Help w/ Driving Lights/Fog Lamps

[keny_kimmel]

I've read a lot of posts and what not about the SHO lighting situation. It sucks. I want to upgrade my fog lights to some good quality HID lights. Not just the bulb, the whole assembly. Well, in conjunction with some good HID bulbs. What I want to know is, If I upgrade the lights can put in a...**** I don't know...100w bulb? Or do I need to uprgrade the wiring harness? From what I've read anything over 85w will melt/burn the harness and the housing. In my part of the state the brightness issue doesnt apply as long as your not having the lights aimed up at other drivers. So over all, what has to be done to successfully replace the stock fog lights with some good quality HID-turn-night-into-day lights?

Also...How can you wire the fog lights to useable when just the parking lamps are turned on? I see that everywhere and I want it. And one last thing, How would you wire the fog lights to allow you to turn them on when the high beams are on? I've got tons of roads around here where there isn't one street lamp on em. So I want this car BRIGHT.

 

[Rockledge]

With regard to modifying the switch:

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...e=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=212

.

 

[SolidState]

If you want HID fogs, I think you will end up going for the Osram/Sylvania Xenarec X1010. not cheap, kinda ugly, but probably awesome....

 

[rlw001]

You can get PIAA XT1500s for about $250 (or much cheaper on eBay) and they are bright enough to drive without the headlights on. HID is very spendy.

 

[keny_kimmel]

those xenarcs aint bad, i'll have to look into that. electronics and lighting arnt my strong point...if anyone has a schematic on how the whole wiring thing goes that would help greatly.

 

[SHO92]

Those sylvania lights are good, but the beam pattern isn't terrific in regards to HID lighting. If you want good lighting without spending several hundred, if not a thousand, dollars and countless hours, here's what I'd do.

1. Buy new headlight housings from ebay, cost about $150 each.
2. Buy Sylvania Xtra-vison bulbs. They are cheaper then silverstars and put out a more usable light then the slight blue tint that the silverstars have.
3. Buy the SUV lights headlight harness. It's about $50 if I remember correctly.

Those 3 things installed and aimed correctly will give you a much improved light quality and output then what you probably have now.

If you still need more, look into getting better fogs. I'd go with the PIAA 1500s, or get the Sylvania's if you really want a lot more output. You probably won't be able to run the Sylvania HID lights constantly on without having to aim them low to avoid blinding on coming drivers. I'd just stick with the PIAAs.

 

[K-Dawg]

I think the Xenarcs are intended to be used as a supplemental low-beam and have a decently low enough cutoff to be used around town.

 

[keny_kimmel]

I'm gonna invest in those Xenarc HID fog lights and just wire them to be able to be used with the parking lights. Doesn't that make it so they don't turn off with the high beams on? If thats true then I will definitly rewire the foglight switch.

 

[SolidState]

yes, that is correct.

 

[baySHO_510]

post some pics of your fogs beam pattern... Im considering the HID fogs too

 

[SlowHeavyObject]

I've installed those Xenarc's on my car. They are true HID and aiming is easy using their brackets. Also they look badass, just like my neighbor's new Maxima with the blueish hue just barely noticable. Just to let you know, the true HID bulbs actually draw ALOT less amperage from your system so you really do get brighter light without the higher current draw. That'll let you be able to run the fogs with the high-beams without having to upgrade wires and fuses. Also make sure when you install them you get some good quality clear covers for the housings. When I put mine in I forgot how low my car is and the lights took a beating on ramps/curbs/snow/etc. Once you get a crack in your HID housing, you're screwed, as replacment lenses aren't expensive, but the bulbs are.

 

[Sho Amo]

Where did you buy those xenarcs from? how much did they cost you?

 

[SlowHeavyObject]

I actually bought my kit at a local flea market for $150 used, works fine. I'm sure you can find them on ebay or a vendor such as suvlights.com. The model number is Sylvania Xenarc X1010. Expect to pay about $200-300 plus shipping for them. The box includes 2 light housings with bulbs, ballasts w/brackets, wiring, light brackets (you can actually use the Ford brackets), and 2 keyfob looking wireless remotes to control the lights (you can turn them off just like using your keyless to open the trunk, and other system's remotes can have their aux programmed to do them). The remotes also come with 3M tape to mount them in your car or you can buy an optional wired relay and button. You can order replacement bulbs if you ever need them directy from Osram/Sylvania but you need a receipt.

The website for them is:
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Xenarc/XenarcKits.htm