Headlight upgrade to HID on 86'

[FJmonkey]

This all started after Simi_Ed and I had a few rides together and he told me of his recent upgrade to HID lights in the front. I could clearly see that his light was bright and more White than the stock Yellow color when I was leading...and he thinks I ride like granny (he was chasing me). If his light was not so bright I thought I had lost him as far behind as he was from me, but I digress. We split the cost of a kit form  DDM Tuning http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W 55w slim ballast, 4300K color temp, H4 bulb. Ed's last upgrade was problematic and he wanted to use this kit, great choice!

Ed offered to use his overstuffed garrage (as apposed to my over stuffed garage) to perform the work on my bike. I much perfer to have experienced help and cut the project time down with less corrections. Ed estimated about 2 hours for this upgrade (remember this estimate for later).

I arrive at Ed's house and we begin work. Ed showed me a removal method of the upper fairing I have never used. I normally pulled the subframe off with the fairing. But by removing two bolts holding the headlamp, the sub frame and nearly all the electrical connections were not touched. Just the turn signals and head lamp were disconnected. Very important to perform this modification. Also very helpfull for all future faring removals as this mod runs additional electrical connections that are attached to the sub frame.

With no current modificatons that affect real-estate in the sub frame I had lots of room and freedom to locate the bits for this job. See the out of focus pictures below.

This pic above shows the ballast (upper center) in place and some the extra harness wire tied in place to the main frame. The connector for the original light bulb is now connected/plugged in to the HID kit so light controlls are are handeled by the kit. Very clean and simple.

Above is the brains of the kit and controlls all the functions.

Above is the the last bit that tucks in nicely on the other side of the sub frame. Headlamp is in place to test clearance and fit.

One of the nice parts of this upgrade is none of the stock wiring is affected and the kit gets power directly from the battery so no additional relays are required. If I want to return to stock I simply remove it and resume using the stock bulb and connector. Super clean and super bright. Also a big plus if stranded with a dead head lamp many miles from home, you can resume usign a stock style bulb to limp home.

This is my second modification to my 86 (spin-on oil filter adapter was the first) and once past the the concept that it was complex it was really almost as simple.

Many thanks to Ed for his help and use of his driveway, tools and prior experience along with the arm twisting to upgrade. And I lamost forgot, the 5 hours we spent completing the job. better to spend the time to do it right the first time than to do it over or have to fix it on some dark road away from home.
I officially have "MODITIS"!!!! Now I neded the budget. Kookaloo everyone, and I mean that in the brightest way!

[simi_ed]

5 hours? Maybe 3 1/2 to 4, tops.  Granny riding, me?  That's why I have that bright light, it gives the illusion I'm right behind, regardless of actual trailing distance!

This really was a simple install, and I can't recommend this highly enough.  It makes the stock FJ candle/headlight into a useful tool.

[racerrad8]

Did you guys use the standard H4 bulb or the Hi/lo version?

Randy - RPM

[pdxfj]

Did you guys use the standard H4 bulb or the Hi/lo version?

Randy - RPM

I used the H4 Hi/Lo version.  The "High" beam isn't all that great, but it works.

[FJmonkey]

Did you guys use the standard H4 bulb or the Hi/lo version?

Randy - RPM

Ed, you bought the kit. Which one was it? My high beam worked great in the twisty back roads of Angeles Crest in pitch black. Cars were pulling over for me, not sure if it was out of "let the bike zip past" or "Damn that F$%# light is blinding".

Found the URL from Ed on the source. http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W. It is the 4500 Kelvin 55W kit. Ed took the spare bulb as he already had the ballast and other gubbins for an HID.

An upgrade I want for my truck as well. Very bright and I am sure very obnoxious for other drivers at night.

[simi_ed]

55W, 4500K kit.  Sure is bright, eh?    I really like the 4500K kit.  The light is a true 'halogen-esqe' white, not those stupid looking blue/pink/yellow etc lights.

[Marsh White]

Same thoughts here, except that I have the 5000K kit.  I'm sure I'd like the 4500K the same.  Actually, remind me next WCR to put our bikes side-by-side and see if we can see a difference.

[candieandy]

i have the hi/lo kit in my FJ. it is awesome and i can criuse down the roads at night, without worrying about a deer as much. I also have DDM kits in my high and low beams on my truck and the lows stay on when the highs are on. its the best  lighting i have seen yet and  yes it prolly is abnoxious to other dirvers. hah my style.

[FJmonkey]

I put the DDM HIDs on my truck after enjoying the effect on my FJ. 6 months later one of the HID bulbs failed. I submitted an RMA since DDM has a lifetime warranty and they are sending me replacement bulb(s) free of charge. No hassle and quick service. Just an FYI for you HID users and wanabe HID users.