Need solid advice on DDM HID

I have the money and would like to purchase a set of DDM HID's for my headlights and foglights, however, reading on the forum is giving so many mixed reviews...let me explain

I would like to get (in my mind at least) a set of 55w 8000k H4 HID's for my headlights

and a set of 35w 6000k H10 HID's for my fogs

after much research on the forum, i have heard that id be better off with 35w 6000k for my headlights and same for my fogs, im also worried about the stock fuses in the system, and about melting my housings and headlight lenses... and about installation...

i would like any and all advice from all of my fellow TW members

Thanks much!

getting from this website http://www.ddmtuning.com/products/DDM_Slim_Ballast_HID_Kit_35W_or_55W-101-85.html

 

I have the 55W headlights (hi/low-H4) and the 35W fogs (H10) both in 4500k. Ive been running them for a few months now and never had any issues with them.

 

Forgot to add, From DDM Tuning too.

 

i bought my hid headlights from ddm. i bought the raptor lights in 35watt 8000k for headlights and foglights. they work great, stay cool, and have great light output. as you were thinking, i would suggest the 4500k or 6000k. better light output, less blue.

the only difference between the ddm brand lights and the raptors, is price and warranty. the raptors are cheaper, but the ddm lights come with a lifetime warranty.

hope this helps.

 

There are various opinions on this as for what to use (35w or 55w ballasts). 55w ballasts usually produce 30% - 40% more output from what I have read. IMO, you would be better off doing a projector retrofit in your headlights if you are set on using 55w ballasts. This way you could aim them properly and reduce the amount of glare for oncoming traffic. As for the fog lights, the 35w ballasts and bulbs should be plenty, especially since they would be in the stock housings. To each their own though.

The main thing to consider is how you would be using your lights. Is this a daily driver or a trail rig. If your truck only sees back roads and offroad trails, then 55w would probably suit you better because of the increased output.

 

i dont want to retrofit yet, idk if i will...

i actually dont offroad much yet, just the mud and trail here and there... and snow and fog...

should i just go with 35w 6000k for both head and fog? or will i regret it sometime in the future?

 

and also, what about headlight alignment? how would i go about doing that? just like stock with the same equipment as last time? (i have access to a headlight aligner)

 

I don't think you would regret going with the 35w 6k for both the headlights and fogs. You could always change the bulb temps later on down the road if you are not happy with the color. 6k is as high a temp I would go, anything higher (8k, 10k.....) would be more for looks than output and performance. You said you drive in snow and fog, maybe consider going with 4,300k or 3k for the fogs.

Aiming your headlights would be the same as stock, the only thing you would be doing to the headlights for the HID conversion is changing the bulbs. Everything else is in the wiring (relays, ballasts, etc.)

 

whats the difference between 6k and 4.3k or 3k?

 

6k = blueish white
4.3k = white
3k = yellow

Here is a link to check out: http://media.photobucket.com/image/HID bulb colors/Ocelaris/Lighting/HID20kelvin.jpg

 

sorry to ask..im sure this is stupid..but ive seen alot of references about hid projector retrofits. what is that?

 

my favorite color is blue, but what would you suggest ? should i go 4.3k?

 

not stupid, its what i did, check the link in my sig!! basically, taking an OEM projector out of a car that came with it (acura TL, honda S2000, inifinity FX35, etc...) and retrofitting it into the tacoma headlight. also check HIDplanet.com/forums for all you ever wanted to know about retros!!

OP, im w/ all the others, go 4300k, and at max 6000k. you lose light the higher K you go...it also looks dumb IMO. 35w will be just fine for your daily driving. as G-Sak said, 55w will most likely be a nuance to other drivers, or you will have to aim them so low that you will lose all benefit of having HIDs in your headlights because of the short distance the light will be thrown on the road.

 

okay, so as of right now, im at the order screen confirmation, with 35w 4300k HID H4 bixenons for the headlights and H10 for the fogs... is that the correct bulb selection?

and one last question, where can i mount the ballasts for the fogs? im guessing wiring is going to be a little bit an issue?

 

^ sounds good to me! yep, H4 for headlight, H10 for fogs.

there are a few DIYs i believe on where to mount fog ballasts.

 

Correct, H4 bi-xenon for the headlights and h10 low beam only for the fogs. You should be happy with the 4.3k! I mounted my fog light ballasts on top of the supports for the front bumper. I used industrial strength velcro and also wire tied them to the supports for added security. This also left just enough length for all the wiring to be plugged in. The wiring is actually pretty simple, especially the fogs. The headlights are basic as well. They are just a little more involved because of the relay control boxes for the hi/low function. There are plenty of write ups on this forum and the directions should help as well.

 

having trouble pressing the button that says order... money money money augh!!!

 

I've got 6000k bixenon hids. Slightly blue, but still quite white. Love em.

 

dorfuto-i agree with that! i would also like to know!

 

The bi-xenon kit comes with an aux wiring harness that handles all the current. For the fogs you will be just fine. HIDs draw a significant amount of current on initial startup but this is for a very short amount of time. 500mS or less. Then draw a little more than normal during warmup usually a few seconds. Then draw normal amounts of current. The wiring can handle the extra current for that short amount of time no problem.

The harness that comes with the H4 kit is fully plug and play as is the fog kit.