Is it possible/cost effective to retrofit an '06 having standard headlamps with HID headlamps? Would it just be a matter of replacing a bulb, replacing a headlight assembly, or something more involved? I'm asking because I have xenon lamps on another vehicle and find them to be an enormous safety improvement (I live in the country, with 2-lane winding, hilly roads with lots of deer), but HID headlights are only available in the Northeast as part of an expensive option package #7.
I retrofit my '04 with HID and I'm very satisfied. Requirements, dissasembly of the complete front bumper assembly and black plastic trim in front/above of the radiator, removal of the lamps housing nice person'y ( only to make your work easy on the change over, only a few 10mm screws). I had shop at Ebay for a Jap. Kit, dual lamp HID ( LOW beam) and Halogen for HI beam. The ilumination is incredible better, color temperature is very important, I got in the order of 6200k. (blueish tint) In my case, being that I'm a electrical freak and I had the necessary hardware and time, I installed a sub relay (activated by the existing lamps wiring) to power the HID's straigth from the fuse box but it is really NOT necessary on a good quality HID KIT. The HV ballast were mounted ( screwed in) straight to the nearby chassis mounts. Total investment for a dual lamp KIT and miscelaneous $345.00 and with this concised instructions 2,5 hs total labor.
Do you have any problem with the light distribution of the headlamp? Halogen bulbs and HID bulbs have different focus, only to mention one difference... :huh:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(energysaver @ Mar 3 2006, 12:39 AM) [snapback]219296[/snapback]</div> Installed today a retrofit HID kit on my '05 Prius.It is a bixenon type kit. I'am very satisfied with light strenght and color. Cool stuff...
