HOW TO: Installing HID's in the Lower Bumper Fogs

[dabears2k]

I pulled my bumper today to verify that HID's will fit in the lower fog lights (I have the Mazda ones, but I would assume that they will fit in the Heronew ones too). They Fit!! I am beginning installation tonight.

Let me state that before buying your kit, please read this.

1. The regular Bulb in the Lower Fogs from Mazda are H1 bulbs, but they are placed in a 9006 bulb holder. Since HID bulbs have the pigtails already attached to them, you cannot use HID H1 bulbs (unless you glue them in like I did). Purchase a 9006 kit to have a plug and play system. I will proceed with this writeup assuming that you have purchased the correct kit.

2. The bulbs come out of the foglight housing by removing the metal clip on the back, and then twisting 1/3 turn counter clockwise. Keep the housing and stock bulb for a backup.

3. When inserting the new HID bulb, make sure that you are careful to put it in very straight as to not scratch it on the side of the reflector housing. Turn 1/3 turn clockwise to secure and reinstall retaining clip.

4. The power wires to the lower fogs are located on a plug connector behind where the stock airbox would be, under the bumper (not in the engine bay).

5. (this is a 2 parter)

- IF YOU GOT A WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS STRAIGHT TO THE BATTERY, READ THIS PART: The remote wire to activate the relay is the blue/red wire that goes into the connector under the bumper behind the stock airbox location. You need to tap into that wire. I did it by taking a razor blade, running it around the wire gently, pulling back the shielding, and then soldering my wire in. Then connect you power wires to the battery and your ground wires to a grounding point and you are good to go. You may also remove the stock wiring harness for the fogs if you so choose.

- IF YOU GOT THE STANDARD XTEC KIT THAT HAS A + and - LEAD ON EACH BALLAST, READ THIS PART: The plugs that used to plug into the stock fog lights will become your source of power for these lights. YOU CANNOT REMOVE YOUR WIRING HARNESS FROM THE FOGS, YOU NEED IT. Do not cut off the ends of the plugs that went into the fogs before, incase you ever need to plug them back in. Instead, take a razor, run it around the outside of the wire, pull back the sheeting, and then solder your new wire for power and ground into those. You will need to cut off the male connectors on the leads from the HID kit and strip the wires to allow you to twist them around the other wires for soldering.

6. Plug all of the connectors in (They only go 1 way, so you can't screw this up). Turn on your fogs and enjoy.

The cutoff on the stock foglight reflectors with HID bulbs is VERY good. I drove at my friend and he said the fogs never blinded him (just the HID headlights.)

[AzMz6]

sounds like a waste of cash, as thiers no way 2 sets of hids in town will not get you pulled over. but hey, it is your money...

[dabears2k]

The lower fogs are reflectors, not projectors, so they won't be quite as bright, but the color will match better, and they'll be better than regular lights

[t_mo_t]

The lower fogs are reflectors, not projectors, so they won't be quite as bright, but the color will match better, and they'll be better than regular lights
[/b]

.......... u'll blind everyone with those cheapo reflector.... and probably you will melt the housing as well... and i wouldnt recommend it.... lower fogs are not quite a good quality... and if water gets in..... there goes ur $$$....

D2R bulbs are for reflector housing... BUT the reflector housing (like in old acura TL) are meant for HID, as they designed it so that it wont blind people... take a look of other low beam reflector housing, why are there "grooves" .. but not in high beam (flat chrome) ?

i think if u put a HID kit into the lower fog, it's like turning on ur highbeam the whole time....

edit: just re read the post again... oh u mean u have the factory lower fog?? i havent seen 1 in person, so i donk know how the reflector is designed...

[AzMz6]

i do think there is a valid point there. i remember looking at tim's, and they did not look really air tight. not sure if i would risk that spendy bulb in there. if anything, i think i would just put hid's in the high beams.

[dabears2k]

That's why I picked up some silicone sealant...

I will see how I like it, and can always go back to the old way...

[t_mo_t]

how about the heat it generates? it will surely melt the chrome reflector.... i melted mine....

[SSinstaller]

I've had HID's in my fogs for a few months now with no issues.

What kind of HID kit do you have? I had to take out the bulb cover in the foglight housing, because the HID bulbs were too long.

[dabears2k]

I've had HID's in my fogs for a few months now with no issues.

What kind of HID kit do you have? I had to take out the bulb cover in the foglight housing, because the HID bulbs were too long.
[/b]

These are the lower fogs.

how about the heat it generates? it will surely melt the chrome reflector.... i melted mine....
[/b]

Did you put HID's in the lower fogs? I thought that HID's ran cooler than regular 55w bulbs

[t_mo_t]

no... i put halogen h3... i'll try to take some pics of it sometimes....

they are not necessarily run cooler than halogen...