Plug n Play HID Upgrade
Plug n Play HID Upgrade
Ok there are a million threads on fancy retrofits and how plug and play kits dont work all that great because of the scattered beam pattern. I tried to read most of them. After months of driving around in with the stock inadequate lights, frequently switchin on the highs on certain streets just to see things, Im going resort to spending money on a plug and play kit. The plug n play option is obviously inferior to retrofitting but I dont wanna hack anything open and Im not very good at fabricating things. Therefore, Im goin with plug and play.
So, how bad is plug and play. Is it a much bigger improvment over stock thats worth the money? Can u guys post pics of plug play conversions on the SC? I have this kit in mind. What do u guys think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
So, how bad is plug and play. Is it a much bigger improvment over stock thats worth the money? Can u guys post pics of plug play conversions on the SC? I have this kit in mind. What do u guys think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
the plug and play kit helps A WHOLE LOT!! I put them in and got almost 100% better vision at night. The glare and everything isnt that bad since our cars come with projectors and not reflector housings. Therefore the d2s bulbs wont put off to much glare to other drivers and the cutoff really isnt that bad.
Sorry dont have any pics, but a plug and play is is def the way to go if you want HID's and are too lazy to do a retrofit.
as far as the kit you chose on ebay, i really dont know about those. But always remember when it comes to HID's you cant go wrong with phillips.
Sorry dont have any pics, but a plug and play is is def the way to go if you want HID's and are too lazy to do a retrofit.
as far as the kit you chose on ebay, i really dont know about those. But always remember when it comes to HID's you cant go wrong with phillips.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I have a plug and play kit that I have used for over 4 years in 2 different SCs. They help considerably with light output and nighttime visablility. I recently had two NEW headlight fixtures put in and I now get the same light output as a retrofit would product. The new headlight housings and projectors use a much clearer lense.
Check out my thread Link
Check out my thread Link
I dont mind retrofitting unless a Socal member is willing to help me out. Any takers?I dont wanna waste money and then screw it all up. Ok so does that kit sound good? Hella with Osram and Phillips doesnt sound too bad. Phillips kit is obviously the best but 500 is too much
Trending Topics
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by xknowonex
I dont mind retrofitting unless a Socal member is willing to help me out. Any takers?I dont wanna waste money and then screw it all up. Ok so does that kit sound good? Hella with Osram and Phillips doesnt sound too bad. Phillips kit is obviously the best but 500 is too much
Dude your signature is disturbing to me. Before doing this mod I would spend the money on maintenance. Can't enjoy headlights if your car breaks down.
On the other hand, Xenons look so Cool and will add safety to your driving... I'm torn
Anyhow, back on topic..
The kit is purfect. Don't get anything over 6000k bulbs so you don't looked "riced out"....
You might actually find someone who is willing to assist in the retro..... Don't want me helping.. I'll screw it all up
Then you will have light output like this 
Last edited by IronCobra; Jul 21, 2005 at 05:33 PM.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
My signature is kind of an overstatement. My car is a one owner and its running real good actually. It needs front end bushings. Engine wise, it has a new timing belt and radiator. However, the owner skipped the cam n crank seals AND the waterpump. 
The safety of brighter headlights, considerin how dim stocks are, justifies the upgrade, its not just for aesthetics.
The safety of brighter headlights, considerin how dim stocks are, justifies the upgrade, its not just for aesthetics.
Plug n Play HID kits will be nowhere near the quality and output of a retrofit with correct projectors. However, they are still way better than the stocks. Mine are much brighter and last longer than the Sylvania 9005 conversion bulbs (which for were going out every 10-12 months or so). I say go for it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I would have to say that my new OEM headlights are just as bright as a retrofit. I pulled up next to a new E500 Mercedes with HIDs and you could not tell the difference in brightness. My car actually created that "eclipsing" effect over his headlights when I was passing him. It was awesome.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: NY
most kits will produce the HID "bright light" you're looking for. where the kits will differ is the quality of the ballast and more importantly the bulbs. The quality of ballasts will be apparent if and when they burn out quickly. otherwise most if not all will do what they're supposed to do, provide juice to fire up the bulbs. The same with the bulbs, they will throw a ton of "white" light onto the road, huge improvement over halogens. Quality will depend on true light output, lifespan and most important the alignment of the bulb in the housing. If you have projectors, like I have on my 05' GX beware, because I actually believe I have less light output than my halogens because the "crap" bulbs I got (rebased H11) are not aligned properly for my projectors and the result is a dimmed light pattern. My kit is a comprised of Hella gen4 ballast and some 5500k bulbs that were made in korea, trying to find some quality bulbs to replace those.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
louiegs400
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
Aug 30, 2008 02:43 PM