HID? Help me!

[Nitrofreak]

I just completed the 4 hi mod in my truck as well as installing a set of PIAA fogs. The fogs are disappointing to say the least they spread and fill the ditch nice buy only like 20ft out from the truck. So naturally I want to try retro fitting HID's into them.

Does anyone know how much longer the H3 HID bulbs are? Since they have the little caps over the bulbs. And do I want 35W or 55W HID's? Will the 55W make too much heat in the small 6" round housing? Let me kkow your experiences with HID's!!!

 

[Mean Green]

The fog light them selves are what give the short and wide beam pattern your seeing, with that being said HID's will definitely give a big boost in light output! I can snap a picture for you tomorrow to compare the difference between a H3 HID bulb and a H3 Halogen bulb. What model PIAA fog do you have? If you plan on using the fog lights when you have your low beams on, I would recommend using a 35W instead of a 55W. Being that they are 6" in diameter, you shouldn't have a problem with depth (unless the housings are very shallow).

Are you wanting to increase your down road vision or your foreground vision? A fog light beam pattern will always be short and wide, where as a Driving/Pencil beam pattern will be very long and narrow. I have 35W 5000K HID's in my High beam, low beams, and driving lights. I can easily see about a mile down road with this set up, and is VERY nice for safely lighting up the dark rural roads!

 

[Nitrofreak]

I understand the beam pattern. And I realize they wont do much for reaching out. But the actual brightness of them is lame. I don't know what PIAA's I have. Something in their 510 ish series. I know it's an H3 bulb (all their fogs appear to be) and they are clear lenses not yellow. I got them from a buddy for 50$. I think they will be good. But they need to be brighter I will run them as off road auxiliary only. Independent Of my headlights on a separate switch and relay. ( only when flying down logging roads at warp speed)

 

[JJZ71]

Nitrofreak - Stick with Mean Green and you will be all set. Boy knows all when it comes to lights.

 

[Nitrofreak]

So how much longer are the HID bulbs? Someone has to know! I really don't want to buy a set and find out they don't fit.

 

[orangeastre]

I have a pair of H3 HID bulbs in stock @ my shop.I will measure them for you this afternoon.

 

[Mean Green]

I measured the two H3 bulbs for you earlier today, the standard 100W H3 Halogen bulb measures 1.25" and the HID H3 bulb measures 1.5". So there is a .5" differance between the two. I can upload a picture for you if that would help more!

 

[Nitrofreak]

Yes please. Wil helP give me an idea what I'm dealing with. If there isn't clearance I mayb need to make it also what are the pros/cons of a 55W versus 35W kit?

 

[Mean Green]

I'll have a few pictures up in a few minutes for you!

 

[Mean Green]

Okay here are some pictures for you, hopefully this will help you some!


100W H3 Halogen Bulb (Measures 1.25" from base to tip)

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35W H3 HID Bulb (Measures 1.5" from base to tip)

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Side by side comparision of the two

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Here's a pic of my highs, lows and driving lights, 35W 5000K HID's installed in all of them (Makes it look like daylight when on high beams

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