Xenon Depot Extreme HID install update

Hope to save someone else some time doing this by putting all these observations in one place right after doing the install successfully today. I used tips that I picked up on similar setups on Tacoma's and XD install videos for other vehicles so hopefully this will add value for someone.
Will follow up with a picture tonight.

Ordering: Placed online order from XD site last Friday evening using the coupon offer that popped up for 20% off. Received Monday afternoon FedEx.
Configuration: 4500 Phillips (actual Phillips branded bulb spec and handling sheet was in package). They all come with the individual wire harness for each bulb which I used in this install.
Tips and observations:
Disconnected the ground terminal from battery and held back away from battery with a rubber band.

Unplugged headlight OEM connector and removed H11 bulb. Made note of the orientation of the bulb and how it went in and out a couple times.

Put the new HID bulb in carefully. Read some comments about the new gaskets being too thick causing this to be difficult but honestly this was very easy. The gasket is thicker than the OEM one.

Popped off the 7 black plastic connectors on the radiator dust cover. Note the screw in the center of each connector can be pulled out in two increments. This will make reinstalling them a breeze.

I removed the two 10mm head bolts to the wiper reservoir to make room for placing the ballast, igniter and wiring

Using the wiring diagram in the instructions I started with:
+ the positive power source wire to the battery (exiting toward the left rear so the red terminal cover can remount flat); and
- a different ground location on each side (the horn bracket to firewall on passenger side and the battery ground cable to the firewall on driver side).
Completed the plug in's as in the diagram for one side, reconnected the battery ground and turned the headlight on assuring connections were correct. I did not encounter the reverse polarity some have reported. Removed the negative battery terminal again.
Cleaned the areas identified for mounting the ballasts with double sided tape supplied. Wrapped the other wires and igniter neatly and tucked in to the open space.

Repeated the same wiring process for the passenger side.

Reinstalled the wiper fluid container.

Used the supplied zip ties for tying off the positive connection wire from the passenger side across to the battery using the spare holes in the bracket the radiator cover mounts to. Reinstalled the radiator cover with the 7 black plastic connectors (see tip above).

Hopefully this helps. I live off a 2 mile dirt road with a ton of wild life so definitely looking forward to more effective low beams. What I've read mostly from this forum led me to HID's and there are a couple other options for doing this. I liked getting a complete kit and having the redundant power source the separate harnesses provide.

 

@XenonDepot top notch products

 

No streetlight rural subdivision first night drive with the new XD Extreme HID kit.
Low beam

With stock high beam

Add in the stock fog lights.


Living out here this was a very well spent $160 and 75 minutes of my time.

 

Just tape. Looking at how contained the areas to mount the ballasts are plus nice smooth surfaces I honestly felt good about using the pre-cut double-sided 3m tape.
Unless of course you convince me to revert to my usual OCD self. Wouldn't be difficult.

 

Thank you for taking the time to post this up! I'm glad to hear (and see) that you're happy with your purchase of a XenonDepot HID kit I'll just a few tips for anyone else reading this:

- Polarity will not be an issue if you use the relay harness. It could potentially be an issue if you decide not to use the harness, and simply power the ballasts directly from the OEM headlight wiring.
- Double sided tape: You may want to secure the ballasts with zip ties eventually as sometimes the tape can giveaway due to weather changes. It's 3M, so it's good, but I'm a fan of tie straps.
- Individual wire Harnesses -- we include 2 relay harnesses with our kit. Should something ever fail, only one side will be effected. If you have a single relay harness for both sides then both your headlights go out.

Thanks again! Now we just gotta get you some better fog light bulbs

@Clay7160 - Thanks!

@Vbpiper - Thanks!

Steve

 

What are you recommending for fog lights?

I'm leaning more towards something optimized for heavy rain, snow and fog rather than as "driving" lights for clear weather.
I do expect the HID lows are really going to help in weather but have been on a long clear spell here since installing them preventing me from making that assessment.

 

Think I will go back and bolt things down.

 

Normally a warmer color works better for the fogs to be useful. So a yellow or 4300K-5000K would be your best option.

Danny

 

My lows are 4300k Phillips HID following that same logic which is why I was hoping (not) to get some weather to check them out. Which of your products would you recommend - I'm guessing LED's in that 4300 range which if they opened up the lateral field of vision (for Bambi) would be desirable. Seeing some LED's with lenses out there.

 

Have you considered these 2700k Yellow H11 LED fog light bulbs by Philips? I'm personally a fan of yellow fogs, but some people are not a fan of the look.

Steve

 

Makes sense. Thinking I want to experience my HID lows in some extreme weather before making a move.
Does seem expensive just for bulbs though - almost as much as my entire HID kit or other fogs with replacement lenses.

 

My thinking is I really have never had foglights so much as I've had factory driving lights - all with whiter color light. Since I can see much better at night with the depth of these XD HID's w/4300k Phillips than with anything else I've experienced in as many years my desire is something that works in the occasional heavy fog and relatively frequent heavy rain or snow here in SW Michigan.