Upgrading 95 to HID headlights and Fogs

[Xplorerx22]

Hello everyone,
I have a 95 eddie bauer explorer. I want to upgrade the headlights and fog lights to HID and have the lights have a some what stock appearance and match color wise. Looking for info on companies and sizes that I would need.
thanks,
brian

[Edited by Xplorerx22 on 01-16-2001 at 08:46 AM]

 

[97bignslow]

You can go to CarParts.com. I saw HIDs there yesterday but they were 600-700 bucks. For that price I woould buythree sets of PIAAs.

Eric

 

[Xplorerx22]

Could I get HID look alikes? What do you guys think of those? what sizes fit into the stock headlights and fog lights. I dont know how to tell the difference between bulbs, I dont get there ratings.
thanks
brian

 

[Alec]

Xplorerx22,

Welcome to the site!

For the headlights, 91-94's use 9004 bulbs, and 95+'s use 9007 bulbs.

I believe the stock bulbs are 55W/85W: low/high. I think it's illegal to have low beams with higher than 55W, and you could fry your factory wiring with more wattage. The PIAA replacement bulbs are also 55/85 and look good, but are around $70. I still have my factory bulbs, but I did get some GE "cool white" bulbs, but never put them in. They're still sitting in the back of the truck; they were $15.

 

[soupbone]

Get the PIAA 9007s. They are whiter and brighter than stock. My fogs look very yellow now. Since PIAA makes no H1 super white platinum Im ordering Hiper 55W H1s to match the output and color temp of my PIAAs. But if you actually have H3 fogs you can get matching PIAAs.

I dont think id mess with real HIDs until a company makes a new high quality headlamp assembly for explorers. Maybe one that allowed use of 9006/9005 so you have low/high beam and a better beam pattern.

[Edited by soupbone on 01-16-2001 at 02:25 PM]

 

[RytM1]

Brian, try getting ahold of Troll, he's the only one I know of so far that has a true HID conversion on his 96. In case you haven't looked into them yet, they are somewhat costly.

 

[soupbone]

Id get some HID aux driving lights before id try converting the stock ones. Yes it will be a bit more than just the conversion kit for your 9007 or 9004. But the beam pattern will be much improved. Then you can just tweak the stock ones with new bulbs. Just my opinion.......

However HID conversion should be simple! As easy changing your headligh bulb. Youd just have to secure the ballast box somewhere.



[Edited by soupbone on 01-16-2001 at 05:25 PM]

 

[DocVijay]

HID Conversion.

So, the guy (Troll) who converted to HID, is there still a high beam or only low beam. I've seen a conversion kit for Expeditions/F-150's that switches from one 9007 bulb to a 9005/9006 setup Has nayone seen this type of setup for an Explorer (99 preferrably). This would take care of the no high beam problem. They also have the Altezza style taillamps.

 

[RytM1]

Doc, I'm not 100% sure. I think I recall someone saying that you no longer have the high beams. Do a search on the site, and you should be able to find out more.

 

[00XLT]

You do lose high beams because the 9007 original bulb is dual-filament and the HID bulbs are single. The conversion kit for the F150/Expedition works only with a new headlight housing (diamondback) so you can plug both of the new bulbs in. There's a thread going on autosyndicate's site bugging them to get their suppliers to make new headlight housings like they did for the F150/Expedition, help out and add your name to it