HIDs for 2004 Vibe

[lcgrzy]

I apologize in advance if these questions have been asked and answered already. I have searched the forum and have not found a definitive answer.

I want to buy HIDs for my 2004 Vibe. I intend to leave the fog lights stock (for now). I like the DRLs and the Auto-Headlights, so if it is possible to have those and HIDs that is what I want.

To have the DRLs do I need to get the additional parts (I've heard people talk about a capacitor or something to stop the flickering)?

Do I want the Bi-Xenon or HID low with the Halogen high, and why?

I have also heard mixed reviews about HIDs without projectors. Any definitive answer on this one?

Thanks in advance!

[SeattleJeremy]

Welcome to GenVibe!

There are two ways to increase the amount of light your headlights put to the road.
1. Install a higher power halogen bulb.
2. Retrofit a Projector style HID in to the stock housing.

When installing aftermarket drop in HID kits in the stock housing less light is actually put on the road than the stock bulbs, making it harder to see at night. They are brighter, but most of that light is being wasted above the road, shining in other peoples eyes and illuminating the trees.
Here's a video describing what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5n38wDe684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I contacted Daniel Stern and asked for his suggestions.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/prod ... ducts.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I decided on "70/65W Osram Plus 50" bulbs for my car. These are not technically road legal, because they use more power than 60/55w bulbs. However, I'm not blinding other drivers because the light isn't pointed at their windscreens.

Retrofitting a projector in to the stock housing takes some time and money, but when done right looks amazing. Our Vibes have both the High beam and Low beam in one bulb, so your best bet is to do a Bixenon setup.
http://shop.lightwerkz.net/Complete-Retrofit-Kits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KITT222]

Welcome to GenVibe! If you want to do HIDs you really should do projectors. I retrofit my headlamps with H1 bixenon projectors, and I love them! I can't imagine driving a car without projectors. If you put HIDs in the stock housings you aren't doing anything but annoy oncoming traffic. You get less light as the reflector was designed for a halogen light, and only scatters light in the forward direction. Projectors, though... No comparison. You get a defined line where there will no longer be light, and below that, light exists everywhere.

Allow me to share some projector pics...

[thebarber]

bixenon h4's should work fine as they come with a relay harness

i ran "halogen high" headlights in my black vibe when i had it, but swapped the pins around so the drl's and lows were the halogen and when i turned on my "highs" i got HID low beams.

projectors in your headlights have less of a tendency to glare oncoming traffic, but i find because of the scatter, you can see more with HID's in relfector housings vs projectors...

its up to you

[Salsa Guy]

I believe HIDS without projectors is illegal in some areas. It's also unsafe.

[09vGT]

I have HID's in my '09 reflective housing and have no issues whatsoever with light output. Its brighter than the halogens. They put off extremely small amount of "glare"; I guess it's the way the housing is designed. I've not had anyone flash me, ever, and have also had a friend meet me head on and let me follow behind a different distances to see if it was bothersome.

As long as you stay with a stock like color, proving you have aftermarket would be hard to tell. Many new vehicles still have reflective housings with HID's standard, like the Nissan Rogue SL and some of the 07-09 Nissan Altima SL's.

[vibenvy]

I was never a fan of HIDs in halogen housings until I installed some in my 2009 Vibe GT a couple months ago. Now I am a believer and can't imagine driving with halogens ever again. After installation I immediately aimed the headlights down a bit and have not been flashed at all. I have the 35w 5000k kit from DDM Tuning. They're nice and white with a very slight hint of blue. Now if I could just get the 3000k HIDs to work properly in my fog lights...

[lcgrzy]

Thanks everyone for the replies, very helpful information.

My lenses were very faded (despite my attempt at restoration) so I decided to replace them. This has made such a huge difference. I had no idea how much light wasn't getting through my old lenses. Wow! On another note, I had no idea that I was going to have to peal back the bumper to install the new assemblies.

Needless to say, I no longer feel the need to upgrade my headlight bulbs.

I would love to try the projector retrofit, but being that I just spent $240 for the new headlamp assemblies, I won't be doing that.

Thanks again for all the helpful posts.

[vibenvy]

That's great to hear that you've had such a vast improvement just from getting new headlight housings! I bet in addition to being able to see better, your Vibe also looks much better with nice clear headlights !

*EDIT: I would highly recommend waxing the headlights whenever you wax the rest of the exterior. I do this on both our Vibes and after 4.5 years of ownership, our headlights show no signs of yellowing, fading, etc. They're still nice and crystal clear!*