My problem is that even driving through my development at night (25mph), I feel I'm driving too fast for the distance my OE main beams project in front of me. I definitely don't want to blind oncoming traffic, but surely there's an alternative solution to the projectors that don't do that. I acknowledge my mild lowering springs (Eibach ProKit) have to exacerbate the situation, but it's very disturbing as I feel unsafe -- not something I desire to just live with :(! Any good alternatives (and I hate blue tinted headlights)?

My problem is that even driving through my development at night (25mph), I feel I'm driving too fast for the distance my OE main beams project in front of me. I definitely don't want to blind oncoming traffic, but surely there's an alternative solution to the projectors that don't do that. I acknowledge my mild lowering springs (Eibach ProKit) have to exacerbate the situation, but it's very disturbing as I feel unsafe -- not something I desire to just live with :(! Any good alternatives (and I hate blue tinted headlights)?

Trev, if you get an HID kit with the 5000K temp/color, you wont get that blue color that you don't like. Also another question for you is whether or not you have the factory fog lights in your bumper. I went with 2 HID kits for my car, 8000K for the Headlights and 5000k for the fog lights (note: I am running on the Eibach Sportlines) The light projection is better than any Halogen light on any other car, and with the HID fogs, you don't get that dissipation of light right in front of your car. One of these nights I will post a pic of what it looks like at night time for you to see.

id recommend trying sylvania silverstars. often brighter then hids, correct color, and works properly in stock headlight housings. most people go buy pnp hid ktis, but dont realize they arent designed to work correctly in stock housing. thats when you see idiots with lights that are every color of the rainbow driving around blinding everybody cause they think they are real f'n cool.

You can first try adjusting the projector beam to a higher point via the adjustment bolt since you're at a lowered ride height. You can then try adding auxiliary lighting such as fog lights or a DRL which would provide some illumination.

+1 on the fogs. I noticed a big difference in visibility after the dealer installed the fogs on my 2011 xb. If you have a 2010 or older model, check out oznium.com for their led fog kits if you don't like the OEM ones. I also changed my bulbs to a Luminics 5100 k bulb. Pure white, $40 a pair, not blue. I have pics in a thread titled "custom led Maui " if you want to see how those look. It is clearly not a cool white color like the HIDs that cost so much. Adjust the angle too. That will definitely help. Good luck. Aloha!

id recommend trying sylvania silverstars. often brighter then hids, correct color, and works properly in stock headlight housings. most people go buy pnp hid ktis, but dont realize they arent designed to work correctly in stock housing. thats when you see idiots with lights that are every color of the rainbow driving around blinding everybody cause they think they are real f'n cool.
xB2s are projector headlights. You dont get much more correct housings for HIDs.

Thanks guys :)!

I have fogs, but I only use them with precipitation (fog, snow, rain). I wasn't aware there's a beam height adjustment on the projectors so that's definitely worth looking at. Brightness really isn't a problem (brightest main beams I've ever had), but the cutoff is too close for my comfort. It would be nice if it just faded out rather than cutoff -- something more gradual.

Trevor,
Pop your hood look down on top of the headlight mounts. you will see a bolt with teeth. Mark the visible tooth with some bright colored nail polish, wait a few mins to dry. then turn the bolt to the left 10 teeth on each light. The check your headlight throw.

Easiest way is to pull up to a garage door, tape where the center of your beam is on the door and adjust accordingly. then youll know if they're even and moving at all.

I wasn't aware there's a beam height adjustment on the projectors so that's definitely worth looking at.
This is the Adjusting Headlights thread:
http://scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112371
You want to be on level ground, about 25' away from the wall you are aiming at, and adjust them so that the top of the cut-off is 30"-32" above the ground. With HID bulbs the driver side is often adjusted just a little lower than the passenger side, so that you don't blind oncoming drivers on the other side of the road.


but the cutoff is too close for my comfort. It would be nice if it just faded out rather than cutoff -- something more gradual.
The cut-off is exactly what allows us to run such bright bulbs without blinding people, but the squirrel finders and optics of our projectors are not designed to function in the same way that true HID projectors are.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html



The best 2 alternatives that I know of for brighter halogen bulbs are either the Sylvania SilverStar Ultra:
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/SilverStarUltra/

or replacing the H11 55watt (about 1200 lumens) low-beam bulb with an H9 65watt (about 2100 lumens) high-beam bulb. The H9 is a high beam bulb that doesn't fit in the H11 socket, but is close enough that with a small amount of cutting & trimming to both the bulb and the socket it can be modified to work.

Here is a DIY for the H9 bulb to H11 socket conversion:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=119161

I know there are at least two people on SL who have done this to an xB2 and have had no problems running the H9 high beam bulb in the H11 low beam projectors for a couple years now. We can get away with running such a bright bulb in the low beams because of the cut-off in the projectors.

