I'm looking for a good quality ~7" round dual beam light setup for my FJ40. I'd like to be able to run them (limited) on the street, and not blind people in front of me, but have some decent range for night running. I plan to replace my existing headlights with these since I have limited space with my 8274-50. This seems like the place to ask. Are there dual beam HID's? Are HID's worth the $$ on a trail rig? Other options?

from experience driving around ocotillo wells on a semi busy weekend.

HIDs are cool for wide open desert but are blinding for other people. having someone rolling up in a wash with 4 HIDs behind you to pass messes up your vision and reflection from your mirrors blinding. it sucks even worse when they are coming the opposite direction. no way i would consider them practical for crawling/trail duties unless you were leading the pack.

among my group of friends at night in fast stuff the guy with the best light leads.

I don't want to blind people, so if I'm understanding you HID's are great for an aux. light, but should not be run as primaries? I guess I'll add a link to the lights you and I have been discussing.... I'm about to order a pair.
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/...ht-p-1589.html

You may want to search some of the desert sites. I have heard some negative comments concerning vision x lights as cost and durablility are concerned.

FWIW I have/had quite a few sets of PIAA's over the years (including dual beam stuff) and if they have what you need, they are an awesome choice.

I have also run the new kc stuff and it is decent, I don't care for the harnesses as much, and the light output seems lower.

I also have vintage dick cepek, warn and hella lights for my F100. I'll get back to you when I see how well they work.

not saying that at all. in my limited research and knowledge i dont know of an HID that meets your needs. it depends on the design of the HID. there are passenger cars on the road with them and they are ok, but they are designed for the road. realistically any 6/8" auxillary light worth the money is going to be an annoyance in close quarters. hit up sceep, he has been using the warn dual filament lights and likes them.

have you checked roundeyes offerings? i recently read a thread talking about 7" replacement lights and HIDs today somewhere. let me see if i can find. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663880

these guys are only 4" in diameter and availible in 55/100w. should be easy to package in the front with the winch. http://www.offroad-engineering.com/soltek.html

You may want to search some of the desert sites. I have heard some negative comments concerning vision x lights as cost and durablility are concerned.

interesting comment on the visionx. the handful of people i talked to seemed to like them. got a pair on the way from poly, so well see.

you read that on rdz or dezertrangers? off to seach

interesting comment on the visionx. the handful of people i talked to seemed to like them. got a pair on the way from poly, so well see.

I might be wrong but that is the name that is sticking with me. I thought it interesting because I thought they had a good reputation.

Let us know.

not saying that at all. in my limited research and knowledge i dont know of an HID that meets your needs. it depends on the design of the HID. there are passenger cars on the road with them and they are ok, but they are designed for the road. realistically any 6/8" auxillary light worth the money is going to be an annoyance in close quarters. hit up sceep, he has been using the warn dual filament lights and likes them.

have you checked roundeyes offerings? i recently read a thread talking about 7" replacement lights and HIDs today somewhere. let me see if i can find. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663880

these guys are only 4" in diameter and availible in 55/100w. should be easy to package in the front with the winch. http://www.offroad-engineering.com/soltek.html


Before the visionex came up I was sold on the roundeyes conversion after seeing a 100w set at last years SnT. I haven't talked to Bruce, but when I looked them up the other day, I took the 55w/60w as being one and not Hi/low. I guess I should call him and see what the low option would be with the 100+w bulbs, but I wasn't impressed by 55/60. The 4" light I may be able to fit, but I built a truss on my front bumper so that I could sink the winch down and run the cable/fairlead through it, instead of above/below... hard to explain, but I wanted to block as little of the radiator as possible and pull from a lower COG.

I think Bruce has an upgrade bulb for those 55/80 or something. Best to call.

back when i thought NWOR (close to decade ago) was the best stuff on the planet i remember seeing a 50/100 bulb in there or something close to that. combined with a decent conversion housing and you might be close to what you are after. ill see what i can dig up tomorrow for ya.

whats the specs on the rig? with my old truck (22r, rears up front, 3" uptravel, DR superduty rear bilstiens in the front, stock leaves in the rear with es9000s or something) i couldnt out run my hella 4ks, i was close but not there. even on the street, i just didnt have the power. strapping HIDs to the front of that thing would have been a waste. something to think about.

