[johnnyjayz]

Hey everyone, I just installed HID bulbs in my stock headlight housings and they look great but I've been reading that it's not the correct thing to do and it's illegal? Is this true? Do I need to get HID housings? What difference would that make? Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Toxic11]

It is true that it is illegal to retrofit aftermarket HID kits.

Factory HID's on these cars are Bi-Xenon Projectors. That means that they have a projection lens not a reflector lens, and there is no "high beam/low beam" on cars equipped with HID, there is an electro-mechanical solenoid that moves the cutoff shield inside the headlight module to project low beam or high beam.

 

[Kean]

Yes, those "kits" are illegal as Toxic mentioned (and for good reason). However, so is retrofitting HID projectors but at least in that case, they will perform as they should (if correctly installed).

The following link explains why HID kits in non-HID applications are a bad idea (performance and safety-wise) especially in a reflector headlamps. (HINT: reflector headlamps and halogen projectors are designed to work with a specific halogen bulb/light source. Alter the physical characteristics of that source and of course the beam pattern will be affected).:
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply (Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply)

This one gives you a bit of a lesson regarding light wavelengths/colors and why some (like blue) perform so poorly:
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply (Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply)

Personally, I would suggest ditching the HID kits and going with high efficacy halogen bulbs for your application. ….or, pony up the cash for everything needed to swap in OEM HID’s.

….btw, kudos for actually asking and being concerned about using these kits. Because a vendor uses terms like “brighter”, “more light”, etc., it doesn’t mean they actually perform well (or safely). The optics and design of the headlamps are what effectively control and focus that light. No matter what some of these companies say, HID and halogen bulbs are quite different in nature. The shape, orientation and characteristics of a halogen filament vs. the arc of an HID bulb alone make it impossible to make an effective and safe "bulb replacement" solution without changing the optics/design of the housing. ....you can't use an existing halogen headlamp and expect it to focus/disperse the light from an HID source properly no matter how you position it in the housing.

 

[Hal H]

The main issue is the incandescent (halogen lamp) housings don't focus the beam, but are rather a wide dispersion pattern. Plus Xenon/ HID lamps have a cut-off pattern for the light beam to avoid the light pattern going up too high into the other driver's line of sight.

It will be like driving with high beams on, and blinding oncoming cars - I see a lot of Asian imports that has these "retrofits" and there's a reason why they're not street legal - they're blinding all the other drivers.

 

[Kean]

It will be like driving with high beams on, and blinding oncoming cars - I see a lot of Asian imports that has these "retrofits" and there's a reason why they're not street legal - they're blinding all the other drivers.

....yeah, being that I travel 30 miles of dark roads 3-4 times a week on my commute, it's sort of a pet peeve of mine and why I'm so vocal on the subject. Although I wouldn't say the problem is limited or mostly involves Asian imports (at least here in So CA). I see a lot of various makes/models, cars/trucks with over-wattage blue-coated bulbs, HID kits, etc.

 

[Toxic11]

I ran retrofits on my 300C, but my C also had factory projection lights with steel cutoff shields. I never got high beamed. That's the trick... they must be in a focused projection housing with a cutoff shield. HID's do not belong in reflector setups *unless* the reflector has been designed for HID (and there are a few reflector based HID setups) but the Challenger isn't one of them!

 

[IrishJim]

How about using the HID kit in conjunction with headlight blackouts?

 

[johnnyjayz]

Kean, you said retrofitting these lights is illegal regardless? If you get the correct housings and lights, how would that be illegal? I mean, this is an option you can purchase when you buy your Chalkenger. What else would you need in the vehicle to make it HID compatible besides those two things?

Also I adjusted the stock housings down to keep the light low and not shine into oncoming traffic and I have to say that they look pretty good. I don't have an issue of wild light disbursement either, it looks pretty focused. I really don't think (or hope) I'll get pulled over with these. What cop would know that they aren't factory HIDs right?

 

[Kean]

Kean, you said retrofitting these lights is illegal regardless? If you get the correct housings and lights, how would that be illegal? I mean, this is an option you can purchase when you buy your Chalkenger. What else would you need in the vehicle to make it HID compatible besides those two things?

