DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Disclaimer: Neither the author of this guide, the site that hosts this guide, or any site referenced by this guide is responsible for damage done to your vehicle or injury to yourself if you attempt to follow this guide. Use this guide at your own risk.
DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation Abstract This thread documents a do-it yourself (DIY) guide for the installation of high intensity discharge (HID) headlights on a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid using a HID kit. This guide should apply to all current generation (6) Toyota Camry Hybrids and possibly all other models (such as CE, LE, and XLE). Tip: Images in this guide will load at a reduced size (thumbnail). Click the thumbnail for a direct link to a full-size image. Overview of converting to HID headlights There are various ways to convert a vehicle with halogen headlights to HID headlights. The most common method is to use what is called a "HID kit." HID kits are sold by a number of on-line retailers and at various price points. HID kits are also sold by many detailing and after market automotive parts dealers and installation establishments. An alternative method for HID headlight installation is to perform a retrofit. This method results in the most accurate installation and an installation that does not pose a glare annoyance to oncoming vehicles. Retrofitting is usually more expensive and time consuming. There are also various color temperatures of HID bulbs. HID bulbs typically range from 3000K to 12000K. The lower the color rating, more yellow the emitted light. The higher the color rating, more blue or purple the emitted light. The most visible light output is at around 4300K. For more information on HID bulb color temperature, see the following (courtesy of Mobile HID): http://lh6.ggpht.com/michaelforte/SO...44/3000pic.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/michaelforte/SO...44/4300pic.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/michaelforte/SO...44/5000pic.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/michaelforte/SO...44/6000pic.jpghttp://lh4.ggpht.com/michaelforte/SO...44/8000pic.jpg (Click on an image for more details.) The advantages of HID headlights are:
If you are unfamiliar with the term "high intensity discharge" in relation to automotive headlights, the following is suggested reading:
Time required for installation The amount of time required for installation of a HID kit depends on your level of expertise and whether or not you use a wiring harness or are able to use a wiring adapter keeping the stock wiring. The following times are estimates for planning purposes only: Beginner: 5 hours Intermediate: 3 hours Experienced: 1.5 hours Tips for a successful installation
Required tools and supplies The following tools are required to use this guide.
Notes:
What's in the box When you purchase a HID kit you will usually receive the following items:
Steps for discovering what's in the box Perform the following steps to discover what's in the box.
You have now discovered what's in the box. Steps to prepare for installation Perform the following steps to prepare for installation.
You have now prepared for installation. Steps for removing the left and right splash guards (engine undercover) Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Perform the following steps to remove the left and right splash guard.
You have now finished removing the left and right splash guards. Continue with (Part 2) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation. |
(Part 2) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Disclaimer: Neither the author of this guide, the site that hosts this guide, or any site referenced by this guide is responsible for damage done to your vehicle or injury to yourself if you attempt to follow this guide. Use this guide at your own risk.
Steps to locate the mounting point and mount the driver side ballast Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Before you begin: You should know that the method used to mount your ballast might differ from the method used in this step. Your method will depend on what type of mounting hardware is supplied with the ballast. Perform the following steps to locate the mounting point and mount the driver side ballast.
You have now finished mounting the driver side ballast. Steps to locate the mounting point and mount the passenger side ballast Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Before you begin: You should know that the method used to mount your ballast might differ from the method used in this step. Your method will depend on what type of mounting hardware is supplied with the ballast. Perform the following steps to locate the mounting point and mount the passenger side ballast.
You have now finished mounting the passenger side ballast. Continue with (Part 3) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation. |
(Part 3) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Disclaimer: Neither the author of this guide, the site that hosts this guide, or any site referenced by this guide is responsible for damage done to your vehicle or injury to yourself if you attempt to follow this guide. Use this guide at your own risk.
Steps to remove driver side stock halogen bulb and install the new HID bulb Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Perform the following steps to remove the driver side stock halogen bulb and install the new HID bulb.
You have now finished removing the driver side stock halogen bulb and installing the new HID bulb. Steps to remove passenger side stock halogen bulb and install the new HID bulb Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Perform the following steps to remove the passenger side stock halogen bulb and install the new HID bulb.
