HID Headlight Conversion....1969 Plymouth Roadrunner

[rsd859]

Well done! Thanks for documenting the process.

 

[BIGBLK_WP27_5 SPEED]

:thinker:Nice tech.... I have been looking for plugnplay hid for my 69 Net. Have not had much luck finding quality headlamps in the available kits out there for decent price. I like the hella lights and they should fit my net buckets and rings. Thanks for the home work !

 

[Propwash]

Great thread propwash! I wanted to do this conversion to my '69 Charger and this is going to help me out big time :icon_thumleft:

Any idea off the top of your head what the total cost was of the conversion? Doesn't seem like it's a bank-breaker at all

Thanks Mr. Speed Freak. Depending on what HID kit you go with I would Imagine a total cost of $250-$500 bucks.

Kind of a round about break down:
$130 for the lamps
$30 in wire
$10 in butt connectors/shrink/supplies
$75-??? HID kits, depending on what you buy
$20 Relays/Circuit Breakers/Diodes
$10 5 pin connectors for relays

:thinker:Nice tech.... I have been looking for plugnplay hid for my 69 Net. Have not had much luck finding quality headlamps in the available kits out there for decent price. I like the hella lights and they should fit my net buckets and rings. Thanks for the home work !

I hear you...I wasn't too impressed with the kits floating around the internet as well. The Hella's are a decent German built glass lamp. If you don't want to mess around building your own harness, or incorporating into the factory harness, you could go this route as well:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/H4-Relay-wire-harness-4-Headlight-vehicles-/120592787123?hash=item1c13e3e6b3&item=120592787123&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

 

[watermelon]

two dual headlights comin down the road at ya during the night is some scary ****.

i needs to do this for the 66

 

[BIGBLK_WP27_5 SPEED]

I have a few questions: which direction did you install the diodes on your relays ? Also... I envisioned using low/high bulb on all 4 lights and wiring them so all 4 work at the same time in both low and high. Is this possible with 4 ballasts ??? My electrical system is a custom built Ron Francis 24/7 and my bulkhead is gone. I am using a 100 amp 1 wire. I also have plans for a kickin stereo system, so I dont want any issues with interference. Are you happy with the 6 K or will you go with 5k for more light ?

 

[Propwash]

I'm Happy with the 6K, although with the 5K you will get a bit more light and takes on more of a pure white shine. As far as running High/Low for each bulb, that is definitely a possibility with 4 ballasts. There are kits out there that utilize a H4 bulb with dual roles (Hi/Low).

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=12824

As far as the Diode's, they will have a grey or black strip on one side of them. That is the cathode side. When you wire it in, you want that stripe on the side you don't want the power running back up. Pic:

 

[BIGBLK_WP27_5 SPEED]

Thanks Propwash ! Ya I am still learning about these things. Thanks for the pictures, links and details. It really help out folks that are DYI ers. I think 4 headlights on in low and high will be awesome... the only issue I have with this is the lack of distance the hella reflectors will shine out in front. Have you tested your lights out on the road at night to see how far they focus the beams out ?

 

[Propwash]

No problem...The Hella's I listed are the Vision Plus H4 and H1..They are both ECE (European E-Code) approved lamps. If you went with the HB2/9003 (if you can find them), they are the DOT approved Vision Plus Hella's (they will have the DOT stamp). The general consensus on E-codes is they're a better lamp than DOT. You can google it to read more, but below is a thread giving some picture comparisons between the two.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=348814

My bird is still patiently waiting on the powerplant. The testing I've done thus far has been aimed out the garage door. Don't know what's worth, but opening the door the headlights light up the neighborhood hood like like Chicago O'hare. I see no issues with long range degrading of the light, but more of the opposite in fact. Makes my trucks lights view seem dim. Can't even compare it to my Coronets headlights. That is literally night and day. My aiming for the lights will be done to the procedure at Daniel Stern Lighting.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

 

[BIGBLK_WP27_5 SPEED]

:yourock:I thank you for the link to morimoto hid conversions. This opens up endless possibilities for a true HID conversion. I really like the moto mini's, they are looking like they will fit into my 69 Coronet openings. It will take a little modification to the back of the opening to get the projector lens faced up right with my headlight bezels. I am researching dimensions and options to make this a reality. Wo knows.. I may end up with a custom grill and headlight bezels. Yaah 600 + bucks is twice as much as the Hella conversion, but I like everything about the plugnplay system Morimoto has put together. I am sure you have checked out all the features and specs for their offerings... If you havn't you will be impressed with there engineering.

