IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Quick headlight halogen question

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Old 11-15-16, 01:28 AM
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P128sniper
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Default Quick headlight halogen question

So I hate the yellow halogen bulbs on my 07 is350 and apparently it's a big no no to get an hid kit on the halogen housing although alot of people do it. What about just changing the halogen bulbs to a better halogen bulb, I seen some h11 and even drl / highbeam 9005 on tirerack and they advertised as "white" anyone ever go this route? I really don't want to get an hid kit if it's going to blind people and is so shunned upon and even illegal. I love the led 2011 lights and will eventually get them but too much right now to pay.
Old 11-15-16, 10:57 AM
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well, putting HID kit on IS350 won't blind other vehicle cause it has projector so cut off light was there. It's legal as well.
All vehicles with out projector using HID is big NO and for sure it's illegal
Old 11-15-16, 12:14 PM
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You sure? I really want the hid kit and was going to even order the parking light and drl lights to led but after reading for a while alot of people said whether reflector or projector putting hid in halogen housing is a big NO. Reflector is worse but they said projector too if it originally came with halogen (which mine did) because the ones that come with hid oem have a special housing that's different from the halogen one? So confused now
Old 11-15-16, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by whitebeast
well, putting HID kit on IS350 won't blind other vehicle cause it has projector so cut off light was there. It's legal as well.
All vehicles with out projector using HID is big NO and for sure it's illegal
Aftermarket HID kits are a huge no regardless of housing. Even if it's a projector, it still was not designed for the HID bulb (different light pattern, different bulb size). You'll have lots of glare, an off beam pattern, a cutoff that isn't very sharp... I went through this with my last car, went from halogen projectors to putting in an aftermarket HID kit (which ended up destroying those projectors because of the UV they were putting out, DDM quality at it's finest), also was in the HID in fog light phase as well (which is a huge no, do you really want to see the glare from reflectors with HIDs? Yikes!), then eventually settled on a retrofit using some projectors off an 09 MDX, light output was a HUGE step up. Ended up doing it myself and it set me back about $400 (spent the extra money on CBI's, projectors themselves only got me for about $200 along with some clear lenses for $30-40). Here's a good thread detailing another members story of using aftermarket kits in his IS with the halogen setup: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...intensive.html

Your best bet is to retrofit another projector into the housing, or replace with the stock HID option (which is quite the penny and not worth it at all, you'll need the housings, the sensors, etc... It adds up fast). Unsure of anyone recently doing a 2011+ LED HID headlight that came from halogen housings, I imagine you can get away with not buying the AFS sensors for those, but those headlights will set you back anywhere from $1000-1500. A decent retrofit will set you back anywhere from $3-500. That, or leave them alone and use some whiter bulbs if you want the whiter look (Silverstars/SS Ultras, CrystalVision, NightBreakers, etc). LED is not an alternative either, even worse light output and beam pattern as these projectors were definitely not designed around them.
Old 11-15-16, 02:30 PM
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Yea I guess I'll leave it alone or maybe if I can find someone that can do a good retrofit some time in the future. I've heard bad things about the "white" halogen bulbs, that they still are yellow and they cost about $80 so not sure if that's the route I wanna go.
Old 11-15-16, 02:37 PM
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One more thing, how about just making my drl leds? Do at least during the day I'll have white lights. I know I won't have high beam anymore but I've had car for 3 years and never onced high beams
Old 11-16-16, 11:33 AM
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Hey Guys,

So I have a 2010 IS250 and I want to replace the headlights with black ones with an LED strip. However, I recently found out that most of the headlights sold on Ebay do not fit cars with factory HID lights.

Does anyone know where I can buy aftermarket headlights that will fit my car?
Old 11-16-16, 12:27 PM
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Did you check out the LED conversion kits?
Old 11-17-16, 11:59 AM
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Red face

Not really, I already have stock HIDs, the reason why I am asking is because I want new headlights. Doing a black on white theme so wanted to get black headlights, but can't find a pair that would fit a non halogen model car.

Was hoping someone would know where they sell those
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