My plan for lights:
HID BMW Bi-Xenon projector(high and low beams) retrofitted into a 6"(or larger if you want) light housing. You have your in town(and around camp) low beams, and then the high beam. Granted they are not made to pencil light a mile away, but the BMW projectors are one of the most cost effective HID setups out there. You can always go out and buy more HID lights for out in the desert at night.

I am not a racer, but for the wheeling I do they should work great.

i got some lazer star hid. the D. Does things are way to bright. I think to bright for some trails. Just blinds everyone arould. But i think thats the best part lol

whats the specs on the rig?

1970 Fj40, 350 hp small block/700R4 60's w/5.13's Alcan front w/ 14" FOA's. S-10 rear w/ 12" FOA's (soon, currently 5125's). 42" IROK's, 103" WB. Pretty sure I could outrun my old KC's, Next motor will be a 388 with well over 400 hp.

My plan for lights:
HID BMW Bi-Xenon projector(high and low beams) retrofitted into a 6"(or larger if you want) light housing. You have your in town(and around camp) low beams, and then the high beam. Granted they are not made to pencil light a mile away, but the BMW projectors are one of the most cost effective HID setups out there. You can always go out and buy more HID lights for out in the desert at night.

I am not a racer, but for the wheeling I do they should work great.

Info on converting? Source for parts? No BMW wrecking yards around here

www.roundeyes.com is claiming theyre lamps are capable of 130watts
http://www.roundeyes.com/Replacement_Headlamps-7_Round_Conversion_Headlamps.html

you can get bulbs in a 55/100w configuration
http://www.abdracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ADIAR&Category_Code=LALR

I did a headlight conversion on my runner. I got the headlight that takes a 9004 bulb ( I think). I put in the silverstar bulbs. I added some small hella fogs. The difference just in the headlights was amazing. Before it was like holding two candles out there.:laughing: The high beams will kill you!! It was probably the best money I have spent on the truck. It's the perfect setup for crawling. I am planning on putting 2 Hella 4000 compacts and 1 Hella 4000 all in the euro beam on. Probably overkill but fawk it....don't be in front of me!!:flipoff2:

the forums at hidplanet.com are one of the most imformative souces for hid retrofits. the for sale section of the forum you can pick up stuff super cheap. i get my hid bulbs through a guy on ebay. they are a good price, and are brand new phillips.

right now hidplanet forum is down, but wait a week for it to work again. ebay also has lots of stuff for sale, but you have to sift through hundreds of bs ads.

i can send u pics and drawings of my setup and links and prices when i get home in a week from spring break. i think ill have less then 175 into each light with oem factory ballasts, oem high-low beam projectors, housings, and new phillips bulbs.

Check out www.dirtlights.com... they have many different setups, and can set you up without you giving your "first born". (steve - 602-770-7647)

the bmw ones are good for dual beam, but on my fj40 i will be using some TSX projectors (second best out there, next to the s2ks) great low beam then add a hella or philips d2s HID bulbs and ballast and you are good to go. then just add a good aux light for you high beam :D
try the new soltek LEDs, those are fucken insaine :D

i have tsx projecterd retrod into my truck i have a second set for the limo, but i would like an hid high beam so for the same price.

The 4" Soltek Fuegos are phenomenal for the size. I have them along with some Soltek 8" and the difference in light between the 2 isn't alot.

The 4" Soltek Fuegos are phenomenal for the size. I have them along with some Soltek 8" and the difference in light between the 2 isn't alot.

but you cant really use these on the street, way too bright and you would blind everybody.

get these as highbeams :D they rock
http://www.camotoy.com/subaru/images/lightbar/soltek/smIMG_4635.JPG

LED's? Link for the lazy? I liked the looks of that LED light bar Larry Gyspsun had on his taco buggy at KOH

link
https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=620200
they are very bright
http://www.camotoy.com/subaru/images/lightbar/soltek/smIMG_4632.JPG

dam those are bright! and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

dam those are bright! and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$500 pfft, chump change ... ill take 6

Steve here from dirtlights:

We can get you more light for 1/3 of the cost than just about any body else. We also have just developed a system that is a 7" round housing that has a halogen low with a 35w HID high. Not sure on pricing yet, email or call if you really want it.

For basic crawler lights, a couple of 5" or 6" external ballast HID lights are hard to beat for the price and durability $129. If anybody on PBB wants lights mention you this thread and get 10% off.

http://www.dirtlights.com

I will try and call tomorrow Steve. The 7" conversion halogen/HID has peaked my interest.

