Hid bulb reflector removal

[hognit09]

Can anybody post some pics of the reflector removal on the hid lights. Went into frequent asked questions were I know this is shown and it says I need to update my account for third party pics, not sure what this is about. These are roc’s hids, and while they are great when they were in my nytro the high low differential sucked, so want to remove shield like grizztracks did

 

[grizztracks]

I modified the lower shield to improve the hi/lo differential. The lower shield has a window that allows more light through to the lower reflector housing when the bulb pulls back for high beam. The problem is that these bulbs are designed for automotive and the window size and location is wrong for snowmobile headlight housings. Actually the headlight housings on these sleds are also poorly designed making matters worse. To correct the hi/lo differential remove the lower shields from the bulbs and use a file or grinder to open the window so more light can shine through to the lower portion of the housing. This will increase the amount of light that reflects off the lower portion of the housing so that both high and low beam will have increased vertical coverage with their beams overlapping each other.

Start by removing about 1/8" to 3/16" of material then try it out on the trail. After the modification to the shield you'll need to readjust the headlight housing's height to get the coverage you want. I've found that the beam normally needs to be lowered due to the increased vertical coverage of both beams. Removing the front cone is optional but with it removed you'll get better overall trail coverage with less shadowing. Some will say you shouldn't remove it because it'll be to bright for oncoming sledders but with the headlight adjusted correctly I've found that's not necessarily true.

 

[grizztracks]

Here is a photo with the shields modified. You can see how the two beams overlap.

 

[hognit09]

Thank you, is the cone easy to remove ?

 

[grizztracks]

I've never installed roc's HID kits just the DDM Tuning and Sled Start versions. Both of those have small screws that hold the nose cone on and the antiglare shield to the base so they can easily be removed.

 

[MrSled]

I've never installed roc's HID kits just the DDM Tuning and Sled Start versions. Both of those have small screws that hold the nose cone on and the antiglare shield to the base so they can easily be removed.

Do you have pictures of the light your garage door before the mod?

 

[grizztracks]

I have many pictures when I was attempting to shim the bulbs to correct the hi/lo differential but I don't have one that would be a fair comparison to the modified shield picture because the sled had been moved. When I modified the window opening in the shield I did the modification then tested it on the trail. The trail test proved to be an improvement so I decided to take a picture afterwards. The next time I do an install I'll take before and after pictures.

 

[MrSled]

I have many pictures when I was attempting to shim the bulbs to correct the hi/lo differential but I don't have one that would be a fair comparison to the modified shield picture because the sled had been moved. When I modified the window opening in the shield I did the modification then tested it on the trail. The trail test proved to be an improvement so I decided to take a picture afterwards. The next time I do an install I'll take before and after pictures.

I would like to mod mine and I wanted to see what I am gaining with the difference in the images. Ill wait until I can see if its worth the time as I too find dead spots on the illumination down the trail.

 

[grizztracks]

I original did this modification on my Nytro. When I got the Viper I installed the HIDs without doing the mod hoping it wouldn't need it but that wasn't the case so I pulled the bulbs back out and corrected them too. Because the headlight housing isn't designed to optimize the use of HID high/low bulbs that window in the shield becomes important. If I had several spare shields I probably would have experimented more with size and shape of the window to find the optimal configuration but for now I'm happy with the results in both my Viper and Nytro. With all the testing I did with these bulbs this proved to be the only modification that shown improvement.

 

[MrSled]

I original did this modification on my Nytro. When I got the Viper I installed the HIDs without doing the mod hoping it wouldn't need it but that wasn't the case so I pulled the bulbs back out and corrected them too. Because the headlight housing isn't designed to optimize the use of HID high/low bulbs that window in the shield becomes important. If I had several spare shields I probably would have experimented more with size and shape of the window to find the optimal configuration but for now I'm happy with the results in both my Viper and Nytro. With all the testing I did with these bulbs this proved to be the only modification that shown improvement.

I am going to have to pull the Viper into the shop and make that change.. maybe the Nytro too. Thanks

What about just pulling the entire shield off?

 

[grizztracks]

OK, I found this picture that shows a comparison of the before and after. This was when I did the Viper HID install so I don't have the Nytro comparison.

* The comparison of LOW to LOW MOD shows that the beam was slightly higher when the shield was modified.
* The comparison of HIGH to HIGH MOD shows that the beam was slightly lower when the shield was modified.
* In both HIGH and LOW MOD pictures the overall vertical height of the beam (bottom to top of beam) is greater than that of the unmodified.

 

[grizztracks]

Tom, without the shields I found that the beams have a lot of scatter resulting in a shadowing effect which I didn't like.

 

[MrSled]

Tom, without the shields I found that the beams have a lot of scatter resulting in a shadowing effect which I didn't like.

ok, I am going to have to try pulling the cap and alter the shield as you did.

 

[hognit09]

Are you just filing sides away?

 

[grizztracks]

Are you just filing sides away?

No, I grind out an arc similar to what the red line in the picture shows but opening up more of a squared out area might be beneficial. Don't over do how much you remove. I open the window up about 1/8" to 3/16" toward the nose.