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Best HID upgrade using OEM wiring - easy install

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by stlprius, Apr 15, 2010.

  1. stlprius

    stlprius Junior Member

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    I have read some of the threads on the HID upgrade. I am looking for easy, durable and preferably using the existing wiring. Best choice? Probably want a bright light similar to the factory Xenons.
     
  2. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    Few notes... the factory V is LED not Xenons. If you do a search, I am sure you will find tons of people using different HID system from different shops and most importantly they will have different opinions with them. However, if you look closer they are very similar and I bet they all made in China except the Philip one cost about $250. I bought my headlight and fog HID from HIDextra and so far so good. Hope this help.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    It will be worth noting that they will not be legal on public highways anywhere in the US.
    How strictly that is enforced varies locally.
     
  4. stlprius

    stlprius Junior Member

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    I realize that the V has LEDs. I am looking for more light than than the halogens. The question is the skill level required to do this. Which kit is easiest.
     
  5. deltron3030

    deltron3030 New Member

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    non-relay HIDs:
    the install on nearly all non-relay HID kits is beginner level stuff. if you can change your headlights, you can do this. there are self explanatory connections that go together....the only thing that connects to factory wiring is two little wires. once you plug these into place, turn it on to test, if it doesn't light up, switch the only two wires connecting to your factory wiring. once its in place, wrap some electrical tape around it, find a spot to put the ballasts and you're done.
     
  6. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    I also bought my HID kit from HIDextra.com. Like others have said, it is a fairly easy installation. I think the hardest part is trying to get the bulb into the housing, especially the one on the passenger side. If you plan everything out ahead of time, you'll probably finish the job in about half an hour. The kit uses the original connector, so you don't have to run a relay.
    The HIDextra kit has what appears to be rubber seals on the connectors, so the connection seems to be good and tight. As for the color temperature and performance, I went with the 6000K. It is mostly white with a tinge of blue at the upper edges. I bought a set of 5000K as back up, and these almost seem yellowish when compared to the 6000K (although I am sure they are in the white temp range when compared to the stock halogens). The warm-up is fairly quick as they come up to full brightness within 30 seconds.
    I haven't had any issues with it. I have a coupon code also for $20 off the kit. That should drop the price to about $75 with the slim ballast. PM me if you would like it.
     
  7. ajc

    ajc Member

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    I also installed a set of HID's from HIDExtra.com. I would use the relay wire harness. I have the 6000K and they are very bright. It's not that hard to install. I would go with the slim ballasts.
     
  8. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    Are the HIDs direct plug n' play ? Is the ones sold on HIDextra.com from China or the sort ? I had an 8000k HID kit for my Camry many years ago. It gives a nice blue hue look.
     
  9. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    I've found that the 6000k is probably the best 'white light' range.

    I've also seen someone with the 12000k which is straight purple.



     
  10. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    As mentioned above in this post and other HID posts, it is not difficult but you do need to find the place for the ballasts, connect few wires between ballasts, HID bulb and OEM wires.

    I learned that different manufactures and/or supplies using different marketing techniques to attract buyers. With that said, I agreed with other and 6K color HIDextra is the best and give you the most white and very tiny a bit bluish light just like other European OEM Xenons.

    Any yes, I am pretty sure all under $80 kits are made in China these day.

    Last but not least, I and few others I noticed are using the slim ballasts from HIDextra these days. I personally found the slim ballasts can easily found a home in the tight Prius engine compartment.
     
  11. ajc

    ajc Member

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    The kit from HIDExtra.com are plug & play. Make sure you use the relay harness. I would go with the 6000K, the 8000k are useless.
     
  12. stlprius

    stlprius Junior Member

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    Does anybody have pic showing how they mounted the ballasts?
     
  13. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    If you facing the engine compartment and inside both fender wells 3/4 up there is a black engine foam there and I mounted my slim ballasts there.
     
  14. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    Here are some picts, both the driver and passenger side.
     

    Attached Files:

  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    ??
     
  16. thatguychristian

    thatguychristian New Member

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    I'm interested in modifying my halogen lights to the HID lights to either the 5000K or the 6000K, but I completely know nothing about car electronics or headlights. How hard is it to do? Are there any instructions on the web I can see to read to see first?

    Also, I'm considering buying from HIDextra, what exactly do I need to buy? Which kit? Any other materials to buy besides the kit? bulbs? wiring? etc?

    Also, I tend to leave my headlights on all the time since it has the auto shutoff and I just forget. Is it bad to do this once I've upgraded to the HID kit?

    Thanks!
     
  17. hlkc

    hlkc New Member

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    6K is a bit more white than 5K and a touch of bluish. 5K is just nothing but pure white.

    If you are able to change the light bulb of your car, you should be able to do that. Just remove the oem bulbs, plug the HID bulbs in, and connect the wires between the ballistic, OEM harness and the HID bulbs, that's. 15 mins tops. The only problem you might run into, it's the passenger side area is a bit tight.

    HIDextra offers 2 kits. one is the slim which is the slim ballistic and the other is regular, the ballistic is a bit bigger. Just get either kit and that is all you need. Kit comes with 2 HID bulbs and 2 ballasts with harness.

    Regarding the last question, your guess will be as good as mine and I have no problem so far but I don't leave it on, I turn off the light at night before I leave the car.

    Hope that help, let us know if you have more questions.
     
  18. eric1234

    eric1234 Active Member

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    Since your post indicates you're starting out on the information gathering process - you should be made aware of some of the reasons you may want to NOT convert your halogen headlights to HID.

    First, it is illegal (but rarely enforced).
    Second, while it may appear to work properly, the light distribution will not be proper (hence the illegality).
    Third, there are some incidents (not necessarily confirmed) of the ballasts causing other damage.

    These links can provide some further information for you to think about before you proceed. Note: I'm not wanting to open a debate - just to open for your consideration an alternate perspective and provide some starting information for that consideration. If you decide you like/want HIDs, go for it. :) Happy researching...

    Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

    Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

    http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-second-generation/466736-p-s-power-steering-out.html#post5033849
     
  19. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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    note that if you get the slim ballast, you'll then have a separate ignitor to mount...with the regular ballast, its built in which is easier IMO.
     
  20. dkp

    dkp New Member

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    I just installed my 5000k HID kit this morning and it went pretty smoothly, my advice is to read the posts to those who have successfully done it. My thanks to HI MPG, nola Prius and LulzChicken whose posts were of great help. I did get the HIDExtra kit but it was not the slim ballasts. The regular kit is very cheap, around $44 shipped. The kit came in 3 days and the quality looks good. It really was plug and play, the only issue is you have a 50-50 chance of getting the polarity correct, I guessed wrong but you just flip the connection and it turns right on. Another issue is the ballasts are larger and there is not much room for mounting. I removed the plastic /fabric pad on the sides and mounted them behind the padding, they are to large to directly mount to the pads especially on the drivers side. I then put the pads back on and the ballasts are invisible. I'm a bit concerned about the heat but it looks like there is good air flow behind the pads which I guess is the purpose of them, blocking airflow. Also the larger ballasts don't seem to get very hot. Also I did not use the relay, it doesn't seem to need it, no flickering but I'll keep my eye on it. Anyway, I'll do some driving tonight and give it a true test. I hope this helps.