SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)

Switch Headlight Bulbs?

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Old 12-11-14, 08:57 AM
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JPJJPJ
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Default Switch Headlight Bulbs?

Headlight bulbs. Daylight driving lights Fogs
Has anyone had experience with switching out OEM to high intensity
blue light et al. I am a little nervous as to electrical system but find
the new lights more efficient with distance/brightness.
Old 12-11-14, 08:57 AM
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JPJJPJ
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Sorry 93 SC400
Old 12-12-14, 06:51 AM
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jpw
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I put HID Xenon bulbs in my 92 SC400 about 4 years ago and they're doing great.. I just replaced one of the bulbs recently. There are tons of posts here about them. I bought mine straight from china from a place called VVME after I saw a review of them from Motorcycle Consumer News but there are a lot more choices out there now.

I got the 4300K's since I wanted a 'real' white color and not that ricer-blue effect.

re: the electrical , make sure you get a relay with the kit you buy. So basically the headlight connector (one of them , don't need both) connects to the Relay. The relay is connected to the battery (or if you have a custom connector block that's connected to the battery and ground) , then the power to the ballast, which starts the lighting of the bulbs, is supplied from the battery, not the headlight connector.

Another thing to watch out for is turning your lights off. I'm not sure how your model works, but if I shut down my car w/my light switch on, the headlights go out. When you restart, the headlights go back on.

If you install HID's, you have to make sure you switch your lights off before you start the car. If you don't , the HID lights will flicker On-off-on while you're cranking/starting the car. This doesn't necessarily kill the bulbs or the ballast, but it's just not good for it's long term life.

Believe me my wife and I have forgotten this many times and the worst thing that's happened is that one of the lights doesn't come on - I then just turn them off, wait a few seconds, then turn back on and both come on.

You will probably hear from the "Light beam ****'s" here about plopping in an HID into a non-projector beam light, but we get an awesome pattern and the light is just amazing compared to those old, crappy, halogen lights which usually only last about a year...

From what I've seen, all of the connectors are standard , i.e. I just bought 2 9006 HID bulbs only from some random place on Amazon and they fit right into my kit so finding replacement bulbs is no problemo at all...
Old 12-12-14, 08:41 PM
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SC400Zulu
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Are the fogs and high beams the same type of connections?

Basically, do I use the same kit for all the lights in my 1998 SC400?
Old 12-12-14, 09:27 PM
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eknine9
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Originally Posted by SC400Zulu
Are the fogs and high beams the same type of connections?

Basically, do I use the same kit for all the lights in my 1998 SC400?
No, they are different bulb types. I don't remember which sizes, but you can find the bulb sizes on google pretty quickly.
Old 12-13-14, 06:19 AM
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jpw
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on this site http://www.modifiedlife.com/1998-lex...-size-diagram/

I found this:

1998 Lexus SC400 Car Light Bulb Size Diagram
Low Beam Headlamp Light Bulb Size: 9006 or 9006 HID Upgrade Kit
High Beam Headlamp Light Bulb Size: 9005 or 9005 HID Upgrade Kit
Parking Light Bulb Size: 2825
Front Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 1157A
Rear Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 7440
Tail Light Bulb Size: 2825 or 7443
Stop Light Bulb Size: 7443
High Mount Stop Light Bulb Size: 921
Fog/Driving Light Bulb Size: H3 or H3 HID Upgrade Kit
License Plate Light Bulb Size: 2825
Back Up Light Bulb Size: 7440
Front Sidemarker Light Bulb Size: 194
Rear Sidemarker Light Bulb Size: 2825
Glove Box Light Bulb Size: 37
Dome Light Bulb Size: DE3175
Step/Courtesy Light Bulb Size: 2825 or 37
Trunk/Cargo Area Light Bulb Size: 194
Instrument-General Light Bulb Size: 194
Old 12-13-14, 06:41 AM
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JPJJPJ
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Many thanks, this will let me proceed without setting my car on fire, I hope.

JP
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