Reverse light HIDs

[DCSpecial]

I've had this kit for months, finally decided to install it.

I was waiting for something that I designed with a buddy of mine...but since he's the one making it and he's M.I.A I went ahead and installed them as they come.

You need to either glue or epoxy them in.

I bought the kit from DaBears and they include a small tube of super glue to use.

Here's the ballast mounted with double sided tape:
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/DCSpecial/37186.jpg


HID driver's side vs. halogen passenger's side:
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/DCSpecial/37187.jpg


Both sides in:
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/DCSpecial/37188.jpg

Note: the capsule in the passenger's side is from DaBears it's a 5000k.
The capsule on the the driver's side is an extra 5000k I had out of a POS ebay kit.
I would have used the other ebay capsule on the passenger's side...but as I mentioned it's a POS and that capsule does not work.
And my other capsule from DaBears is in my buddy's possession for R&D, but since I wanted to get it in tonight I mixed and matched :D
So they are slightly different colors even though they are both listed as 5000k.



With the way I wired my LED tails I can easily swap back to halogen bulbs if I have any issues.

[Robert Palmer]

Very nice! And if you are speaking about Jason as your buddy, he's here now. :)

---------- Post added at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

I believe he was speaking about you and him doing something with these kits.

[DCSpecial]

Very nice! And if you are speaking about Jason as your buddy, he's here now. :)


Na, a local buddy of mine.

Jason knows what I'm doing though and has seen my "rough drafts", LOL.....I emailed him about this site yesterday as I didn't know if he was here or not :thumbsup:

[Robert Palmer]

Thanks Dan for sending him over.


I pm'd him on the red site but it seems that the admins over there were onto me and deleted my pm's. LOL

[Dylans3960ccs]

do these work on WJs?

[DCSpecial]

Thanks Dan for sending him over.


I pm'd him on the red site but it seems that the admins over there were onto me and deleted my pm's. LOL


Popped into my head since I've had people asking me about his rear fog harness a lot lately.

And yeah, the PM that I got from you was magically gone. Luckily I have it setup for email notifications and found it in my email to get the web addy :D




do these work on WJs?

What size reverse bulb do you run?

[Robert Palmer]

I would love to have a switch for these for tailgaters. :D

[DCSpecial]

I would love to have a switch for these for tailgaters. :D


I believe Jason is looking into that :D

[stephsman21]

they look really good!!! how much are they???

[DCSpecial]

They were around $115 if I remember correctly.

[White WK Swagga]

LMAO At a shitch for tailgaters. Looks great!!! I might have to look into these...

[B.P.O.D]

are these the ones on the site that are for lx cars?

[DCSpecial]

are these the ones on the site that are for lx cars?


Yep, that would be the ones I ordered.

[dreamer1213]

That is crazy bright...not gonna have any prob's backing up now...lol!!

[LipschitzWrath]

I believe Jason is looking into that :D

I am. It's real easy to do, but I am trying to make it more "installer friendly" so that you guys aren't hunting down wires or running wires all the way to the back of the Jeep. If I can find out which wire in the cabin feeds the reverse lights, it would be way easy from there.


DC, I'm having a real hard time not buying the kit and installing it as it comes, like you did. I have a reverse camera and it's sure be nice to have some more light when I'm backing up at night. Did it mount very securely? Got any pics of the capsule mounted in the tails?

---------- Post added at 07:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 AM ----------

Very nice! And if you are speaking about Jason as your buddy, he's here now. :)

---------- Post added at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

I believe he was speaking about you and him doing something with these kits.

We were trying to get the kit fully plug-n-play. I.e. DC was looking into having some sort of aluminum base made that you could fit the HID capsule into, and then the aluminum adapter would twist into the tails like a regular bulb socket. If this had come up two years ago when I was still attending the university, it would have been easy. I could have drawn it up in SolidWorks and then sent the CNC code down to the super-nice machine shop there. They'd have thrown a billet of aluminum in the mill and I'd have an adapter 30 minutes later.

My task was to CONTINUE hunting down the reverse light connector. I still cannot find that damned thing. If I ever do, it's gonna open up a whole world of cool stuff. 100% plug-n-play LED taillight adapter harnesses, plug-n-play reverse HID kits, etc. I've been looking for that connector for over 6 months!

[demaster]

I would be interested in a kit that looked like the top one.... My only concern is heat and melting. It would also be helpful to put a switch so that I could turn them on while I am pulling the boat out of the water at night on the ramps....

This looks promising....
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/DCSpecial/37186.jpg

[DCSpecial]

I am. It's real easy to do, but I am trying to make it more "installer friendly" so that you guys aren't hunting down wires or running wires all the way to the back of the Jeep. If I can find out which wire in the cabin feeds the reverse lights, it would be way easy from there.


DC, I'm having a real hard time not buying the kit and installing it as it comes, like you did. I have a reverse camera and it's sure be nice to have some more light when I'm backing up at night. Did it mount very securely? Got any pics of the capsule mounted in the tails?

