i'm about to put an aftermarket HID kit in my 95 base. I just bought these headlight housings which are clear and the reflectors are fine. Would the aftermarket HID bulbs generate too much heat? the color temp is 6000k if that makes any difference.

I KNOW IIX isn't a proper roman numeral!

1995 Base/Deep-Jewel Green/177k HARD miles and still running strong!

  

Has anyone done this?

I KNOW IIX isn't a proper roman numeral!

1995 Base/Deep-Jewel Green/177k HARD miles and still running strong!

  

got off my virtual ass and did some research... Check out www.intellexual.com/hid.html hid's are much more efficient, brighter, cooler, easier on the eyes of the driver... And relatively cheap nowadays.

I KNOW IIX isn't a proper roman numeral!

1995 Base/Deep-Jewel Green/177k HARD miles and still running strong!

  

There has been plenty of discussion about aftermarket HID kits, try the search function.

The primary concern is the difference between the capsule shape/size, if the source of the light is not where it was designed to be, then you will get an unfocused light pattern which may be blinding to other drivers. Also, if you're trying to compensate for housings with burned reflectors, no matter how much light the bulb might generate, with no reflectors, the light output from the housings is still going to be feeble.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

This will give you another option....http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/122662-john-deere-hir-bulbs.html

Sorry if this posts twice. I didn't see the first one on the thread.

Calvin is correct about using HID's in badly burnt lenses. If you have a decent set of lenses the conversion will give excellent results.

The unfocused light pattern is a concern on some cars, but not the Mark VIII. I have had HID's in both my Mark's for years and have never been high beamed or had any problems. Dozens of other Mark VIII owners have not had any blinding problems either. Other cars that have real headlights, that actually disperse the halogen light can have problems. The Mark VIII has such a poor design that you couldn't blind someone if you tried.

The HID's are much brighter and will run cooler. They will not burn up your lenses but actually protect them because they run so cool.

The three problems with a Mark VIII conversion is finding a good place for the ballasts, the message center will show a "headlamp out" message and they are not DOT legal.
1) If using regular sized ballasts behind the Grille is the best spot. Mini ballasts are now more common and easier to install in a nice hidden place.
2)The headlight out message can be cured by cutting a wire under the dash.
3) Technically all HID conversions are illegal, but this is a law that you can clearly see is not enforced. With all the HID kits on the internet etc. Problems can arise when blue or purple bulbs are used. This will attract the attention of the Police. Factory installed HID's are 4300K and give off a bright white light with a very slight blue tint. This will give the most light output. 4300K bulbs are the only color bulbs approved for street use(though still technically illegal if used in a conversion). Next is 6000K, they will have more of a bluish tint and are more popular bulb because they have a high performance look. 6000K will throw slightly less light(not noticeable). I would avoid anything over 6000k. Higher K (Kelvin) bulbs will have less light output the higher you go and more "legality issues will arise". I have heard of a few Mark VIII drivers that have been ticketed in Northern states. They were all using 8000k and 10,000k bulbs.

I have detailed step by step instructions in PDF format that I would like to donate to the forums install/repair page, but I don't know how to upload it. If anyone knows how, please let me know. The instructions include HID install, directions on fixing the "headlight out message" and how to do a 4 headlight conversion = when you put your high beams on the low beams will also stay on.

i'm a little late, but as you already found out, HID's burn much cooler. I took a drive down a dark back road the other week in my mark and i was mortified by the terrible low beam output, so i ordered a HID conversion kit myself. legal or not, i'd rather risk a ticket (not bloody likely seeing as how small the mark's headlights are, you're probably not going to be blinding anybody) than hit a deer i couldn't see 20 feet in front of me. my housing chrome is perfect and i polished all the haze out of my lenses when i got the car, so i'm hoping for a nice result with the 6000k kit. i do still need to aim the driver's side headlight a little more to the left as i literally could not see anything on the left hand shoulder of the road.

Bill
1996 Diamond Anniversary Silver Frost Mark VIII
1955 Chevrolet 210 2 door sedan

Can you email me the PDF?

TIA!

Dave

Could you possibly send that PDF my way?

Doug
'95 Mark VIII

Hello Doug and Dave,

I would be happy to send the PDF, but don't know how to send it through the message board. I just tried and it will let me send a direct email, but not with an attachment.

I am leaving today for a week and will be back home on Aug 5th(the PDF is on my home computer). If anyone wants the instructions just post your email address on the page and I can send it when I get back. Or if someone knows how I can get it to the Forum, Or a better way to send it to individuals, I'm all ears.

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thank you! I have emailed you my email address throught through the message board.

Dave