Toyota MR2 Message Board - View Single Post

Pilot · 10-06-2009, 07:56 PM

I installed HID kits in a Buick Reatta (same type sealed beam lights as in the MR2) and in my Park Avenue. I bought the least expensive kits available on Ebay (about 45.00 delivered) and, for the Reatta, the least expensive H4 bulb conversion housing (non-projector). I aligned the lights per my mechanic's instructions by placing the front of the car 20' from my garage door (at night), measured the height of the center of the headlight to the ground and made a corresponding mark on the garage door and then made a mark 4" lower. The center of the beams were set to hit the 4" lower mark. They have worked wonderfully, for about 2-years, without any problem and the light is SO MUCH superior to halogen lights. I'll never look back. Everyone that sees them suggests they look great.

Is there a lot of stray light as some have suggested if you don't use an expensive projector housing? I am not a scientist, so I can't say for sure, but I can tell you not one motorist has given me a "headlight flash" in two years suggesting they were being annoyed by too much stray light in their face.

I do have one, albeit minor reservation. On those dark moonless nights on a country road, there have been a few occasions I wished I had bright lights. So, for my MR2 project, I am considering installing 4" round long distance driving lights in the radiator opening below the grill that will be relay activated off the high beam power line to the headlights with the power feed for the 4" lights from a separate at a fuse-box source.

Will all this be as good as the super-duper + - $400.00 HID lights from some other source? Probably not, but I suspect I could not tell the difference and if something burns-out after the two year warranty, the replacement parts will not cause a migraine.

What is my budget for this HID conversion? $76.00 and 30-minutes labor. See links below.

HID KIT, 48.00 DELIVERED

Diamond cut headlights (non-projector) $28.00 DELIVERED

I am still sorting out which 4" round light will give me the most bang for the buck for my driving light project. One I am looking at here will cost about $65.00, delivered for the kit including wiring and relay.

10-06-2009, 07:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
Pilot Master MotorcycleMechanic Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Here is my experiience from two prior HID conversions ... I installed HID kits in a Buick Reatta (same type sealed beam lights as in the MR2) and in my Park Avenue. I bought the least expensive kits available on Ebay (about 45.00 delivered) and, for the Reatta, the least expensive H4 bulb conversion housing (non-projector). I aligned the lights per my mechanic's instructions by placing the front of the car 20' from my garage door (at night), measured the height of the center of the headlight to the ground and made a corresponding mark on the garage door and then made a mark 4" lower. The center of the beams were set to hit the 4" lower mark. They have worked wonderfully, for about 2-years, without any problem and the light is SO MUCH superior to halogen lights. I'll never look back. Everyone that sees them suggests they look great. Is there a lot of stray light as some have suggested if you don't use an expensive projector housing? I am not a scientist, so I can't say for sure, but I can tell you not one motorist has given me a "headlight flash" in two years suggesting they were being annoyed by too much stray light in their face. I do have one, albeit minor reservation. On those dark moonless nights on a country road, there have been a few occasions I wished I had bright lights. So, for my MR2 project, I am considering installing 4" round long distance driving lights in the radiator opening below the grill that will be relay activated off the high beam power line to the headlights with the power feed for the 4" lights from a separate at a fuse-box source. Will all this be as good as the super-duper + - $400.00 HID lights from some other source? Probably not, but I suspect I could not tell the difference and if something burns-out after the two year warranty, the replacement parts will not cause a migraine. What is my budget for this HID conversion? $76.00 and 30-minutes labor. See links below. HID KIT, 48.00 DELIVERED Diamond cut headlights (non-projector) $28.00 DELIVERED I am still sorting out which 4" round light will give me the most bang for the buck for my driving light project. One I am looking at here will cost about $65.00, delivered for the kit including wiring and relay.