Can't you just buy two pairs?

 

Agreed. I don't see what the big deal is, just buy two pair.

 

I wasn't sure if the high beams or low beams would factor in.

 

Before going with the projectors, try rewiring the headlights with relays. That old wiring and the non-relay design produces a lot of resitance resulting in the headlights not receiving the needed power. If the relays don't provide enough light, then switch to a better designed light. I converted to the e-code lights which provide better light than my 01 Cobra.

 

Set of 4 Black HIDs for 4 eyes:
Here's several examples
4x6 H4651 H4652 H4656 H4666 Black Headlights Conversion 10000K H4 2 Xenon HID | eBay

but there are more found via search too. I might get those (or something similar) as I've recently done HID upgrades on my 2 older DD cars with great results. I rarely drive my Mustang at night however but yeah, stock OEM 4 eye'd headlights suck at night compared to newer headlight designs. They had to be one of the worst ever.

 

Pure junk. I've know people who have purchased headlights with tinted reflectors and the light output is VERY VERY poor. Far worse than if just the lens is tinted.

 

So, ALL 4 eye HID conversion kits are "junk"? I only used those found via search as an example BUT one or more HID kits like those, replacing the OEM bulbs, has to be better than original.

IF anyone here knows (from experience) which is good, please post it here.

 

Black reflectors are junk. HIDs in incandescent housing also is another issue. HID produce much more light and standard housing do not focus HID light properly. US DOT housing allow a lot of glare. When you add HIDs to them whey blind other drivers.

 

Are you speaking from actual experience or just your opinions? I'm not advocating black housings but as for HID conversions, the 2 kits I've installed in newer cars (not 4 eyed types) in the OEM lamp housings work great and do NOT blind incoming traffic. I have yet to have anyone flash their brights at me so to me, that says that incoming vehicles aren't bothered by them and today, many new cars have very bright HIDs, projectors or LED's so it's becoming the norm.
What then about the many bright LED tail lights out there? Some of them aren't exacly easy on the eyes at a stop light at night either.

 

Facts. Plenty of info on the web and been brought up here in lots of threads. Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

Outdated test results from '02. It's 2015 and what you can buy now is much better.

I work for a Lexus dealer where Lexus has used HID and now LED headlights for years. I've driven these cars at night.
My newly converted '94 Volvo with 9004 type bulbs lights up the roads as good if not better than new cars and a replacement HID bulb costs $13, not the $185 Lexus charges for an HID bulb.

Getting older and wanting to be safer driving at night with better visibility, there's nothing wrong, unsafe or illegal (as that now outdated article claims) with wanting better than average lighting for night driving, especially in rural areas where a deer could easily jump out in front of you. I've hit a deer before in daylight and wouldn't care to at night especially going 55+ on a rural highway.

 

Out-dated, eh? I guess the rules of physics and mechanical design don't apply a dozen or so years later. What you buy now is still a retrofit bulb with the wrong configuration to match a housing and reflector made for a halogen bulb.

The HID (or LED) headlights in the Lexus were specifically engineered with housings, lenses, and reflectors designed for their respective light sources. Your "newly-converted" Volvo with an aftermarket HID kit? Yes, it lights up the roads. It's also likely throwing light in every other direction as well, as the HID element is not aligned to the same location and orientation as the halogen filament intended.

No, there is nothing wrong with wanting better-than-average lighting. That's why I (legally) added a set of 6" Hella driving lights on my F150. As for the legality of HID retrofit kits, I've yet to see one that is DOT-approved for use on US highways. If you're going to do it legally, the only way of which I'm aware is to retrofit OEM headlight assemblies from the same make and model, or install DOT-approved aftermarket assemblies (if there are any).

Andy

 

As I said, I converted to the European E-code lights using H1 and H4 bulbs. The housings look stock; the lenses are glass and the reflectors are high quality designed for the H1/4bulbs. I used the Bosch product but there are others. There is a clear cut-off/step down horizon so oncoming cars are not affected. I also did the relay mod. Couldn't be happier with these. Easily compete with modern HIDs (by the way, I hate those lights as an oncoming or leading car - nothing but blinding due to the color of the light).

 

I had a set of Cibie BOBI's in a car back in the late eighties. They mimicked the performance of E-code lights, but were DOT-legal due to their "semi-sealed" design. (Back then sealed beams were all that were allowed.) They were an incredible improvement over the stock headlights. The DOT should have made the move to replaceable bulbs and E-code reflectors decades ago.

To the OP:
As qtrracer stated, I'd try the relay upgrade first. You may find the results acceptable. The stock wiring was barely adequate as it is, let alone after 30 years. If still not up to par, E-code lights are still not DOT-approved, but they are the best choice for improvement (if they're still available anywhere?). You won't adversely affect oncoming drivers, and as a bonus, you'll retain the stock appearance.

