My new headlights!

[mandoh]

if you dont mind me asking,how much did all of that cost you in the end? b/c i'm looking to upgrade to H.I.D's very soon.

[Jared71482]

Umm... lets see... the headlights were right around $200, bulbs were $90, projectors $90 and ballasts $185. These are all prices with shipping.

UPS just got here, so I have work to do, haha!

[mandoh]

haha ok thanx,cant wait to see the results!!!!

[Jared71482]

Well, the RX 330 projectors I pictured before wont end up working in these headlights, just requires too many small modifications that I dont want to make. So this will take a little longer to complete... for now I have a pair of headlights and ballasts waiting to be used.

I could have just done this the simple way and used Valeo projectors, the ones that are found in the 99-04 A4s with HID, as they would be a direct fit to the housings. However, I want the better light output that other projectors offer. I just purchased a pair of Acura TSX projectors, which are some of the best available. We'll see how these work when they come!

[sirmeepsalot]

so the 99 01 a4 ballasts will work in those headlights?

[Jared71482]

No, the 99-01 headlights use the Valeo slim ballasts which mount on the bottom of the lights.

These lights work with the Hella gen 3 ballasts, specifically the older A6 ballasts. As long as the seals on the bulb wires have not been removed, they are a direct fit. Here are some pictures that will show what im talking about... the first pic is the ballasts, second one is the rear cover for the lights, third shows how the seal fits the cover perfectly, and the fourth shows the ballast in its place. The rectangular plate on the wire has clips on it and a rubber seal, this locks into the opening and creates a water tight seal. The fairly large opening is to allow the bulb connector to pass through, as it is not removeable from the wire.
The lights come out of the box with a "blank" cover in this opening, if HID is not used.

Note that the lights do not come with a bracket to hold the ballast in the rear cover, however it can easily be fabricated out of a piece of flat steel or aluminum.







On the rear of the headlight housing, just below the bulb access opening, there is another rectangular opening. This is for the ballast power wire. The power wires from the A6 are again, a direct fit, with the wire seal already in place. These are a fairly rare find, so my suggestion is to just drill a hole in the "blank" cover, run the power wire through and seal it with some silicone or a rubber grommet.

Still waiting on my TSX projectors... hopefully they show up today. Im beyond anxious! I hate halogen headlights, haha!

[sirmeepsalot]

ok im confused here sorry, but what lights should i get if i wanted to go to hid?

[Jared71482]

Haha, yea I guess it can be a little confusing. If you have a 96- early 99 A4 with the 2 piece headlights, you want the headlights I pictured in my first post. They are aftermarket headlights but very good quality, also a direct fit to the early A4's.

The part where it gets even more confusing is here... you want ballasts from an A6, as long as they have the seals on the bulb cables, like I pictued above. For projectors, you want the 99-05 A4 Valeo D2S projectors.

If you like, I can build a pair for you (or anyone else) or at least aquire all the proper parts. I wouldnt charge much for the assembly, as its very easy, say around $30.

Total price for a pair of assembled NEW headlights (Housings and bulbs would be new, projectors and ballasts are used) would be $600 plus shipping. The headlights would be complete and ready to fit any 96-early 99 A4, plug right in and include matching corner lenses.

Not trying to make money here, just help anyone out that wants to go HID the right way.

[mandoh]

i was just gonna ask you earlier,lol when the time comes and i have money i'll let you no!!!

[Jared71482]

Alright. $600 is my best estimate right now, and would include all shipping for the items to me, but not shipping from me to you (around $30). The parts needed are always available, so whenever you can do it.

I didnt get the projectors today... so I havent completed anything yet... which sucks, haha. Im REALLY hoping they come tomorrow, or else it will be at least Monday before I see them... ick.