HID headlight upgrade

drewquant · 07-17-2009, 12:11 AM

Just got a Gen 3 package IV and was a little disappointed with the whole halogen headlights thing compared to my Gen 2 so I bought a HID conversion set at "coolbulbs" H11 for the lows and they dropped in easy without much fuss. Huge improvement over stock for $125 it looks bad ass. I need to get some aftermarket fogs and do it in them too! Have not upgraded the highs yet as I live in LA and never get a chance to turn them on with so many people around... Anybody tried any other lighting upgrades? I was thinking of upgrading some of my interior light to LED stuff...

**Paradox** · 07-17-2009, 02:50 PM

Stream and I have changed out quite a few exterior bulbs, but not the headlights... We have the LED's.

You can check out some pics etc in this thread:
Replaced Turn Signals, Fog Lights, High Beams, Parking Lights & Rear License Plate Bulbs

abhicary · 07-21-2009, 05:52 PM

LED in the interiors is a nice idea. It will look great.

budweisman · 09-21-2009, 01:33 PM

Hello to all, I'm a newbie to this forum and I got my prius 2010 2 mos ago and not sure what model, all I know is prius III, no navigation package. Anyway I'am planning to replace also my halogen headlight with an HID and would like to know if this will affect the cut off beam. I replaced my 2004 camry with HID and it did blind the opposite cars and any info is greatly appreciated.

qbee42 · 09-21-2009, 02:14 PM

Yes, it will affect the cutoff. HID headlamps need to be designed from the ground up. Simply swapping in an HID bulb does not make for a properly functioning HID headlight. This is why HID conversions are illegal in most jurisdictions.

Tom

antiflash · 09-21-2009, 04:15 PM

Because the 2010 Prius has a projector style lens for the low beams (same style lens as used by OEM HID's), it is less prone to blinding drivers. Since installing mine, I noticed that the cutoff has not changed vs the halogens (ie, light is not spreading out above the previous vertical limit) and as such, I feel that it is relatively safe to perform this mod on the 2010 Prius.

HAVING SAID THAT...it is illegal in all states, no matter what, to retrofit a halogen headlight car with HID's. While the Prius lens may make it safer, it has not been through the rigorous matching and validation process that an OEM system will undergo. Proceed at your own risk...

radioprius1 · 09-21-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

Yes, it will affect the cutoff. HID headlamps need to be designed from the ground up. Simply swapping in an HID bulb does not make for a properly functioning HID headlight. This is why HID conversions are illegal in most jurisdictions.

Tom

Having actually installed HIDs in a 2010, I can say it does not affect the cutoff.

budweisman · 09-21-2009, 07:57 PM

Guys, thanks for your quick reply, yes the 2010 model has a projector lens and I'll give it a try, I ordered a unit for $65.00 and hopefully it will get here in a day or two and will let you know the results, tx again.

antiflash · 09-23-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budweisman

Guys, thanks for your quick reply, yes the 2010 model has a projector lens and I'll give it a try, I ordered a unit for $65.00 and hopefully it will get here in a day or two and will let you know the results, tx again.

My statement above was based on personal experience...i have a 5000 degree kit installed and love em

I'm sure you will too. Let us know what your experience is...

akeem · 09-23-2009, 08:54 AM

how did your upgrade turn out? I saw that a company recently released a package explicitly for the 2010 model with brackets and everything

07-17-2009, 12:11 AM	#1
drewquant Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	HID headlight upgrade Just got a Gen 3 package IV and was a little disappointed with the whole halogen headlights thing compared to my Gen 2 so I bought a HID conversion set at "coolbulbs" H11 for the lows and they dropped in easy without much fuss. Huge improvement over stock for $125 it looks bad ass. I need to get some aftermarket fogs and do it in them too! Have not upgraded the highs yet as I live in LA and never get a chance to turn them on with so many people around... Anybody tried any other lighting upgrades? I was thinking of upgrading some of my interior light to LED stuff...

07-17-2009, 02:50 PM	#2
Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NY Posts: 5,905 My Car: 2012 Prius Plug-in Model: Plug-in Advanced Package: Thanks: 62 Thanked 1,081 Times in 653 Posts Friends: 16	Re: HID headlight upgrade Stream and I have changed out quite a few exterior bulbs, but not the headlights... We have the LED's. You can check out some pics etc in this thread: Replaced Turn Signals, Fog Lights, High Beams, Parking Lights & Rear License Plate Bulbs

07-21-2009, 05:52 PM	#3
abhicary Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: LA Posts: 3 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID headlight upgrade LED in the interiors is a nice idea. It will look great.

09-21-2009, 01:33 PM	#4
budweisman Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perris Posts: 5 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID headlight upgrade Hello to all, I'm a newbie to this forum and I got my prius 2010 2 mos ago and not sure what model, all I know is prius III, no navigation package. Anyway I'am planning to replace also my halogen headlight with an HID and would like to know if this will affect the cut off beam. I replaced my 2004 camry with HID and it did blind the opposite cars and any info is greatly appreciated.

09-21-2009, 02:14 PM	#5
qbee42 My other car is a boat Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 17,752 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #7 Thanks: 1,355 Thanked 2,805 Times in 1,885 Posts Friends: 19	Re: HID headlight upgrade Yes, it will affect the cutoff. HID headlamps need to be designed from the ground up. Simply swapping in an HID bulb does not make for a properly functioning HID headlight. This is why HID conversions are illegal in most jurisdictions. Tom

09-21-2009, 04:15 PM	#6
antiflash Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Port Hueneme, CA Posts: 93 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 16 Thanked 42 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID headlight upgrade Because the 2010 Prius has a projector style lens for the low beams (same style lens as used by OEM HID's), it is less prone to blinding drivers. Since installing mine, I noticed that the cutoff has not changed vs the halogens (ie, light is not spreading out above the previous vertical limit) and as such, I feel that it is relatively safe to perform this mod on the 2010 Prius. HAVING SAID THAT...it is illegal in all states, no matter what, to retrofit a halogen headlight car with HID's. While the Prius lens may make it safer, it has not been through the rigorous matching and validation process that an OEM system will undergo. Proceed at your own risk... __________________ 35% Llumar Tint, 5000K HID Kit, Interior and Exterior LED lighting, Custom Vinyl Graphics

09-21-2009, 07:57 PM	#8
budweisman Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perris Posts: 5 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID headlight upgrade Guys, thanks for your quick reply, yes the 2010 model has a projector lens and I'll give it a try, I ordered a unit for $65.00 and hopefully it will get here in a day or two and will let you know the results, tx again.

09-23-2009, 08:54 AM	#10
akeem News Breaker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York Posts: 3 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID headlight upgrade how did your upgrade turn out? I saw that a company recently released a package explicitly for the 2010 model with brackets and everything

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