MyNameIsEarl

Hey Everyone,

So for those of you who have the 96-99 RL model, you probably know that the yellow in the fog lights is kind of bland. That said, I need opinions from all of you whether to leave the yellow on or take it all off. I only did one side and the pictures exemplify that. I could see leaving it off because then I couldn't get pulled over for having my fog lights on when it is not foggy, they would just think the car naturally has more headlights or something. And of course, there would be the extra light output for driving at night. But the yellow is kind of a nice contrast. Now, the first three pictures I tried to get the camera to take as realistically as possible, but then for the last picture I did a little camera trick to make it look like HIDs, and needless to say, I would soooooooo love for the car to look like that. If anyone wants to give me tips for how to do that, please let me know!!









Now please if anyone can help me make the car look like this without camera tricks, I would seriously be so grateful!

MyNameIsEarl

Oh, and of course thanks to Pro Pilot for helping me take the yellow off!!!

Pro-Pilot

No problem

If you want exactly the same color as in the last picture, there exist halogen bulbs you can get that are that exact same hyper-white color....they are made to mimic HID's but they come out to the same color you have there, just not as bright.

But...I'm assuming you want to go with HID's....so...

IMHO, take the yellow out and go with 2 sets of 5000K bulbs. That should get you the closest to looking like the last picture.

Just remember, usually the fog-lights are at a more level keel than your low-beams, so be aware of that when you put in your HID's (in terms of blinding people). Also, remember to get the HI/LOW bulb if you still want hi-beams with your HID setup.

MyNameIsEarl

I'm not too educated on lights and terminology. So when anyone references 5000k, 4300k, 8000k, etc. I know that is intensity and also color. The higher the color, the bluer the light. But is that referencing only for HIDs? Or the mimicing bulbs you were talking about, do they use that numbering system too? Where could I get some of these bulbs?

Pro-Pilot

It is Kelvin, but it refers to Color temperature - warm (red) or cool (purple)

Its important to note that after a point (4500-5000) as K goes up (cooler color) Lumens (actual light output) goes down...

The hyper white bulbs are usually HID knockoffs, but in your case, they might suite you well. Here's an example of a hyper-white bulb (on the left)...



As you can see, it is a very cool color, (the camera enhances the blue it it a bit however in that picture, its a more whiter light in real life)) which looks very close to your setup in your last picture. The 5000K is similar in terms of the HID's I was recommending.

DDM tuning has a great quality set that you can customize based on your vehicle (bulb size, K color, slim ballast etc).

In your case, I would get 5000K, slim ballasts, and the HI/LO bulbs (9003 I think) so you still have your high beam function.

Pro-Pilot

Here's another example of a hyper-white halogen bulb....

MyNameIsEarl

Okay, so if I understand correctly, anything with ####k is referring to HIDs only. What exactly are the ballasts for and all that other stuff? Because more stuff means spending more, yeah? I don't need them to be super-bright, but so long as they are white (like the hyperwhites) and do not decrease my driving visibility, I think I might just go that route. How much longer to HID bulbs last than hyperwhite bulbs, do you know? And I would still retain hi/lo with hyperwhites, right?

Pro-Pilot

Here's a color chart of some HID k colors....obviously they used photoshop to tint each color, but you get the picture. Its close enough in real life to these colors.



The ballasts limit the electric current. HID's need less power to run, however they require more power when they are first lit up (no big deal). And yes, it does mean spending more, however how much was your budget? You would need two sets, so 4 ballasts and 4 bulbs total.

There is a big problem however when shopping for the exact color your looking for. The issue is that with so many different people making bulbs, the color gradient varies from one seller to another. A 3000k (yellow) HID kit might not be as yellow as say a kit from another manufacturer. Same goes for the hyper-white bulbs. Some are bluer, some are whiter, and some are yellower. You really have to look around and do some research. DDM has never failed me in terms of accurate color, but I do know a few others who have. I would look at the Syvania Silverstar ZXE (which is a halogen bulb) first and compare its color output to what you want to accomplish.

Here's an example of the ZXE (on the left) compared to a regular halogen....

MyNameIsEarl

Now, I am familiar with the saying "you get what you pay for". But, what would I have to worry about with getting something like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/xeno-Xenon-Light-HID-KIT-Conversion-5000k-6000k-8000k-10000k-12000k-30000k-blue-/261071954443?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cc919e20b&vxp=mtr

Pro-Pilot

You can say you want 5000K, but will it truly be that? You won't know until you get them. Also, your size I believe is 9003, and I don't see that listed. Also, if you still want the HI/LO function (high-beams), you'll have to get a HI/LOW bulb, and he doesn't sell any of those at all.

MyNameIsEarl

So, to me it seems like if I convert just one set of the lights to HID, I'll be spending a good hundred dollars... Hmm. Well, I'll finish taking the yellow off tomorrow, maybe polish the lights up a bit more and see how that turns out. Thanks so much for the help! Maybe I ought to go find a wrecked 99+ RL somewhere (like that's possible) and grab the HID system out of it!

Pro-Pilot

Sorry, headlight size in 99-04 is different and the ballasts are put in pretty good lol, hard to get out.

