HID convertion
 

Alot of poeple have been coming up to me in the parking lot and have asked how I converted my quad headlight system on my 1990 Chevy Suburban in HID's. This is how I did it.

I went on LMCtruck.com and ordered a set of the low beam head light housing headlights. These comes with 9006 changeable bulbs. Then went to hidxenonheadlights.com and ordered a 9006 HID kit. The housing from LMCtruck come with the 9006 light bulbs and the wire adapters to put right into the stock headlight socket. There is no cutting required for this. All plug and play. I have yet to do the high beams but with these lights there is little usage for the high beams. Also a bonus, the HID's use less power then the stockers. This way is also much cheaper to do then ordering the kit on its own. $250 for kit, put my together for about $175.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b8...t/IMG00139.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b8...t/IMG00138.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b8...t/IMG00140.jpg

Re: HID convertion
 

I moved this to the 88-98 section.

Re: HID convertion
 

Thanks, Im new. Still learning. haha

Re: HID convertion
 

If I ever get my '91 grille swapped onto my dually, I plan to get a set of those lights to do the HIDs with as well. Cool job.

But his is a '90 Suburban, still the square body, so it should be in the The 1973 - 1991 Blazers, Jimmys, and Suburbans Message Board.

Re: HID convertion
 

I like the lights too they are pretty cool and very bright.

Thats kinda what i was thinking but its been moved over here.. :lol:

Re: HID convertion
 

WOW! guess I'd better learn to read;) I'll move it again to the PROPER place this time(don't tell Liz on me;))
Hmm, seems I can"t move it. I'm not a mod for this area. If you want PM me & I will get someone to move it.

Re: HID convertion
 

:lol:

Ill get it for ya ;)

Re: HID convertion
 

hmm i got the same grill and plan on doing this. did u have to buy the wiring kit lmc sells?? or jus the headlight housin

Re: HID convertion
 

i've heard of alot of guys putting in relay boxes under the hood for the headlights on these rigs for better lighting power. Looks like this setup you wouldn't need to. I've been looking at those lights from LMC for my 89 burb for better lightning with out alot of options for those small quad headlights

Re: HID convertion
 

My '90 squarebody 'burb has the single large (H6054) headlights on it. I've got HELLA headlights in it and am running 90/130watt H4 (9003) bulbs in them with relays to keep from frying something out because of the higher wattage bulbs.
My question is do they make an H.I.D. conversion for the H4 (9003) bulbs that's plug & play?
Until Truck-lite comes out with D.O.T. approved L.E.D. headlights for my style, this looks like my next best choice.

Re: HID convertion
 

Yes. Most of the better HID retailers carry the hi/lo HIDs for single headlight vehicles.

They have them at DDM Tuning. They run $20 more than the single HID kits, but that's what I'd go for if I had a single headlight vehicle.

Re: HID convertion
 

I guess I'm just at a loss here, why would anyone want to deliberately build an illegal headlight set up?
Aftermarket HID's are not street legal in almost all localities within the US, those lenses are not designed for those lamps . . . they were specifically designed for a 9006 lamp and only a 9006 lamp.
Most aftermarket HID "upgrades" seem to push the 6000K or higher color temperature lamps . . . 4300K is the factory HID ct and is the only one considered legal for on-road use here in the US.


I have similar, but DOT/SAE approved (Hella , lenses on my 87 with the use of a triple relay setup and quality Silverstar Ultra bulbs I put out more light (Lumens), focused where it's supposed to be and it's 100% street legal.

I wanted to use the same lenses you have on my 90 as well, but LMC won't reply to my requests for information on whether or not they are DOT/SAE approved.

So I have two questions;
1. Can you tell me if those lenses are DOT/SAE approved (usually stamped in the glass)

2. What color temperature did you choose for your HID lights (they look rather blue in the photo)

Re: HID convertion
 

If you use some care in your HID installation you can have a great set of headlights without causing glare for other drivers. Sure the housings aren't optimized for HIDs, but you'll still get a better light output than stock.

Color temperatures have bearing on the legality of aftermarket HIDs. Putting HIDs in a vehicle that wasn't originally equipped with them is illegal. Period. Even if the vehicle was available with HIDs, but wasn't actually equipped with them, it's illegal. I had a 2002 Cadillac SLS that I put HIDs in. Even though you could get HIDs on the 2002 SLS, because mine weren't factory, they were illegal.

I see more HID swaps that appear in the 8000K+ range than anything it seems. I guarantee the reason you see that is because the buyers are completely uneducated and think that the higher the number, the better and brighter the lights will be, when the reverse is actually true. You have those uneducated buyers and then the ones that just think that the really blue HIDs are really cool. To me they just look like posers and they are the ones that will attract the attention of the law and get busted.