---------- Post added at 07:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 AM ----------



We were trying to get the kit fully plug-n-play. I.e. DC was looking into having some sort of aluminum base made that you could fit the HID capsule into, and then the aluminum adapter would twist into the tails like a regular bulb socket. If this had come up two years ago when I was still attending the university, it would have been easy. I could have drawn it up in SolidWorks and then sent the CNC code down to the super-nice machine shop there. They'd have thrown a billet of aluminum in the mill and I'd have an adapter 30 minutes later.

My task was to CONTINUE hunting down the reverse light connector. I still cannot find that damned thing. If I ever do, it's gonna open up a whole world of cool stuff. 100% plug-n-play LED taillight adapter harnesses, plug-n-play reverse HID kits, etc. I've been looking for that connector for over 6 months!

Yep, mounted securely. I used the super glue and then put some tape to hold them down while they dried. Tape is still on there :D
I'll double check....as I'm not sure if I took any pics of the capsules glued to the housing.

Work great for viewing through the mirrors or camera.

I found out why I couldn't get ahold of my buddy who was supposed to make the prototype.....he lost his damn phone.





I would be interested in a kit that looked like the top one.... My only concern is heat and melting. It would also be helpful to put a switch so that I could turn them on while I am pulling the boat out of the water at night on the ramps....

This looks promising....
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/DCSpecial/37186.jpg


In regards to heat and melting....the tail light housing does get warm when I have them on for 1-2 mins. Not sure how hot it would get if you had them on for an extended period of time.

[LipschitzWrath]

DAWG! Your jeep looks SIC!!!! I'm lovin the tint!

[LipschitzWrath]

BTW, I am working on getting a switch right now that has a smiley face that is flipping the bird. I think this would be perfect for the aforementioned "tailgater switch".

[jeeppro]

what size bulbs are those

[LipschitzWrath]

what size bulbs are those

I believe Dan has LED tails, which means that the bulbs are 3157. The HID kit uses H3 bulbs.

[HEMIBeast]

I just installed mine today with the help of Dans info. It's like night and day!!!!!

[ItsAJeepThing]

can u instal them with a switch? so if some1 is tailgating u at night.. u can turn them on and blind them

[Martyp]

A couple of weeks ago I'd say you're nuts for installing HIDs into the reverse lights....

Although, couple of days ago I had to reverse down a unlit single track road in the dark and it was a hairy experience - even with the brake lights helping. The tinted tails really do reduce your visibility.

Now I completely understand, great mod and very clean install! :thumbsup:

[AcidCold]

Quick question.. are they legal?

[HEMIBeast]

I believe they are. I love em. :thumbsup:

[Chaoul1]

There's no law that states "No High Intensity Discharged Light's are allowed in Reverse Light Housing" right?

[DCSpecial]

DAWG! Your jeep looks SIC!!!! I'm lovin the tint!

Thanks.


BTW, I am working on getting a switch right now that has a smiley face that is flipping the bird. I think this would be perfect for the aforementioned "tailgater switch".

Nice :D



what size bulbs are those
Answer is:

I believe Dan has LED tails, which means that the bulbs are 3157. The HID kit uses H3 bulbs.





I just installed mine today with the help of Dans info. It's like night and day!!!!!

Glad to hear that it worked :D



A couple of weeks ago I'd say you're nuts for installing HIDs into the reverse lights....

Although, couple of days ago I had to reverse down a unlit single track road in the dark and it was a hairy experience - even with the brake lights helping. The tinted tails really do reduce your visibility.

Now I completely understand, great mod and very clean install! :thumbsup:

I live and work in an unincorporated part of the county....so not a lot of lighting when I'm backing up normally. The HIDs are great.




Quick question.. are they legal?

I don't see why they wouldn't be. I haven't had any issues.

[AcidCold]

Good to know, i love my LED's but those would be very nice when reversing in the garage when the lights are off. would be very helpful for trail repairs as well.
Good job!

[baronvonhavok]

a buddy of mine did this on his WJ and i was gonna copy until they blew because they flashed every time he passed reverse to put the truck in drive

[HEMIBeast]

That sucks considering there are quite a few people who have them done with no problems.

[Dylans3960ccs]

instead of HIDs for the revese lights, can you put in high beam halogen bulbs?

[HEMIBeast]

Im sure you could! But the HIDS are pure hotness.

[Dylans3960ccs]

I just want some of the bright-ness without the draw backs that you get with HIDs :)

[Matt]

I just want some of the bright-ness without the draw backs that you get with HIDs :)

Go with LED's then... LED > halogen for that location.

[Dylans3960ccs]

can you suggest any LEDs that are nice and bright?

[Matt]

can you suggest any LEDs that are nice and bright?

Check out eBay... I think they are 3154 (or something) -- look for the ones with like 62 leds on the bulb.

I'm sure someone who has them will chime in.

[Dylans3960ccs]

Eh I don't trust E-Bay LEDs, my dad has had bad experiences with them.

[HEMIBeast]

Get hids broa!!!!!!!!!!!

[Matt]

Eh I don't trust E-Bay LEDs, my dad has had bad experiences with them.

