Help With Hid's

[JAKD-UP]

So I read a long article on HID's which made me understand them a little better. My question is do you need/have to have projectors when having HID's? Are the projectors just for looks or do they serve a real purpose with these bulbs? Thanks for any tips or info you can give!

[mini1]

No, you do not need to have projectors for HID's. There are lots of vehicles that people have modified or vehicles that came direct from the factory with HID's in reflector style headlamp housings. That being said, putting HID's into stock halogen headlamp assemblies isn't the best idea, but it can be done (that is how most aftermarket conversions are done). The stock assemblies were designed to accept and reflect halogen light, not HID.

 

Projectors are not for looks. They provide precise light control. They work very well with HID headlamps, due to the nature of the bulb output.

[JAKD-UP]

So basically the HID light in a reflective housing wouldn't be as focused and probaby blind people? Reason I'm asking is I have considered tinting my headlights but thought I would need a brighter light to compensate for the tint. I'm not sold on the idea yet cause I also considered just tinting the side where the amber markers are. Just tossing around some ideas in my head.

[Rocco715]

I've had 12000K HIDS (way too purple)! and currently have 6000K HIDS in my GMT-900 and the light is aimed just as well. There is no stray light and is not blinding to other drivers. Even on foggy nights you can see the beams of light and how well it is aimed. Also i've never had any flash there brights at me and people do it to me all the time in my other truck with aftermarket halogens and headlight housings.

[omegafiler]

Yeah, it is very important to make sure they're aimed correctly. Even old dim lights can blind people if they are just slightly too high or pointed towards the side. Some folks intentionally aim them so they can see the entire road. In other words, it''s like driving with super bright high-beams all the time. Definately not good for other drivers on the road.

[mini1]

If your headlights are out of focus then they will blind people. The GMT-900's actually have a very precise beam pattern, so they do work fairly well with HID kits. You could also look into getting an aftermarket set of projectors and then install your HID's. That would be optimal, but not required.

 

Do NOT tint your headlights. It's illegal in most areas and just plain dumb. It will reduce the output of the headlights, no matter if you have stock or HID.