Retro really worth it??

[jackedupZ71]

I've been searching all of the hid/retro threads and am wondering is a retro really worth it? i put 5k hids in the lows and fogs and needless to say i am unimpressed with them in the denali. i know it's not "right" to put them in stock housings, which is why i am thinking of the retro. I guess my main concern is, is the price of a retro really worth doing?

 

[Modded]

That is a very subjunctive question and members of varying walks of life and taste differ in their opinion on that matter.
To me, I would rather have stock halogens than pay $800 or more for a retrofit kit.
For what it is worth, I would be more willing to pay for the retrofit if I had just got the car, than if I have had it for years. This is because uninstalling it for resale will not net one anywhere close to what they paid for it.

 

[jackedupZ71]

I understand everyone has their own opinions on it and for the most part i don't like the retro's, but after seeing some that left it as stock as possible, it looks good. I also understand what you are sayin about taking them on and off when you resale, but I just got this for the wifey 2 weeks ago so not sure on what to do. Damn looking cool costs a lot of money haha

 

[NathanJax]

I think they're worth it. I can see much better, the light shines further. Retro's are expensive depending on where you get them and parts used. BlackFlameCustoms uses about $600 worth of parts and has about $400 in labor. So reselling those you can look to get $700-$900. Mine were custom and just parts for mine were $950, then labor. So I would expect to get about $1,000+ for mine.

Now, obviously if you don't have $1,000 to spend, I wouldn't get them, but I'd rather keep my OEM housing with halogen bulbs before just doing a PnP HID kit.

Here's mine: http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43733

 

[blkonblk]

Definitely worth it and you will get 100% better lightning. If you go with some of the better projectors you will not regret it, and it will look like it came that way from the GM

 

[OHSIXX]

Yes they are worth it. Compare what other mods will cost you plus the added safety factor you get from better lighting......mine looks factory and can be re-sold since I bought a second set of headlights. It comes down to personal preference and what you feel comfortable spending your $$$$ on.....

Can your lights do this?

 

[jackedupZ71]

both of those pics look great! I'm all for mods, as long as I can retain a "factory" look. The build threads i've looked over seem like parts are the most expensive, but from the output pictures it looks as if they do the job. I'll have to do some thinking as to which mods need to be prority

 

[vt_hokie2008]

Something to consider: VA passed a law that if a vehicle didn't come with HIDs from the factory, it's not going to pass inspection (if you take it somewhere that sticks to the book). So you may do your retro only to have your vehicle fail inspection regardless. Check with your state first.

 

[yates ™]

Thank goodness for inspectionless Iowa

 

[jackedupZ71]

if hoop-d's n ricers can run around here with 10k-12k hids n pass inspection then i wouldn't see a problem with doing it right even if not factory. thanks for the heads up though

 

[drroy]

Its not just VA, that is nationwide, hid kits or retro both are illegal. Regardless I just passed inspection in VA with a retro, all the mechanics were loving on my truck and more interested in my ck375's than anything else, dont think they noticed the headlights.

BTW - definitely worth it

 

[jackedupZ71]

yeah if it's not straight from the factory hid/projector setup it's illegal. retro's look as if they should be in the "grey" area of that law. i'm seriously thinking about it now, all of yalls pics are sick!

 

[drroy]

No grey area, they are illegal. Headlight units are certified by the DOT as a whole, once you alter them IE: by putting HID bulbs in a projector or reflector designed for halogen, they are no longer DOT certified and are illegally modified. And even though you may have removed a projector from a DOT certified housing and placed it in a DOT certified housing that combo = illegal.

Not trying to dissuade you or anything, I have retro's on all 3 of my cars right now and have done dozens of them in the past. But that is the way the law see's it, not that it is enforced to any degree.

 

[Regency]

Yes and no really personal preference and if you wanna spend that much money...
I'm estatic the new ones are coming with projectors but I wouldn't do a retrofit just for hids to be put in.

 

[jackedupZ71]

are you guys that have done the retros putting any hids or different color bulbs in the fogs?

 

[NathanJax]

are you guys that have done the retros putting any hids or different color bulbs in the fogs?

Yes, I've got Nokya 2500k 35w Halogen bulbs in mine. I know Serge (soulsea) had the same ones