Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't ALL of the GS (3/4/43) headlight's identical? Barring different light bulbs (halogen vs. HID)?

Thanks in advance for your input..

 

No. My 98 GS400 had halogen head lights. HIDs were an option.

I know HIDs are standard on the 01 GS430s but not sure when they became standard or what comes on GS 300s.

 

I think MrHorse means that are all GS headlights same? except for the fact that some are halogen and some have the HID system.

Yes the shape and setup of each system is the same, but the ones with HID have more than just a bulb's difference. (transformers, auto-leveling, etc)

 

Oops.

 

The reason that I'm asking is that I need a replacement headlight assembly, and just don't know whether it will be the same as my HID setup. If the whole structure is the same, except for the electronics (bulbs, transformers, etc), then I'm all set.

 

i have the replacment of the factory HID for a 2000 gs400 (right hand side only). I was involved in a fender bender where the left one was cracked slightly but they replaced both and gave me the extra light. Would love to unload it.

Mike

 

Email me directly and we'll take it offline.. albertbryndza@hotmail.com - THANKS!

 

From what I understand, the HID headlight assembly has a different reflective pattern than the non-HID, so it would be noticeable if you just bought any type without checking it first for compatibility.

 

Actually MrHorse, there is more than just a "bulb" difference between HID and halogen. In the HID system the voltage is pulsed through the gas in the HID bulb at a higher voltage, the frequency is high enough that you can see it pulsing. There is a device called a "bridge rectifier" in the system to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage. As mentioned before, the reflector is different and auto-leveling was required by the gov't. The auto-leveling is an internal motorized housing assembly. I thought that the factory charging $500 was a steal. Most of the "true" conversions run around $1300.

My .02

 

Thanks for the info guys.. I'm going to check for the part number and the "refractive pattern" difference. I hope there isn't any.

I do understand that there's more to HID than just the bulb. The electronics involved, as Jazziz mentioned, are different. I'm just referring to the light housing, the glass, the two lights essentially, not the bulbs/electronics that drive the HID beam..