Author Topic: HID headlight conversion  (Read 1934 times)

Offline richardmoparman

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 45
  • MOPARS,IT'S NOT A HOBBY ITS A LIFESTYLE
HID headlight conversion
« on: September 18, 2016 - 08:42:10 PM »
I am looking to purchase a HID headlight conversion kit for my 70 Challenger.Can anyone recommend a kit. :working:




Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2016 - 08:48:19 PM »
The problem is the reflector . once you locate that , maybe Bosch , then you need an HID bulb for that application , I have installed numerous HID kits either bought locally or on the internet , you can spec wattage from 55 to 110 w & color from 4k -12k 8 k is the whitest , 4k is yellow 12k is purple

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline GoodysGotaCuda

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5392
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2016 - 10:30:14 PM »
They will be bright, but the pattern will be horrendous.

2008 has come and gone, improper HID retrofits are no longer the "thing to do", in my opinion.  :2cents:
Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
1976 Dodge Warlock
1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

Offline richardmoparman

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 45
  • MOPARS,IT'S NOT A HOBBY ITS A LIFESTYLE
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2016 - 12:19:47 AM »
So I should stick with the stock headlights?

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2016 - 12:34:05 AM »
It depends , done right there is a sheild around the bulb to to limit the light reflecting upwards in low beam position , they work well for me .
 A better choice now available recently is LED headlights that will fit the same reflector often H4 , the Led is better as the led elements are placed on the lower or upper side of the bulb where HID make light 360* , I have not tried a set yet but they will be cooler & should be a s bright as the HID units . these are 9007 not H4 but they are available in any common application http://www.ebay.com/itm/331705154988
 Anything has to be better than incandescent bulbs

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline crackedback

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 158
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2016 - 10:47:52 AM »
You may be surprised at the output one of my relay kits and set of low dollar halogen headlight can make.   I had one buyer tell me he thought the results where as good or better than the fancy lights in his newer BMW.

Offline burdar

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5925
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2016 - 11:25:44 AM »
When you say HID, do you really mean HID or just a conversion to a housing that uses replaceable H-4 bulbs?  What are we talking about here?

Offline WildJones

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 227
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2016 - 12:03:21 PM »
I did a quick Google search before posting and came up with this: http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/should-you-swap-your-headlight-bulbs-for-leds-1728026383
If you had a Cuda (like I thought you did the first time I read this post - oops) then I was going to say it's real easy as most years of the  Jeep Wrangler use a sealed 7 inch beam, just like the Cuda. Given that the Challenger uses what, 5.75"? Headlights, you might be able to find a replacement headlight that uses LEDs, but it will probably be harder than for us Cuda guys.

You could use a combination of these:
http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-headlight-model-8631-evolution/
http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-headlights-model-8630-evolution/

JW Speaker gets awesome reviews in the Jeep community and look great on the Wrangler. Whether or not they will look right on an old car is up for debate. The cost of 4x 5.75 headlights from them also might be high (can't tell on mobile). At least these options are designed around an LED bulb rather than just tossing a bulb in a housing and putting them on the market. DOT Legal too for those who care. Price still makes me do this  :eek2:

Thought about it some more and with the setup above, your challenger would look a lot like the new Challengers with their DRL halos, which would be really cool imo.

It depends , done right there is a sheild around the bulb to to limit the light reflecting upwards in low beam position , they work well for me .
 A better choice now available recently is LED headlights that will fit the same reflector often H4 , the Led is better as the led elements are placed on the lower or upper side of the bulb where HID make light 360* , I have not tried a set yet but they will be cooler & should be a s bright as the HID units . these are 9007 not H4 but they are available in any common application http://www.ebay.com/itm/331705154988
 Anything has to be better than incandescent bulbs
« Last Edit: September 19, 2016 - 12:12:42 PM by WildJones »
Mike
95682
1970 Cuda

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2016 - 01:40:30 PM »
When you say HID, do you really mean HID or just a conversion to a housing that uses replaceable H-4 bulbs?  What are we talking about here?
You need a reflector that will take a common bulb like H4 that will fit the round headlight mount but then you can install true HID bulbs with ballasts into the reflector . 

 I have HID in my Caravan 9007 bulb using a conversion wiring harness & ballasts to power the HID bulbs , it works great , far brighter headlights that still do not blind oncoming traffic .
 I really want to try the Cree Led headlights & see how well they will work just no funds to switch over right now .

 Here it is a game / challenge , it is common to have vehicles on the highway with zero lights including Semis & motorbikes {suicide} so having good forward lighting is a must ! We get 125cc motorbikes running down the highway @ 40MPH topped out while other traffic is running 65mph with no rear lights at all . it would take me 5 mins to connect a wire to the headlight circuit & have some bright LED on the rear , just crazy  :22yikes:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline shawge

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 571
  • Zoiks!!
Re: HID headlight conversion
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2016 - 02:48:28 PM »
 :2cents:
Get the lights on relays if you have not already done so.. You'd be surprised how much better the stock bulbs work when this is done.
Then if you want/need more light, I'd suggest a H1/H1 conversion:
  Hella BiFocal H1 low beams
  Parabolic H1 high beams
  Narva-Flosser Rangepower+50 H1 bulbs all around

- Jerry