No not $100!!! I could give you a quote right now. Through DDM tuning, if you want JUST the low beam 5000k (no high beam, high beam is 20 more), WITH the digital ballasts it will cost you $55 including shipping.

MyNameIsEarl

Where did you get that quote from? What do you think about this listing?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPT7-35w-HID-KIT-Xenon-H4-9003-Hi-Lo-5000K-OEM-White-Beam-Conversion-Light-/121078311830?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c30d46b96&vxp=mtr

Pro-Pilot

I got the quote from DDM tuning website.

That listing doesn't look too bad. Like I tell everybody, you don't know until you get em, however that listing looks more legit than most......

3.5RLv-tec?

iTrader: (2)

I've never turn on the yellow fog light ever since I got the angle eyes installed on my car like 2 year ago lol. Anyway, I think you should go with 5000K as Pilot pointed to have a white color. Don't go over 6000K, the rule of thumb is the higher the K rating the less light will produces= more color=ticket lol haha..
I'm current running 4300k which is OEM for my projectors and is bright as hell.
Personally, I don't trust the HID kit on ebay because they will run hotter compare to OEM or a well know aftermarket brand. You might want to check out theretrofitsource.c0m that is where I got all my stuffs from.

Pro-Pilot

The retrofit source is excellent, however were trying to ball on a budget here lol

3.5RL are you from Cali too? They must be strict as hell over there pulling you over for different color lights lol

MyNameIsEarl

Sorry, I'm checking out DDM right now. So it seems for 50 bucks, I could do one set and they are bi-xenon, white means that I have hi-lo functionality, right?

It's getting pretty late for me though, I'll check back tomorrow and see about ordering a set of those.

MyNameIsEarl

And I have checked out theretrofitsource as well. And by checked out, I mean drooled at all the stuff that costs like 10% of what my vehicle is actually worth!

Pro-Pilot

In the "bulb type" box make sure you put 9003 (or whatever your size is) and choose the "HI/LO BEAM) option next to it. That will enable the HI/LO function. With all the options for your car it came up to $49.95 (not including shipping).

3.5RLv-tec?

iTrader: (2)

BTW, do you guys really need 3 different threads to talk about HID and the yellow fog light lolz.
Yeah, I'm in Cali. we are really strict but not on light it is just the stupid emission. Well if you driving around with green headlights then you are going to get a ticket haha.

MyNameIsEarl

No, you're totally right. I initially intended for this thread to be a yellow or non-yellow cover question. But, after I began uploading pictures and I saw how some of them turned out to be all white and such, I started to consider to make it look like that.

Pro-Pilot

Yea Cali seems pretty strict. My check engine light goes on and off a couple times for a cat every now and then...(not gonna fix that). People here have pink and green and yellow and dark blue and purple FOR the headlights....its crazy lol.

Mister Earl did you decide what to get?

MyNameIsEarl

I think I am going to hold onto the halogens for now and I'll finish removing the yellow from the other fog light later today. Maybe when those burn out, and comparing the price of the HIDs to replacement halogens, I may spend a few bucks more to get those. Although, I could just save the money and use it to buy a 2nd Generation RL, which I've already decided will be my next car. This one is going strong though 170k and still going!

And yeah, there is no way that in California you could get away with crazy colors.

Pro-Pilot

MyNameIsEarl

Haha, no from removing the yellow or waiting on the HIDs??

Pro-Pilot

Waiting, although I like my yellow fog-lights and high-beams, I think it looks better without them in your car.

3.5RLv-tec?

iTrader: (2)

My car is getting close to 200K mark It is funny because I want the yellow JDM fog light look on my car. Thats why I installed the yellow TSX foglight in the lower bumper and I'm planning to get 3500K HID for it. Do what you you like Mr. Earl, remove the yellow or not its still look good.BTW, recently I saw a lots of first gen RL around

MyNameIsEarl

The yellow does look kind of neat. And I would actually prefer the yellow if I was driving through actually foggy, or maybe even rainy conditions. But since it is never foggy here and hardly ever rains, I think I'll like it without them more. I'll take some pictures this evening when it gets to be dusk and show you the pictures! I wish I had lower bumper fog lights like in the 99+ though, those look pretty cool (then I would for sure go with yellow).

Pro-Pilot

It hardly ever rains?? What part of Cali do you live in?

Ill take some pics too so you can see how I have mine set up

3.5RLv-tec?

iTrader: (2)

We do have rain in Cali. I just hate the Fall and Winter season so damn cold. And some time we do have fog too. Anyway, it is not that bad compare to the East weathers lol

Pro-Pilot

Okay, so here's some pics of my different light combinations, and my rear tail-light, reverse light, and turn signal LED conversion. The license plate bulbs are actual lexus ES 350 bulbs that have been modified.

Sorry for the crappy camera and editing, no photoshop on my laptop atm.










As you can see, the output of the tail-lights with the LED's is about the same as halogen. However the other two sets (turn signal and reverse) are noticeably brighter.

99blackhatch

I'd say between 4K and 5K (H1) bulbs in a HID setup, that is what i ran on my old '96 with the JDM headlights and they looked great.