Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Back in 2008 we posted about the Federal goverment declaring that the HID headlamp conversions were illegal and that clear sidemarkers & taillight lenses were considered illegal also unless they reflected red when unlit in rear and amber when unlit in the front. Starting in 2009 Customs & Border Protection began seizing these at the border and the Federal Goverment has begun pressuring the states to begin enforcement of those owners operating these parts on the streets already so if your running these Watch out. Heres a link to a story on the HID conversions at SEMA about the seizures.
http://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/...onversion-kits
The fines for retailers & manufacturers alike can be up to 10 times the value of the parts, not sure what the penalties are for a person operating them on the streets but I just wanted to remind everyone of this as I know some places still sell these retail. These are legal if you only use them off-road or at a show but if you drive on the street beware. Prior to 2008 we used to be able to sell these with the disclaimer that they were for off-road or show vehicle use only not legal for street use but the Fed decided that since the retailer / Manufacturer has no control on their end use that they could no longer be sold this way.
Just wanted to warn you all again you can take it for what its worth in your opinion.
Paul ( Owner ) @ GMCPauls

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

HID headlamps are an illegal upgrade? What is the best option for improved headlight performance?

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

"...The NHTSA is specifically concerned that HID conversion kits can produce excessive glare to oncoming motorists..."

"Can" produce excessive glare? How about, "do" produce excessive glare? Those things are murder for everyone except the massively inconsiderate driver who's sitting behind them.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Here is an idea: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=447836

All I did was swap in some newer headlights for the old T3's in my truck....made a world of difference.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I agree 100%... good riddance to them if you ask me. Sometimes the "blue" glare in the rearview mirros with them behind you is worse than oncoming...

Gary

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

thanks for the warning... and GASoline71 very true.. i just leave my rear view mirror flipped up at night, that and the limo tint helps alot with not having any glare from behind :)

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

WHOOO HOOOO! I hate those things! Not only are they ungodly bright, most people don't take the time to aim them.

They can blind everyone around them, while I sit on the side of the road getting a ticket for blue dot's:lol:.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

^^^lol, that sucks..... if they are done correctly, and use the right parts, i wouldn't see a problem with them HID conversions. but probably at least 98% of the people that do the conversions don't do it correctly :(

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Attachment 814215
I just installed this kit I bought off ebay for $29 shipped. It is excellent quality and makes a huge difference when it comes to making the headlights brighter. But not inconsiderate bright.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I guess that kit is nothing more than a relay and the wires so you can wire them directly to the battery?
When I installed my Jeep J/K headlights I did that and it makes a noticeable (not huge) difference.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harness-Relay-Ha...sories&vxp=mtr
here is the link.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I was so impressed with the difference that it made, I installed on two of my trucks now.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

That looks like a cool kit. Might have to add that to the list of upgrades.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I have them in my 92 in aftermarket housings with the glare shield. They are properly aimed and I have never been flashed for having too bright a light. They are generally more often abused and used incorrectly than they are in a responible manner though.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I'm in the haters list for HID headlights, they really catch me out especially when the oncoming car is approaching on an incline then it's just like full beam in the face....really dangerous.

Relays & Halogens everytime.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

this will be what i end up doing, a glass lens H4 conversion with silverstar ultra bulbs and relays. :devil:

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

One of the main reasons these HID lamps are illegal is because when you retro them into a older housing they don't have the ability to adjust up and down automatically like designed too in newer cars. I believe in Europe all their headlamps have to be auto leveling.

I ran a set in my 02 grand prix with projector lenses and had them aimed properly and never once was flashed, when you have these yahoos install them into a halogen reflector housing it just scatters light everywhere, HID lights are meant to be a very focused beam of light. When using projectors you have a cut off inside the projector that keeps the light low and to the right to protect on coming motorist from getting so much glare.

I love HID lights, but they need to be used properly.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Where can you get the lenses the silverstars plug into?

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I also hate inproperly set up HID's. If you don't hate them, drive a semi at night and see how nice they are. :lol:

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

I don't have anything useful to post, but I too hate the HID lights. I agree with everyone else, they suck just as much from the rear. I have had several instances of someone following behind me at night with those HIDs and it litterally lit up the inside of my cab. I swear, it was bright enough to read by.

I thought up a safety device to counter the effects of being followed by someone with those HIDs. Basically you would have a camera mounted in the rear that would measure the distance of the car following behind you along with how bright the lights were. When a set level was reached for the brightness, the system would turn on a pair of HID installed facing rearward thus warning the driver behind you that their lights and/ or distance behind you are dangerous.

Keith

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Glaring headlights? Tailgaters? Roadhogs? My pal Ted takes care of all those "problems" for me.

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

i dont drive at night anymore

Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

Not to change the subject but in my nice state I got a ticket for smoked headlight covers during the day.... The officer said she could not see my lights. What a joke. It was 2:pm on a nice July day. Don't even have to have headlights to operate a vehicle during the day.
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Re: Warning on HID conversion & Clear Side Marker & Taillights
 

This kit the same as the headlight relay upgrade?