Lighting opinions

[DenaliAK]

That's right, I'm asking for advice on lighting. Apparently it's a cold day in Hell....

Alright, here's the deal: I'm about to update lights for the long, dark winter. I am replacing my HID low bulbs. Straight-forward swap going for max light, so that's easy: 4500k.

I'd like to update my high beams as well. I run the six-high mod. I'm toying with HID highs, too, but think I'd rather just get an over-watt halogen bulb. Any suggestions? NOT SILVERSTARS or any other gimmicky lights like that. Just good, bright halogens. Or a 9006 hi/low halogen/HID combo if anyone knows where I can find one.

The big project is fogs. I have to get new fogs. I just can't take these crappy, plastic-lensed, easy to scorch things in the Denali. I run 55w HID's in them. I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and get some Blazer fog projectors from theretrofitsource.com. There is also the P1 I think it's called, but they are so tiny I think it would look funny. Suggestions?

Also, should I go with 3000k fogs or color-match the lows?

I'm also hoping to do the HID backup light conversion as described in the tech section. I already have the kit and some of the parts, it's just finding the time to do spend a day figuring out and running wires and installing switches.

Ultimately I'd like a good cheap, backup camera too, but still haven't found the right fit that works.

So, all of that to ask: High beam recommendations for over-wattage halogen bulbs of quality (philips/osram perhaps?). Fog lights: What projector setup and what color bulbs?

Oh, and I'm going to paint the shields in the fog projectors. Any paint suggestions? I haven't decided on color yet.

 

[Rivieraracing]

-For highs, I'd only worry about melting issues with over watt highs

-For Fogs, HID 3000's are bright but unless you have alot of fog I'd be matching your lows!! Actually, being in Alaska, 3000's might be the ticket for you if you get a ton of snow all the time, my fogs are useless in the snow/fog because they are sooo bright!!

-For reverse HID's, there are a few guys on here that have done it and love them, maybe one of them will chime in and help ya out!! I haven't done it yet but have been thinking about it!!

 

[chauncey0337]

For highs, I've heard that silverstars are one of the few 'gimmiky' bulbs that are actually whiter and brighter.
For fogs, I really like the p1's. All metal housings but, yes, they are tiny and might look weird in that big opening. I was trying to think of a way to make them look good on my tahoe but for your denali, you could mount/ glue a piece of plastic or delrin on the back of the fog opening. Cut out a smaller hole just big enough for the p1's, paint the plastic to match your truck, and mount the p1's centered in the smaller hole. Just an idea. And for the snow I think 3000k would be more helpful. My 2 cents.
Btw, where are you in AK? I grew up in Anchorage.

 

[soulsea]

The Blazer fogs are okay ... I hear, for what it is worth, that the Fusion fogs are superior.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/sho...-new-never-used-Fusion-Projector-Fogs-for-HID

 

[DenaliAK]

For highs, I've heard that silverstars are one of the few 'gimmiky' bulbs that are actually whiter and brighter.
For fogs, I really like the p1's. All metal housings but, yes, they are tiny and might look weird in that big opening. I was trying to think of a way to make them look good on my tahoe but for your denali, you could mount/ glue a piece of plastic or delrin on the back of the fog opening. Cut out a smaller hole just big enough for the p1's, paint the plastic to match your truck, and mount the p1's centered in the smaller hole. Just an idea. And for the snow I think 3000k would be more helpful. My 2 cents.
Btw, where are you in AK? I grew up in Anchorage.

Still a toss up between the Blazers and P1's for me. I've never heard of the Fusions, but will do more research on them. It would be fairly easy to create a "filler" of some sort to go around the P1's and make them not look too horrible. I dunno...we'll see. I'll probably make a decision in the next week or two on that and get things ordered so it's not too cold when it comes time to install.

I'm in Anchorage, BTW. I grew up here, too. Been here over 30 years, actually. I love Alaska, but Anchorage is getting too big and the winters get longer every year as I get older....lol.

 

[DenaliAK]

-For highs, I'd only worry about melting issues with over watt highs

-For Fogs, HID 3000's are bright but unless you have alot of fog I'd be matching your lows!! Actually, being in Alaska, 3000's might be the ticket for you if you get a ton of snow all the time, my fogs are useless in the snow/fog because they are sooo bright!!

-For reverse HID's, there are a few guys on here that have done it and love them, maybe one of them will chime in and help ya out!! I haven't done it yet but have been thinking about it!!

Yeah, I was thinking the yellow fogs would work well in the snow. I've had them in other cars, and even just for driving with snowy roads it helps create some contrast. If it's blizzarding out they cut through it with minimal glare, too.

I can't wait to get the reverse HID's to be hooked up. It's a bit more electrical work than just a small project, though, so I need to make sure I have time to finish it once I start.

 

[03Dnasty]

I have 55watt 8000k in my headlights, and 35 watt 6000k in my fogs right now but was just thinking today about doing something different and going with 3000k in my fogs as well. I live in good old KS where snow is only a couple months away and 3000k would be best anyways. So I'm going for it!

 

[SunlitComet]

ddm tuning hid 35w5k for lows, 55w6k for highs, amber for fogs-if hids are used then lowest wattage possible 2-3k as to not burn small fixtures if used.

 

[puckhead]

Alright, here is what I did. The highs are the high watt "off-road" (55watt I think) only halogens. Cant remember the brand but I will try and find them. I have never had any heat or melting issues, even in the summer. Lows are 6k(35watt) hids.

As for the fogs, I went with the 3000k hids(35watt). With snow like we have hear and you have up there, I think it is a must. I do like the ones that match though, just dont know if they are any better than the 3000k.

I will try and post some pics of what I did for the back up lights. Basically what I did was get a hid/halogen hi/low set up and mod it to fit into the original spot did some cutting on both ends, dont know if you would want to do that though. I wired the hid's on a separate switch that is relayed to a switch in my dash and straight to the battery. so i can turn them on whenever I want. Helps a lot when car camping. And when I have both the hid and halogen on there is a ton of light and so far no melting issues. But then I dont have them both on for long periods of time.

From previous threads, I think you have the back up lights covered just need to install them?