Hope that helps out Trevor.

Thanks again :)!

Found an old bottle of red Testors model enamel and marked the current tooth positions with a couple drops.

Hunted for adjustment instructions and found them at TRDSparks:
http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=744&Part_cat=24&parts_id=2241

The clockwise and counterclockwise rotations are from the front of the car, the reverse of the bolt perspective.

5. ADJUST HEADLIGHT AIMING

(a) Adjust the aiming vertically:
Adjust the headlight aim to within the specified range by turning
aiming screw A with a screwdriver.
The final turn of the aiming screw should be made in the
clockwise direction. If the screw is tightened excessively, loosen
it and then re-tighten it, so that the final turn of the screw is in the
clockwise direction.

(b) Perform low-beam aim adjustment.
The headlight aim moves down when the aiming screw is turned
clockwise, and moves up when the aiming screw is turned
counterclockwise.I'll definitely be giving that a try.

xB2s are projector headlights. You dont get much more correct housings for HIDs.
You're actually completely incorrect about that last comment. They work, this is true. But legit HID projectors are so much better.

My S2000 projectors with clear lens are exponentially better than the OEM xB2's. I can't express how much better they are.

You're actually completely incorrect about that last comment. They work, this is true. But legit HID projectors are so much better.
I repeat...

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.ht (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html)

:lalala:

You're actually completely incorrect about that last comment. They work, this is true. But legit HID projectors are so much better.

My S2000 projectors with clear lens are exponentially better than the OEM xB2's. I can't express how much better they are.
I was comparing them to posters hallogen style headlights in the xB1 and how the xB2 has projector headlights. Much better, less scatter. Of course something made and that came with HIDs from the factory will be better.

This is the Adjusting Headlights thread:
http://scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112371
You want to be on level ground, about 25' away from the wall you are aiming at, and adjust them so that the top of the cut-off is 30"-32" above the ground. With HID bulbs the driver side is often adjusted just a little lower than the passenger side, so that you don't blind oncoming drivers on the other side of the road.

The cut-off is exactly what allows us to run such bright bulbs without blinding people, but the squirrel finders and optics of our projectors are not designed to function in the same way that true HID projectors are.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

The best 2 alternatives that I know of for brighter halogen bulbs are either the Sylvania SilverStar Ultra:
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/SilverStarUltra/

or replacing the H11 55watt (about 1200 lumens) low-beam bulb with an H9 65watt (about 2100 lumens) high-beam bulb. The H9 is a high beam bulb that doesn't fit in the H11 socket, but is close enough that with a small amount of cutting & trimming to both the bulb and the socket it can be modified to work.

Here is a DIY for the H9 bulb to H11 socket conversion:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=119161

I know there are at least two people on SL who have done this to an xB2 and have had no problems running the H9 high beam bulb in the H11 low beam projectors for a couple years now. We can get away with running such a bright bulb in the low beams because of the cut-off in the projectors.

Hope that helps out Trevor.
Totally awesome treatment CIONIDE, and that DanielSternLighting article is superb -- thanks very much :)!

Trevor,
Pop your hood look down on top of the headlight mounts. you will see a bolt with teeth. Mark the visible tooth with some bright colored nail polish, wait a few mins to dry. then turn the bolt to the left 10 teeth on each light. The check your headlight throw.
Added 10 teeth of counterclockwise today (12 plus 2 clockwise as per instructions). I don't drive in the dark every day, but I'll let you know how it worked out -- thanks :)!

OEM HID headlamps may be exponentionally better than aftermarket HIDs in our XB projector housings but aftermarket HIDs are still exponentionally better than Sylvania Silverstar Ultras or modded H9s.

OEM HID headlamps may be exponentionally better than aftermarket HIDs in our XB projector housings but aftermarket HIDs are still exponentionally better than Sylvania Silverstar Ultras or modded H9s.

^^x2

OEM HID headlamps may be exponentionally better than aftermarket HIDs in our XB projector housings but aftermarket HIDs are still exponentionally better than Sylvania Silverstar Ultras or modded H9s.
That linked article though, definitely explains the glare I get from some probably aftermarket headlights approaching me on the road -- usually with a bluish cast.

That linked article though, definitely explains the glare I get from some probably aftermarket headlights approaching me on the road -- usually with a bluish cast.

I get that too. I read most of Daniel Stern's website 3 years ago and he convinced me to go with modded H9s instead of HIDs. I ran H9s for about 3 months before one of the Sylvania Osram bulbs died prematurely. IMO they were a modest improvement over H11's. After reading so many glowing testimonials for HID kits in our housings I decided to try a $60 HIDXtra kit. IMO Daniel Stern is mostly right but partially wrong. Most of what he says in that article is 100% correct. You shouldn't place HIDs in any housing other than projector style. Axial arc HIDs should not be used to replace transverse filament bulbs. However axial arc HIDs work pretty damn well when replacing axial filament H11s in a projector housing, which I doubt Daniel has tried.

