Best Lighting Combo?

[metalmechanic]

Im looking to improve my rather dismal lighting situation on my '05. Currently using crappy halogen headlights, and a run of the mill aftermarket set of driving lights.Im strongly leaning towards a hi/lo beam HID conversion for the headlights (with DRLs disabled). Question is, for the price, would high quality halogens be a better fit? Keeping in mind I am not changing the housings, so I might have the uneven light pattern issue to contend with if using HIDs.As for the driving lights, I'm debating on switching the bulbs to a more yellow tint to try and regain some of the usefullness as an actual FOG light, since I actually need fog lights more than driving lights. Also, if I choose to go with HID headlights, auxillary driving lights seem to be rather pointless. Kind of toying with the idea of using yellow LEDs in the driving lights, anyone else do this with any success (remembering that I am trying to achieve function over form here)?Any ideas/suggestions are greatly appreciated, meanwhile I'll continue researching. Thanks!

[06pvibe]

If driving a 2005 Vibe, don't you already have OE fogs?Trying to make driving lights work like fogs would be pointless. The pattern is all wrong and running them on low beams could easily blind oncoming drivers and pedestrians. No, I wouldn't recommend that at all.Same w/converting to HIDs w/o first installing projectors. You will get way too much light scatter. Others have done it and been disappointed with the results from the drivers seat and I'm sure the oncoming drivers didn't appreciate it either. And its illegal to do so in most places I know of. Its dangerous and should not be tried, imo.If you are set on converting, I suggest sending an IM to keithvibe here on this site. He has a cottage business adding projectors and converting std reflector lights to HIDs. In fact, he's got his own current set up up for sale. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=42772Only by adding projectors will you get a good usable pattern from HIDs.Also, aren't DRLs a legal requirement in Canada? I think somebody would notice.I know the first time I drove our Vibe at night, I too was surprised how bad the lighting was. I had expected more from those big round headlights.Here's what I did. Put in a good set of halogen H4's, Philips X-Tremes, and did the independent fog light mod. They are still switched in the cabin (defeatable) but never get turned off now... low or high beam. They do a good job of filling in what were dark spots in front of the car when on high beams, as well as supplementing the low beams too.

[keithvibe]

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!! How pitted are your housings? And how long has it been since you replaced your headlights?Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe » aren't DRLs a legal requirement in Canada? I think somebody would notice.Yes they are, but you'd have to find a cop willing to get off his rear and do some work... besides fish for speeders...

[metalmechanic]

thanks for the input all I did have OEM fogs when I bought the car, but one got taken out by a rock within weeks. I took the driving lights I had from my old ford explorer and put em on in place of the OEMs. And yes, I did get flashed a few times when they were on the Ford, but they sat much higher. I have em aimed fairly low, havent had any compliants on the Vibe.The headlight housings are in good shape, no pitting or scratches. Just lousy bulbs. I actually just found out about the Phillips bulbs, but they seem to be hard to find around here...anyone know of a place that carries them? Besides Ebay, I have found them on there.At the moment, I can't afford projectors, but Im in agreement that if Im going to go with HIDs, I should do it properly! Guess Ill wait on those....And finally...yes, DRLs are required here, but I doubt half the cars I see have legal lighting systems. Ive had them disabled on every vehicle Ive owned, never had a problem. But Im also smart enough to actually turn my lights on in any bad visibility situation.So, for now I think Ill try to find a set of the Phillips bulbs, and a decent set of proper fogs.Thanks again!

[metalmechanic]

Just checked out your lights, you do really nice work! If (when) I want to switch mine around, I know who Im gonna talk to

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by metalmechanic »thanks for the input all I did have OEM fogs when I bought the car, but one got taken out by a rock within weeks. First recommendation: OE fog replacements are not that expensive or hard to get... yes from eBay sellers, and they are not that bad for lighting either. Plus they fit right in. No modding necessary.Second recommendation: See the head/fog lights on my wife's Vibe there in my sig? That blue color is Lamin-X film, specifically designed for use as headlight, fog light and/or paint protection. It works VERY well as it is 20mils thick. The fogs are also VERY easy to install. Those headlights, well... I don't even want to talk about those. (They are doable, but a PITA.)And for those prudes (Keith) that don't like my blue, they are also available in yellow and clear, as well as smoked, but since you want BETTER light, don't even think of going there. And you are correct. The X-Tremes are getting easier than they used to be, but still hard to get. Be grateful you can get them from sellers on this continent now. I sent away to Lithuania for mine and waited 6 weeks for them to arrive.

[metalmechanic]

hmmm I didnt know such a product existed, something to look into!Ya, looking on ebay for the Phillips bulbs, the best deal going is from Estonia!

[vibenvy]

All the Farm & Fleets around here are currently running a sale on the X-Treme Powers. Regularly priced $39.99, on sale for $34.99. I was thinking of getting a pair, but I don't have the money right now and I would only be able to get them for the low beams, not the high beams or fog lights .I also agree that the independent fog light mod is a must. I did it to both our '09 GTs and with the brights plus the fog lights, I swear I can see a half a mile down the road and that's with regular old halogen bulbs.

[06pvibe]

WOW! Thank you!! And I mean that sincerely. It's not often I am agreed with 'round here.Since you already have done the indie fogs, get the X-Tremes for them (9006's?) It might be a good first step.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »WOW! Thank you!! And I mean that sincerely. It's not often I am agreed with 'round here.Since you already have done the indie fogs, get the X-Tremes for them (9006's?) It might be a good first step.Independent fog lights are probably one of the best, if not the best, mods I've done to our Vibes! Best of all... it was free !Unfortunately, the only X-tremes I could use in our '09 GTs is 9006s for the low beams. The X-tremes don't come in 9005 (high beams) or 9145 (fog lights). This is the only thing stopping me from getting them because I prefer to have all matching bulbs in the headlights and fog lights.

[06pvibe]

Oh, I was not aware that they changed the bulb type for ONE year.Does anyone besides me find it frustrating to have all these various bulb types around w/only minor differences between them that do more or less the same thing?

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »Oh, I was not aware that they changed the bulb type for ONE year.Does anyone besides me find it frustrating to have all these various bulb types around w/only minor differences between them that do more or less the same thing?Yes, it is rather annoying .

[06pvibe]

Careful there. You are agreeing with me again.It's like having 10 different wheel diameters and 100 different offsets for each size!! What's the point?

[metalmechanic]

so I just ordered the X-treme Power bulbs, along with a heavy duty wiring harness from suvlights.com. I had a similar harness in my old Explorer, it worked really well. Pretty reasonable price too, it all came to $115 with shipping to Canada.Now, to find some new fogs...and some Lamin-x!