Upgrading my lighting: JDM, Hella, or something else?

[anothernord]

I drive at night a lot; therefore I need good lights. So far, the one-piece legacy lights, and my newer 2-piece lights have failed to deliver even mediocre lighting after hours of aiming and tweaking.

Anyway, I been considering installing a set of Hella FF75 driving lights to supplement my stockers, but more recently I have become interested in the JDM projectors. I've read up almost every thread with the words, "JDM lights" in it, and I can easily figure out the wiring. BUT, I've heard many conflicting reports on whether or not the RHD lights can be aimed to produce a good pattern; can anyone give a definitive answer?

So, should I go for the Hella's or would my lighting be better with the projectors?

P.S. I probably wouldn't retrofit the projectors if I went that way, too much $$)

have you thought about the HID kits for your current headlights?

[decke48]

the output in the usdm 1 or 2 peice lights just suck. very little range pattern. hid help but still suck. im sure you can get the jdm lights to reflect right for LHD. but a set of driving lights will overpower anything

[anothernord]

have you thought about the HID kits for your current headlights?

I have looked at a few kits, but even with brighter bulbs, the pattern would still be skewed, and I don't want to risk blinding other drivers.
Also, I'd rather not deal with the legaility issues with HID bulbs in halogen headlights.

The Hella FF75 are rated at 55 watts, would they really produce more light than the projectors?

[decke48]

well the bulbs might not be brighter but the pattern and range will make the light better for long distance. and seem brighter

[Zedhead]

IMO, I'd go with the JDM's.

The difference is astounding.

[Plays_with_Toys]

JDM. You can aim them for usable light. That's never been an issue. The issue is the cut off is for right hand drive. You can physically see the beam pattern cut off on a wall and how it slopes. I've only been flashed twice by oncoming traffic. And, they are 1000x better than the one piece lights.

Wiring is a breeze too.

here's a link to 130 something odd dollar jdm headlights, it'll be over by the time you read this but with 0 bids, im sure they'll relist it, maybe cheaper

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-SUBA ... ccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-SUBARU-LEGACY-95-96-97-HEAD-LAMP-HEAD-LIGHTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1163Q7c66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem180309524507QQitemZ180309524507QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

[Zedhead]

If Your going to spend the money. Get the JDM Projectors.

[anothernord]

Thanks for the advice everyone; I think I'll go for the projectors. I figure that it will keep the stock look of the car and in the future I will have the option to retrofit them for even better lighting.

Time to hit eBay...

[ivwarrior]

You're worried about legality issues with HID's in halogen fittings, but are thinking about JDM lights? Doesn't make sense. There's every bit as much (if not more) legality issues with JDM lights.

[anothernord]

You're worried about legality issues with HID's in halogen fittings, but are thinking about JDM lights? Doesn't make sense. There's every bit as much (if not more) legality issues with JDM lights.

Ah, I was unaware of this; I assumed that because they are halogen that there were no legality issues. I take it that the projectors are not DOT approved then? Realistically would I get pulled over even if they are properly aimed?

[slaytalera]

You're worried about legality issues with HID's in halogen fittings, but are thinking about JDM lights? Doesn't make sense. There's every bit as much (if not more) legality issues with JDM lights.

Ah, I was unaware of this; I assumed that because they are halogen that there were no legality issues. I take it that the projectors are not DOT approved then? Realistically would I get pulled over even if they are properly aimed?


as long as they are aimed properly you shouldnt get any bad attention, unless your state requires inspection, but even then you might slide through

the best thing i did was get Hella 500 fog lights(not driving, the yellow ones!) and put them into the stock positions, they give me a MUCH wider beam then my highs, and go just as far, but they are low enough that people dont get blinded and flash me, after all spring/summer not one person has ever flashed me, and i drive almost everynight. here are 2 pics, one is lows and teh other is lows with fogs, it really doesnt show the width very well but you can see a BIG improvement

lows only:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/IMG_0282-1.jpg

lows w/ 500's
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/12/IMG_0283-1.jpg

and they look cooler!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/IMG_0259-1.jpg

[Zedhead]

The JDM Projectors can be aimed just fine. The lighting cut off is much better than any USDM light. A LOT less vertical leakage.

Get the Projectors and some decent bulbs. You won't be disapointed.

[anothernord]

Those Hella 500's are really nice, I need to replace my pitted and cracked fogs and they look like a good option. As far as the projectors, I think I'll take my chances, and I figure that I can always retrofit them later on if there are issues.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Never been pulled over here in Colorado for my lights. I use my yellow tinted highbeams too, and haven't gotten pulled over. Enjoy them!

[anothernord]

Update: Ordered projectors, received in 4 days, and installed them in 30 minutes. I grounded the the low beam wire straight back to the battery so the projectors stay on with the high beams.

Needless to say, I was giddy as I drove around the country roads after installing and adjusting the lights; the output is just phenomenally better than the stock lamps.

Thanks for the advice guys!

[Grafton]

i thought the "projectors" were the lows ?

[HeresMyMind]

i think its time for a proper retrofit...

-B

[anothernord]

:smt015
i thought the "projectors" were the lows ?

Yeah that was my error. The projectors are the low beams, sorry for the confusion.