I've tried to read up on this. Ok, what is the highest quality kit you can get for the money and what type of projector should one get? I've toyed with this idea and it wouldn't me for quite some time but I think they would make a nice upgrade if done correctly? I want no glare, no hurting towards other drivers. How much did the restomod's run you guys... 500-600? And does that include the HID system? I know I would just want something that is havoc free and high quality and no backyard made kits. Just looking for some feedback. 35-6k systems seem to be the best route or is it 55? Let's hear it.

 

Thank you for doing HIDs the proper way. I used to run them the ghetto way but quickly realized that our F150 reflectors have a terrible design for that. Any reflector that handles both low and high beams is not even close to utilizing HIDs properly.

Most guys that have done it have been in the range you mentioned ($500-$750), but it all depends on what you want done.

The color depends on which brand you go with, but standard is usually 5K = pure white and 6K = hint of blue. All preference.

I drove my grandma's Camry in Florida over the summer and ended up in front of an F150 with HIDs. It wasn't even dark, but I literally could not look in the rearview mirror our I would be blinded for a few seconds. All these people that claim there is no glare or that they aren't bright are lying to themselves to justify running them because they look good. I don't care if you don't get flashed....they are still bright and dangerous to others. I don't flash people with HIDs because I know why they have them and just think "there goes another DA". Maybe one day they will grow up.

So thanks for being one of the few who care about other drivers' safety.

 

Mobile site won't let me edit my post. Please excuse the typos.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...eadlights.html

 

Agreed. If I went with retrofits I'd do the same thing Steve (NCSU) did. They look fantastic and are legal.

 

In theory?

 

True. Technically they are only legal if they come with the car from the factory.

Let me reword:
They look fantastic and are designed to properly direct the light output from HIDs.

 

There ya go.

Retrofits are the way to go.
However, as far as DOT compliant is concernced. Retrofits are even less DOT compliant than throwing the cheap HIDs in a factory house. Retrofits not only replace a bulb, but completely modify the once DOT compliant housing. That being said. They provide a much better output and should be more legal, in theory.

 

It all depends what you want to spend, and if you want to do it yourself. A good retrofit done by someone else will cost you around $800-$1500 depending on person and options. The first thing I would do is pick a projector with a cut off you like. They are all different, and go around that. It also depends how picky you are on looks. If really picky look into someone that will mold the projectors so you don't see your factory buckets. For me I was more concerned about output then looks. I like the way the FX-R projector puts out and followed a thread by Thomas w here on how he installed them. For what I wanted I went with the FX-R projector and D2S HID kit from retro-solutions. The HID kit, projectors, shrouds, halo's cost me around $350. the cost of 2nd headlights from buy and sell was $100. Plus the time to do the retrofit. Any way here's a picture of my "backyard" err DIY retrofit.

 

FX-R, is that a bike?

 

Nope.

==> http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=101

MGD

 

WOW $315 for a kit with everything there.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=141

 

That output shot in your sig is amazing. Cutoff is perfect.

 

I don't feel to good about the order I just placed after reading your post and a post MGD made a few minutes ago...

 

At least you're honest about it, though. Many say "I haven't been flashed so they are fine"....

The OBS headlights are a bit different, so I can't say how they are at handling the output. The '04-'08 bodies have the round reflector, though, with each half (upper and lower) allowing low beams and high beams. The HID bulbs aren't designed for that, so light is more scattered since much more is hitting the high beam section than with halogens.

I ran them for a while myself. Yes, they do look good. The problem is that they are so bright to look at. Even if glare is minimal (which usually it is), the housings directly reflect the HID light. Projectors (retrofits) are designed to direct the bright light coming from HID bulbs. I took mine out and will not run them again unless I get retrofitted projectors.