Has anyone successfully converted their halogen headlights over to HID?

I've read that to do it without causing a large amount of glare, you need to install projectors into the stock headlamps and then an HID kit (bulbs, balasts, etc...) If so, what kind of projectors did you use and where did you get them?

Has anyone done an HID conversion on the 2005 F150 without the projectors? If so, is the glare bad? How does it compare to OEM HID?

I just bought my 2005 F150 Supercrew Lariat - Black/Tan - last Wednesday and would really like to put HIDs in it and HID matching fog lights. Anyone successfully done this already and could help me out....I'd greatly appreciate it!!!

2005 Ford F150 Lariat Black/Tan Fully Loaded

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...&highlight=HID

 

So does anyone have pictures of how these projectors look in the stock halogen headlamps? Anyone completed this, and know how long it took or what parts/tools they used?

I'd like to buy some projectors and then an HID setup (ballasts, bulbs, wiring harness) and fit it into the projectors. Suggestions on name brands and models to look for?

Thanks!!!

 

When performing a HID retrofit, you want to stick with what is tride and true and used in the OE world. This means either Hella, Philips (made by Hella), Matsu****a, and Valeo for ballasts.
For projectors, Valeo, Bosch, Stanley, Hella, and ZKW come to mind. Each has their own characteristics and qualities.

Im using a hard to fine setup from a Q45 (gattling Gun) as seen here retrofitted into a Lexus GS' halogen headlamp assembly.




Its still in progress and will take another few weeks to a month depending on time available.

 

Is there a certain size projector that fits the 05 F150 without having to modify the stock headlamp....or is there one that requires little moddification to get it to fit in the opening?

The Q45 idea is sweet though probably will take more skills than a simpler projector. I looked at hidplanet.com forums, but it's so hard to search for material and there doesn't seem to be a lot that specifically addresses the 05 F150.

Seems that everyone likes the idea of retro'ing the 05 F150 and everyone knows the bulbs and ballasts to use. But nobody knows the right projector size that is easiest or looks the best without going extremely complex like your Q45 setup.

I don't have a month to contribute to doing a conversion because this truck is my primary transportation and driving without headlamps would be beyond ghetto. I was looking for a setup that would take a day at the most and help me stay around $600. Maybe I'm in over my head trying to get a basic set of projectors to fit into the F150 stock headlamp....

 

Well there is no HID setup that will just drop in with projectors. The headlights have to be removed, the front lens has to be taken off and the rear reflector has to be cut to size to fit whatever projector you have.
Then you have to mount them, alighn them and seal it all up. Once installed on the vehicle, you have to wire it all up.
The tricky part is covering up the projector inside the assembly for a finished look. Many people fabricate custom shrouds out of various materials.
It is a costly investment because HID hardware is expensive alone, then its best to purchase a 2nd set of assemblies so you have time to work on the project....or have another vehicle to drive.
But the quality of output is 3x better than haloen and gets you the same output performance as BMW.Benz/Audi etc... which PnP HID Kits can not touch. Besides, HID Kits are illegal in the states and manufacturers have been handed a cease and desist for exportation to the states and Canada. This means, even though you may find a kit for cheap, you will not be able to get the manufacturer to fulfill a warranty because of the law. Also, Kits are typically made in Korea or China and are known to fail within a year or two whereas OE grade HID can outlast the life of the vehicle.

 

Yeah, I'm just debating which would be easier and which would be cheaper. Your Q45 setup or Hippos A4/3 series setup....I think yours would look better though since the Q45 light is so large in diameter...it would fill up more of the lens and thus you wouldn't need a shroud right?

 

Well there will be a cosmetic piece in there for looks but its not entirely needed since the Q45 units are sealed up from the getgo.

I pair of e55/3-Series bi-xenons would look good with the OEM bezels...but the bezels are hard to find sometimes.

 

I thought they 3 series was e46 and not e55....whats the difference between the two?

 

Im sorry I got it mixed up. the e46 chassis uses Bosch single xenons. 5 series has bosch bi-xenons and 7 series BMW uses the same e55 bi-xenon projectors as the benz model has.
The e55 models on the benz had a nice plastic chrome treated bezel that looks great in all retrofits. BMW has a flatter piece that says "xenon" on them and dont look as nice on a retro but still finish it off nicely.

 

So if I bought e46 from a 3 series then they'd be dual (Hi/Low) right? .....hmmm so maybe the e55's are they way to go, if they have a better fit and finish....are they larger than the e46's?

 

3-series e36 HID are single xenon low beam only....same with Valeo (A4) but the e55 and rs6 as well as the 5-series are all bi-xenon.

 

Cool. So now I just have to hunt down a pair of e55's or rs6's along with bulbs and ballasts to match...and a set of OEM lights. Lol I've got some work ahead of me...anyone know someone who sells cheap? I still need to pay tuition for next semester here at the U!

I'll probably start this project next month since I bought a billet grill, stepups and a linex liner this week.

 

my e46 325ci has bi-xenons from bmw

 

Where did you get them and how much were they?