You have now finished removing the passenger side stock halogen bulb and installing the new HID bulb. Continue with (Part 4) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation. |
(Part 4) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Disclaimer: Neither the author of this guide, the site that hosts this guide, or any site referenced by this guide is responsible for damage done to your vehicle or injury to yourself if you attempt to follow this guide. Use this guide at your own risk.
Steps for connecting the positive (red) wire of the wiring harness to a power source Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Attention: The use of a wiring harness is recommended for safety reasons. Alternatively, when using digital ballasts, you may connect the ballasts directly to the stock wiring. Note: If using the Mobile HID kit, you must request an adapter from Mobile HID to connect the stock wiring to the ballast. If you choose to use the stock wiring by way of an adapter, skip this section. Otherwise, continue with this section. Perform the following steps to connect the positive (red) lead of the wiring harness to a power source.
You have now finished connecting the positive wire of the wiring harness to a power source. Steps for connecting the negative (black) wire of the wiring harness to a grounding point Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Note: If using the stock wiring by way of an adapter, skip this section. Otherwise, continue with this section. Perform the following steps to connect the negative (black) wire of the wiring harness to a grounding point.
You have now finished connecting the negative wire of the wiring harness to a grounding point. Steps to route the wiring harness extension to the passenger side ballast Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Note: If using the stock wiring by way of an adapter, skip to the next to last step in the section and connect the ballast using the wiring adapter. Perform the following steps to route the wiring harness extension to the passenger side ballast.
You have now finished routing the wiring harness extension to the passenger side ballast. Steps for connecting the wiring harness relay to the driver side stock wire Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Note: If using the stock wiring by way of an adapter, skip this section. Otherwise, continue with this section. Perform the following steps to connect the wiring harness relay to the driver side stock wire.
You have now finished connecting the wiring harness relay to a power source. Steps for connecting the driver side ballast to the wiring harness Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Note: If using the stock wiring by way of an adapter, skip to the next to last step in the section and connect the ballast using the wiring adapter. Perform the following steps to connect the driver side ballast to the wiring harness.
You have now finished connecting the wiring harness to the driver side ballast. Steps for completing the HID headlight installation Tools required for this step:
Parts required for this step:
Perform the following steps to complete the HID headlight installation.
You have now completed the installation of HID headlights. |
(Completed) DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Hello everyone,
I recently completed the do-it-your guide to HID headlight installation. I did my best to write it up in a way that would work for the least to most experienced individuals. I also relied on my memory and if I made any mistakes, please let me know. Specifically, I am not 100% sure of the socket sizes and was not 100% sure about the number of push pins (some of mine were missing). Finally, it took me much longer to write this up than it did to do the actual installation. Using the wiring harness adds about 30 minutes to the total time - give or take. If you use the stock wiring adapter, this guide will take you longer to read than to do the actual install. Good luck. I hope this is of help to someone! Mike |
Re: DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
This is awesome. This guide is of such high quality that I am now considering an HID upgrade for my TCH. I'll definitely be checking back often for updates.
Thank you so much for doing this! |
Re: DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
What he said!
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Re: DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Thanks Andrew and Ed. I will hopefully have it done soon. There is not much left to write.
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Re: DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Originally Posted by mikieboyblue
(Post 188858)
Hello everyone,
I recently completed the do-it-your guide to HID headlight installation. I did my best to write it up in a way that would work for the least to most experienced individuals. I also relied on my memory and if I made any mistakes, please let me know. Specifically, I am not 100% sure of the socket sizes and was not 100% sure about the number of push pins (some of mine were missing). Finally, it took me much longer to write this up than it did to do the actual installation. Using the wiring harness adds about 30 minutes to the total time - give or take. If you use the stock wiring adapter, this guide will take you longer to read than to do the actual install. Good luck. I hope this is of help to someone! Mike |
Re: DIY: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight installation
Thanks Mikie. Awesome guide...now to scrounge up a few extra dollars...haha
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