Maybe give Xenondepot a shot then. Send them an inquiry email.

[baronvonhavok]

or even V-LEDs. thats where I got mine from.

[LipschitzWrath]

Quick question.. are they legal?

There's no law that states "No High Intensity Discharged Light's are allowed in Reverse Light Housing" right?

I really doubt if they are legal. Everyone here knows that replacing your fogs OR low beams OR high beams with HID's is illegal, right? The only time it is legal to put HID's on your car is if it will only be used off-highway.

HID's make such tremendous amounts of light that they can easily turn dangerous if not aimed right. As such, the DOT decided that the only time they will approve HID's is when put into a "DOT-Approved" housing. This usually means a projector housing. Projector housing because of the excellent cutoff. Just sticking them in a reflector housing is totally illegal. Most cops won't bust you, tho.

They do make some replacement aftermarket headlights for vehicles that are DOT-approved for HID's. As a general rule, if they are not projectors than they are definitely NOT legal. But don't take that to mean that just because they are projectors, they are street legal.

Extending this on, I would guess that HID's in the reverse lights are "technically" illegal. However, I don't know for sure.

[Matt]

^ yup.

I also doubt a police offer will write a ticket for insanely bright reverse lights.... how likely is it that you'll get caught while parking, lol.

[LipschitzWrath]

Installed mine over the weekend. Really love the light output. My reverse camera and side mirrors are useful at night again!

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7246/imgp1063j.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/imgp1063j.jpg/) http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1867/imgp1064.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/i/imgp1064.jpg/) http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4805/imgp1073n.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/imgp1073n.jpg/) http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2162/imgp1074.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/imgp1074.jpg/)


My install went smooth as silk. My HID kit from stealth auto didn't come with the little plastic donuts that DC mentioned, so I had to go digging in my old box of HID stuff for some. I found some for an old kit from V-LED's and they were perfect!

The inner hole in the donut was just big enough for the bulb to fit through (we're talking press-fit here). So I could install mine with the donut epoxied directly to the taillight and then the bulb epoxied to the donut, with full 360 degree contact! I'm thinking about calling V-LED's and seeing if they'd be willing to send me a whole bunch of those donuts for free...

FYI, this now means that my jeep has 4 sets of HID's on it :thumbsup:

[LipschitzWrath]

^ yup.

I also doubt a police offer will write a ticket for insanely bright reverse lights.... how likely is it that you'll get caught while parking, lol.

Although they probably would bust you if they caught you using them to back off tailgaters.

[OBXJeep]

can you suggest any LEDs that are nice and bright?

I haven't tried any of these but here are a couple of places after a few minutes on google. I think I'm going to go the LED route too. Altho the HIDs are sick as hell :thumbsup:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=/tail-brake-turn.html#Table2

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_2_4?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=3157+led+bulb&sprefix=3157

http://www.streetglow.com/Catalog/Brake-Tail-Light-Bulbs

http://www.lskoncepts.com/store/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=243

[JDubya]

Have any of you had any problems pulling power straight from the stock bulb socket? Should I run a relay when I do mine?

[LipschitzWrath]

Have any of you had any problems pulling power straight from the stock bulb socket? Should I run a relay when I do mine?

No problems with mine (no relays). Just go with a quality ballast FTW.

[RYANSWJ]

look the look have you found a way to click them on for the tailgater's yet? once this is found i'll put some hid in to my reverse lights what a great mod

[AB Jeepster]

There's no law that states "No High Intensity Discharged Light's are allowed in Reverse Light Housing" right?the law is, for any jurisdiction, that the reverse lights display white light when in use for the purpose of moving a vehicle in the opposite direction of forward.

[AB Jeepster]

I really doubt if they are legal. Everyone here knows that replacing your fogs OR low beams OR high beams with HID's is illegal, right? The only time it is legal to put HID's on your car is if it will only be used off-highway.

HID's make such tremendous amounts of light that they can easily turn dangerous if not aimed right. As such, the DOT decided that the only time they will approve HID's is when put into a "DOT-Approved" housing. This usually means a projector housing. Projector housing because of the excellent cutoff. Just sticking them in a reflector housing is totally illegal. Most cops won't bust you, tho.

They do make some replacement aftermarket headlights for vehicles that are DOT-approved for HID's. As a general rule, if they are not projectors than they are definitely NOT legal. But don't take that to mean that just because they are projectors, they are street legal.

Extending this on, I would guess that HID's in the reverse lights are "technically" illegal. However, I don't know for sure. In the great state of Alberta, only DOT/SAE approved lighting is street legal. that means 90% of the aftermarket HID's would not be. I am sure it is the same south of the 49th parallel. I think 3-4000K is their colour temperature and anything higher than that, when coupled with an impropoer cutoff point for glare, is what makes most drivers swear at an oncoming vehicle with the aftermarket systems for, probably even some of our members. If I was gonna do HID conversion, I would go OEM for sure. (for headlamps) I do not think anyone will give you grief for your reverse lights, but I wonder if you would melt the lens.