$500 pfft, chump change ... ill take 6

You're more of a baller than I am

You're more of a baller than I am

More of a liar, methinks:D


Anybody brave enough to try the new Harbor Freight HID's yet?

i perfer the term dreamer.

how much they run? in the next couple of weeks im going to collect a few lights from friends (hella 4k, kc, an HID, and whatever else anyone is willing to let me borrow) and test em out against the visionx's that are sitting at my folks house in ca.

i perfer the term dreamer.

how much they run? in the next couple of weeks im going to collect a few lights from friends (hella 4k, kc, an HID, and whatever else anyone is willing to let me borrow) and test em out against the visionx's that are sitting at my folks house in ca.


I could test them for you...since they aren't that far away!!:flipoff2:

i perfer the term dreamer.

how much they run? in the next couple of weeks im going to collect a few lights from friends (hella 4k, kc, an HID, and whatever else anyone is willing to let me borrow) and test em out against the visionx's that are sitting at my folks house in ca.


I believe they were $99, didn't specify each or pair...

I ordered up the 7" Halogen/HID conversion from dirtlights.com. They should be here this week and I'll have my cruiser back next week, to install them

More of a liar, methinks:D


Anybody brave enough to try the new Harbor Freight HID's yet?

After reading this I went out and bought one... yes, one. haha.. Im gonna wire it up today and Ill let yall know what I think.

First impression: It looks Harbor Freight. Probably wont last if a pebble hits it. And doesnt look like the one in the picture on the website, haha.

I finally installed the 7" conversion lights from dirtlights.com...........................absolutel y awesome!!!!!!!!!! way better than any other lights I've run, stupid simple to install. Great product guys! :beer:

I finally installed the 7" conversion lights from dirtlights.com...........................absolutel y awesome!!!!!!!!!! way better than any other lights I've run, stupid simple to install. Great product guys! :beer:


Are they similar to Roundeye's? What made you choose one over the other?

Unless Bruce has a new light out (didn't when I bought these) these are not even in the same ball park. The Roundeyes conversion lamps are polycarbonate housings and use a standard H4 bulb for hi and lo. While still a big upgrade over my 38 yr old lights, I was wanting more, especially out of the high beam. To upgrade the Highbeam on the roundeyes, or any similar light the low beam also increases, and often times outside of the legal limit.

The lights from dirtlights.com use a glass housing that houses a standard H4 low beam (legal wattage), great low beam light. The kicker is the high beam (activated by your regualr high beam switch), which is a HID true white high beam. I'm not sure what the comaprable wattage would be to say a KC light, but I had 150w KC's on my first truck and these put them to shame. Installation was plug and play, mounting the ballast pack was the most time-consuming part. I wheeled with two guys with cj's this weekend and they were so impressed they will be ordering sets too. I was doing technical drift/ spring-snow wheeling this weekend and haven't gotten to do a speed test yet, but I don't think I'll be able to catch them.

wheres the pics?

Baja Designs/Soltek hands down. There are many set ups available. I have actually been with several big name companies testing lights for various tasks and they always come up with a great set up for whatever your needs are. Chase vehicles/race bikes/trophy trucks/Class1's, etc.

The biggest problem is dealing with hot spots and they have done a lot to rid of them!

You may go through Baja Designs directly.. OR Chris and Patty Blais are authorized retailers of these lights! For those of you not familiar with Chris, he is a well known Paris to Dakar racer and has a well formulated resume with great results in various events he has entered! Google his name for more info!

www.BlaisRacingServices.com

The kicker is the high beam (activated by your regualr high beam switch), which is a HID true white high beam.

So your high beams are HID lights? With ballasts and everything?

So your high beams are HID lights? With ballasts and everything?

Correct, all packaged into the same 7" housing as the H4 low, the ballasts are external of course and the HID bulb has the primary location in the reflector.

But HID systems are not designed to be turned on/off more then 3 times an hour. Something to do with the heat cycles of the bulb and ballats, plus resistances with the cooling bulbs changing. I can find the info for you if you would like.

Plus there is the start up "charging" of the bulbs to get them to full temp and on the low voltage output of the ballast. Effectively, you could not use your flash to pass, and your high beams would take 5 seconds or so to come to full intensity every time you use them. With the HID system as a high beam, and driving on the street/campground/wherever using them, you might/should burn out your bulbs and ballasts very fast. I burned up one setup just messing around on my bench showing my buddys repeatedly the "cool" startup colors.

