HID lamp bulbs, anyone using HID headlights?

[rockandroller]

I can barely see anything at night (probably because the lenses are so cloudy) and am considering taking the plunge and buying new set of headlight assemblies. PIA taking off the bumper and all, but I have my doubts that any amount of polishing is going to help too much.

Anyway, was pondering replacing half the bulbs with HID units. I believe it would be silly to do the high beams, since I have (factory) daytime running lights - which I understand run on the high beams (??)

Just wondering if anyone has HIDs installed, and if they really do much good - based on how PT headlights are aimed.

Aside: I am sure sick of constantly getting blinded by modern "8 foot tall" pickup trucks and their HIDs. This town is CHOCK FULL of F-150 heavy-duty supercabs...

[LionPT]

Originally Posted by rockandroller

I can barely see anything at night (probably because the lenses are so cloudy) and am considering taking the plunge and buying new set of headlight assemblies. PIA taking off the bumper and all, but I have my doubts that any amount of polishing is going to help too much.

Anyway, was pondering replacing half the bulbs with HID units. I believe it would be silly to do the high beams, since I have (factory) daytime running lights - which I understand run on the high beams (??)

Just wondering if anyone has HIDs installed, and if they really do much good - based on how PT headlights are aimed.

Aside: I am sure sick of constantly getting blinded by modern "8 foot tall" pickup trucks and their HIDs. This town is CHOCK FULL of F-150 heavy-duty supercabs...

I really, really hate this also

[Handy_Cruiser]

First, just buy some new assemblies. I have bought three sets of DEPO brand headlights and all have been spectacular. That alone solves a lot of the issue.

Next, I used HID's in my Sebring convertible which use headlights very similar to the PT. I used good-quality 50-watt 5000K kits from DDM Tuning. And yes, they are very bright. But they also took time to warm up to full brightness which is kind of bothersome. And even though 5000K is nice and white, the full spectrum of light also seems to be lacking. HID's just don't seem to illuminate things as well as incandescent and good-quality LED's.

On the PT, my answer has been to use Sylvania ZXE headlights. They are very white and super bright. And there's no ballast or extra wiring harnesses to worry about. They are plug and play. And they are great. I've used them in both my 2005 GT and my current 2007 Convertible "Super Bee" along with some DEPO assemblies with black bezels.

[Vengence]

Originally Posted by Handy_Cruiser

First, just buy some new assemblies. I have bought three sets of DEPO brand headlights and all have been spectacular. That alone solves a lot of the issue.

Next, I used HID's in my Sebring convertible which use headlights very similar to the PT. I used good-quality 50-watt 5000K kits from DDM Tuning. And yes, they are very bright. But they also took time to warm up to full brightness which is kind of bothersome. And even though 5000K is nice and white, the full spectrum of light also seems to be lacking. HID's just don't seem to illuminate things as well as incandescent and good-quality LED's.

On the PT, my answer has been to use Sylvania ZXE headlights. They are very white and super bright. And there's no ballast or extra wiring harnesses to worry about. They are plug and play. And they are great. I've used them in both my 2005 GT and my current 2007 Convertible "Super Bee" along with some DEPO assemblies with black bezels.

IMO, I have ZXE Headlight Bulbs in my father's 07 Chrysler Aspen and 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. They are great, but there is an issue with those with the PT. I cannot get them into the headlight socket because the plug is L-shaped. Never been able to get them into the PT with any L-Shaped plug.

Now, going to the original question, I have used HID's in my 2 01 Limited's and 09 GT and had much luck with them. The issue I had was the Battery Harness to power them. Kept having issues with that every like 4-8 months. But, the light output was great.
I always bought my kits from 3B Specialties and always used the 50W Ballast system. I also used 5000k, 6000k, and 8000K Headlight Bulbs. Personally the 5000K looks white (once warmed up) and provides great amount of light (If aimed right) and the 6000K are a bit blue but show better on the road and don't bother with 8000k. Some places may consider it TOO blue and you'd find yourself on the side of the road with a cop behind you. (Happened to me)
Also, they do have HID Kits that warm up in a few seconds like stock HID's do on cars but be prepared to pay a bit extra. (By that I mean an extra $50+)
I plan on getting the 50W Ballast system with 6000K Bulbs for my 08 LX sometime soon. Don't care much about the warm up time, never really bothered me.

Hope this helped.

