Switching Halogen Headlight To Oem Hid For 04 Rx330

[daverx330]

Hi everyone, My 04 RX330 come with halogen headlight and i was wondering can i buy an OEM HID headlight unit on EBAY and install its on my car?. Are they the same size and bolts pattern? Will the OEM HID unit fit on my halogen headlight ?. what about AFS ? Are there any wiring modification needed? Is it an easey job? Sorry for alot of questions, I don't want to buy the headlight and end up not working on my car. I saw these OEM HID headlight unit on EBAY for around $150.00 for each side. They come complete with ballast and HID bulbs. Any input will be appreciated.

BTW Greattttttttttttttttt forum.

[pauljcl]

Hi everyone, My 04 RX330 come with halogen headlight and i was wondering can i buy an OEM HID headlight unit on EBAY and install its on my car?. Are they the same size and bolts pattern? Will the OEM HID unit fit on my halogen headlight ?. what about AFS ? Are there any wiring modification needed? Is it an easey job? Sorry for alot of questions, I don't want to buy the headlight and end up not working on my car. I saw these OEM HID headlight unit on EBAY for around $150.00 for each side. They come complete with ballast and HID bulbs. Any input will be appreciated.

BTW Greattttttttttttttttt forum.

I can't comment on many aspects of your questions, but my 09RX came with the HID lights (and they swivel when you turn), and there is also a sensor on one of the rear suspension parts that controls the height of the lights, so that they do not blind oncoming drivers if the rear suspension 'squats' under load. The BMW comes with a similar automatic sensing/adjustment. If you need more light you can try the 9011-9012 bulbs instead of the regular 9005-6. They have the same consumption and the filaments are in the same position(s), but they are nearly twice as bright and last as long os the originals. I put them on my RX300 and could see (and appreciate) the difference.

[cduluk]

You can buy a used set of OEM HID Projector - version 04-09 Rx330/350/400h headlights and do the conversion. The bolt patterns are the same.

You will need to do some hardcore wiring though, as the plugs will be very different. You'd need to splice the wires going to your present halogen low beam bulb, and wire them to the HID headlight ballast. The 12V will activate the ballast which will illuminate the HID bulb. No extra harness required, as there's enough current there. Then splice your present high beam bulb to the HID headlight's high beam bulb, which is the same.

You will also lose the AFS/Auto-Leveling functions, as these both require special computer and switch components worked into the car's main computer. The halogen car's don't come with the software in the computer, so it wouldn't be possible.

There have been people though, who have bought special motor drivers to work the auto-leveling motors, so you can move them manually via a switch you put in the cabin, but again, it would require a lot of wiring.

And when buying the HID version headlights, stay away from the 04-06 Rx330 headlights as many of them have a condensation problem you won't find out about until you've already installed them in the car. The headlights produced for the 07-09 Rx350/400h no longer had the problem and are your best bet

It'll be a fun project :) Good luck!

[daverx330]

Hi cduluk. By reading other previous posts from you, i know that you have lot of experiences retrofit HID headlight on your vehicle and You did great job on your RX300 and 400h. I even try to PM you before i post this topic but somehow i can't do it. Thanks for your response. When you said that "do the conversion" do you mean by retrofit HID projector into my halogen headlight like you did with your RX300 or I just buy the OEM HID headlight from ebay and replace it in my car and rerun the wire. Is the halogen headlight and HID headlight from RX 330, 350, 400h are same size and bolts pattern. If i have to lose the AFS funtion, it's fine with me. Any input will be appreciated.

[cduluk]

Thanks for the compliments :)

By convert i meant you can simply buy the OEM HID version Rx330/350/400h headlights and switch them out with yours. The headlights size and bolt patterns are exactly the same (not 100% sure- but based on experience, it tells me they are). You don't need to take the headlights apart at all. The wires for the ballast etc can be accessed from outside of the headlights, so you should be good with that too :)

Now, there are TWO "types" of the HID Rx330/350 version headlights. Obviously there's the halogen type (the type you have) but there are TWO different types for the HID headlights- which look exactly the same from the outside, so it can be tricky.

The first HID version has an HID projector and bulb, with only the auto-leveling. (No AFS function)

The second HID version uses a similar HID projector and bulb, but has the components for both the auto leveling AND the AFS system.

Aka some 04-09 Rx330/350's out there have HID without the AFS. So if you see an Rx330/350 with HID's, it still not might have AFS.

The 06-09 Rx400h's all came with the HID with AFS, but the Rx330 and Rx350's mixed and match.

The only way to tell the difference between "HID with AFS" and "HID without AFS" is by looking at the back side of the headlights. I don't have pics, but when researching the headlights you should be able to tell the difference. Some sellers might say "non-AFS" and "AFS" to differentiate the two, but it's best to look. Just don't assume because you see the projector that it must have AFS... The last thing you want to do is get the right side headlight being the HID AFS version and the left side headlight the HID non-AFS version. You'll be able to tell the difference in output and cutoff line shape between the two ;)

If you want, you might want to get the HID non-AFS version headlights, this way you can avoid having to worry about aiming the AFS motors...

BUT, the projector used in this non-AFS version headlight does not perform as well as the AFS version headlight projector.

Personally, i would get the HID AFS version headlights just for the better output :)

[daverx330]

Again. Thanks for your detail response cduluk. You're the best. I will order one side first and try it. thanks

[cduluk]

Good luck :) if you need any help just ask- i'm sure i'll be able to help :)