New Headlights

Marc David · 04-01-11, 11:13 AM

I have a 98 Tacoma that has been needing a set of new headlights since the others had a thick layer of film on the front. I've been looking around and found a good deal on a pair of projector headlights with a HID kit. They're angled toward the ground so that they're not blinding other drivers. The lights have a chrome housing and are 6000K HIDs. Was told these were cheaper than if I would have gotten factory replacements.

Pictures kind of blurry, but the first ones the parking/running lights.

nofearengineer · 04-01-11, 11:38 AM

Knowing what I know about HID lamps, I have always been skeptical about using HID lamping of any kind for headlamps.

HID lamps have a re-strike time. When you turn them on while cold, they come to full brightness relatively quickly (though not instantly like halogen lamps). However, once they're already hot and you turn them off, such as when flashing your lights at someone, they can take several minutes just to cool down enough to re-establish the arc. That's the "re-strike" time.

I am not sure how they are making these safe.

Bender · 04-01-11, 10:54 PM

NFE, I think that some of them have a "shutter" that raises and lowers for the brights so that you are not turning them on and off. I like most of the ones I have seen but do not have them in my car since the kit is very expensive.

I bet you noticed a huge difference going to those!

carolina-rig-01 · 04-01-11, 11:22 PM

Those look really good!

Justin2729 · 04-02-11, 12:55 AM

Wow looks awesome.

walkeraviator · 04-02-11, 09:37 AM

Most LED headlights still have a seperate bulb for teh brights so that teh standard headlight never has to turn off.

I have never been a fan of aftermarket projector housings because they tend to scatter laight instead of focus it properly. I actually went backwards in visibility when i switched my old civic to projectors with HIDs...

Marc David · 04-02-11, 10:22 AM

Geez Bender that's insane for a set of lights.

I actually was glad I switched to them. Like I said, they're not blinding others the way they're designed. My others were so old and really struggled to provide much light. And yes, the driving lights are within the top circle and the brights bulbs are in the lower circle so that they're separated.

BigBassin144 · 04-04-11, 12:04 PM

Nice looking lights! I'll hold my comment on the brand of the truck!

I was also playing around with the lights on my truck this weekend. This is my recent addition, well, more of a modification than an addition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3gLKSArlDQ

BB

Wishing2BFishing · 04-04-11, 02:19 PM

I am "blinded by the light" (Manfred Man's Earth Band).

04-01-11, 11:13 AM	#1
Marc David BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 324	New Headlights I have a 98 Tacoma that has been needing a set of new headlights since the others had a thick layer of film on the front. I've been looking around and found a good deal on a pair of projector headlights with a HID kit. They're angled toward the ground so that they're not blinding other drivers. The lights have a chrome housing and are 6000K HIDs. Was told these were cheaper than if I would have gotten factory replacements. Pictures kind of blurry, but the first ones the parking/running lights.

04-01-11, 11:38 AM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Knowing what I know about HID lamps, I have always been skeptical about using HID lamping of any kind for headlamps. HID lamps have a re-strike time. When you turn them on while cold, they come to full brightness relatively quickly (though not instantly like halogen lamps). However, once they're already hot and you turn them off, such as when flashing your lights at someone, they can take several minutes just to cool down enough to re-establish the arc. That's the "re-strike" time. I am not sure how they are making these safe. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

04-04-11, 12:04 PM	#8
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Nice looking lights! I'll hold my comment on the brand of the truck! I was also playing around with the lights on my truck this weekend. This is my recent addition, well, more of a modification than an addition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3gLKSArlDQ BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

04-01-11, 10:54 PM	#3
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	NFE, I think that some of them have a "shutter" that raises and lowers for the brights so that you are not turning them on and off. I like most of the ones I have seen but do not have them in my car since the kit is very expensive. I bet you noticed a huge difference going to those!

04-01-11, 11:22 PM	#4
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Those look really good!

04-02-11, 12:55 AM	#5
Justin2729 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Annville, Kentucky Posts: 342	Wow looks awesome.

04-02-11, 09:37 AM	#6
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	Most LED headlights still have a seperate bulb for teh brights so that teh standard headlight never has to turn off. I have never been a fan of aftermarket projector housings because they tend to scatter laight instead of focus it properly. I actually went backwards in visibility when i switched my old civic to projectors with HIDs...

04-02-11, 10:22 AM	#7
Marc David BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 324	Geez Bender that's insane for a set of lights. I actually was glad I switched to them. Like I said, they're not blinding others the way they're designed. My others were so old and really struggled to provide much light. And yes, the driving lights are within the top circle and the brights bulbs are in the lower circle so that they're separated.

04-04-11, 02:19 PM	#9
Wishing2BFishing BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Morgantown, Pa Posts: 1,254	I am "blinded by the light" (Manfred Man's Earth Band).

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