Side Note- ZXE's are good if someone can shed light onto how they got em in their PT. (As I had no luck with the damn L-Shaped Bulbs)

Also to the original poster- In my signature is a picture of my HID's setup on my old 2001. Those are 6000K Bulbs with the 50W Ballast.

[Carnut]

Oh gee, I replaced my housings and put in LED bulbs at the same time, Heh, heh, not knowing I had to remove the bumper to get them installed.
They really work well for me.

05ptc22.jpg

[Handy_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Vengence

IMO, I have ZXE Headlight Bulbs in my father's 07 Chrysler Aspen and 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. They are great, but there is an issue with those with the PT. I cannot get them into the headlight socket because the plug is L-shaped. Never been able to get them into the PT with any L-Shaped plug.

Now, going to the original question, I have used HID's in my 2 01 Limited's and 09 GT and had much luck with them. The issue I had was the Battery Harness to power them. Kept having issues with that every like 4-8 months. But, the light output was great.
I always bought my kits from 3B Specialties and always used the 50W Ballast system. I also used 5000k, 6000k, and 8000K Headlight Bulbs. Personally the 5000K looks white (once warmed up) and provides great amount of light (If aimed right) and the 6000K are a bit blue but show better on the road and don't bother with 8000k. Some places may consider it TOO blue and you'd find yourself on the side of the road with a cop behind you. (Happened to me)
Also, they do have HID Kits that warm up in a few seconds like stock HID's do on cars but be prepared to pay a bit extra. (By that I mean an extra $50+)
I plan on getting the 50W Ballast system with 6000K Bulbs for my 08 LX sometime soon. Don't care much about the warm up time, never really bothered me.

Hope this helped.

Side Note- ZXE's are good if someone can shed light onto how they got em in their PT. (As I had no luck with the damn L-Shaped Bulbs)

Also to the original poster- In my signature is a picture of my HID's setup on my old 2001. Those are 6000K Bulbs with the 50W Ballast.

You can buy the ZXE's with the straight rear sockets. You need the 9006XS and 9005XS bulbs.



Here' the difference in the XS and non-XS bulbs:




BUT, if you already have regular non-XS bulbs, you can make inexpensive adapters. Here's a link where I did this because I already had some regular 9006 ZXE's:

Handy's New Turbo Convertible PT Project!

[cruserdad1976]

Originally Posted by rockandroller

I can barely see anything at night (probably because the lenses are so cloudy) and am considering taking the plunge and buying new set of headlight assemblies. PIA taking off the bumper and all, but I have my doubts that any amount of polishing is going to help too much.

Anyway, was pondering replacing half the bulbs with HID units. I believe it would be silly to do the high beams, since I have (factory) daytime running lights - which I understand run on the high beams (??)

Just wondering if anyone has HIDs installed, and if they really do much good - based on how PT headlights are aimed.

Aside: I am sure sick of constantly getting blinded by modern "8 foot tall" pickup trucks and their HIDs. This town is CHOCK FULL of F-150 heavy-duty supercabs...

My friend drives a 350 super duty with the tow package im telling you on low the lights will blind you and the really odd thing is at night when its freaking super dark I really don't see that HUGE DIFFRENCE

[Vengence]

Huh.....Never knew they had 9006XS ZXE bulbs. Never saw them. Wal-Mart, Autozone, and Pepboys always had the L-Shaped ones and never had XS versions. This gives me another option for headlights but I like the HID's more than regular bulbs and don't mind the hassle of them because I enjoy working on my PT.

[siamese_retriever]

This is likely my next project on my 2007 Touring. I have been looking around for a little while, and it seems that the LED replacements might be too large for the housing? This is what I got one on site -

Product is OVERSIZED
Product may be too large for housing. Please check product dimensions to ensure it will fit in your vehicle's location.

Also, I am pretty sure I need CAN Bus compatible bulbs. Can anyone confirm? Looks like that is going to be required for any bulb replacement.

Might be as good a time as any to replace the entire assembly to get LED lights. Anyone have a favorite, or even better, a favorite source?

[pawpawdiv9]

I had done a HID conversion kit many many yrs ago. Mine are the blue-ish tint. (Wish I just kept it white nowadays). It wasn't that hard to do. Just removing the front tires to get access to the bulbs/housing.
Of course i didn't do the high-beams tho. As for the modules, i screwed them directly to the frame.
2003 Pt cruiser