My personal experience over the past 2 years has been 100% positive. I have a very clean, sharp cut-off, much improved illumination and virtually no complaints from other drivers despite the fact that I re-adjusted my low beams up quite a bit because of the sharp cutoff.

My personal experience over the past 2 years has been 100% positive. I have a very clean, sharp cut-off, much improved illumination and virtually no complaints from other drivers despite the fact that I re-adjusted my low beams up quite a bit because of the sharp cutoff.
Me too. The increase in illumination over the OEM halogen bulbs is incredible, and even though the squirrel finders kick up some of the light above the cut-offs I've never had an oncoming driver flash their high-beams at me. I've also followed directly behind law enforcement vehicles several times at night and have never had any problems there either (which is really saying something since I live in Cali).

Me too. The increase in illumination over the OEM halogen bulbs is incredible, and even though the squirrel finders kick up some of the light above the cut-offs I've never had an oncoming driver flash their high-beams at me. I've also followed directly behind law enforcement vehicles several times at night and have never had any problems there either (which is really saying something since I live in Cali).

I feel the same way. Occasionally I'll pass someone with their high beams on and wonder if it might be because of my HIDs but it seems that they're simply ignorant a$$hats. If I flash my high beams or flip my rear-veiw mirror they do nothing. If I slow down and drive behind them with my high beams on they still leave their high beams on.

Daniel Stern makes a very compelling case against aftermarket HID kits in general but in the case of 08+ XB's, end-user feedback appears to be 100% positive. I know that when I need new low beams again I'll be getting new HIDs.

I feel the same way. Occasionally I'll pass someone with their high beams on and wonder if it might be because of my HIDs but it seems that they're simply ignorant a$$hats. If I flash my high beams or flip my rear-veiw mirror they do nothing. If I slow down and drive behind them with my high beams on they still leave their high beams on.

Daniel Stern makes a very compelling case against aftermarket HID kits in general but in the case of 08+ XB's, end-user feedback appears to be 100% positive. I know that when I need new low beams again I'll be getting new HIDs.

Yeah, pretty much from what I got the "Daniel Stern" article seems more directed at using HIDs in open housing headlight style rather than the projector style. My HIDs are incredible and for the last two years I have had no problem with law inforcement, and I also have HIDs in my fog lights. So I say go for it!

The ten tooth lift makes a big difference, though I'm not sure I really want my high beams that high. Guess it's a trade off and I'll just have to experiment. With the low beam higher, the brightness drops off and so I think I'll drop by PepBoys today and pickup a couple Sylvania Silverstars. They're a big improvement over the standard replacement for my Eclipse sealed beams. Thanks for the HID info, but I'm not yet feeling the need to go there :)!

OK, just picked up a twin pack of Ultra's (H11 SU/2) and I think I must be overlooking something.

I find it interesting the OE is a 60W (Sylvania 22N12V60W) whereas the Ultra is 55W, but my problem is I've no idea how one is supposed to install the Silverstar.

What am I missing guys?
The bulb that you pulled out on the left is your high-beam bulb... that's why it's 60W and has a different base. Pull out the other bulb (the low-beam) and you will see that it has the same base as the Silverstar H11, and is 55W also.

:doh:

Damn! I just posted that and then almost immediately figured out my error (for some reason thought the inside lights were the low beams) and deleted my post, but you were too quick for me :icon_redface:!

Internet embarrassment for eternity... just one more service I provide. :biggrin:

I have 6k temp bulbs from DDMtuning.com, and they are "crystal" white. 5k would have gotten me pure white (which I wanted, but I thought 6k would be white also).

The difference while driving at night is insane, I can see SO much better than before.

Bump for the $40 ddm hid 5k kit.

Internet embarrassment for eternity... just one more service I provide. :biggrin:
Oh well, story of my life :(. In any case, thanks for the quick response since I honestly didn't expect to hear anything for a few hours at least. The bulbs are installed and a quick daylight test verifies they not only work but are clearly brighter than the OE. I've stashed the originals in the Ultra blister pack for storing in my xB OE parts box (got something of an overflow going on there :))! I'll just have to see where I end up on the adjuster tooth count.

By the way, a special thanks to NUTS2U for suggesting color marking the original adjuster setting. That's turned out to be very helpful :).
I have 6k temp bulbs from DDMtuning.com, and they are "crystal" white. 5k would have gotten me pure white (which I wanted, but I thought 6k would be white also).

The difference while driving at night is insane, I can see SO much better than before.

Bump for the $40 ddm hid 5k kit.
Since I just paid $50 locally for the Ultra's (would have been $45 from an Amazon seller), I can certainly appreciate lower prices for an HID kit, even Fred's $60 seems very reasonable -- I'm presuming that includes shipping?