I have 5000K HIDs in the foglights of my 2004 Cadillac CTS (factory 4300K HID lows), 5000K HIDs in the lows of my '91 GMC and 4500K HIDs in the lows of my '98 Suburban. The 5000Ks are pushing the line of being too blue for my tastes for sure, but those were the first HIDs I ever bought and the seller didn't carry whiter than 5000K.

The best idea would be to get a hold of some projectors from a vehicle that was designed for HIDs and then retrofit them into some clear lens housings, but those projectors can get pricey and if you're not good with projects like that, it's just an unrealistic proposition for some.

But, if you use care in your installation, you'll have better visibility without any issues, even in non-HID housings, and if you choose a proper color temperature, you'll likely slide under the radar and not attract any unwanted attention from the law. I've been running "illegal" HIDs for a while now and haven't had any run-ins.

Re: HID convertion
 

In my case, long winter nights (as much as 18 1/2 hours in Dec.) and bad night vision due to severe near sightedness (20/575 left eye 20/550 right eye) I need all the help I can get.

Re: HID convertion
 

Regardless of how "under the radar" they look, it doesn't change the fact that they are illegal. I deal with almost daily inspections on my other vehicle and as such I am not one to ever cut corners and add something that is illegal no matter how cool it looks.

That's why I was interested in whether or not the LMC "euro" lenses are DOT/SAE approved.

There is no way to make an HID lamp safe in a non-HID lens . . . it's simply a mater of the physics of how each lamp creates light. To do it the aforementioned way will always create a light with excessive glare to oncoming drivers.

Yes color temperature of the lamps is a legal issue, if they are too blue or beyond they are illegal. Likewise if they fall too far into yellow, here in the US that is also illegal for a headlamp. They have to, by law (USDOT), fall into a certain color range considered white.

The setup I built for my 87 and similarly on my Freightliner uses an SAE/DOT approved lens produced by Hella . . . it is legal because the lens is designed to put light on the road in the proper manner and cut off where it's not supposed to go, when it is used with the lamp that it was designed for.
I have had the lights inspected in seven states thus far and it passed all of those inspections as well as the DOT inspection that the truck has to go through annually.
I can tell you that had I put in some cheap "euro style" lenses or a cheap Chinese built HID kit, then I would never have passed inspection. Flying under the radar is unacceptable in my book.

Blue light is actually detrimental to night vision . . . scientific fact . . . closer to the yellow is actually much better for inclement weather too.

BLE 'BURBAN . . . the lights I have are very similar to what you have, with the exception of lamp selection. Put up against a set of Hella HID projectors on my friends bus, the light output, placement, range . . . is all far superior for long night driving with the Halogens. You will loose a tremendous amount of light output if you convert those over to HID.



Check this out for some interesting facts about HID


http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=287266

Re: HID convertion
 

Whether or not they're DOT/SAE approved doesn't matter in this case. They're NOT approved for HIDs no matter what. Even if they were, his truck didn't come from the factory with HIDs, which makes them illegal. Period.

Yes you can. I have extremely sensitive eyes when it comes to lights at night. I have seen plenty of drop-in HID conversions with no more glare than the car next to them with halogens. None of my HID conversions produce excess glare.

If the vehicle didn't roll off the assembly line with HIDs, then it's just as illegal as any other HID conversion.

I've passed plenty of inspections without a single question.

That's why you stay in the low 4000K range for the best results.



But this is all a matter for its own topic, really. SoCalSlaughter didn't start this thread to discuss the legalities of HID conversions. He started the thred to give a little info on how it can be done. Most people who do HID conversions know that they're not quite legal and I'm sure SoCalSlaughter is no exception. I know that mine are illegal, but I've taken the time to make mine the best I can with what I've got. I get better light output and visibility than with halogens without causing glare for other drivers. That's what matters and the odds of me getting any hassle over them are slim.

Re: HID convertion
 

Obviously you didn't read or can't read my previous posts . . . I had no intention of sticking an illegal HID lamp into the lenses. I wanted to know if they were DOT/SAE approved for on road use as a halogen headlight since LMC won't answer the question.
Once again you failed to read my post, the lights in my semi use a DOT approved lens and a higher quality halogen lamp . . .

Since you seem to think you can alter physics and refuse to face the scientific facts I'll leave you to your fantasy land. :lol:

For the rest of the community that is interested in being "enlightened" as it were, try reading some of the links posted about retrofit HID lighting and why it is extremely unsafe and illegal!

Re: HID convertion
 

Ok. I'm man enough to admit a mistake. I misread that you were looking for HIDs. Maybe since you're asking in an HID thread, I overlooked it. My mistake.

That said, it's very likely that they aren't DOT approved.

