Re: HID Conversions?

From: Michael Maskalans (dml@tepidcola.com)
Date: Mon Mar 13 2006 - 13:51:35 EST


On Sun, 12 Mar 2006, Dan Jones wrote:

>
> Hey all, lookin to see if anyone has any info about converting the
> Dakota's headlights to something brighter like HID's. I've been see'in the
> light kits that have the bulbs and harness's/equipment together, any
> reviews on those? As well as any new light housings for these? After
> searching through the archives it looked like someone was working on
> manufacturing some headlight housings for them? That post was a couple
> years old. Any info/sites for this would be appreciated!

DO NOT put HID lights in refector housings that were not designed for
them. HIDs are like a flourecant bulb - the whole thing lights up. The
reflector housings are designed to focus light from a single point, the
glowing filiment, which is at a fixed position in the housing (the
distance from the base to the filiment is part of the bulb spec).

putting HIDs in a reflector housing puts all sorts of light where it
doesn't belong, blinding oncoming and followed traffic.

As far as I know there are two housings availible for the Dakota, the
stock reflector housing and the crystal clear housing that came on the
market about 18 months or 2 years ago.

If you want to run HIDs, make some custom projector housings and do it
right. Maybe someday I will but I doubt it... With as tall as I am the
headlights put out great light, and if I'm unhappy I'll just re-aim the
auxillary lights.

--
  +-- Mike Maskalans ---------------- Rochester, NY ----------+
  | '98 Dakota CC, SAS on 40s  '84 RamCharger 4x4, plow truck |
  | '02 Jetta TDI 5sp, daily   '97 Intrepid, not on the road  |
  +-------------------- <http://mike.tepidcola.com/trucks/> --+

. . .------------------------------------------------------------------. | Make your plans NOW to attend the National DML Meet in Colorado! | | Date: July 15-23, 2006 - More info: http://meet.dakota-truck.net | `------------------------------------------------------------------'



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