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98 ES300 hid mod

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Old Feb 19, 2003 | 05:24 PM
  #1  
cheapsk8's Avatar
cheapsk8
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From: pa
Question 98 ES300 hid mod

Hello Everyone!

I want to Install HID's on my 98 ES 300 and have a few questions

Were HID's an option on 2000's? (Kelly Blue Book review page says yes, my dealer said no.

If not, could I take the projector-halogen assy. from a 2000 and install an HID system and get a good result?

Or should I keep my current reflector-halogen housings and install a D2R system?

What's better, projector or reflecting?

What do you guys do about high beams? would I have to get a Bi-xenon system from an Audi,BMW, or Merc and retrofit them to the 2000 assemblies?

How important is the auto-leveling system and could one be installed into this vehicle?

I have a connection to a fairly extensive salvage yard, so I would
like to use as many factory parts as possible.

thanks for any help!!
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Old Feb 19, 2003 | 08:57 PM
  #2  
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squarehat
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HID lights were a somewhat rare, but available option on the 2000 and 2001 ES. If you know what to look for, you can tell which ones are halogen and which are HID even when the lights are off. Check out the pics I've posted in this thread of two 00-01 ES, it will show you how to tell the difference in the shape of the reflectors.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...HID+2000+ES300

On cars that use separate bulbs for the high and low beams, the high beams remain halogen (still the best option for bulbs that need to be turned on and off rapidly, HID's take time to warm up and don't like to be restruck while hot.) Bi-Xenon systems use one bulb with a moveable cutoff, and usually still have a separate halogen bulb for flash-to-pass.

Lack of auto-leveling shouldn't be a huge concern, as long as the lights have been aimed properly.

Last edited by squarehat; Feb 19, 2003 at 09:03 PM.
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Old Feb 23, 2003 | 03:51 PM
  #3  
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cheapsk8
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From: pa
Smile

thanx for the info!

but if i can't find an oem assembly, which would be a better conversion, hid bulbs in my factory non-hid reflector style, or hid in a 2000 projector type?
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Old Feb 23, 2003 | 08:52 PM
  #4  
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tiguy99
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From: Chicago, IL
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the easiest for you to do would be the HID conversion Kit with factory headlamps. Its been done before and look prettey nice. Actually, this link may help you out.
Mike

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ight=HID+ES300

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...5&pagenumber=2

Last edited by tiguy99; Feb 23, 2003 at 08:59 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2003 | 08:17 PM
  #5  
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cheapsk8
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From: pa
Thumbs up

thanx TY!

i'll post some pix when i get it installed

-chris
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Old Feb 25, 2003 | 10:44 PM
  #6  
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tiguy99
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From: Chicago, IL
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Anytime for you partner. I just tested my system tonight. I have a set of HID projectors, bulbs, ballasts and relay just dying to be installed. Everything works and in fact, I took some pics of my testing. Keep us posted on your project and I'll do the same for you. In my pics, my crazy Digi-cam keep taking random pics with the flash so some of my shots aren't accurate. In the pics, it looks as if my lights are yellow. Acutally, they're nothing of the sort. Digital cameras are funny devices (well at least this one). The beam you'll see is actually VERRRRY white in real life. These bulbs are new and haven't experienced the color shift phenomenon. You'll see exactly what I'm talking about when you get your kit. At first the bulbs kick off in a throw-back North Carolina baby blue fashion and then they hit that super white zone everybody keeps talking about. See for yourself

T







Last edited by tiguy99; Feb 25, 2003 at 10:46 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2003 | 03:41 PM
  #7  
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cheapsk8
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From: pa
Exclamation

hey ti, my computer won't connect to these links do you have them posted anywhere else????

c
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