H4 HID conversion kit

[Fultz1275]

Can anyone suggest a good quality H4/HID conversion kit. I have a 68 chevelle which has the quad headlight setup so I'm unsure how the HID conversion for the HI/Low H4 setup would work. I assume I just wouldn't use the High beams anymore. I've see some other threads that recommend buyhidkits.com but was wondering if this was a quality kit for $49.99 Also can someone explain the relay kit to me. What exactly does it "relay" (ie. from what to what) I've heard some people use the factory harness but then some use the relay kit. Summit also has a H4 headlight conversion harness for a 4 headlight setup but don't know if this is really needed. Has anyone done a HID conversion on a 4 headlight setup. Any details of install would be very helpful.

[MuscleRodz]

your not getting HID's for $50. H4 lights will be a big improvement. If you have original wiring, install relays to protect the switch and wiring as they are not sized to properly support the higher amp draw lights

[dipren443]

This thread may prompt me to do a quick write up and photo document what a simple H4/H1 light upgrade can do for our dinosaurs. I am really kinda getting tired of seeing all the questions about these dime store HID kits that are just crap.

To the OP. For $50, you can't even upgrade to a good drop in halogen housing and H4/H1 bulb arrangement. You certainly aren't getting into HID's for such a pittance.

[Fultz1275]

OK...so what it the difference between H4 and HID? I found a system from Apexcone for around $125 (includes 2 Hi/Low bulbs, 2 35w ballists, Plug-n-Play harness, and relay harness). I'm also using the Hella 5.75" Headlight. Anyone running this setup from Apexcone? Also can someone explain how I can go from the quad (hi/low) factory headlight setup to just a dual Hi/Low H4/HID setup and still us my factory floor switch to active the hi beams on the H4 bulb. I assume I figure out which wire is the positive hi beam wire in my factory hi beams plug, pull that wire out of the plug, find the hi beam wire in the new H4/HID plug and replace the it with the wire from my old harness so when I use the floor switch it activates the Hi beam of the H4 bulb. If this is correct can anyone help identify which wire in the factory 68 Chevelle hi beam plug is positive. It doesn't seem that hard but the devil is in the details.

[Fultz1275]

dipren443...by all means please share your install. What kit did you use? how much was it ? what headlights are your running? etc.

[DarkoNova]

I'm guessing the Apexcone kit is just a dual filament HID bulb. Yes it's technically HID's, but without a projector, you'll just be blinding everyone and throwing light everywhere. But it will definitely look better than your old lights. I'm not sure how Chevelle headlights work, but if the low beams stay on when you turn the high beams on, you shouldn't have to do anything to the wiring.

But really, what you should do is buy some H4 conversion housings, some OEM projectors from ebay (when I bought mine, Acura TSX projectors were supposedly the best), and then cut open the H4 housings and put the projectors in them. You'll have REAL HID's and you won't be blinding everyone else on the road.

That's what I did and I've never had anyone flash me during my night drives.

Matt

[dipren443]

dipren443...by all means please share your install. What kit did you use? how much was it ? what headlights are your running? etc.

No kit. I purchased quality glass reflector E-Code H4 bulb housings (Hella brand). Made my own relay harness and I am running standard Hella bulbs, not even high wattage ones and it is a night and day difference.

Only had to make some minor mods to the bucket. I will dig up those pics and post them.

[724tim]

If you just do the H4 conversion you will see a major difference but you have to run relays.

[modular93fox]

I did a hid projector conversion in my sealed beam (91 suburban clip) and used hidjoe.com (i think thats what it was) anyway it was like 100 bucks... still working today, and works like a champ.... just my experience with an inexpensive kit...
clint

[Fultz1275]

Darknova...i'm using the Hella 5.75 conversion lamps as stated above so I don't "throw light everywhere". They are supposed to have a distinct cut off line.

Has anyone done the conversion on a car with a 4 headlight setup. 2 low's and 2 highs(most chevelles). I'm assuming that you treat each set as an individual conversion, so I would actually buy 2 HID conversion kits and 2 sets of relays (one for low beams and one for hi beams). Anyone done this specific conversion.

