HID's
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Everybody here that is complaining about blinding other vehicles just doesn't make sense to me... I live in San Antonio( like the 8th largest city in the US) and I have NEVER gotten flashed, even with my 6" lift! Sorry, but seems like the people in yalls towns are too sensitive.... BTW using 6000K 35W from ddmtuning
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
You are thinking of plug-in HID bulbs. This is just slapping some HID bulbs into the factory reflector. The HID bulb is arc shaped unlike the thin straight filament of the factory halogen, so the reflector scatters light everywhere with the arc'd HID bulb (hence the glare).
A proper retro-fit is when you install specific HID projectors into the factory housing to properly implement and project the beam of the HID arc using an internal cutoff shield and a glass lens. You can have it professionally done or you can tackle the project yourself if you are somewhat handy with basic tools and such. I have a few pics in my gallery of the headlight retro-fit that I built for my truck.
A proper retro-fit is when you install specific HID projectors into the factory housing to properly implement and project the beam of the HID arc using an internal cutoff shield and a glass lens. You can have it professionally done or you can tackle the project yourself if you are somewhat handy with basic tools and such. I have a few pics in my gallery of the headlight retro-fit that I built for my truck.
Devil's advocate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 12
From: Tulsa, OK
I quote from page 2:
I'll repeat one more time.
Get. Over. It.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 9
I tell my 5 year old that all the time...i hear that same excuse from her too. "But, Jennifer said that naughty word.."
Problem Solver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 358
Without going into further childish ranting, can anyone offer a projector solution that isn't going to kill our wallets? Those of you who are suggesting projectors, what are you using? That would be a good way to give us a start, and know what to look for. If you can, please include pics (of your truck, not a google image) so we can see first hand what they look like, and what worked for you. That will be a step in the right direction. No more petty name calling.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 9
Without going into further childish ranting, can anyone offer a projector solution that isn't going to kill our wallets? Those of you who are suggesting projectors, what are you using? That would be a good way to give us a start, and know what to look for. If you can, please include pics (of your truck, not a google image) so we can see first hand what they look like, and what worked for you. That will be a step in the right direction. No more petty name calling.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
Everything they sell is top notch. I have done5 retro's with their FX-R projectors and they have worked great. I don't have HID's in my truck. Stock headlights are just fine for me...and I live out in the boonies just like a lot of you and deal with deer as thick as squirrels.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 976
Likes: 17
From: Northern California
Without going into further childish ranting, can anyone offer a projector solution that isn't going to kill our wallets? Those of you who are suggesting projectors, what are you using? That would be a good way to give us a start, and know what to look for. If you can, please include pics (of your truck, not a google image) so we can see first hand what they look like, and what worked for you. That will be a step in the right direction. No more petty name calling.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
I'm not talking about a $20 fix, I am looking for a quality, correct solution. I did some searching and came up with a lot of projector housings sold as a whole unit. That's fine, as long as it is in fact a solution. Our headlights have that little cone inside of it, so retro-fitting an optic isn't really a DIY option, unless you are confident that you wont just screw it up. Conclusion would be that just using aftermarket housings is the best (easiest) option. So, do they make a housing that can still use the H13 kit we have already purchased? You tell me, I want to see what you have so I can find what works for me, as well as others' on the road.
http://www.f150online.com/forums/200...-retrofit.html
It costed me about $350 total and about 10 hours of my time. I used the stage III FXR kit from www.theretrofitsource.com which comes with everything you need besides glues and bolts, which can be purchased cheap at home depot. I have several pictures in my gallery of the finished product.
The problem with the "projector" headlights you see on ebay is that they are low quality plastic pieces that are designed for use with the factory H13 halogen. A true HID projector uses a glass lens with an internal cutoff shield, and must be retro-fitted into the factory housing like the guide above shows.
Good luck, PM me if you need any help.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 154
From: Arlington Heights, IL
Here you go:
http://www.f150online.com/forums/200...-retrofit.html
It costed me about $350 total and about 10 hours of my time. I used the stage III FXR kit from www.theretrofitsource.com which comes with everything you need besides glues and bolts, which can be purchased cheap at home depot. I have several pictures in my gallery of the finished product.
The problem with the "projector" headlights you see on ebay is that they are low quality plastic pieces that are designed for use with the factory H13 halogen. A true HID projector uses a glass lens with an internal cutoff shield, and must be retro-fitted into the factory housing like the guide above shows.
Good luck, PM me if you need any help.
http://www.f150online.com/forums/200...-retrofit.html
It costed me about $350 total and about 10 hours of my time. I used the stage III FXR kit from www.theretrofitsource.com which comes with everything you need besides glues and bolts, which can be purchased cheap at home depot. I have several pictures in my gallery of the finished product.
The problem with the "projector" headlights you see on ebay is that they are low quality plastic pieces that are designed for use with the factory H13 halogen. A true HID projector uses a glass lens with an internal cutoff shield, and must be retro-fitted into the factory housing like the guide above shows.
Good luck, PM me if you need any help.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=178
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 976
Likes: 17
From: Northern California
They've also got an FX-R kit for guys with existing PnP HIDs that runs only $200.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=178
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=178