Andy

 

As for the legality of HID retrofit kits, I've yet to see one that is DOT-approved for use on US highways. If you're going to do it legally, the only way of which I'm aware is to retrofit OEM headlight assemblies from the same make and model, or install DOT-approved aftermarket assemblies (if there are any).

My source, DOT approved
About Us | XenonHIDs.com

Premium quality HID Kits.
Top quality ballasts (AC Digital and AC Canbus).
OEM-Grade UV Cut Quartz Xenon Bulb.
Outstanding 7 days a week customer support.
CE and ISO 9001-2000 approved.
Lifetime Warranty.


but......who's checking headlight bulbs on 20+ yr old cars anyway? No one here for sure nor is anyone flashing their brights at me thus they can't be that bad.
You can tell me over and over how older lamps weren't designed for HID bulbs but they improved my headlights dramatically from what I had before thus they're doing what they're intended to do. From all the other positive reviews at their site, gotta think others think so too.
XenonHIDs.com Reviews | XenonHIDs.com

But yeah, if merely adding a relay or a less expensive way works OK for 4 eye type sealed beams, I'd try that first.

 

Failure to flash is not evidence that the light is not harsh, nor confirmation that they "aren't bad". I choose not to flash mostly because of the crazy's out there. I simply look to the highway edge until the offender passes or flip my mirror down if the offender is behind me. They are bad and offensive - just for the record.

 

Many new cars with OEM headlights and LED tail lights, brake lights are not easy on the eyes of most others at night either yet they're legal.

 

... because they meet the specifications set forth by the US DOT and fall withing the required performance and measurement criteria.

I must have missed where the "About Us" page you linked says anything about the products meeting DOT requirements. And I like their marketing spin: There is no ISO "approval," only process-certification of the company manufacturing them.

I went on their Customer Service chat. "Mike" enthusiastically stated "Yes, our kits are dot approved!" But I got crickets for 20 minutes when I asked for documentation. (See the attachment.)

EDIT: 10 minutes later, I heard a couple of tones. I didn't even realize the page/chat was still open. "Mike" said they coulldn't provide documentation, but sent me to the "About Us" page. When I asked where it mentioned DOT approval, he said "CE and ISO 9001-2000 approval are the same thing." When I explained (very professionally) that that was a load of BS, "Mike" didn't reply and disconnected the chat before I could grab a screenshot.

As for the Daniel Stern Lighting link being "outdated," How about a SEMA newsletter from four days ago referencing the NTHSA? SEMA eNews Vol. 18, No. 11, March 12, 2015

Andy

P.S. Why don't we let the OP back into his own thread now.

 

Gotta ask:
Why is the whole DOT certification and legality of head light bulbs so important to you anyway on cars that are now ~20-30 year old?

Are there people who enforce that sort of thing where you live? Here, no. We don't have vehicle inspections or emissions testing for anything older than '96 (OBD2 cars) so one can really do whatever they want to them, no one cares.

Then, what about all the other mods done to cars, especially here with Mustangs?

 

Gotta ask:
Why is the whole DOT certification and legality of head light bulbs so important to you anyway on cars that are now ~20-30 year old?

Because regardless of the age of the car, running aftermarket bulbs that cause excessive scatter at brightness levels in multiples of normal lights is inconsiderate and dangerous to other drivers. Some people simply don't care, while others actually thrive on the "screw-you" mentality. Most people, though, would think twice knowing there are potential negative effects; however, people in forums, and complanies like XenonHIDs.com spreading incorrect and misleading information confuses the issue, and exacerbates the problem.

Are there people who enforce that sort of thing where you live? Here, no. We don't have vehicle inspections or emissions testing for anything older than '96 (OBD2 cars) so one can really do whatever they want to them, no one cares.

Any law enforcement officer can cite the driver/owner with an equipment violation. Yes, it happens.

Then, what about all the other mods done to cars, especially here with Mustangs?

Do anything you want to your car, so long as it doesn't adversely affect me. Excessively bright headlights, obnoxiously loud exhaust, thumping bass? Yes, I have a problem with those.

Now, can we please drop this so the OP (who just joined the site) can get some more helpful information?

Andy

 

Now, can we please drop this so the OP (who just joined the site) can get some more helpful information?

Sigh,
I did, I answered his question. You opted to come here and start and negate HIDs instead. It's a forum btw and we all have our opinions.

 

Just picked up a 4 piece set of the halo style. I'll post again after its in the car (paint job) Thanks to those who were on here to help.