Also, regarding the relays, they seem to tie into the existing headlight plugs. None of the relays I've seen run back up into the dash to the headlight switch or the hi beam switch. Is that going to cause issues with the life of the switch or is the higher voltage isolated to the eveything after the ballists. do the heatlight switches see the higher voltage.

[dipren443]

You will still wire to your headlight switch. It will be just that though, a switch. The power will come from the relay.

Here is a pic that should help.

[Fultz1275]

So what do most guys use as the switch. A toggle switch on the dash? I assume you could leave the switch on all the time but still use the headlight switch to turn the lights on and off.

[dipren443]

Not sure what you are asking. If you wire it right, you use your stock switch. The relay is always hot and gets separate power from the battery. The switch in the diagram can in fact be your factory headlight switch, not a separate one.

Using the 87 relays, you will have a separate relay for the lows and a separate for the highs. This is where you need to do some digging through factory wiring diagrams and determine which pins on the stick switch turn on the highs and lows. You just tap into those and wire them to the 86 terminal.

[rickpaw]

Darknova...i'm using the Hella 5.75 conversion lamps as stated above so I don't "throw light everywhere". They are supposed to have a distinct cut off line.

Yes, but it's for a "regular" halogen lamps. I'm no HID expert (never installed one) but I understand that you have to get a housing with reflector that's designed for HID. We have "ricers" in our area, and the HID headlights from their cars, whether it's real or fake, still blind oncoming traffic.

[724tim]

I have the H4 conversion right now and about to install the HID set up on just my low beams I was told not to use them for the High due too the fact that you have to wait till they warm up and that with just the low beams alone (HID) you will have more than enough light and if for some reason you need your high beams you still have your H4 replacement style.
Here is the link to the kit that I am using around $95.00 for the HID low beam , relay and shipping.
http://www.hidny.com/product.sc?prod...&categoryId=-1
http://www.hidny.com/main.sc

[dipren443]

I suggest you all do some reading here:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=67255

Drop in HID kits into a fluted glass lens are really just junk. They may 'seem' brighter because of the color temperature, but it is all an illusion.

If you must have HID's, GRNOVA nailed it. You need a proper projector, mounted in a housing with a clear lens (the projector determines the cutoff).

[Fultz1275]

724TIM, Good to hear. Please report back when you get them installed. Would like to know if it is really a Plug-n-play system. Also what headlamps are you going to use with the H4 setup.

[Fultz1275]

DIPREN443,

I guess what I'm trying to understand is if you need any attitional "relay"/protection for the factory headlight switch located in the dash. in the factory harness you have power going to the light switch. However all of the kits seem to have a relay harness that runs from the battery to the ballist and then the factory headlight plug gets plugged into the HID harness that has a plug pined for an H4 bulb when then plugs into the Headlamp. So from what I can tell, you are using the factory harness, headlight switch to turn the headlight on and off just like you would with the original setup, but I don't understand if, with HID setup, that the factory harness(ie wiring to the factory light swith on the dash is going to see higher voltages from the HID harness. My assumption is that the HID relay that comes in these kits is carrying more of the direct voltage to the ballists and the factory headlight switch which gets it's power from the factory harness just see normal "standard" voltage that it always would.

I know what I'm trying to say, but its hard to convey in print. Basically do I have to put any Relay/switch inside the passager compartment to protect the headlight switch from overheating, or is everything done just in the front headlight harness area where the headlights are mounted.

[724tim]

724TIM, Good to hear. Please report back when you get them installed. Would like to know if it is really a Plug-n-play system. Also what headlamps are you going to use with the H4 setup.

It's been a while since I've done the H4 conversion but I think these were the ones I used.http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IP...7003/?rtype=10 with my low beams on I can see pretty good but with my high beams on all 4 lights on at once I can see great.

[Mudweizer]

You will still wire to your headlight switch. It will be just that though, a switch. The power will come from the relay.

Here is a pic that should help.

What size fuse do you recommend before terminal 30? If you are installing 2 relays for high and low beams would you use the same fuse or separate ones?