Prius Headlights

I am not sure about Prius (though mine has HID), but in most vehicles, the difference is not in the headlight assembly, but
- light bulbs
- ballast (convert 12V to high voltage)
- (opttional) auto-leveling sensors

If you try to upgrade your halogen to HID, it would cost about $500-$1000 based on my estimate (stock parts and labor).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kryuenger @ Jul 24 2007, 09:21 PM) [snapback]484443[/snapback]</div>

I bought an upgrade kit through ebay. The installation was moderately difficult because there is little space to place the ballasts. Also the clearance between the rear of the headlamps is not much. After a couple of hours, the kit was installed and worked perfectly.

My kit included two ballasts and a relay module to control the hi/lo beams.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. After the install I had to adjust the aim of the headlamps. Turned them a few degrees down.

Good luck!

 

As a simpler alternative you might try some better halogen bulbs like the sylvania ultrastar.

Is that a Blackhawk churning behind you?

DAS

 

I have the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs and I like them. Not quite HID but they'll work for the time being. I'd also like to upgrade to HID's too though.

That is a cool avatar. My uncle is a Blackhawk pilot and just returned from Iraq... hopefully for good.

 

Hey Chopper:

"how good are the ultrastar"

Buy the bulbs and install. If they are not enough, sell them here or ebay for half price and get your $1k HID. This intermediate step will only cost you some time and $20,

I got mine on ebay

Have you read the messages saying some Prius have had expensive damage from having their HID assemblies stolen? Just asking.

Nice bird. You drive?

 

Lot's of other posts I found on PC and elsewhere complain about the bulb life being too short, but color and vision is better.

 

I've only had them for about a month. Had them in my truck before I sold it for about 3 months. Never had a problem. Looking to convert to HID though for sure.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Jul 24 2007, 07:35 PM) [snapback]484401[/snapback]</div>

This is true on the Prius. The auto-leveling system comes with all U.S. Prius HID headlamp systems. In some countries there is a manual adjustment wheel which sits next to the panel dimmer and EV button.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kryuenger @ Jul 24 2007, 09:21 PM) [snapback]484443[/snapback]</div>

Aren't HIDs standard on the Touring?

 

I thought so too... maybe you could check for the warning stickers under the hood... should be, like, 4 of them near the cowling at the top of the radiator and on the metal as you work your way down toward the light assemblies.

The light output on my '06 HIDs is pretty lame compared the the $1K blast-o kits I've seen on other cars. I keep forgetting they even are HID. And the auto-leveling system, I don't know how or how well that works. When I load up for camping with 600 lbs of people and 250 lbs of gear, if I drive at night I still get flashed.

 

Hi craigk

You can't DELETE your post, but you can click on 'EDIT' and replace all the text with something like "DELETED" or "Found the answer - Thanks anyhow"

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kryuenger @ Jul 25 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]484552[/snapback]</div>

I did not had to take the front end off. I removed the black plastic cover that sits over the radiator in order to have easier access. Then replaced the bulbs (approx 15 min), I installed the included wire harness (approx 15 min), finally I installed the ballasts (approx 2 hours trying to figure our where the h#ll I could place them). I took the +12VDC from the jump start connection, inside the fuse box. You can thread the 12V wire from underneath the fusebox and connect it. I looks factory installed. The hardest part was locating an open area to install the ballasts. I am still not happy where they ended up, not that there is anything wrong, but I would have liked to have just a little open space in which to place them.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kryuenger @ Jul 25 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]484552[/snapback]</div>

BTW

I bought the Bi-Xenon kit from these guys.

http://www.vvme.com/catalog/list-s-10145-10146.html

The ballasts are Hella, and the bulbs are from Japan.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kryuenger @ Jul 25 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]484552[/snapback]</div>

BTW

I bought the Bi-Xenon kit from these guys.

http://www.vvme.com/catalog/list-s-10145-10146.html

The ballasts are Hella, and the bulbs are from Japan.

 

HID bulbs for Prius were initially $300 each from Toyota, then they lowered them to $150. Still too much. 3.5 years and mine were both going out on '06 Prius. Plus they did a VERY poor job lighting up the road. I would not put HID in a Prius UNLESS I changed the headlight assemblies, preferably to quads if they are available. Shielded bulbs just can't compete on highbeam with an unshielded bulb. My daughter had HID's installed in her '07 Scion tC and they kick butt. They REALLY light up the road. They are also quad lamps. Cost about $450-$500 for the mod. There is almost zero room to work on the headlights on a Prius. Was plenty of room on the Scion. I recommend having them professionally installed. If there is a problem, you can take it back to the installer to have it corrected. Saves on time, aggravation and hot air to go with the expletives and barked knuckles. Had a ballast go bad on the Scion after about a month. Fixed, no charge for parts or labor. For what it's worth....

 

quad?

 

Im sorry but that is not true. Besides the bulbs, ballasts & leveling.....the reflectors inside the headlight have different optics. If you put a Halogen & HID headlight next to each other, you would see a difference. The other difference is in the shield. The halogen has a fixed shield where as the HID has a moveable shield for the high beam.

Those arnt real Hella Ballasts. There knock offs. Hella (or any OEM) wont but their name on any aftermarket PNP HID kit that isnt DOT approved for legal reasons

The shield cover on the OEM HID reflector bulb (D2R/D4R) & some halogen bulbs is there to pervent glare that blinds other drivers on the road. The Scion may seem like its lighting up the road & thats cause you have light going every where. When you remove a halogen bulb & replace it with a HID bulb, your also changing the optics of the headlight causing unwanted glare. As for the ballast going bad.....that typical of aftermarket ballasts.

There are a few things that can be done to get HIDs that are safe.....

1) Buy HID head lights
2) Do a HID retro. www.HIDPlanet.com has tons of info on this.

If people arnt willing to do either of these, then please just use a better halogen bulb for the safety of every one else on the road. eace:

 

Well said, too many guys opting for the quick PNP deal. Definitely not the same as the reflectors are different. Retrofitting is the way to go, I'll be doing mine shortly as my headlights are getting foggy

Most likely FX-rep's or possible LS460 bixenon if I can get it to fit.