Installing HID... would love some input - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

slo88 · 04-24-2007, 11:31 PM

Hello all... I've been reading these forums for a while but never really registered to yesturday. Anyways... I want to get HID's put in but would like to know if i need a relay kit installed as well.

Its been driving me nuts for the past 2 days... some people say yes because its safe but some people have gone without it with no problems (so far...) I honestly have no idea what to do at this point. If I install it myself, I'll be saving on install fees... but if I do it myself, I dont know how to put the relay on...

I would like to know what the relay is really for and if its really necessary. Any info would help... Oh and pictures of how to install it would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.

-Stephen

***lammydi*** · 04-24-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slo88

Hello all... I've been reading these forums for a while but never really registered to yesturday. Anyways... I want to get HID's put in but would like to know if i need a relay kit installed as well.

Its been driving me nuts for the past 2 days... some people say yes because its safe but some people have gone without it with no problems (so far...) I honestly have no idea what to do at this point. If I install it myself, I'll be saving on install fees... but if I do it myself, I dont know how to put the relay on...

I would like to know what the relay is really for and if its really necessary. Any info would help... Oh and pictures of how to install it would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.

-Stephen

Hi Stephen,
Yes, you should get a relay.
There are 2 ways to get a relay done.
1) Get a HID kit that has a relay in it www.xenondepot.com
2) Get a HID kit without a relay but install a relay afterward (I did this but I recommend you go with option #1.
When you turn on the light switch it will draw power (a lot of power) more than your normal stock wiring can handle. So a relay is installed to have the power directly from the battery into the ballast that way it doesn't "hurt" your wiring harness in the long run. Remember, HID uses less wattage 35W instead of 55W but when it first turn on it sucks a lot of power.
Hope this helps.

slo88 · 04-25-2007, 12:34 AM

Thanks for the info.

Is it hard to install a relay? Or should I let someone that knows what they are doing install them?

***lammydi*** · 04-25-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slo88

Thanks for the info.

Is it hard to install a relay? Or should I let someone that knows what they are doing install them?

I am not good at all when it comes to electricity...I had a local stereo shop installed a relay for me for $55.

lininator515 · 04-25-2007, 12:54 AM

it's a breeze. one end goes to the positive terminal on your battery, and the other is the ground. the ground can basically go anywhere that's metal on your chasis. or you could just stick in on the negative terminal on the battery. do a search, there's tons of threads about hids. hope that helps

kriskraut · 04-25-2007, 01:52 AM

If you installed your HID kit then you can very easily install a harness for it. It's just good insurance.

poohbear · 04-25-2007, 04:38 AM

Installing a relay is very simple, just need some extra wires, connectors, soldering iron etc and follow this diagram .

and if you're interested in serious HID, go do a retrofit

image copied from HIDPLANET (go on http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/ to read more about HIDs)

lonewolf1187 · 04-25-2007, 09:34 AM

is there a DIY guide for installing an HID kit for 07 camrys?

poohbear · 04-25-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonewolf1187

is there a DIY guide for installing an HID kit for 07 camrys?

if you use a kit, its pretty much plug and play once you've bought a relay harness or if you made one yourself.

lininator515 · 04-25-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear

if you use a kit, its pretty much plug and play once you've bought a relay harness or if you made one yourself.

^ditto. it's way easier than you think. everything pretty much only goes in 1 way so you couldn't screw it up if you wanted.

SuperGoop · 04-25-2007, 03:18 PM

Installing the HID kit should be easy like you said, but how hard is it to cover up the squirrel finder?

My question is specific to the 2007 Camry. The OEM Halogen projectors have pretty good cut-offs, but we need to cover up the squirrel finder.

I know you can fold up the flap or cover it with aluminum tape, etc. But how do you gain access to it in the first place.

Do you need to take off the bumper and take out the projector housing? Do you need to remove the battery, etc.?

Is there a step-by-step DIY guide to covering up the squirrel finder on the 2007 Camry?

kriskraut · 04-25-2007, 04:18 PM

Just put your finger in the hole, you will feel a little metal tab and push it down.

w203 · 04-25-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slo88

Hello all... I've been reading these forums for a while but never really registered to yesturday. Anyways... I want to get HID's put in but would like to know if i need a relay kit installed as well.

Its been driving me nuts for the past 2 days... some people say yes because its safe but some people have gone without it with no problems (so far...) I honestly have no idea what to do at this point. If I install it myself, I'll be saving on install fees... but if I do it myself, I dont know how to put the relay on...

I would like to know what the relay is really for and if its really necessary. Any info would help... Oh and pictures of how to install it would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks.

-Stephen

Not required. Some people make it worst then it is when its really not. I don't think you would be turning on your lights before the car a lot would you? If not, you have your answer.

kriskraut · 04-25-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangerine

Not required. Some people make it worst then it is when its really not. I don't think you would be turning on your lights before the car a lot would you? If not, you have your answer.

That's simply not true. It has nothing to do with the car being on or not.

w203 · 04-25-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kriskraut

That's simply not true. It has nothing to do with the car being on or not.

That is not true. It does, the current that is required for HIDs initial startup draws more then the standard halogens (one of the cons). With the car on, the electrical system doesn't have to provide as much of a load for the extra power needed. It may not last for a while but as I've stated, if you do that "a lot"then its best to get the power from the battery directly.