Not fair. True, but not fair.Originally Posted by VX crazy
Nology (please no relation to the ricer-scam 'Hotwires' found at AutoZone) makes a valid point based on what he has heard from those who (may) actually know what they are talking about.
I've read FMVSS 108 from end-to-end while doing some other work, and I seem to have a fair understanding of its content and applications. It is generally true that non-HID housings were not designed to control/focus light from HID bulbs. I've endured a very public battle on NASIOC with a Mr108 (employee of the NHTSA) over this very topic.
Here's a common arguement:
-Stray light outside of the 'cut-off' pattern. HOWEVER, the VX has an exceptionally sharp cut-off pattern for a halogen-designed fixture. So clear, it makes many projectors look poor by comparison. Check it out yourself @ 50 feet from a smooth vertical wall. A very nice horizontal cut-off with a distinct elbow and rise to the right. Simply adding brighter lights won't change this important feature one bit.
Bottom line is, under current guidelines/regulations, HID retrofit kits are illegal, no matter how good your housings or bulbs are. Even your 'HID housings' on your Cherokee are illegal, Nology. FMVSS 108 is outdated and needs some serious revision, but the law's the law.
Incidentally, being that I've owned 4 Jeeps (2 SJs, 1 XJ, 1 ZJ), I've NEVER heard of such HID housings being offered -when did this start?
I'd venture to say that few other VX owners (aside from the 4 others that live within 20 miles of me) need quality lighting more than I do. Poor/ nonexistant street lighting, bad roads, wildlife and long hours of darkness demand first-rate lighting. It has been my experience that no one light will do it all, and redundant light sources are important in the land of flying rocks.
I use Osram/Tungsram EUROPEAN 55/65 bulbs in the stock housings, Hella 35W projectors for fog, and 110W KC slimlights for 'moose lights'. All lights are mounted in the correct locations (fogs are low, driving beams are high, etc.) I've done some wiring modifications and upgrades to the factory harness, but aside from that, I'm pretty stock.
Granted, this is what works for me, and may not apply to others' driving environments.
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