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Converting to HID lights


G&K

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Here we go again. :)

 

Deep Space Lighting has a very nice Independence Day sale on right now, 20% off their HID kits so I think the 780 needs an upgrade.

 

That got me thinking, which is always dangerous.

 

I would like to upgrade the driving and fog lights too, as the factory install is pretty near as bad as the factory head lights.

 

There seems to be quite a nice kit available to give you HID replacements for 800 series bulbs, which is what I believe is in both the fogs and driving lights.

 

Would this work? And does the upgrade to 50W ballasts automatically give you 50W lights? And they mention that if you go to 50W you are -1000K. That seems to be counter-intuitive, I would expect light output to be 1000K bluer as you would probably be burning hotter. Hmmm. I'm thinking 3K for the fogs, and 4300K for the driving lights. A little yellower sometimes helps a bit in fog.

 

I'm assuming the price below is per pair/set, but maybe not...

 

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-880-881.html#.VZaeZedNg4o

 

Thoughts?

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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George, why not just put in the Dixon kit? That is the only light mod needed, and personally the only one I would spend money on.....

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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Ordered the Dixon kit this morning. I'm just thinking about doing the rest too while I'm at it.

 

I am so over crappy lights in trucks. All the Western Stars and Kenworths I've driven were horrible too despite some being brand new.

 

Shiny polished wheels, but 1960s sealed beams. Lol

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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That is the Dixon kit with 20% off if you order today/tomorrow.

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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George,

 

Sorry to be so late to the party here. I've looked at upgrades for the fog/driving lights. The biggest challenge for a xenon retrofit there is clearance behind the assemblies. On trucks with three-piece bumpers (which it looks like you have, and most fleet trucks do as well), there's a bumper support that's right on the back side of those lights. There just isn't enough room on most trucks to fit a projector in there, and any HID bulbs in there without projectors will render the lights unusable with any traffic (and not do all that much to help you out).

 

We're getting closer to an upgrade that would use LEDs, that would be shallow enough to fit and do away with mounting ballasts down around the bumper. It's still a ways off, but should be a much better solution.

45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to

Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com

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Thanks David. What do you think about pulling the stock Driving/fogs and installing the TRS units you mentioned? Could I get them through you?

 

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-headlight-fog-light-housings/morimoto-xb-led-fog-lights-type-s.html#.VZgXDOdNg4o

 

Either that or I will wait for your new kit to become available.

 

Geo

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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If you're willing to do some fabrication to mount them, they're good lights. I actually had a chance to drive a car with them last night, and through some pretty heavy rain for 5 hours.

 

I don't have any on hand, but I can get them and pass along a small discount. Contact me directly if you want, and I can ship them with your headlight kit.

45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to

Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com

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Sounds great! I just sent you an email. The RV is presently at JW's, so a little fabrication should be pretty straightforward.

 

I may also have a set of PIAA 90 Pro XTs kicking around that I will find a home for too. Loved those when they were on my F250.

 

Geo

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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George- The link for your lights keeps coming up as malware. Just wanted to check them out and can't access the site.

David makes a great light kit. We need to make the switch as well and would love to add some decent driving and fog lights.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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That is odd. The link is working ok for me.

 

That is the link to the fog lights David has ordered for me.

 

His headlight conversion link is:

http://deepspacelighting.com/shop/2004-2014-volvo-vnlvtvnx-bi-xenon-hid-headlamp-kit-v2-0/

 

I think today is the last day of his sale discounts.

 

Geo

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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George- The link for your lights keeps coming up as malware. Just wanted to check them out and can't access the site.

 

Try trimming off from the pound sign to the end. That's a session identifier of sorts part of their e-commerce system that will eventually (a few hours) go stale: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-headlight-fog-light-housings/morimoto-xb-led-fog-lights-type-s.html

45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to

Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com

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I've got Davids- Deep Space- bookmarked, I thought you were accessing another site for fog and driving lights.

Correct. Try this. http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-headlight-fog-light-housings/morimoto-xb-led-fog-lights-type-s.html#.VZh5NYpHaJI

 

I just fixed the bad link to the fog lights above.

 

David is getting a set for me and we will install everything at the same time.

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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And I'd like to thank you guys for getting the fire lit under my butt too. I have also contacted David for a set of lights.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

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Deep Space HID Headlight conversion kit and a set of the Morimoto XB LED 70mm Fog lights are on the way.

 

I also have a set of 25w Vision X 4.5" LED Light Cannons coming but will need to play when I get my hands on the truck to figure out the best mounting. David was very helpful and suggested that using and modifying the existing light housing might be a good starting point.

 

The Light Cannons were a very good price on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQ453G4/ref=sr_ph_1?m=A1OR8ZNTLJTQHM&ie=UTF8&qid=1436137376&sr=1&keywords=light+cannons

 

Review is here:

 

Feels like Christmas!

 

Geo

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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  • 1 month later...

Dixon kit is installed. What a difference. Took less than 2 hours. A longer shaft #1 Phillips would have made life easier.

 

I think I need to replace the passenger side assembly.

 

David, you mentioned a decent low-cost housing but I can't find the thread. If you wouldn't mind posting again I would appreciate it.

 

Thanks.

 

Geo

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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I'm almost ashamed to admit, David delivered my lights to the Corn Field Rally, and even did much of the work installing them, and I still have not driven the truck at night. Having it parked 6 miles from the house doesn't help.........

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

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Yeah rickeieio, I can see where struggling for 6 miles at dusk in a new F150 would be hard on a geezer...

Paul & Paula + Daisy the amazing wiggle worm dog...

2001 Volvo 770 Autoshift, Singled, w/ Aluminum Bed - Toy Draggin

2013 395AMP XLR Thunderbolt Toy Hauler

2013 Smart Passion

2012 CanAm Spyder RT

2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide

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I may be old, but at least I'm pretty......round. :P

 

I gotta admit, having three vehicles with HID lights did sway my decision to drop the coin for Mr. Dixon's kit.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

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Mr. Dixon's "kit" is worth every penny. I'm converting over at the HDT Rally. In fact I'm going to replace the housings totally so my current lights (for Gen 2) will be for sale. They are in decent shape, having been polished out by Gregg. Who does a far better job than I do, at least.

 

That reminds me...I have to get this project "in motion". David, I'll be contacting you shortly.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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Recently drove deep in to the night for the first time with Davids lighting upgrade. Huge difference. I don't drive the HDT much at night but I feel much better doing so now with the updated lights.

 

Only issue I have is really just a inconvenience. When a truck would pass I would use the "pass" button on the steering wheel. I would typically press it several times quickly. Now because of the ballast needed for the lights that is not practical. I actually threw a code once on the DID before I realized what the problem was. So now I just use my Volvo Driving Lights on a forward pass signal. They are wired on a separate switch anyways but my hand does have to leave the steering wheel. I may have to look and see how difficult it would be to fire the driving lights instead of the headlights when the pass button is pressed.

 

Also I used to use the driving lights in conjunction with the high beams. So when a car approached I had to turn both off separately. When the shutter on David's lights open/high beams, I now find I really don't need or want the driving lights on. So now I am back to a single switch which is nice.

2017 Entegra Anthem 44A

SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017)

SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL

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Spent a chunk of today doing the sand and polish on the driving/fogs. Reinstall tomorrow. Have new chrome exhaust tips that I may install tomorrow too.

George,
Suzuki Celerio 998cc

Yamaha NMAX scooter

 

Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded

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