HID’s or....?
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From: Virginia Beach
HID’s or....?
I know parts of this topic have been discussed already but I can’t seem to find a straight answer. I’ve got an 04’ z, I believe it’s base. When I got he car there were some minor modifications done, like the rims, tint, headlights, etc. The time has come for new headlights (housing is not so hot). I can’t figure out what system is in place, HID or halogen. I read the 04’ base came with the halogen system, however, I currently have HID’s with ballasts. I know each system has a different designed headlight so I don’t want to just guess 50/50 at which system it has. None of the shops around have the answer to this either. So I turn to you all for some help.
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I know parts of this topic have been discussed already but I can’t seem to find a straight answer. I’ve got an 04’ z, I believe it’s base. When I got he car there were some minor modifications done, like the rims, tint, headlights, etc. The time has come for new headlights (housing is not so hot). I can’t figure out what system is in place, HID or halogen. I read the 04’ base came with the halogen system, however, I currently have HID’s with ballasts. I know each system has a different designed headlight so I don’t want to just guess 50/50 at which system it has. None of the shops around have the answer to this either. So I turn to you all for some help.
Regardless.... a few things to do:
1) Check your VIN with the VIN decoder under the tools tab. That will identify the trim level and hence, what type headlights it’s SUPPOSED to have. Knowing that identifies what wiring you have to work with, 6-pin, 8-pin.
2) Do the lights come on instantly or do they gradually come up to bright like turning a dimmer switch? Instant = halogen, gradual = HID.
3) Go to new shops. This is BASIC info!
Last edited by MicVelo; Nov 14, 2018 at 06:28 AM.
If it is a base model (after you've checked the VIN) and you know that you have HIDs, then it's probably some type of aftermarket headlights or aftermarket HID/ballasts added on or both.
It is possible to add an aftermarket HID system to the base/halogen housings. From what I've seen, some of the aftermarket halogen headlight options have a similar design to the OEM HID housings.
It sounds like your question is that you want to buy new headlights, but you don't know which ones to buy... if so, I would get some DEPO 06+. They use a true projector lens as opposed to the reflector projector used in the 03-05 HID headlights. Get some Morimoto 35w HID ballasts/bulbs from The Retrofit Source (bulb temperature somewhere between 5000-5500K). If you have a base model, you will need to do some minor wire splicing to hook them up. There are lots of good write-ups on this site that detail the process.
It is possible to add an aftermarket HID system to the base/halogen housings. From what I've seen, some of the aftermarket halogen headlight options have a similar design to the OEM HID housings.
It sounds like your question is that you want to buy new headlights, but you don't know which ones to buy... if so, I would get some DEPO 06+. They use a true projector lens as opposed to the reflector projector used in the 03-05 HID headlights. Get some Morimoto 35w HID ballasts/bulbs from The Retrofit Source (bulb temperature somewhere between 5000-5500K). If you have a base model, you will need to do some minor wire splicing to hook them up. There are lots of good write-ups on this site that detail the process.
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Virginia Beach
Problem solved, base model. I had heard that the figment of the housing was different depending on the system and didn’t want to have to rig up some headlights to make them fit which is where my problem was. Suggestions and advice were much appreciated.
Housings should be the same and will fit across the different models. That's why a lot of guys put 06+ headlights in their 03-05. The connector might be different (6-pin vs 8-pin) if you have non-HID and you're moving to HID.
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