Question for car guy's

[wes56]

So I have an 08 Subaru. I bought some LED headlight bulbs that were Sylvania's. I had them in the car for about 3 months when both of them crapped out last night. The wiring is fine and put my factory bulbs back in and all is good. I am in the market for some new LED bulbs that work! I read some reviews but don't want to buy anything yet without getting some good feedback. Anyone have a good brand they trust for a recommendation?

[cofi]

i would go hids before i messed with leds imo

[wes56]

Ok, is there a brand or website you would recommend?


i would go hids before i messed with leds imo

[cofi]

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Categories/HID-Kits-Lighting/HID-Kits

get the 55w upgrade there BRIGHT!

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

+1 for hid

[jerrymrc]

The biggest reason for LED's to die early is AC ripple. Your car has an alternator and a rectifier/voltage regulator built in. If these are not 100% then led's will die a short death.

[Ah Pook]

Don't you need the whole HID set-up to run HID bulbs effectively?

[cofi]

Don't you need the whole HID set-up to run HID bulbs effectively?

yea but itll all plug and play and only like 50$ :)

[Ah Pook]

I have owned Subys from the early '80-'99. As much as I like them, the headlights historically suck. Bad lenses. Bad light patterns. Etc...

And defrosters. Why can't they make a system that clears the whole window?

[Colorado_Outback]

I have owned Subys from the early '80-'99. As much as I like them, the headlights historically suck. Bad lenses. Bad light patterns. Etc...

And defrosters. Why can't they make a system that clears the whole window?

Agreed.

How's that 99 getting along? Kinda regret selling it.

[nynco]

I personally think that Morimoto make the best quality after market stuff. I have their Mini H1 installed into my 2001 A4. The high and low beam are amazing now. You can retro fit them into many cars. Or you can go with a system that just plugs in. Everyone loves their stuff and I have not read of any ballasts failing. The other company DDM... have crap ballasts.

[wes56]

So the HID kit plugs into factory lighting harness?

[gnihcraes]

LED lighting doesn't work in some situations because there is not enough "LOAD" for the relays to work properly. Even if it did last a while, it might have let a relay go bad, but works "ok" with the heavy load of the original lights.

[Ah Pook]

Agreed.

How's that 99 getting along? Kinda regret selling it.

Not bad, except for the crappy headlights and defroster. [Coffee]

It does well in the mountains.

[XXFattyHunterXX]

You should spend money on retrofiting the whole thing, best thing I've ever done. If you're afraid, buy a spare set of headlights to work on them. Try theretrofitsource.com I was clueless but mine turned out alright.

[nynco]

Morimoto is the retrofitresource. I should have included a link. http://www.theretrofitsource.com Its a great company. It may cost more than DDM but the quality is WAY better.

[quondom fremd]

I have owned Subys from the early '80-'99. As much as I like them, the headlights historically suck. Bad lenses. Bad light patterns. Etc...

And defrosters. Why can't they make a system that clears the whole window?

Really, my impreza has an amazing defrost speed

[Ridge]

HIDs will not work properly without putting new lenses in the headlight housings. Factory ones are designed to scatter light, to cover the most area. This obviously won't work with HIDs, and you end up getting less than stellar performance, and the driver coming the other way gets blinded by your incorrectly installed super brights.

HID headlights:
http://mbworld.org/forums/attachments/w210-amg/208161d1303405158-project-retorfit-its-way-f1_autohaus_fx-r_projectors_hid_cutoff_large.jpg

HID conversion in halogen housing:
http://www.fl1v.org/mustang/hidglare.jpg

Don't be this guy:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/2011-mustang-talk/338954-if-you-have-hids-stock-housing-look.html

[newracer]

I put HID bulbs in my halogen housings and it has worked well. I have yet to be flashed for them being too bright or aimed too high. This is in my 2005 Chevy 2500.

[coldaudio]

Don't put HIDs in the factory housing, Ridge is absolutely right.