Bottom line on HID ...Who has the best?

[ccsct203]

I have HIDs in my car and I want to change my FJ setup.
Who has the best and offers a setup with high and low beams?
cost is always a consideration but you get what you pay for.

[pdxfj]

Myself and a couple of others have installed the DDM kit. 

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Single-HiLo-Motorcycle-HID-Kit

I am running a 55w 6000k lamp.  Click below for some pictures I took of the install and such.

http://picasaweb.google.com/zulu01/FJMods#

[ccsct203]

Myself and a couple of others have installed the DDM kit. 

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Single-HiLo-Motorcycle-HID-Kit

I am running a 55w 6000k lamp.  Click below for some pictures I took of the install and such.

http://picasaweb.google.com/zulu01/FJMods#

Thanks for the info

They are to ones I was looking at
How is the 6000K
I have those on me car and they seem great on that
Should i stay with those or go lower???

[Tuxracer]

+1 for the DDM kit. I have the 35w 5000K Hi/Lo and it blows away the stock headlight

[simi_ed]

I have a hi/lo kit and it's marginal.  The shutter moves to 'n fro to simulate a hi beam, but the high beam is so diffuse that it really does not do anything unless you are on a totally dark road.  BUT, the HID IS WONDEFFUL.  Even on low beam, there is sooooooo much light that the hi beam is really not needed. 
I'd also recommend a 4300-4500 K light color temp.  I have a 6K in the FJ and 5500 in z1 of the cars, they're both too blue for my taste.  4300K in my daily driver is perfect!

My 2¢

Ed

[fjrpierre]

The FJR gang like these

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=129435&hl=

[ccsct203]

I took the plunge and ordered the DDM 5000k kit.
I also ordered a spare set of 5000k H7 bulbs for my Volvo
Thanks guys

[FJato]

I have a hi/lo kit and it's marginal.  The shutter moves to 'n fro to simulate a hi beam, but the high beam is so diffuse that it really does not do anything unless you are on a totally dark road.  BUT, the HID IS WONDEFFUL.  Even on low beam, there is sooooooo much light that the hi beam is really not needed. 
I'd also recommend a 4300-4500 K light color temp.  I have a 6K in the FJ and 5500 in z1 of the cars, they're both too blue for my taste.  4300K in my daily driver is perfect!

My 2¢

Ed

Im curious if everyone had the same opinion of the Hi/Lo performance (or lack of) , as well as if anyone has installed these in the newer (like my '92) style headlamp.


I just installed a new highend Silverstar halogenand have no high beam. The HID cost is nearly what I paid for the halogen.

[ccsct203]

I installed my HID from DDM today.
no instructions but I figured it out.
Night and day difference (pun intended) I have to redo it seeing that I did not mount the black box securely.
My wiring under the fairing is a rats nest and i hate that.
I have yet to try it on the road but i know the bike will be much more visible when I'm riding.
I'll update soon

[Fudge]

One of the few mods I haven't done to my FJ is an HID headlight.  I'm contemplating on going with the DDM Tuning H4 35W 4300K setup.  I have two questions though, first what is the bulb life?  Right now I have a Phillips Silverstar and they last me about 2 years.  One nice thing is that if I do lose the Phillips low beam I can use the high beam as a backup.  With an HID H4 bulb if it goes out, it goes out.  Second how well does the high beam function work?  Can you flash to pass and does it work quickly?  

thanks, jd

[pdxfj]

The reliability of a HID setup is in the fact that there is no filament to burn out since it's an arc lamp.  One person I know has been running a HID lamp in his bike for many years and has never had an issue.  If you're really concerned about it, keep a standard halogen lamp under the tail section and make your stock headlight plug accessible in case you have a failure of the HID system.

You will lose the flash to pass because there is no separate high and low filament in the lamp.  With DDM's kit (and others) the lamp is attached to a magnetic base and when you flip the high beam switch it physically moves the lamp to "simulate" a high beam.

I think Marsh set his up to cut power to the ballast so he can "flash to pass".  This can shorten the life of the system, but by how much.. who knows..

Ed is correct that the "high" beam is a bit weak in anything but very dark conditions.  But the amount of light output is incredible.  I did a 120+ mile ride this weekend in very dark conditions (very rural areas in central Oregon) and having the HID was very nice.  It was easier to spot deer since their eyes really glowed bright from the HID lamp.

For what the DDM kit costs give it a shot and if you don't like it, you're not really out anything.  Someone here would likely buy it from you.

[simi_ed]

I've been chasing an intermittent HID for about a month.  I just changed out the relay, since everything else is sealed, and HID/xenon lamps either ignite or they don't.  As Garth says, either carry a spare H4 or even a spare HID.  But I would not bet anything that the lamp would fail vs the voltage regulator or step-up power supply (all parts of the HID system). 

I guess a spare H4 is the best bet.  I don't carry one, FWIW

My 2¢

Ed

[Fudge]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm still undecided, I guess it's another 'mod' that is tempting me.  I rarely ride at night, so it would be more of a daytime visibility issue for me.  Maybe the next time the bulb goes out I'll make the switch.

[simi_ed]

But I would not bet anything that the lamp would fail vs the voltage regulator or step-up power supply (all parts of the HID system). 

I guess a spare H4 is the best bet.  I don't carry one, FWIW

My 2¢

Ed

Stupid smug comment!  Went out today and the Da*& headlight was off 'n on all day, at least 51% off. 
Where's my H4 spare when I need it?

[racerman_27410]

Stupid smug comment!  Went out today and the Da*& headlight was off 'n on all day, at least 51% off. 
Where's my H4 spare when I need it?

thats why i stuck with a standard H4 headlight (relay equipped) and went with the HID driving lights instead.

if there is a misfire or failure i'm not all of a sudden running in the dark.



KOokaloo!