Lets talk HIDs. What do you guys run?

Dzchey21 · Jul 5, 2011

Tom S said:
How many of these HID setups are factory reliable?

Mine had issues when I first got them but Retro made it right and have been good ever since. Every now and then when its below 40 degrees it takes two tries to start them but they have been much better.

Mdub707 · Jul 5, 2011

I've had my cheap-o's work great until around 0 degrees or a little below zero, I have one that didn't light up first try one single time. After that no issues.

I've also seen some of the electromechanical ones go from low to high beam and back again (looks like a light flicker) just from going over some bumps. But, again, these are really cheap lights I'm talking about.

TXGLASSMAN · Jul 5, 2011

i run retro solution kit as well i have 55w 5k HIDs headlights and fog lights

jdgleason · Jul 5, 2011

TXGLASSMAN said:
i run retro solution kit as well i have 55w 5k HIDs headlights and fog lights

Have you ever noticed any heat issues? Particularly on the fogs?

TXGLASSMAN · Jul 5, 2011

jdgleason said:
Have you ever noticed any heat issues? Particularly on the fogs?

nope i havent had any kind of issue i had a set for about 50k on my 05 and then at 1200 miles i put a new kit on my 2011 and havent looked back since

SIX_OHH · Jul 5, 2011

I know I talked to the rep from retro on psn and he told or advised me on what to get for fogs but I cant exactly acess my pms to find out

morefuel · Jul 5, 2011

I put some 55watt 4500k from DDMtuning in my parents van and they turned out pure white. But I have 35watt 5000k from retro in my f250 and they are a little blue, about like the factory HIDs. But like dzchey21 I had some trouble with mine at first, one bulb was shot but he sent me a new bulb and they have been working every since.

jdgleason · Jul 5, 2011

morefuel said:
I put some 55watt 4500k from DDMtuning in my parents van and they turned out pure white. But I have 35watt 5000k from retro in my f250 and they are a little blue, about like the factory HIDs. But like dzchey21 I had some trouble with mine at first, one bulb was shot but he sent me a new bulb and they have been working every since.

How long ago did you guys get your sets? Maybe they had some problems early on that have been since worked out? :shrug:

morefuel · Jul 5, 2011

I got my set in March of this year.

07strokerftw · Jul 5, 2011

Have not had good luck at all with HIDs... LOL We'll leave it at that for now, got the 6k 55w Kit for headlights, 35w fogs from Retro. Keep burning up ballasts, and can't figure out why, Retro has been there every step of the way though to back up there product

jdgleason · Jul 5, 2011

Well hell.... if they stand behind it, you cant beat that. Seems to be what I hear from everyone. Any pics of your setup?

superduty4x4 · Jul 5, 2011

55w 5000k is about as white as you can get. Here's a nice chart that shows the color ranges for 55w and 35w:

FWIW, I had 55w 5000k HID's in my 96 OBS from DDM (Raptor kit). It worked good (after an issue with an intermittent ballast went away) but DDM's customer service SUCKS. As in, almost non-existent. I'll be going with Retro Solutions this time around, yes you pay more but if/when you need help Todd almost always gets back to you promptly and takes care of things.

Dzchey21 · Jul 5, 2011

morefuel said:
I put some 55watt 4500k from DDMtuning in my parents van and they turned out pure white. But I have 35watt 5000k from retro in my f250 and they are a little blue, about like the factory HIDs. But like dzchey21 I had some trouble with mine at first, one bulb was shot but he sent me a new bulb and they have been working every since.

Todd at retro explained to me that higher watt makes for a whiter light, so a 6000k 55w will be about the same as a 5000k 35w set up.

Mike Dillehay has 5000k 55w and they are pretty much straight white, if your looking for white, i think thats what i would go with if it were me

Strictly Diesel · Jul 6, 2011

55w BiXenon 5000k Retro Solutions...LOVE THEM!!!

I've run several brands of HIDs in my trucks. Best advice I can offer is to put the power, ground and relay trigger connections on the passenger side of the truck (away from the PCM). I also recommend putting the ballasts as far forward as possible. I've seen some strange behavior when the ballasts power up if they are too close to the PCM.

jdgleason · Jul 6, 2011

Dzchey21 said:
Todd at retro explained to me that higher watt makes for a whiter light, so a 6000k 55w will be about the same as a 5000k 35w set up.

Mike Dillehay has 5000k 55w and they are pretty much straight white, if your looking for white, i think thats what i would go with if it were me

Strictly Diesel said:
55w BiXenon 5000k Retro Solutions...LOVE THEM!!!

I've run several brands of HIDs in my trucks. Best advice I can offer is to put the power, ground and relay trigger connections on the passenger side of the truck (away from the PCM). I also recommend putting the ballasts as far forward as possible. I've seen some strange behavior when the ballasts power up if they are too close to the PCM.

Have either of you noticed any heat issues? Good info about the ballast mounts.