Xenon Depot Xtreme HID Review

Hey guys, just spent the past week running the Xenon Depot Xtreme 5000K H11 HID's in my low beams on my 2016 4Runner.

I spent quite a while looking through pages and pages of Halogen, LED, and HID kits, trying to find the right one. I landed on the Xenon Depot kit because of price. Normally being over $150, they had a 20% off sale which got them to me for $130 shipped. The kit came with two 5000K H11 bulbs, two 35w ballasts, two relays (didn't need them), and wiring/zipties/3m double sided tape.

Here's a link to the set I purchased:
http://www.xenondepot.com/H11-HID-Kit-Xtreme-HID-p/xt-h11.htm

Install time was less than an hour of actual install, but total time was about three hours as I silicone sealed the provided wiring gasket to my dust covers which I had to drill through. This was the only way I could 100% make sure there was no dust or water incursion into my headlights. Otherwise install was extremely easy and everything was plug and play.

My biggest concern before install was total light output and beam pattern (cut off). I can say without a doubt these blow the stock halogens out of the water as far as power is concerned. There is a ton of usable light on the road. I would say the beam pattern is 95% of what I wanted. There is still an excellent cut off, but there is slightly more glare than the halogens. The amount of glare isn't annoying or dangerous, it's just there. I drove in front of myself in my wife's vehicle and it wasn't bad at all (she drives a BRZ so it's low). Also, the Morimoto XB fog lights are pretty much a perfect match as far as color temperature goes.

In conclusion I would recommend this kit even at their full price. All the components seem quality and the output is great. I also briefly talked to their customer service (I originally ordered 6500K bulbs by accident) and they were great to deal with.

I would love to post up some pictures for you guys but my phone is terrible. I'll see if I can source a better camera and get some photos for you guys.

 

I have the Xenondepot Philips 4300k. They are incredible! I did not use the power relays when installing, works perfect.

 

Did you replace the weather sealing cap on your low beams after swapping in the LEDs?

 

No LED's in my low beams. I have HID's in my low beams. I cut a hole in the dust caps, ran the wires through, then sealed the hole with a rubber grommet and silicone.

 

I just can't bring myself to drill into my dust caps. I've seen what happens over time with condensation build up and I live in a very humid environment. Sounds like you did it right though and I hope it serves you well.

 

I literally used like half a tube on both sides of the dust cap out of paranoia so I should be good haha. The increased light output and color temperature is totally worth it. Plus with the matching XB Fogs, it makes the vehicle look fancier.

 

I used no silicone and have no problems. Just ensure the bulb is seated properly when installing. Make sure to remove all plastic involved with the protective packaging.

 

Are your dust caps sealed well? I ask because the bulb doesn't seal anything. Everything inside the headlight housing is open to the elements without the dust caps.

 

I replaced the caps and pulled out the LEDs till I could do some more research. I think I'm gonna run HIDs in the low beams considering the design of the head light. Using the LEDs bulb your only having one side of the LEDs pointing out.

 

Thanks I hope to order the HIDs this week, the LEDs in the fogs are 6500k so I think I'm gonna get the same temp range in the HIDs. I'm really happy with the LEDs in the fogs, the amount of light and the spread is impressive. living in the pine barrens I can see deep into the wood line and spot and potential deer about to run out.

 

That's exactly why led sucks in our headlights.

 

After 6 months there is no issues for me.

I was under the impression when I installed the bulbs that the front was sealed from the back. Have you ever done a black headlight mod on a set of headlights? The housing is sealed well front to back. That's why they go in the oven to soften the seal to pull them apart. The only way moisture can get in the front is if the bulb is not seated properly with its gasket or not sealed back properly when done putting the housing back together.

 

Ordered my HIDs kit from xenon depot today and was wondering how big of a hole needs to be drilled into the dust cap? I wanna my sure I have the right size bit on hand for when they arrive. I plan to use a step bit from harbor fright. Here's a picture of 6500k LEDs in the fogs.

 

I didn't measure, I just drilled until the hole was smaller than the grommet. Go slow and test fit a bunch and you should be good to go. The dust caps are super soft so make sure to keep checking that your hole isn't too big.

 

Thanks

 

Threw my set in last night. Went with the Philips upgrade and I'm definitely impressed with the outcome.

I need to adjust the pattern by a few turns but overall I'm happy.

Thanks OP for the review.

 

This is also good advice if you ever find yourself in prison.

 

Just ordered my Xenon Depot Extreme HID kit with Phillips 4300k option (without CANBus- from what I’ve read, the low beam don’t require it.)
Future plan is to add LEDs to high beams & DRL (with recommended CANbus) and LED yellow in fog lights.

Still confused about the CANbus option...so I’m heavily relying on the information on this forum.

And this concludes my first post!

 

Canbus isn't needed.

 

Can’t wait until they get here today

 

I drilled test holes in a piece of scrap plastic until i found the right fit.

Don't use Bosch "wave" spade drills. They tended to crack plastic for me.

I ended up using a 1-1/16 hole saw to get a perfect fit. Put the plastic dust cover on a piece of wood so it won't flex when drilling.

Not sure if hole sizes are all the same. My HID kit was with the Phillips 4300 bulbs.

 

You're going to love the Phillips 4300 bulbs. I installed my HID kit a couple weeks ago and I'm extremely happy with it and especially the color of the Phillips bulbs.

 

Is the 4300 significantly whiter than the OEM halogens?

 

Tons. White and very bright. Good stuff!

 

I picked up my HID set (not xenon depot) as recommended by a forum member. Was $75 for the kit. Running 4300k lights. A very nice improvement over the stock halogens and very easy to install.

 

So all you guys running the Xenon Depot hid kits... do you have to do much adjusting to the beam after the install to prevent affecting of oncoming drivers?

 

The hole needed is exactly 1". I used a step bit and then a file to smooth out the edges. The dust caps fit tight and because of this no silicone is necessary. I had to adjust mine after due to blinding people but I believe my headlights before were set too high. Just didn't know it since the stock headlights aren't brighter than a candle and it never bothered on coming traffic. The HID 4300K phillips get on coming drivers attention.

 

When you say "gets oncoming driver's attention"... you mean even after adjusting them you still might be annoying other drivers due to brightness?

 

No after adjustment I have not had an issue. Before that I was getting brighted a lot! An that was after install driving to a building parking lot so I could adjust them. Then I was getting brighted occasionally, mainly if I was on an incline and had an approaching driver at the top of the incline, so I adjusted them again. Now, all good.

 

just a slight adjustment down, otherwise they are prefect, this is how the 4runner should have come from the factory.