H11 HID Brands, Experiences and General Discussion

ATMINF · December 16, 2011

I have put HIDs in my truck about 2 or 3 years ago, (I have to look at the paperwork if I still have it). And as for people saying you can't aim the light that is not entierly true. On my truck the light beam can be moved up and down (2006 GMT800 truck). So as a previous poster stated just aim it properly and you should be good. I have driven behind multiple police cars and in several different states and have had no issues.

As for how they are holding, so far no issues. I do put my lights in the "highbeam" setting when I turn the truck on, and then click to the normal low beams so all the power goes to the ballests after the truck is running. I read that it helps to reduce the stress put onto the ballests. Hope this helps!

thesub265 · January 6, 2012

I have been running HID's for 4 years now in three different cars and now my 07 NBS Silverado and would never be without. I have put them in some tractors and other offroad equipment and they seem to be quite robust. I buy mine from a internet company directly from China, 6-10 sets at a time which helps with freight. I also sell on my own locally. I have run 35w and 55w and now I am running some 75w, in off road lights, all in 6000k. I have seen some issues with ballasts failing but it was likely due to misuse as descrbied above. In my current car, 2001 Chrysler 300M, I replaced the headlights with projector units and would take the factory units over the aftermarket one any day. The light output of the factory peice was much better, and I was able to aim them so they didn't blind oncoming traffic.

My two cents

pistonslap · January 7, 2012

Hey i have a 03 silverado with ddm 8000k. Just the lows. I aimed mine down 3 inches at 10 feet. Nobody has ever flashed me and ive had them for over a year. I had to have the relay harness. Mine has never flickerd or turned off. Mine to me look solid white with just a lil hint of blue

One poster previously said there is a warm up period for the ballasts. Does this mean you have dim lights when you switch from high to low ?

Iraqvet05 · January 9, 2012

I just bought and installed a set of 35W Raptor 5Ks for my 2007 (NBS) Silverado fogs (H16/5202) from DDM. As for shipping from DDM, mine shipped directly from China in about a week....they send you a tracking number so you can check the progress. The install took about two hours but I took breaks to warm up and I'm on crutches from a broken leg. There are zero instruction included in the kit but it was fairly simple to figure out. I don't think the fog housings got too hot but then again the temp was in the 30's when I installed them this morning.

tazerbro · January 9, 2012

I just recieved a set of H11 low beams from kryptonbulbs.com. Attempted a quick mock install and found that the inside the low housing is a shield or deflector of sorts in the headlight. The HID bulb is too long and hits the deflector. Can't install the bulb with it there, it seems. Guess I'm out of my money? I dont want to take that headlamp apart.

beasleyiv · January 10, 2012

Been running HID replacements for several years in several vehicles. 4 sets of DDM thin ballast type with no issues. Always run 6k 35w. Never used a relay or wiring kit, just plugged them in. Just installed highs & lows in my '08 SD and am very happy. Only complaint is the direct from china ship these days on DDM. I love the cutoff of the low beam on my SD compared to my '03 Silverado. DDM is a heck of a deal for $40/set. I haven't had to replace any parts yet, so I think I'm money ahead at this point. I do however keep the original bulbs in the glove box just in case since the HIDs went in at once instead of staggering.

tazerbro · January 10, 2012

I'm seeing all of the HID lows being installed in the top part of the headlight housing. My H11 bulb is there but the shroud inside keeps my bulb from being locked and placed there. Does the shroud have to come out? Anyone know... :-/

yukon_denali_05 · January 10, 2012

I haven't had good experience with DDM. The ballasts have typically lasted for only 6-10 mths. You get what you pay for. Although I have had them replace them for free under warranty, shipping is a pig.

jdnoble18 · January 10, 2012

I've got 4-5 sets of DDM Tuning. The latest set was the 5202 3k set for fogs. All the previous sets were with relay harnesses but the harness that came with the 5202's was not log enough. I've had awesome experience with the longevity of the sets. The 6k slim kit that is in the wifes car is on 100% of the time (DRL's) and that is going strong except for the bulbs the original bulbs lasted 2 years with daily driving. All the other sets are still running. I've installed the raptors and slims, along with the h4's that telescope in and out for high and low. Those are sweet!

The only bad thing about DDM tuning is returns. After 30 days you have to pay for return shipping on defective parts. I refuse to do that when you pay higher than normal shipping rates on the initial purchase.

I did try 1 set of xentec's in the impala before giving up. They could not ship me a working set of ballasts. So I got my money back from them, but continue to use their bulbs with DDM's ballasts.

johnnyz71 · January 11, 2012

I have used DDM for 2 motorcycles & my Trailblazer SS (before my current truck). Didn't have any problems with them at all. I think I was around 5K, I wanted more of the white light, not the bluish. With that beings said, I would personally do projectors in the truck. It has nothing to deal with the illegal thing (call me ignorant, but I didn't even realize it was illegal), I have seen trucks with the projectors and trucks with the hids. Trucks with the projectors seem to have a better light path/distribution to me.