Also I adjusted the stock housings down to keep the light low and not shine into oncoming traffic and I have to say that they look pretty good. I don't have an issue of wild light disbursement either, it looks pretty focused. I really don't think (or hope) I'll get pulled over with these. What cop would know that they aren't factory HIDs right?

I said retrofitting projectors would be illegal. Some opt to integrate HID projectors into their halogen housings. While this may work well if done correctly, they are illegal. You can't modify your headlamps in that fashion. However, swapping out all of the components necessary to install factory OEM HID's (which would include the headlamp assemblies) would be perfectly fine. ....which is the reason it was one of my suggestions.

As for your current set up with the kit, I won't bother trying to convince you further that it is a bad idea. I have provided the reasons and references to a reputable source in the industry. I can only suggest you read those links I provided. ....HINT: pointing them downward doesn't solve the problem.

 

[johnnyjayz]

You know what, I think I am going back to the halogens. All these write ups and laws have got me nervous now. When I can scrape $1500 together, I'll buy the factory ones that were meant for the car. I'll trash my kit tomorrow, thanks again guys for all your help.

 

[kuda]

I went and picked up a pair of these on Saturday. I haven't installed them yet and still need to get a wiring harness for them. The seller told me that he has 50. He exports the cars to europe and they send back the lights.

1 Original OEM HID Xenon light 2008-11 Dodge Challenger | eBay

 

[Unit453]

What cop would know that they aren't factory HIDs right?

One who tends to be into cars. You might be surprised.

Around here, it's the lifted diesels that are all running HIDs in the factory housings blinding everyone else.


$700 for a set isn't all that bad really. I've actually sent them a message before about these lights. Now, to find a harness.

 

[johnnyjayz]

One who tends to be into cars. You might be surprised.

Lol, that's true. I didn't even think about that officer

 

[kuda]

One who tends to be into cars. You might be surprised.

Around here, it's the lifted diesels that are all running HIDs in the factory housings blinding everyone else.


$700 for a set isn't all that bad really. I've actually sent them a message before about these lights. Now, to find a harness.

I've got $90 into a harness coming from BFxenon. I think it will need a couple more connectors to make it plug and play.

 

[Unit453]

Thats what they're running for, around $90?

Got a link?

Seems like an expensive venture just for factory HID's. Looking at almost a thousand bucks....

 

[johnnyjayz]

I've been talking/negotiating with Brian over at PFYC about these:

Angel Eye Projector Headlamps for Dodge Challenger - DHEXT - PFYC.com

They're Anzo HID projectors with Halos inside. They take an H9 HID kit which will plug and play into the factory harness. They also have an internal shutter that works off the the high beam input so no need for an additional harness or computer reprogram.

Yeah, I know they're not factory and I'm not too crazy about the halos but I can just leave that feature disconnected. Both housings, HID kit, lifetime warranty on the bulbs and ballasts all for $625 shipped. I don't think I can go wrong on that deal.

 

[kuda]

Here's a link to the BFxenon harness. I think that I will still need 2 connectors to make it plug and play. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm up to $720, but it will probably end up close to $800.

http://www.bfxenon.com/HID_kit_wiring_harness_p/hid-harness2.htm

Thats what they're running for, around $90?

Got a link?

Seems like an expensive venture just for factory HID's. Looking at almost a thousand bucks....

 

[Unit453]

I dont care much about the halos either but it seems almost a better deal just to go aftermarket. Let me know how it goes. I'm interested.

 

[johnnyjayz]

I dont care much about the halos either but it seems almost a better deal just to go aftermarket. Let me know how it goes. I'm interested.

Yeah that's what I figured and I will definitely let you know how it goes.

 

[deadringer]

I'm doing the same thing kuda is doing, I blame him also for posting that ebay link! Bought the HID assembly from the same guy as he did on ebay... Fast shipping and arrived no problems. Just waiting on Nick at BFxenon to make me up a harness with the factory connectors attached. But yeah... it isn't gonna be cheap. $700 for the HID assemblies and I'm guessing around $90-100 for the custom wiring harness.