If I am correct above, then it seems simple to use your HID system as a low beam. OEM does that, with a halogen high beam bulb. Or a Bi-Xenon system is better.

For the Bi-Xenon(high and low) HID systems, the flapper in the projector is on a stepper motor. When you flick the high beam switch it just moves the flapper 90 degrees. You still get the full 2000 hours out of your bulbs this way. Not to mention that you will have 2.5 times more light on the road on low beam settings.

Im not trying to rag on anyone, I am just confused on why someone would design a system like this, effectively backwards from what I have and OEM has done. Ill email the manufacturer tonight after I have pondered it some more.

But HID systems are not designed to be turned on/off more then 3 times an hour. Something to do with the heat cycles of the bulb and ballats, plus resistances with the cooling bulbs changing. I can find the info for you if you would like.

Plus there is the start up "charging" of the bulbs to get them to full temp and on the low voltage output of the ballast. Effectively, you could not use your flash to pass, and your high beams would take 5 seconds or so to come to full intensity every time you use them. With the HID system as a high beam, and driving on the street/campground/wherever using them, you might/should burn out your bulbs and ballasts very fast. I burned up one setup just messing around on my bench showing my buddys repeatedly the "cool" startup colors.

If I am correct above, then it seems simple to use your HID system as a low beam. OEM does that, with a halogen high beam bulb. Or a Bi-Xenon system is better.

For the Bi-Xenon(high and low) HID systems, the flapper in the projector is on a stepper motor. When you flick the high beam switch it just moves the flapper 90 degrees. You still get the full 2000 hours out of your bulbs this way. Not to mention that you will have 2.5 times more light on the road on low beam settings.

Im not trying to rag on anyone, I am just confused on why someone would design a system like this, effectively backwards from what I have and OEM has done. Ill email the manufacturer tonight after I have pondered it some more.

Good tech there. I know nothing about HID's other than they are bright. I don't DD my rig and for the most part when they are on, they will be on for a while (especially if what you're saying about the heat cycles is true). The H4 puts out enough light for most driving conditions and I could swap that to a brighter bulb as well.

After reading this I went out and bought one... yes, one. haha.. Im gonna wire it up today and Ill let yall know what I think.

First impression: It looks Harbor Freight. Probably wont last if a pebble hits it. And doesnt look like the one in the picture on the website, haha.

So how have these worked? A friend of mine might buy some and was wondering how they worked.

Ok, so lets try and explain a couple of things:

First, yes it is going backwards in technology, sort of. By the letter of the law, it is illegal to use a HID lights in a non DOT approved housing. That is the reason for putting the 55w halogen along side it. You can convert your housings, have the HID ready to go when you "leave the pavement". But if johny wants to hassle you, you are completely legal.

We do have a bulb that actually moves the element. Its not as good as the projector with a baffle that moves. But it works pretty good in a halogen reflector. It's not legal for highway use, but works the same way as the super high $$$ systems, changing the focal point without waiting for warmup with a bi-xenon kit. We have run the bi-xenon sets, they suck. They don't work very good, and they are very expensive. You have to have 4 ballasts for a set of lights, neither bulb is centered in the reflector. Stay away from those, but if you want a set, I'll make you great deal on the test set we have sitting around...........

Flashing: If the bulb has been warmed up there is no problem flashing the bulb. We run the same bulb and ballast on wig wag flashers in aircraft. Chances are you won't be using a wig wag flasher on your headlights. Your ok to turn them on and off more than 3 times an hour. If you turn them on, it is better for the bulb to let it warm up before you turn it off. If you don't, you will be ok. From what the engineers at the factory have told me, your looking at 30% less bulb life if flashed cold everytime you turn them on.
So, if you are as sloppy as you can be, you will get 2000 hours vs 3000hours. The ballast technology is much different than older systems, they take less than 10 sec. for full warmup on a cold start. Firing a bulb that hasn't been cooled down is absolutly no problem. It makes life alot easier than older first generation ballast.

Hopefully this will explain things a little bit better.

Steve
http://www.dirtlights.com

Thanks Steve. I got to show my wife the lights last weekend, she was amazed. I still haven't gotten to do a GPS speed test and I need to align my lights, but they are working great!

Makes sense. Thanks for posting up. I understand now why you have i set up the way you do, thanks for that. Those would be great for a ton of people.

And I still have yet to order my light housings I was going to order from you ages ago... stalled projects are fun