HIDs installed & ballast placement

[mikemart]

I purchased a McCulloch 6000k HID Conversion Kit last week. Finally had a chance to install them today.

This is where I chose to mount the ballast. It is on the inside of the wheel well cover. I used the provided double sided tape and also used two screws (+ nuts) of my own for a secure mount.

This is what it looks like when the well is closed back up.

Not the best shot in the world, but there is about 6 inches of snow outside; didn't want to get snow on my baby.

Below: recently added photos:HIDs in wintery afternoon

The best before and after I took:

Not a very good cell phone shot, but it shows the brightness of 6000k:

The install went pretty smooth. From jacking the car up to replacing the last clip, probably took me 2 hours total. Probably a little long, but I didn't have a plan for the ballast mount until I got in there and looked around again. Zip tied all the wires, so its pretty clean in there. Used rubber gloves when handling both new and old bulbs...just in case!

I used Eric's instructions. Thanks man! The wiring varied because I used different brand, of course. Mine were purely plug and play.

Modified by mikemart at 7:46 PM 12/8/2007

Modified by mikemart at 7:48 PM 12/8/2007

Modified by mikemart at 5:43 PM 12/19/2007
Modified by mikemart at 5:48 PM 12/19/2007

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Mike,

Your pictures don't work. Also, where did you get your kit from and for how much?

[mikemart]

I think I fixed it.

I got the lights from http://www.xenonpros.com

I paid $259.00 for the pair.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Looks great Mike! Glad you like them. Definitely. the most popular "first mod" amongst us. McCullochs are a good set.

[mikemart]

Thanks Tyler.

There was no need to do a full write up, but I thought this would help others with ballast mounting questions.

I like it this way because its secured pretty tightly. I was worried about just using ties/tape. Didn't want the ballast coming loose and rattling around.

They look pretty sick in the garage. Probably won't drive her for at least a week. Pretty nasty out.---winter sucks.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

I am desperately looking for HIDs, but cannot fork out $260 for a kit. I found some XenTec on Amazon for $130 that I might get. The Altima low beams are H11, correct?

[mikemart]

H11----you are correct.

I saw the ones Eric went with, but I just wasn't sure of the quality. McCulloch seemed like a reputable brand from the research that I did. I considered getting Phillips, but they were way too pricey.

There was no price difference for varying k, either. I s/w a customer svc rep; told him the look I was going for and he said 6000k was optimal.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Sounds nice. I have heard a few good things about XenTec and found them on Amazon for $140 shipped. I was originally not planning to spend more than $90 and found some 'cheap' XenTec on eBay for $75 shipped. I don't want to risk the quality though, and think it's wiser to spend $140 to buy from a reputable source. That way, I know I'm getting XenTec and not some fakes.

[mikemart]

I feel you.

I'm pretty skeptical about most ebay sellers. That's why I tried to find an actual HID dealer. This way I'll have customer support and warranty coverage for at least a year.

btw: I got a full refund on my fog lights and combination switch! I was worried they would try to hit me for the 20% restocking fee.
Modified by mikemart at 8:21 PM 12/8/2007

[SHIFT_2.5S]

I assume that if I buy from Amazon, even though it's through another legitimate seller, I get some warranty coverage.

What happened to your fogs? Did you ever install them?

[mikemart]

No I never got them installed. The harness wasn't there. To be "stock" the factory harness would have to be replaced. The necessary wiring was tied into a harness that was part of the BCM. This harness controls about 8 different variables under the hood. The tech at my dealer said it would be about 7-9 hours of labor----at $100 per hour. Not economically feasible.

I'm happy: got a full refund which paid for my HIDs with a chunk of change back!

I'll just wait a while, hopefully some sweet aftermarket fogs will come out soon and I'll snatch those up.

[duffman1278]

HID's ftw! looks pretty good

[generic808]

Glad you got your HID's up and running. I personally think the X-Light is of pretty decent quality. With the exception of the wiring, the ballasts seem to be very solidly built. But, we'll have to wait and see if it passes the test of time. So far so good though.

[D-Roll]

Gotta love the HID's!

[Shift_Perfection]

hey mike.. 6000k is what color? really really white or whiteish blue or blue

[SHIFT_2.5S]

hey mike.. 6000k is what color? really really white or whiteish blue or blue

6000K is whiteish blue, as can be seen here:

[mikemart]

Yeah--Shift_2.5S is right. white-ish blue is the best way to describe.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Nice color. I am going to go for 5000K (as Eric recommended) because it is stock white and brighter than 6000K. It's all a matter of preference.

[generic808]

5000K is the way to go. 6000K is just too blue for my taste.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

5000K is the way to go. 6000K is just too blue for my taste.

[Oside3.5]

Hey Mike

Quick question, where did you mount the ignitors? I'm interested in purchasing the same set, and wanted a gameplan before I started.

[mikemart]

I mounted them on the inside of my wheel well. I drilled two holes to match the ballast and used some screws/nuts I had sitting around my garage. The picture I posted showing the two screws?__-thats what the well looks like when its all sealed up from the OUTSIDE. I thought this was best cuz the ballast won't be bouncing around.

I used the provided double-sided tape to mount, then drilled the holes and used my own screws.

The 2nd original pic is what the ballast mounting looks like with your head INSIDE the well. The 3rd pic is what the ballast mounting looks like on the OUTSIDE. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more q'ss.

The rest of the harnesses (including ingiitor wiring) are simply zip-tied together for a clean fit. McCulluch provided all necessary wiring and/or adaptors for H11.

Just stating the obvious, but I jacked up my car using a hydraulic jack & jack stand and removed the corresponding wheel as I worked on each side.

[LongBeachCoupe]

Hey guys... just an FYI... American Express ONLY... Its nice to have 1yr warranty tacked on to everything you buy... and they ALWAYS do right by you

[vi3t89]

Modified by vi3t89 at 10:42 PM 1/19/2008

[Malves85]

May be a stupid question but im a little lost. Im getting the 3.5 with the premium package that comes with High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights. Is everyone here getting HIDs not have the premium packageor are the HIDs that come with the premium package not true HID if there is such a thing? I like what you did with the car and plan on getting the set and like the slight blue tint but dont want to spend the money if it will be the same as factory HID.

http://www.xenonpros.com/mc6000k.html

[adidas2go]

the stock HID is 4300k so to upgrade to 5000k is pretty usless. Any higher than 5000k and your loosing visibility you only gaining the color...

[mikemart]

the stock HID is 4300k so to upgrade to 5000k is pretty usless. Any higher than 5000k and your loosing visibility you only gaining the color...

I would agree w/ adidas2go------it was purely a cosmetic decision to go w/ 6000k.... although, I will say that I love my HID's!! I just love my F*****g coupe mang!!--------the best part about living in Wyoming is that nobody has ever seen an A/C before, let alone with sick *** headlights!

[Malves85]

the stock HID is 4300k so to upgrade to 5000k is pretty usless. Any higher than 5000k and your loosing visibility you only gaining the color...

That is really good to know. Im going to get the 6000k for the looks of the blue tint. If I was worried about visibility I would be getting a truck with huge 8in hella lights all over the front

Thank you for the info

[beesh80]

Hey guys, I have a 2007 3.5 sedan with HID's. Do i need the whole setup i'm seeing for the mcCulloch and others, or can I just get the actual bulbs and plug them in.

[kamikazestorm420]

you can get them for $140 from mod express ...