HID light conversions

[RAM MAN]

Some one emailed me this question and I thought I'd pass it on for all:

There are companies out there who make conversion kits for your headlights - if you want the HID look (like the newer Mercedes etc) super bright lights are out there.

I didn't say they were affordable . . .

Kits START at $775 . . . but if thats what you want . . . .

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"Good Luck on your project."

[nevermind65]

You can get these at www.godfathercustoms.com
they run $680 a set

[BillyBob]

RAM MAN,
I visited the Godfather site & couldn't find the HID lights for a Ram - where are they?
BB

[ehostler]

Click on start shopping - Click on APC - Clcik on upgrade headlight bulbs.

http://www.godfathercustoms.com/cgi-...d=6506958_6033

Ed

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'96 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT CC 360 4X4
'68 Charger 383-4

[BillyBob]

Does anyone know what the HID light output is compared to stock 94-99 Ram headlights?
BB

[RufusTheRam]

BB... i would imagine a world of difference. at least it is on those foreign cars over regular lights. i have HID similar 4" lights in my bumper, and they are brighter than my regular headlights. they look blue from the outside, but they actually put out a very intense white light, where as most halogen lights look white, but actually put out a dim yellowish light. the way our eyes work, the whiter the light gets the better we see. it doesn't have to be a more powerful bulb like most people think. HID similar lights like mine are VERY close to the real thing, but half the price. the lenses are coated in a bluish film, something with xenon so i'm told.

[nevermind65]

I think I read an article once where HID's put out 5 times the light of a normal halogen. I am not sure what they were basing their comparisons on. I think the article also stated that HID's actually do put out a white light, but it was so bright, they added a gas to it to give it the bluish tint so as to not blind oncoming drivers. If the price drops a bit more, I think I am going to try them.

[BillyBob]

I wanted to know what the wattage/lumen output was for the HID lights because this is a true test of the "light" output. I am an electrician by trade and I am aware of how an HID functions so no need to go there. If the automotive HID lamps are made the same way as the lamps I/we use in parking lot/street lights, then the amperage required to run then is sigficantly less that the standard lamps(at full brightness) currently in our vehicles. Less current draw means less need from the charging system and so on. Only the prices seem to be high.
BB

[nevermind65]

Going by the fact that they use some type of adaptor box, the wattage may not give you the info you need. I assume that the adaptor box is some type of transformer they are using to bump the voltage a lot higher. You cannot run the HID lights in a normal car without rewiring the whole electrical circuit. I am not sure if this is due to a very high voltage requirement or a high current draw. You may want to contact the manufacturer to get the specs. I am interested in knowing also.

[BillyBob]

Nevermind65,
A non-automotive HID lamp uses an arc tube inside of a vacuum tube with some type of gas as the light source. There are different types of HID: Low Pressure Sodium(dim yellow light),High pressure sodium(bright yellow light),Mercury vapor(pinkish light), and Metal Halide(blueish light).
I am pretty sure the ones for automotive use are metal halide.
Yes a transformer,starter & capacitor are part of the items for HID lighting non automotive. This is part of how they achieve their effiency & long life.
I will have to call the manufacturer in the near future to get pertinent information from them then I can give you better info.
Does anyone know the manufacturers telephone # for the lights as seen in godfather customss?
BB

[RufusTheRam]

BB... the HID light conversions have very low draw compared to conventional high power lights. i'm not sure about the regular headlight conversions, but i looked into a set of KC's HID 6 inch driving lights when i was starting to upgrade my lighting. they use a 35 watt bulb i think, yet provide a light something like 10 times that of a 165 watt KC daylighter which is the strongest regular light they make. they also use only a fraction of the power the regular lights do. the converter box from what i understand amplifies and changes normal 12 volt power to the proper power needed for the HID. like you mentioned, i've heard the name metal halide asscociated with these lights. a couple years ago, when this technology first started becoming available to the aftermarket, Four Wheeler magazine had a pretty good article on how they work, as well as an install of that KC kit i mentioned above and the pros and cons of HID versus regular halogen or sealed beam lights. most of the knowledge i have of lights is related to off road lights, but i would think the same should apply to the headlights.

[Nevin]

If you want superior lighting w/o HID's I would go for the PIAA's ... I have a pair in my truck and they are significantly brighter and whiter than stock. Of course the PIAA's aren't HID's but a cheaper alternative. I found a pair for $60. My 99 has quad lamps so I only found them for the 9004 bulb. They haven't made the 9007 yet (that was 4 months ago).

