Topic: Jeep HID Conversion

[aka-justin]

I’ve been trying to price out an HID kit for my Jeep.

I happened to run across this epic thread about a HID conversion.   There are some real literary novelists feuding over stinking HID kits.  Thought you all may get a kick out of the feud and some nice info too boot. 

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f20/retrofit-hid-w-projectors-7-housing-958502/

[Mozman68]

Good read....

I actually side with Sarge....I understand the desire of some to have the "true" original style, flat cut-off, you get with HID's on high end vehicles, but that doesn't mean a nice bi-xenon bulb can work well in a standard reflector.

Here is the one I am thinking of getting...only becuase they are nice enough to show the install in a video and working in the housing I actually have right now.

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

[sharpxmen]

Good read....

I actually side with Sarge....I understand the desire of some to have the "true" original style, flat cut-off, you get with HID's on high end vehicles, but that doesn't mean a nice bi-xenon bulb can work well in a standard reflector.

Here is the one I am thinking of getting...only becuase they are nice enough to show the install in a video and working in the housing I actually have right now.

http://skinnypedal.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_26&products_id=22

i called skinnypedal this morning to inquire about the YJ kit - left a voicemail but did not hear back yet, i'll let you guys know if i hear from them

[aka-justin]

Make sure they have true projectors in them.  A lot of the H6054 (7x6) conversion kits seem to have a projector in them but with the back open to the main reflector.  A reflector works ok for highs or off-roading, but you'll blind on comming drivers and may get a ticket.  Thus, Sarge's rants in the post mentioned above.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f20/yj-hid-bi-xenon-projector-retrofit-1038504/
This guy did an semi ok job installing some projectors inside one of those conversion kits.  (It's no better than the half hearted effort I may do on a quick run thru; example: my radiator mount.)  Only problem is, if you drive anywhere offroad for any distance, I'm affraid his may fail (like my mount )

Here's a video series a guy did with even more shortcutting.  He uses vice grips to snap off plastic while cut off wheels and a dremel in reach


Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imIiglkq7HA
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qExaAFgvquE
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg_C_jtonZw
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1repIX_UU

[Torch_Ind]

or  you could put on a light bar lol

[Jeffy]

or  you could put on a light bar lol

Problem with that is other drivers don't really like being blinded either. 

I'd like to do HID's but there is a lot of controversy with the drop-in kits that reuse H4 housings.  The other problem I've found is that there are slim pickings when looking for a 7x6, which is another reason for wanting to do the CJ conversion.

[aka-justin]

My own self conclusion after some late reading last night is basically this: Since there doesn't seem to be a quick buy kit for this that's 100%, and I don't drive enough at night; I can't warrant all this effort and money needed to do it.

7" Kragen Offroad lights are good enough for me while I'm off road.  I'm going to get two more for the front of my bumper.

If I would do it, it would be only vanity and I can care less how cool I look, so that's why I'll stick with the quicky off-road use only lights.  

I did post this just for the shear interest and learning.

If I drove in the mountains or on long stretches of road at night, I would be whistling a different toon.

[Jeffy]

I hate the YJ's headlights.  Frankly they are too dim at night.  I always use my PIAA Fogs (yellow filter) at night and when it's raining.  I aim my fogs down and to the right so they don't blind people too bad.

[sharpxmen]

I hate the YJ's headlights.  Frankly they are too dim at night.  I always use my PIAA Fogs (yellow filter) at night and when it's raining.  I aim my fogs down and to the right so they don't blind people too bad.

that's why i'm looking at this too - the only thing is that i want the housings to be waterproof and from that vid it didn't look like it is, that's why i called them.

[Jeffy]

that's why i'm looking at this too - the only thing is that i want the housings to be waterproof and from that vid it didn't look like it is, that's why i called them.

I doubt any are considered waterproof.  The lights usually have a drain in case water enters it.

[sharpxmen]

I doubt any are considered waterproof.  The lights usually have a drain in case water enters it.

the bulbs in that vid have a green o-ring but the adapter is just a piece of metal with no sealing, i bet the correct housing would be waterproof, i was wondering if maybe get some JB weld on the adapter to do the trick.

[Jeffy]

the bulbs in that vid have a green o-ring but the adapter is just a piece of metal with no sealing, i bet the correct housing would be waterproof, i was wondering if maybe get some JB weld on the adapter to do the trick.

Maybe put a bead of RTV?

[sharpxmen]

Maybe put a bead of RTV?

yeah, or some windshield urethane sealant

i wonder if anyone used these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-90-91-92-93-94-96-JEEP-CHEROKEE-EURO-HALO-HEADLIGHTS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b203fc8eQQitemZ170490330254QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

and how they work compared to stock which suck a$$ for visibility at night

one think is that you can put some aftermarket bulbs in but the low beam which is the problem is usually 55 or 60 watts (from what i remember) and the high is 100 and i find that being acceptable

[jfrabat]

I hate the YJ's headlights.  Frankly they are too dim at night.  I always use my PIAA Fogs (yellow filter) at night and when it's raining.  I aim my fogs down and to the right so they don't blind people too bad.

I also hated my YJ lights.  I changed to Xenon H4 lights, and they are better, but not great.  I also use my KC SlimLites Fog Lights on a daily basis, but I swapped the bulbs to 55W ones (they are less bright and last longer).  I also aim them down a bit to avoid blinding oncoming drivers, but I still get a lot of hi-beams turned on on me when I drive at night (especially on dark roads).  Of course, they turn them down when I turn MY hi-beams (which, since I ussually have the switch on, also turn on the KC Daylighters with 100W of power each)...

[b.hog]

yeah, or some windshield urethane sealant

i wonder if anyone used these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-90-91-92-93-94-96-JEEP-CHEROKEE-EURO-HALO-HEADLIGHTS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b203fc8eQQitemZ170490330254QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

and how they work compared to stock which suck a$$ for visibility at night

one think is that you can put some aftermarket bulbs in but the low beam which is the problem is usually 55 or 60 watts (from what i remember) and the high is 100 and i find that being acceptable

I use something similar and its alot better than stock.The ones I have came with 85/80 bulbs and were awesome but they burnt out pretty quick.I will post a pic in a lil and rant and praise .