My Net Vert project has continuously Morphed as I near completion. Imagine .... 4 projectors funtioning all together with dual halos... be very cool and light up the road too! I will post my findings and if I decide to go Morimoto Projectors, I will pass info and pics along.

Thanks again Propwash !

 

[Propwash]

Hey no sweat! :icon_thumleft: Glad to help. Let us know how it all pans out for you.

 

[rolling_Thunder]

Been there and Done that... Love them!

 

[62MAX]

Aircraft landing lights work well also !!:icon_smile:

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Thanks for the price listing prop! And from the looks of it seems worth the 275 easy :icon_thumleft:

View attachment 107438

Been there and Done that... Love them!

Nice! Are those 5k or 6?

 

[440+6]

Thanks Propwash, Great job of explaining it all.
I was wondering if you tried to hide everything to keep it stock looking, I have been thinking about doing this for a few years now, I just replaced all my headlamps with halogen last year (quick and easy) they are brighter than the originals (i mean originals I think the high beams where 1970).

If you have any pics of your installed wiring they would be appreciated.
I might just get off my *** and do it.

 

[Donny]

This is one of those threads to come back to later when needed, and, I'm going to need to come back here when I'm at that point, very good information Herr Prop!

 

[Propwash]

Thanks Propwash, Great job of explaining it all.
I was wondering if you tried to hide everything to keep it stock looking, I have been thinking about doing this for a few years now, I just replaced all my headlamps with halogen last year (quick and easy) they are brighter than the originals (i mean originals I think the high beams where 1970).

If you have any pics of your installed wiring they would be appreciated.
I might just get off my *** and do it.

No sweat 440+6. Relays/Circuit breakers are installed in front of the battery tray area. I guess there could be better places to "hide" the stuff; Like below the tray or forward of the radiator, down to the side. Not a show car guy so I wasn't too concerned about keeping them out of site, but there are plenty of places to do that if you're looking to be a bit more discrete. The relays/circuit breakers are pretty small. I'll get you a pic of where I put it on my bird..

This is one of those threads to come back to later when needed, and, I'm going to need to come back here when I'm at that point, very good information Herr Prop!

Thanks Donny!

 

[BigBlock61]

I was just telling my girlfriend that I'd like to upgrade the lights on the Coronet and today I find this article. Extremely helpful, thanks for the writeup.

 

[Plymouth71]

So Have you got this out on the road yet? I'd love to do this conversion on my 71 Satellite, any suggestions?

 

[dodge68charger]

Your threads and posts are awsome!! Reading them solves so many questions i have about my car. Awsome to have members go the extra distance to help others out. Thanks again. Keep up the awsome work!!

 

[Propwash]

So Have you got this out on the road yet? I'd love to do this conversion on my 71 Satellite, any suggestions?

You bet, but now in hibernation for the winter. As far as results, never had lights so bright and reach so far on an old car before. A few weeks ago I was tooling around in the bird, got home and hopped in my truck to run up north. Such a difference I honestly thought the alternator or battery was taking a dive in the truck..lol Take your time adjusting the headlights or you'll really be ticking a lot of oncoming drivers off. I used Daniel Stern's article when aiming mine:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

I also upgraded my HID Ballasts to Morimoto's. More money, but better product.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=163

If you go ahead with your conversion, let me know. I'd be more than willing to help you out any way I can.

Your threads and posts are awsome!! Reading them solves so many questions i have about my car. Awsome to have members go the extra distance to help others out. Thanks again. Keep up the awsome work!!

Hey not a problem...I'm happy to share. Thanks for the compliment.