O.K. all. More stupid questions...

Are the HID and the Xenon systems (basically) the same? If not - what's the diff and which is better (or more plausable for a retrofit).

There have been some suggestions for "plug-n-play" xenons out there and I was wondering who else has done it to thier TCH?

What system was used and - why? Any experiences with a BAD system (brand or style) and if so - who'd they get it from?

I was pointed to a source (anotehr eBay item of course) that had high ratings back on the HCH (Boooo . . . ) pages. (I am a convert - I saw the light...)

The source sells the plug-n-play systems for $120 plus $36 shipping - much less than other "stateside" vendors. Although this guy is in China, he gets high marks (no neg's on the feedback stuff) and seems to have the same products. His link is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Xenon...2668QQtcZphoto

Any insight, suggestions or whatever is appreciated.

Thanks to all....

There is a TON of info on HID lighting on places like HIDPlanet.com to learn from. Improving your lights isn't going to be cheap OR easy if not made that way at the factory. If it was there would be more OEM HIDs out there on cars. And you will even get some folks that want to argue that HIDs are no better. For my 52 year old eyes at night I need help and have been spoiled by HIDs on my Porsche.

There are lots of issues and approaches to improving lighting on a car. Here are a few of them:

There are "kits" where HID bulbs are modified (rebased is the term) to fit in another style bulb holder (H1, etc.), and then generic HID ballasts used to power the lamps. You reuse the halogen projector and 12v wiring already in the car. These are what you find on eBay at lower prices.

A step "up" in kits is to get one with OEM brand/quality bulbs (Phillips, OSRAM) and ballasts/ignitors (Denso, Phillips and others).

Next step up in kit projects is to pull new heavier gauge wire from the battery (yes it's in the trunk for us!) to power the ballasts and use the original headlight wiring just to power a relay.

The other whole approach is to do a "retrofit" project using bulbs and projectors from an OEM HID car. This is the closest to getting a lighting system done the way Toyota would have done it OEM. It is not an easy do-it-yourself project and takes some time and fabrication skills.

I have chosen to do the retrofit route over kits -- just my choice. I have two headlamp units from wrecked TCHs ($120 for both) and all the HID parts from a Lexus RX330 ($200). It is taking time but going well as Toyota used very similar size and design projectors in both applications. I have pulled two new 14g wires from the battery up to the engine compartment and will use the stock lamp wires to close a pair of Bosch relays.

Good luck with your choices and project!!

Just be aware that the halogen reflectors are not suitale for HID retrofit bulbs because they produce too much glare. If your reflectors have "HID" embossed on the front lens cover they are ok to use. If not, you may want to get the whole assembly from a similar vehicle or wreck with good lights. Safety inspections in some states may reject you if you have the wrong set up or you could get pulled over and get a ticket.

HID ballasts draw a large amount of current when first turned on so be sure to get the correct headlight relay amp rating or it may weld shut or open or overheat.

Thanks for the updates. I guess what I'm trying to do is add some subtle changes to the look without any major mods.

I like the brighter "cleaner" look of the HID (or Xenon) styles that give a bluish/purple tint to the light given off. I was hoping a simple plug-n-play type unit could give me a cleaner look without creating a problem.

Try something like these:
http://www.lightlens.com/bulbs.htm
They give the HID look w/o any changes to halogen system.

Link to My Hybrid Car News Web Page

Xenon lamps are a type of HID (high intensity discharge) lamp. Xenon is the most common type of HID headlight becuase of its rapid strike time. This is the amount of time the lamp takes to get to temp and optimal output. Basically, the lamp is running a high voltage charge through the gas which emits the signature blue tint. They also produces a huge amount if glare, which is why you've seen so many different threads about what's legal and what's not. Typically, HID headlights are projector type assemblies which have very sharp cutoffs: meaning the driver sees the road, but oncoming drivers are above the light, so they don't get blinded.

Not just Super White...Super Duper White...

Keep in mind that while these bulbs give you the look, they come at a cost. For starters, expect the bulb to last about a year or so. I've had bulbs last 3 years but most of the time it's just 1. Also, some bulbs run hotter so be aware of melting plastics.

One last thing, don't expect to see better with these lights. They are not a true HID light so they don't have as much visible or usable light to offer. The spectrum is actually quite small here and you do not see better with these lights. I find them to be worst than standard but if you are going for the look, they do ok.

I have run these bulbs in the ice detector lites on my Gulfstream V for over 5 years without a failure and good lite.

TCH-43mpg
VW TDI--48
08 LS 600 HL-20
08 LX 470-16

I'm sure the life of the bulb is a toss up, so life not withstanding. I still found the lookalike lights to perform poorly in the #1 area they are not suppose to... that is lighting up the road. I found the standard halogen to do a much better job. The only reason I have used these types of bulbs is too match my non-hid lights (fog, driving lights, highbeams)... apart from that, my regular bulbs did a better job of illuminating the road.

Just keep that in mind when you switch out lights.

I bought a www.xenondepot.com kit for my 2000 sierra (it also has stock denali projector headlights previously installed). No one could tell me whether or not the lights would have the correct cut off or not because they are not designed for HID's. I put them in and they have a perfect cut off. I would buy the kit and see for yourself.

A cheaper option is to replace the stock h13 bulbs with h9 bulbs. Minor modifications to the base of the h9 and there is a difference in light output (not HID quality)

a picture of my lights cutoff (click the picture for a full size version)