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HID Install +Pics - Step by Step

My wife and I normally carpool since we both work downtown, but last week we had to drive separately (one of us had to leave work early). She drove behind me in our Explorer Sport with the drop in HID kit in the Lo/Hi beam projectors. Never once when she was riding my tail, a ways behind, or going over a speedbump did I feel like I got flashed in my mirror from her headlights. The car I was driving is a sedan, and sits much lower to the ground than the Explorer. I've also passed her heading the opposite direction before, and didn't feel blinded at any point.

The drop in kits in THIS headlight don't blind anyone. Perhaps you are thinking of older style all reflector housings (which DO look terrible when having HIDs added), or people who drive with their fog lights on all the time (who have a special place in hell regardless of whether they use HIDs or halogen)?

edit because you replied as I was typing to Tony:

A very small number of users on this forum (and the moderator) believe you shouldn't install HIDs at all unless you buy expensive new lenses and reflectors. They're right that the full upgrade looks better than stock, including better than the Ford HIDs in the Limited, but the drop in kits are more than adequate. The kits are a fantastic value if you don't want to pay for the expensive conversion, and are willing to settle for something that looks completely stock to all outside observers, because its what the Explorer should have come with.
i am just accustomed to having HID. love being able to see clearly at night and was so disappointing to see that the halogen lights are so weak. especially when i make long trips on the highway. Its just a nice feeling to be able to drive comfortably and not having to worry about being able to see haha. if i get complains about it i will definitely make an adjustment.
 



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Imagine a world in which we are all enlightened by objective truths rather than offended by them. NDTyson
 






I think BoSox13's pictures are slightly skewed. I dont disagree that the HID retrofit is big improvement, but the halogen picture seems to be missing something. Why is there no foreground light in front of the vehicle? My Sport with halogen lights illuminate the ground in front of the headlight(fog lights off). BoSox halogen picture has 0 light until it hits the wall.
 






Those photos were taken with iPhone. No doctoring involved. Although I can buy the argument the photo could be a little misleading. There is no comparing to the HID over the stock halogens.

In addition I felt the cost was reasonable and I didn't feel opening up the headlights were all the difficult. There is enough information and videos out there to learn from.
 






:salute:
 
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Testing
EVOXRprojector_zpsc0d8a02e.jpg

Hey Tony, how did you go about testing the lighting?
 






12 Volt DC Power Supply, alligator clips, ballast test connector (comes with every wiring harness from TRS), 35w Morimoto ballast connected to bulb. I attached the headlight assembly with new projector mounted, without the external lense, to a saw house in my work area. Connect everything listed above and power up. I test the hi/lo shield with a small 9v battery and alligator clips as well.

Recent update,.... after 8 months this particular retrofit has more color, whiter, than original photos. The blue cutoff line appears thinner, Osram CBI 66240 CBI is still my favorite bulb. The hours only made it better.

I am installing RX350 (non-afs) projectors and tuned STI-R lenses with D2S: Philips 85122XV C1 XTREME VISION bulbs into a 2014 Toyota Sienna SE tomorrow. Direct Bolt , just like Explorer, but no permaseasl, yippee! Butyl Sealant is the easiest. I will be able to make a bulb comparison soon.
 
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Thanks Tony for your insight and postings, I wish that you lived closer when I get my Exp, especially if I end up without factory HID
 






So last week I drove to from NY back to Providence.
I have the 55w DDM Tuning hid Kit.
I have to say, definitely worth the money.
Very bright and definitely puts the light where I want it. I notice the light is perfectly level. Not too high or low so I did make sure to keep an eye on whether or not I was blinding any oncoming traffic and for the most part it was not. I didn't get any complains from drivers or anything. Also, high beams are as bright as you can possibly imagine Lol. Definitely happy with the purchase.

However I am contemplating returning the fog 55w kit. I haven't installed them yet since the headlight have more than enough brightness. I'm considering maybe exchanging the fogs for yellow. I've seen them on many cars and at first I thought they looked stupid but it grew on me.
 






So last week I drove to from NY back to Providence.
I have the 55w DDM Tuning hid Kit.
I have to say, definitely worth the money.
Very bright and definitely puts the light where I want it. I notice the light is perfectly level. Not too high or low so I did make sure to keep an eye on whether or not I was blinding any oncoming traffic and for the most part it was not. I didn't get any complains from drivers or anything. Also, high beams are as bright as you can possibly imagine Lol. Definitely happy with the purchase.

However I am contemplating returning the fog 55w kit. I haven't installed them yet since the headlight have more than enough brightness. I'm considering maybe exchanging the fogs for yellow. I've seen them on many cars and at first I thought they looked stupid but it grew on me.

I would consider downgrading the kit to a 35w (I think that's the wattage) kit. Other folks have used 55w and in the long run (sometimes, short run), things went haywire. I'm running 35w 6k on both headlights and fogs :)
 






I would consider downgrading the kit to a 35w (I think that's the wattage) kit. Other folks have used 55w and in the long run (sometimes, short run), things went haywire. I'm running 35w 6k on both headlights and fogs :)

I was originally going to buy the 35w. I had them before in my Infiniti and they were brought. But as I read through the forum, some people complaint it wasn't bright enough. So I went with the safer bet. So far I haven't had a single problem with them. Plus it has a lifetime warranty on it. Did you also get them your kit from DDM Tuning?
 






I gotta get HID installed asap in mine...have yet to order them. Doesn't seem like too hard of a job to do myself. I did HIDs on my old 98 GP..but that was cake.
 






I was originally going to buy the 35w. I had them before in my Infiniti and they were brought. But as I read through the forum, some people complaint it wasn't bright enough. So I went with the safer bet. So far I haven't had a single problem with them. Plus it has a lifetime warranty on it. Did you also get them your kit from DDM Tuning?

No, I get all my lighting accessories from Diode Dynamics. Great products, and second-to-none customer service.
 






I gotta get HID installed asap in mine...have yet to order them. Doesn't seem like too hard of a job to do myself. I did HIDs on my old 98 GP..but that was cake.

It's pretty easy. Just plug and play. Hardest part is just putting the bulb into the headlight assembly and locking it into place since you can't really see what you're doing lol. Besides that it's a piece of cake.
 






It's pretty easy. Just plug and play. Hardest part is just putting the bulb into the headlight assembly and locking it into place since you can't really see what you're doing lol. Besides that it's a piece of cake.

Ya from what i am reading that's the tough part. I will be ordering this after intake :)
 






This is the Thread I've been looking for! Too bad I cut the Grommet part away as always... I regret that now lol :D
 






Besides teh 93 tune..this is the best mod i have done..what a difference
 






It's pretty easy. Just plug and play. Hardest part is just putting the bulb into the headlight assembly and locking it into place since you can't really see what you're doing lol. Besides that it's a piece of cake.

Without a doubt!
 






Has anyone here installed NON CANBUS type HIDs on their explorers?
 



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