Led/Hid retrofit review from V-LEDS.com in my 00 GS300 (lots of pictures)

jacksonvp · 12-08-08, 09:29 PM

Part numbers/close ups on PAGE 4

Hey guys,

I am almost nearing completion on my LED/HID retrofit and I just wanted to post up some shots to let you know what our options are for proper lighting in a GS. I went out a few nights ago to snap some shots of the lights in action; I've done every light in/out of the car except for the glove box (soon

). I bought all my lights from http://www.V-LEDS.com/ because a few of my buddies had used their HID kits with great success and they had the biggest selection of quality LED's that I could find. For me it was more than just finding an LED with the right connector, I wanted to make sure that it would make use of the OEM reflector, transparent cover and actually improve visibility, not just make a white/blue light that glares in my eyes.

Here's are some shots with the doors open and the "ceiling" lights on. Everything was direct plug and play except for the foot well lights, there I wired up a 194 blade style 4-Led because the factory light was just too small to fit anything proper in (in my opinion). The dome/map light combo could fit a 48 LED board or something of that nature; but looking at the factory lens design I didn't want a visible outline of an LED board. By putting a 30 Led direct replacement, it brought the board further back and allowed a soft, but still incredibly bright illumination.

The trunk was a lot easier for me, because I didn't have to worry about max illumination, I put a 48 LED board in for maximum brightness.

After doing the cabin of my car, I began to notice the outside lights were depressing in comparison, I did red taillights, which made my old filament bulbs look yellow/orange in comparison. For the center tails, I emailed a sales associate at V-LEDS.com and he recommended a bulb that hasn't even been listed yet but it expands to fill out the whole housing (close up shots soon!). I had already had my shop do a 15% tint on my windows and backing up at night was a pain in the ass. But the hi-powered backup lights allow me to finally see.

jspecdan · 12-08-08, 09:32 PM

i like the interior conversion. a little bright for me, i think it's just me. but looks cool nonetheless.

i personally won't be going HID in for my hi-beams since i barely use them.

but overall, i like what you've done.

jacksonvp · 12-08-08, 09:32 PM

There are a lot of different brands for HIDs out there, my friends had always used the V-Hid kits before, after installing so many of their V-LED's I decided that the company must have just as quality of HID kits. After looking at my buddies cars for comparison, I initially thought I wanted 5000k for optimal light output, but it ended up being a little to bland for me, 6000k blue attracted a little too much attention for me. But 6000k purple cast reminded me of an OE HID setup, kind of a classy/modern look in my opinion. So I picked 3 sets up. The fogs give excellent peripheral view with 15% tint on the front windows, I plan to do a retrofit in the distant future, but I have noticed massive improvement over previous nighttime driving. And I have not been flashed by oncoming traffic once which I was a little afraid of heading in. All that is left is to have a shop wire up a relay to keep the fogs on with the high beams.

Lo/Fog

Lo/Hi

Low

Low/Fog

Low/High

In Car shots, I can see for miles with the Hi-beams on.
Low Beam

High Beam

To match my 6000k headlights, I wanted a good city light setup. I have seen alot of front facing setups before, but I checked out the housing and figured out a back firing design would give a cleaner look, without a "hot spot" of light, and just a cooler, evenly exposed housing. So I have 4 Leds firing into the housing, and only at some angles can you even see the Led's themselves.

Anyways, I knew there were a bunch of people interested from previous mentions I have made. If anyone has any questions about the exact model from V-LEDS.com I used just shoot me a pm or make a post. I wanted to have a clean OEM style look with increased efficency, so it took a lot of research and looking to figured out what would work best with the OE light fixtures, but I think I came up with a good setup. If anyone wants any close up shots or fitment shots of what I've done let me know and I'll snap a quick picture.

Thanks!
-Jackson

AristoKing · 12-15-08, 06:44 PM

Anyways, I knew there were a bunch of people interested from previous mentions I have made. If anyone has any questions about the exact model from V-LEDS.com I used just shoot me a pm or make a post. I wanted to have a clean OEM style look with increased efficency, so it took a lot of research and looking to figured out what would work best with the OE light fixtures, but I think I came up with a good setup. If anyone wants any close up shots or fitment shots of what I've done let me know and I'll snap a quick picture.

Thanks!
-Jackson

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Those look nice... great job I love your black interior

i wish my interior was black

sUpErMaNGS · 12-08-08, 09:35 PM

OMG so nice!! which bulb do you need to get for the white highbeams im tired of my yellow/orange lgiht, and which bulb do you need for the parkinglights (the two lil inner headlights when you turn your headlights on is what im referring to)..

anyways NICE JOB again...very clean lookkk esp at nite =]

GS4_CS · 12-08-08, 09:57 PM

looks real good!

Mike813 · 12-08-08, 10:12 PM

you should post what style bulbs + quantity needed w/ price. for sure alot of us would be interested including myself! great job.

LOLthxKbye · 12-08-08, 11:07 PM

daang, make a DIY on those headlight's

Vincent123 · 12-08-08, 11:08 PM

holy crap. such a difference. mustve run you alot for that many bulbs

McKrevice · 12-08-08, 11:10 PM

holy cow that's pretty badass.

milky · 12-08-08, 11:23 PM

hmm, got a link for the 48 led board for the trunk and the backup light?

Does the 48 led board fit inside the housing?

muhbuhtuh · 12-08-08, 11:31 PM

damn the interior lighting is sick!

and the light output from your hi/low/fogs

good stuff man

GS3mike · 12-08-08, 11:34 PM

overkill, but none the less veryy niceeeeeeeeee

LEXUS_KID · 12-09-08, 07:49 AM

I like it

GS300Rich · 12-09-08, 08:54 AM

can you show which bulb you used for the courtesy lights in the doors and also the lights that are above the rear doors? Also which ones you used for the license plate lights