HID Headlights

ShadyJC · 09-08-04, 10:45 PM

Hi everyone, I have an 01 LX470 and was wondering how many of you had changed out the stock headlamps for brighter HIDs. I was looking at the PIAA 9000 Xtreme White Plus models (4K brightness).

Has anyone had any experience with this particular product? Any other suggestions? I wouldn't mind going brighter if possible.

roberttran · 09-09-04, 01:58 PM

Those PIAA bulbs aren't real HID. Real HID kits are illegal and they have their own ballast (ignitor) that you have to install. Of course if you get a good HID kit and properly install them, the cops shouldn't give you any trouble.

I installed Sylvania Silverstars into my car and the light is much whiter and brighter. I may go the HID route eventually though.

-Robert

ShadyJC · 09-11-04, 05:16 PM

Gotcha on the HIDs requiring an ignitor as well. Do you know how bright the Sylvanias you put in are?

roberttran · 09-11-04, 05:19 PM

On their website it says the H1 bulbs are 4110 +/- 210 lumens

-Robert

ShadyJC · 09-20-04, 03:08 PM

Robert, the Sylvanias look like a good option and very reasonably priced. One more question - did you replace the lights yourself? To be clear, if I wanted to replace both the low and high beams, esp on the driver side you have to remove the battery to get to the assembly? Anything else in the way? Then it just looks like twist and remove?

Thanks,
JC

ozlx470 · 09-20-04, 06:58 PM

Well, you could just order the parts from Lexus Australia. HIDs are standard fit here.

ShadyJC · 09-21-04, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the idea, I don't want to deal with retrofitting a HID kit into my 01 (uses halogen lights, not HID). I think the brighter halogens will be ok and potentially simpler to install, just have to pop in the new bulbs.

roberttran · 09-21-04, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ShadyJC
Robert, the Sylvanias look like a good option and very reasonably priced. One more question - did you replace the lights yourself? To be clear, if I wanted to replace both the low and high beams, esp on the driver side you have to remove the battery to get to the assembly? Anything else in the way? Then it just looks like twist and remove?

Thanks,
JC

For the left side you can just loosen the battery and move it out of the way, but I am the type that loves to take everything apart. Taking the assembly out added alot of time since I had to figure out how they came out. I took out the left lamp assembly to install the new bulbs. The right side is much easier.
For any of the bulbs, youll just need access to behind the assembly, twist the cover to pop it off, unplug 1 connect from the bulb, and release the metal tabs that hold the bulb in. Just slap in the new bulb and put everything back together.
As for the high beams, I havn't dont those yet, but I think the high beams are easier due to their connector.

Here are some pics from my moblog when I changed out the bulbs:
http://1337haxor.textamerica.com/?r=617366
http://1337haxor.textamerica.com/?r=617374
http://1337haxor.textamerica.com/?r=617402

-Robert

edit: There is a good deal over at bimmerforums: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=245757
They are osram bulbs, but I think sylvania and osram are the same company. Correct me if I'm wrong.

ShadyJC · 09-23-04, 12:17 AM

Awesome, thanks!

I just ordered the Sylvania low-beams (H1ST) and fogs (H3ST), $54 for 4 bulbs shipped. If anyone else is interested PM me and I will give you the website I ordered them from.

jassurafs · 09-23-04, 05:53 PM

I would be interested.........
Also, are these bulbs compatiable with 1999 RX300?

ShadyJC · 09-25-04, 11:57 PM

Re the 99 RX300, these exact ones no but you can easily get ones that are equivalent.

The LX470 with halogen bulbs (like my 2001) uses H1 for low, H3 for fogs and 9005s for high beams. I'm going to replace my lows and fogs, since that's the lighting configuration I use the most.

Your RX uses 9006 for lows and fogs and 9005 for high beams. To get the equivalent Sylvania Silverstar upgrade you'd buy 9006ST and 9005ST parts for whichever bulbs you want to replace.

By the way, the guy I bought my bulbs from rocks... ordered them on Thursday evening and paid with Paypal, they arrived in my mailbox today (Saturday). If I have time tomorrow I will put them in and take before and after pictures. If you're interested contact him through ebay, he is " j-lee_global" .