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HID Conversion.. What do ya think?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
HID Conversion.. What do ya think?
I finally got sick of the crappy sealed beam headlights on the XJ and looked into HID lighting and ending up getting all the parts for the conversion for just under $65!
You need H4 headlights which allows you to ditch the sealed beams and use your own bulbs in the headlight. I picked up a pair on ebay for $26. Just doing the H4 headlight conversion alone will be a great improvement over the sealed beam headlights. But for the extra $37 why not go with HID lighting ? So since the new headlights require an H4 type bulb, you need to purchase an H4 HID kit which includes bulbs, ballasts, and wiring for both lights. Like i said this part of the conversion was $37, and was purchased on ebay as well. You can choose from 5 or 6 different color temperatures. The only 2 that i assume are legal are the 6000k (white) and 8000k (light blue). I went with the 8000k. Once you get above 8000k you get the deep blues and purples, which probably aren't legal.
The best part of the install is it's all plug and play! You plug into the factory headlight plug which plugs into the ballast, then the new HID bulb runs off the ballast. Then, simply install the H4 HID bulb in the new headlight and you're done!
HID lighting over factory lighting in a XJ is a HUGE improvement. It also makes the XJ look pretty mean at night.
Here's a few pics. I'll try and get a few more up soon.
You need H4 headlights which allows you to ditch the sealed beams and use your own bulbs in the headlight. I picked up a pair on ebay for $26. Just doing the H4 headlight conversion alone will be a great improvement over the sealed beam headlights. But for the extra $37 why not go with HID lighting ? So since the new headlights require an H4 type bulb, you need to purchase an H4 HID kit which includes bulbs, ballasts, and wiring for both lights. Like i said this part of the conversion was $37, and was purchased on ebay as well. You can choose from 5 or 6 different color temperatures. The only 2 that i assume are legal are the 6000k (white) and 8000k (light blue). I went with the 8000k. Once you get above 8000k you get the deep blues and purples, which probably aren't legal.
The best part of the install is it's all plug and play! You plug into the factory headlight plug which plugs into the ballast, then the new HID bulb runs off the ballast. Then, simply install the H4 HID bulb in the new headlight and you're done!
HID lighting over factory lighting in a XJ is a HUGE improvement. It also makes the XJ look pretty mean at night.
Here's a few pics. I'll try and get a few more up soon.
#3
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#4
when i first put my h.i.d.s on, a cop pulled right out in front of me and when i stoped behid him at a redlight it lit up the whole inside of the car, he pulled me over.....
#5
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I have passed probably 5 cops since I've had them and haven't had any trouble yet. After doing more research, i learned that projector headlights are recommended with the use of HIDs. If anybody does the conversion with projectors, i would be really interested in the results.
#7
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#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange, FL
Year: 1993, 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
I have passed probably 5 cops since I've had them and haven't had any trouble yet. After doing more research, i learned that projector headlights are recommended with the use of HIDs. If anybody does the conversion with projectors, i would be really interested in the results.
Let me see if I can find it.
EDIT:
Ok, found these. Pegasus projector headlights, easiest and quickest way to go. You won't have highbeams with these, just awesome HID goodness lowbeams. But then, you don't have highbeams now, do you? Maybe wire the highbeam circuit to some driving lights.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/lig...hid-way-41742/ has an install writeup for them.
If you want to get crazy you can do a Bi-Xenon Retrofit. Probably excessive, though. HID Lows are usually better than regular highbeams anyway, I never used the high-beam on my BMW and rarely use it on my GSXR.
Last edited by CodeXJ; 08-18-2010 at 10:25 PM.
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
You can buy projector headlights that fit all day long on ebay for the same price... I just didn't know projectors were recommended when i did the conversion. And mine ran a helluva lot cheaper than his.
Last edited by The91XJ; 08-18-2010 at 10:32 PM.
#10
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, Ky.
Year: 1999 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the great info! Had been wanting to upgrade my lights as well but had the same issue as mentioned in earlier posts... blinding everyone. Gona do mine over the weekend and will try to post some pics when finished.
#11
( the91xj) i knew when i was geting in to HIDs i wanted to do projectors.. where i live theres alot of people puting hids in stock lights... .. its really bad, i have night blineniess so i wanted to be better then that.. but for $63 it works for now i bet that wood really light up off road..
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/ligh...hid-way-41742/
this is my set up that i did ( $290 of hid win ) yes they are low beams.. but its 8345676577 % better then stock lights.. i think with the projectors and hid fogs = BOSS.. ive had these sines feb. snow, dark nights, mud, rain, ponds... they been good to me. sines you have hids already you can just buy projectors and stick YOUR hids in them... save some money.. ( thanks codexj for the link )
(edit, all theses pics are JUST the hids no fogs)
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/ligh...hid-way-41742/
this is my set up that i did ( $290 of hid win ) yes they are low beams.. but its 8345676577 % better then stock lights.. i think with the projectors and hid fogs = BOSS.. ive had these sines feb. snow, dark nights, mud, rain, ponds... they been good to me. sines you have hids already you can just buy projectors and stick YOUR hids in them... save some money.. ( thanks codexj for the link )
(edit, all theses pics are JUST the hids no fogs)
Last edited by aj6; 08-19-2010 at 11:55 AM.
#12
Honorary Moderator
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 15
From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
Just so you all know it is indeed ILLEGAL to put just HIDs in without a projector housing! it is like a $500 if they enforce it (which most cops dont....) getting the MR2 projector light housing like posted above is a really good idea. Great product too!
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Yes i am aware they are illegal, but i will continue to rock them until i get pulled over. Then I'll switch to the projector housing. $290 of HID win? Haha sounds like a loss to me. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...Q5fAccessories
I could have done the same for $65. The ones you have are probably a little better quality, but thats a big chunk of change for the small difference it may make.
I could have done the same for $65. The ones you have are probably a little better quality, but thats a big chunk of change for the small difference it may make.
Last edited by The91XJ; 08-19-2010 at 02:06 PM.
#14
could have done the same for $65. The ones you have are probably a little better quality, but thats a big chunk of change for the small difference it may make.
ive seen thos hids befor and they look like projectors but they dont perfom like them.. i spent 290 cuz i didnt have bulbs.. im not trying to knock but i told you can just buy the HOUSEINGS sines you have bulbs already..
trying to help
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange, FL
Year: 1993, 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
HIDs actually work better in projectors anyway, the standard reflectors don't really focus the beam very well. A lot of the light that a projector would, well, 'project' forward ends up going into the sky, ground, pretty much everywhere but where you want it.