[BillyBob]

Thanks for all the info- HID's ordered, freight depending will have installed 1-2 weeks.
BB

[RAM MAN]

BillyBob - keep us posted on your results !!!

As an alternative . . . has anyone just installed the "super bright" lights (just swapped in newer style bulbs) for stock ?

I realize HID is still a world of difference, but what about these other bulbs (I also know some are specifically made for off road use only - but I'm not talking about those either . . . )

Just curious . . . ..

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"Good Luck on your project."

[RufusTheRam]

RAM MAN... i tried those "super white" bulbs and the rainbow ones that are supposed to give that bluish HID look. neither was any better than stock, or at least that you can see. the best thing i've done was get 4" round fog lights in my bumper that have the lenses coated with some sort of bluish tint, xenon i think. i put 100 watt bulbs in them, and they put off a very white light brighter than my headlights. and they're low enough that even with 100 watt bulbs they don't blind cars. total cost was around 90 dollars including the new bulbs.

[BillyBob]

I agree with Rufus, super brites just don't do it. I have 4-210W light bar mounted lights & they give a great amount of light but can't use them on the normal roads.
BB

[RAM MAN]

Thanks for the tips guys - I wondered if they really made a diff or not . . .

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"Good Luck on your project."

[BillyBob]

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE- THE HID 9004 LIGHTS AS SOLD OUT THERE ARE A SINGLE ELEMENT TYPE LIGHT!!!!

NO HIGH/LOW BEAM!!!!!!!
BB
PS: I'm following another path to do HID's

[plumcrazy]

RAMMAN,
I finally found a set of bulbs to swap into the stock lite after going thru 3 or 4 so called super brite bulbs, unfortunately im not at home or near my truck so I cant tell you who makes them but they are called XEON bulbs with a "true"100 watt output. None of that annoying blue tint or other colors coming out of the headlites. When I get home I will post a followup on the name or mfg. But they definetely are much brighter than stock or the other brands. Cost is $45/set

[xtant]

PIAA makes a replacement buld called Platinum and I have those in my 98 ram headlamps. They are not as good as HID's but they are worlds better than the stock bulbs. They run about 65 a pair, but I think the benefit is worthwhile.

By the way, does anyone know if the 4 lamp system in the 99 ram's is usable in the 98's? I would also like to upgrade to HID's but i do not want to lose my high's. Thanks in advance!

-xtant

[BillyBob]

xtant,
I'm working on that exact issue as we speak, will probably know all the part #'s & approx. prices.
BB

[xtant]

Thanks BB! Please do let me know what you find out. The one worry is that it will be too expensive to make the swap-over. On top of the >1k for the lights, much more is getting on towards new engine time! Thanks again!

-xtant

[RAM MAN]

Thanks again for the info guys !!

Post your parts numbers when you find them !!!

Where did you buy them ??

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"Good Luck on your project."

[BillyBob]

KPZBEE,
Do you know where the power-pack/transformer is located/or part number for the new Rams with the quad HID's. Local dealer was not able to find- his system did not have the latest info.
BB

[BillyBob]

WELL, no HID's available for Rams BUT -----
You can change evrything over to the new style quad headlights with the clear technology. I am in the late stages of the install. If you need part numbers I can provide. These should give a noticeable difference.
BB

[xtant]

BillyBob-

Let me know how that conversion works out. This will work for a 1998 ram? Cost? How much of a pain is the work? Does it fit well? Sorry for the third degree, but I am VERY curious about this change-over. Thanks in advance!

-xtant

[BillyBob]

xtant,
The install that I'm doin is on a 98.

Headlights-55077042-3(lost reicept $30.00ea?)
Retainers- 55077046(2) List $ 8.50ea
Bulbs- 00154882-AA(2)List $ 17.25 ea
Bulbs- L0009004-LL(2)List $ 11.25ea

I'm only working on it when I feel like it, some cutting was necessary to install. But can't be seen. Whole install should be less than 4 hours. My next area is to figure out the electrical part. If your truck already has the 9004 lamps you will not need to buy new ones. Cost about $ 100.00
BB

[MeanGreen98Machine]

Okay. Thanks for the hard parts #s. What about the electrical connections? Are there simple jumpers, or what? Thanks for your help.

[BillyBob]

MG98,
I used 2 factory relays to make them work.
Also had to pick up 2 additional sockets.
BB

[This message has been edited by BillyBob (edited April 30, 2000).]

[MeanGreen98Machine]

Thanks BB