I never said I can alter physics. I never said I have a perfect, optimized HID setup either, except for my CTS with OEM HIDs. But you CAN get better lighting from HIDs vs. halogens WITHOUT glare.

But whatever. :uhmk: Still not the point of this thread, soooo...:waah:

Re: HID convertion
 

The same reason some people deliberately jack other folks posts. Please stay on topic.


Good info.

And to the OP, looks great. I have a set of 6Ks in my cummins and I plan to do the same to my crew cab one ton square.

Re: HID convertion
 

Thanks for the info SoCalSlaughter, love the way it looks....have to add it to my future mods list!

Re: HID convertion
 

A must do, I did mine about a week ago I did the Low/High beam kit on mine and love it, I had the low beam only kit on my other truck and always wanted the low/high kit yeah you dont really need them they are bright as hell but wait till you try them out wow let there be light and the guy next to you only has the low beam kit LOL :metal:

Re: HID convertion
 

can you post a night pic of just your low beams?

Re: HID convertion
 

Sorry I sold the Blazer but by far the best money I spent was on the Low/High HID beam kit you cant go wrong unless you buy the just low beam kit

Re: HID convertion
 

Ques about the HID Conversion kid for the 89 trucks. Can u also fine these kids like bortherstrucks and classic industry or just LMC TRUCKS I WOULD like to the kid thanks
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Re: HID convertion
 

You can get the new housings to accept the capsule-type bulbs from LMC and the like, but you won't find them selling the HID kits.

For the HIDs, I have bought from DDM Tuning, VVME and HIDgate on eBay. They're all good kits at good prices.

Re: HID convertion
 

I suggest you take a moment to check your attitude before you make your next post. You may not agree with 1badgmc, but you will respond in a polite manner.

Re: HID convertion
 

You can also get them from www.v-leds.com that's where I got mine from.

Re: HID convertion
 

To the post about HID retrofit's being illegal, do you have a reference for that? I have looked at Illinois Statue, and I do not see any reference to this. Is it a federal law? I have seen other references to a "DOT regulation" but have not seen it in writing. If it is in writing, they are probably talking about HID retrofits into Halogen headlights.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...=49&ActID=1815

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...qEnd=129300000

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...108&Cat_type=V

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...cfr571.108.pdf

And to the OP (and anyone else that wants to do HID's this way), it may look great to you but what about oncoming drivers? Only way to properly do a HID conversion is to get HID projectors, bulb, balast, and harness and not JUST a bulb, balast and harness.

For a HID to properly perform they need to be aimed and have the correct cutoff. That is what keeps from blinding oncoming drivers.

Re: HID convertion
 

Also, it seems as though the term "DOT Approved" is a bit misleading. The DOT does not "approve" items that go on your vehicle. Instead they set standard (FMVSS 108 for lights). If your vehicle meets the standard then you are good to go, if not then the particular equipment is illegal.

Re: HID convertion
 

Alright, last post I promise. lol

It looks as though the reason why HID retrofits (properly done) are illegal is because....
1. There is no filament
2. There is no ballast on file with the DOT to be used with an H1 bulb.

The reason why I am doing so much research is because I am currently having a set built for my dually. I have no question that from the outside they will look great and not cause any glare. But it looks as though they will not be legal.

Re: HID convertion
 

I have not been able to find anything that specifically condemns HID conversions as being illegal in so many words, but in my searches around FMVSS 108 and HID legality, I have seen this pop up several times...

Re: HID convertion
 

I'm not speaking about anyone in this thread or any kits mentioned here. But I've passed many an older car at night that's had some sort of headlight upgrade that blinds me with the glare. Usually they have some sort of halo glare around the headlights and maybe even blue tint. It is annoying and dangerous. To me, a headlight upgrade should put more white light on the ground. The Sylvania Silverstars seem to be well reviewed and are even available in sealed beam halogen versions for our older trucks.

Re: HID convertion
 

Most who do HID conversions don't take any care in their installations and do have bad glare. Most of them also buy retarded blue color temperatures as well.

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I saw some pink looking ones the other night on a really nice truck, kinda killed the coolness :lol:

Re: HID convertion
 

I've seen pink and I've also seen green. Talk about retarded.

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ive got a truck thats pink and green must make me twice retarded :lol:

Re: HID convertion
 

Never heard of that one. Is that a state law or federal? Can you point me to where it says that?

Re: HID convertion
 

Just sticking HID bulbs in older halogen reflector housing is NOT the way to do it, you will create a lot of glare. I retrofited projectors in my Honda for this reason. It looks cool and the beam pattern is amazing.

Re: HID convertion
 

:drama: http://okcminis.com/images/smilies/deadhorse.gif

Re: HID convertion
 

Sorry missed all the the drama, just trying to add an informative post here