HID Headlight Conversion - Done!!
 

Last night I completed the final step to converting my headlights and fog lights to HID. Let me just say that if you've been considering this modification and you're on the fence about whether it's worth the cost or not...

IT IS!! The light output is tremendously bright and a HUGE improvement over the stock lamps.

I won't provide a detailed "how to" because there are plenty of those out there. For my installation I read THIS article written by a guy who installed the same kit I did on his 4th Gen Ram. He covers everything you need to know. Overall, it's a pretty easy installation. The hardest part is trying to decide how you want to run your wires and where you want to install your ballasts. I installed mine behind the headlight housing.

I bought the 55W Digital HID Kits in 5000K from Retro Solutions and I really couldn't be happier with them. Their customer service was top notch from beginning to end. I had some questions before buying that they answered in great detail and they helped me identify exactly what I needed for my truck. When two of the bulbs didn't match they promptly shipped me two replacements and apologized for the inconvenience.

Unfortunately I didn't take before and after photos, but I think the pics below will pretty much speak for themselves.

Low beams & Fog Lights:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps06f4a0df.jpg

Low Beams, Fog Lights and Rigid E Series 30" LED Light Bar:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...psffe06841.jpg

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...psce14b4cf.jpg

Low Beams Only:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa42d691e.jpg

Low Beams & Fogs:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps731a5825.jpg

Low Beams, Fogs & High Beams:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...psc9ea40a1.jpg

Low Beams, High Beams, Fogs & Rigid Light Bar:

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7588439f.jpg

To give you some idea of how bright the HID lights really are, there used to be a night and day difference when I turned on the light bar. Compared to the factory lamps it was like turning on the sun (even with the high beams on). Now, with the high beams on, the LED light bar is hardly noticeable.

This is a mod that I highly recommend. Especially if you're in an area where you have to drive dark roads with a high probability of introducing your grill to a deer.

No installation pic? How hard is it to install?

If you follow the link I posted above you can see plenty of installation pics. I didn't want to reinvent the wheel when that guy already did such a good write up on it.

The install was pretty easy. As I said, the hardest part was deciding how to run the wires and where to mount the ballasts. I probably made that harder than it had to be simply because I'm picky. It's a relatively easy project though. It took me 2-3 hours since I was slowly working through everything, but if I had to do it again I could knock it out in an hour.

In a nutshell you have to do the following:

1) Remove grille.
2) Pull out headlights.
3) Modify housing to accept HID wiring (consists of drilling four 1" holes if you're doing high and low beams).
4) Remove old bulbs.
5) Install new bulbs.
6) Run wires and mount ballasts.
7) Make final connections.
8) Button everything back up.

Sorry about that Hoss I should have read your post not just looked at the pic!! They look great

Thanks! I had to aim them down a bit since taking those pics. It seems some of my fellow drivers thought they were too bright. Either that or they were flashing me just to tell me how great they look.

That looks great and these new bulbs look way more consistent than the first bulbs.
I ended up tilting my LED light bar upwards a bit (on my work truck) so it really lights up the distance off-road. DEFINITELY not usable on the road now, but I can't get them to buy me 5 or 6 more lights to aim everywhere!

Yeah, the LED bars are insanely bright. If you make the mistake of looking into one you'll be seeing white bars in your eyes for 10 minutes. I was impressed enough with the Rigid 30" on the front that I bought a 10" to face rearward and serve as a backup/cargo/task light. I haven't installed it yet. Probably this weekend.

How do you like the rigid products? I have been looking at them.

Mike

I haven't had either of my light bars very long, but so far I've been impressed with them. I do wish the "combo" light bars had more
Flood to them and less spot, but that's just personal preference.