lamps on dash) if it thinks they are missing or not working correctly.

    Re-polish yours or swap the front covers. I don’t know if the covers can be interchanged between the two bucket types but it seems likely.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Oct 29, 2019
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  3. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    Have you tried Mother's Polish? Works real well and takes about 5 minutes per lense or less with a rotary polish pad. Takes a little longer using elbow grease but the end results will be the same. No painstaking sanding procedures or anything like that.
    20190719_154424_HDR.jpeg

    Before and After:
    20190719_152710.jpeg
    20190719_154412.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 TheLastMojojomo, Oct 29, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2019
  4. caravan2429

    caravan2429 Junior Member

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    Reflection surface, electric-controlled low/high beam pattern cover and level adjust motor in the housing.
     
    #4 caravan2429, Oct 29, 2019
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  5. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I polished them once before, and because of the pitting and cracking I saw at that time I realized then that I wouldn't be able to do it again and get useable results. I've done probably 20 sets of headlights over the years, and have an entire polishing "setup" that I keep just for clearing plastic headlights. I'd get some photos, but I'm around a thousand miles from the car right now. I wish I could just polish them this time, I really do.

    (Edited to add:) That duck tape would make me nervous. Frog tape is my go-to. It sticks, even with the water, but comes off clean.
     
    #5 2Fats, Oct 29, 2019
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  6. TheLastMojojomo

    TheLastMojojomo Active Member

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    Ahhh I see. Polishing works nice when it works. Haha. And also the duct tape made me nervous too when I put it on. I've since bought some painters scotch tape. Luckily the duct tape didn't cause damage to the paint on either headlight. Would not recommend someone else doing it.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 TheLastMojojomo, Oct 31, 2019
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