mcqmcg

My 1997 ES300 still has stock head lamps in it. I am looking to get some HID or Xenon head lights for it though. Can I just purchase HID bulbs for a ES300, or do I need some sort of conversion kit.
Also, would this same process apply if I wanted HID fog lights?

thanks in advance

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

You need an hid kit, h7 bulb which includes two bulbs, harnesses, 2 ballasts, some with ballast holders/mounts but not always. I suggest a bulb kelvin of 4300k-6000k. For fogs, i believe its an h3 bulb.

mcqmcg

thank you sir

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

No problem, jsut a headsup, you will have to remove your headlights to install it, not hard to do, just make sure you know your way around, its fairly easy to do, just a little fiddling

angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

I did not have to remove my headlight to install my HID bulbs, but I did have to remove my fog lights and had to customize a hole in the back of the fog light cap to insure it was somewhat air tight and that the wires ran outward to the ballast without issues. It might be easier to do with the headlights with them out, but you can still do it with the headlights in place, just got to take your time, plenty of light and it can be done. But you will have to adjust your headlights downward a little, otherwise you will blind on coming drivers. Our halogen housing causes a lot of bleed over of light from the HID bulbs being so bright. If you can get your hands on the sought after 01 HID headlight housing, then you will have a better HID projection with less light bleed over. Good Luck bro.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

wow, without headlight removal? Not sure how you pulled that off.

I took off the corners/headlamps, since i could get a better spot for ballasts and tucking the wiring away.

mcqmcg

Thanks for all the advice guys. I will probably end up removing the head lights because I'm a beginner and hate working in small places. I'll probably have my gear-head friend help me out too.
Quick question though, is it not recommended for me to get anything more than a 6000K bulb? Disregard laws and consideration of other drivers; is it just bad for the car or something?

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^^ Well, do you care for how well you can see at night?

Yes = 4300k

No = 6000k & above. 'for show' the 'higher' the number the less useable light output, since your eyes can't perceive it and well, it doesn't reflect [the wavelengths] off objects as the 'ideal' being 4300k.

I had 6000k for a summer, and then got my 4300K, won't look elsewhere ever again, there were times using the backroads that even the 6000k wouldn't cut it...

With that said, i went with 6000k HID's in my fogs 'for contrast' look, mind you they're far better than a 10k kit, but still not ideal.

570sxpwns

removal of the headlights to install aftermarket HIDS are you nutz! lol i didnt have to...only thing different was i used two washers so the factory clip can hold the HID bulb in the housing, and 6k is not for show, it pure white....10k+ is for show....4300k are most factory because most of the cars that have factory 4300k hid also have projectors which magnify them and look like 6k if you diidnt have projectors...

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

I didn't have to remove my headlights to install my HID's either. My ballasts are all hidden behind the corners on each side, or mounted just above the foglight. They are completely hidden from the main engine bay and I didn't have to take out my headlight to install them.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^^ to each his own, it takes 30 secs to take out the headlights for me, and i personally will take those 30 seconds vs. ****ing around with all the fuse boxes/battery/wires in the way and do a proper install on them.