HID Fog light question

Donnie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:36 pm

I know I need the bi-xenon HID kits, part number 9007. But what are the fogs? I have 9145 from the Sylvannia website, but they don't make that in HID. Anyone know?

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:05 pm

They probably do not make them. HIDs were designed to be used in a projector. While there are kits out there that can convert non-projector headlights to HID, it is not really the intention. Many cars came with projector low beams, but standard halogen bulbs, 9006, 9007 for example. The HID kits are really designed to upgrade these units, not to be used in a standard headlight assembly like on the KJ, even though it is possible to do.

Now back to the fog lights. For the reason above, and the theory that fog lights should not be too bright, & they should produce a wide broad beam, & not a long focused beam, there will probably never be a HID kit for fog lights.

The true point of a fog light is to be used in the fog. If they are too bright, the light reflects off of the water droplets in the air & back to your eyes. So HID is really not appropriate for fog anyway.

The next time you are driving in heavy fog at night, try this: turn on your headlights without the fog lights, then with the fog lights, then your bright lights, (If you hold the flipper all the way back, you can even have your brights, lows & fogs on at the same time) then turn on just the fogs. You will see farthest with the fogs alone, because there is less glare bouncing back to you.

Donnie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:10 pm

KJpilot wrote:

They probably do not make them. HIDs were designed to be used in a projector. While there are kits out there that can convert non-projector headlights to HID, it is not really the intention. Many cars came with projector low beams, but standard halogen bulbs, 9006, 9007 for example. The HID kits are really designed to upgrade these units, not to be used in a standard headlight assembly like on the KJ, even though it is possible to do.

Now back to the fog lights. For the reason above, and the theory that fog lights should not be too bright, & they should produce a wide broad beam, & not a long focused beam, there will probably never be a HID kit for fog lights.

The true point of a fog light is to be used in the fog. If they are too bright, the light reflects off of the water droplets in the air & back to your eyes. So HID is really not appropriate for fog anyway.

The next time you are driving in heavy fog at night, try this: turn on your headlights without the fog lights, then with the fog lights, then your bright lights, (If you hold the flipper all the way back, you can even have your brights, lows & fogs on at the same time) then turn on just the fogs. You will see farthest with the fogs.

Interesting. I know all about how they are supposed to be retrofitted if you don't have projects, but I'm not bothering with that. I know many fullsize trucks that have fogs, and some run yellow fogs. But you make a great point about the true use of a fog light.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:53 pm

Yellow fog lights aren't common, but from what I understand, that is a better color in the fog.
Here is what some guy with PhD behind his name has to say about it.

BlueZero · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:31 pm

I had amber fogs in my a past truck and I loved it. It really seemed to make a difference.

Anyone know of a amber/yellow bulb that will work in our fogs?

Donnie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:41 pm

BlueZero wrote:

I had amber fogs in my a past truck and I loved it. It really seemed to make a difference.

Anyone know of a amber/yellow bulb that will work in our fogs?

I believe the 880 hid bulb will work in our fogs, not positive though.

KJ4ME · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:31 am

BlueZero wrote:

I had amber fogs in my a past truck and I loved it. It really seemed to make a difference.

Anyone know of a amber/yellow bulb that will work in our fogs?

... if you cant find a yellow bulb that works the next thing is yellow film over the lense... thats just an alternative

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Here ya go.
http://www.racinglab.com/piplionyehb9.html

Guest · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:52 am

Those are 9005/9006, which are regular headlights. KJ fog lights take 9145.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:31 pm

KJpilot wrote:

Those are 9005/9006, which are regular headlights. KJ fog lights take 9145.

With a little trimming on one of the locking tabs on a 9005 bulb it will fit in the '02'04 KJ fog lamp housing,the plug will fit perfectly.I'm running 100w 9005 bulbs in my fogs,have for 5 years with no problems.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Sorry, yeah, I should have explained that. I'm using 9005 PIAA extreme white bulbs in my fog lights now, and before that I was using Silverstars.
Actually, if I had known about the amber bulb replacements before I replaced the Silverstars, I might have gone that route. It would be cool to have yellow fogs. But I sure like the extreme whites, very bright. We don't get much fog hereabouts, but sometimes in very snowy conditions I have wondered how amber lighting might help.
I've also read that Hella and Bosch make amber or yellow bulbs but I haven't been able to source them or confirm that they do.

BlueZero · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:53 pm

Great info! Thanks!

I think I have some old 9005's laying around. I'll have to put those in for now, until I can justify spending that much on yellow ones. Or maybe I'll try the film trick for now. One trip in thick fog and I'll be happy I had them I guess.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:46 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

KJpilot wrote:

Those are 9005/9006, which are regular headlights. KJ fog lights take 9145.

With a little trimming on one of the locking tabs on a 9005 bulb it will fit in the '02'04 KJ fog lamp housing,the plug will fit perfectly.I'm running 100w 9005 bulbs in my fogs,have for 5 years with no problems.

Yeah, Huseyin has a write-up over on his Jeep Projects website. I did this in my fogs a month or so ago, put in some of the Silverstar-type bulbs and it does make a difference. Plus I just love how the fogs fill in the area between the hood line and where the low beam pattern starts.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:45 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

KJpilot wrote:

Those are 9005/9006, which are regular headlights. KJ fog lights take 9145.

With a little trimming on one of the locking tabs on a 9005 bulb it will fit in the '02'04 KJ fog lamp housing,the plug will fit perfectly.I'm running 100w 9005 bulbs in my fogs,have for 5 years with no problems.

Holy crap. And I was worried my 65w conversion might melt my wires. Hah.

HID Fog light question

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