Great review and install! 
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
5000K Apexcone HID Review and Installation (with PICS)
20
I received my 5000K Apexcone kit the other day, and I just thought I'd write a quick review to describe what I thought of the kit and the installation procedure on a Fusion.
I decided to go with a high quality kit instead of the cheap kits on Ebay that burn out in 2 months. I bought the kit from www.xenonexpert.com . Their pricing is excellent, the quality is first rate, but the most important aspect is that the service is top notch. The kit carries a lifetime warranty I dealt with Oliver from the beginning. He helped me with my decision, the ordering process, and also walked me through the installation, which I now pass on to you.
First and foremost, the kit is plug and play, meaning no soldering, cutting, or splicing of wires is necessary. Total install time was about 30 minutes, but I will break it down for those of you who just have no clue.
Here's the kit from the xenonexpert website
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1. Disconnect power from the car battery.
Driver Side Installation...
2. Unbolt the 8mm screw that holds the washer filler neck, and move the filler neck out of the way to gain access to the headlight.
![]()
![]()
3. Remove the stock halogen bulb
a) Peel the rubber dust cap off the back of the headlight
b) Turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise and pull the bulb out
c) Disconnect the connector and set the bulb aside.
4. Carefully install the HID bulb (CAREFUL not to touch the glass with your fingers)
![]()
5. Mount the Ballast
a) I chose to use the double sided tape that came with the kit instead of mounting screws. The tape is more than strong enough because of the huge surface area of the ballast and mounting location. Mount the ballast to the flat sheet metal area next to the headlight.
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6. Connect the connectors supplied from the ballast to the bulb. This step is self explanatory as the connectors only fit a certain way. I'll include a pic nonetheless, heh
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7. Connect the red and black wires from the ballast to the OEM headlight harness. Insert the pins into the harness until you feel a little click. The positive (red) wire connects to the green (with brown stripes). Then do the negative side (black to black).
![]()
Use some electrical tape to cover the connection
![]()
8. Cut a tiny slit into the dust cap so that the wires can still come out and place the dust cap back onto the lamp assembly.
![]()
That's it for the driver's side! Make sure to bolt the washer filler neck back down.
Passenger Side Installation
2. Remove the air silencer by simply pulling it off the airbox. I did this to improve the sound of acceleration as well (so you can just leave it off 8) ).
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3. Unclip the rubber shield behind the headlight and move it out of the way
![]()
The result should look like this before you proceed.
![]()
4. Replace the halogen bulb with the HID bulb via the same procedure as the driver side
5. Mount the ballast in the same location as the driver side.
6. Connect the wires in the same manner as the driver side.
7. Cut a slit in the dust cap and install it back onto the lamp assembly. The end product should look like this:
![]()
8. Replace the rubber shield by clipping it back. Also, replace the air silencer (if you choose to).
And now onto the results!
BEFORE
![]()
AFTER
![]()
BEFORE
![]()
AFTER
![]()
And now some random pics
![]()
![]()
Overall, I am extremely pleased with this kit. The lighting is awesome compared to stock. I re-aimed the headlights after the install so that it wouldn't blind oncoming drivers, and to make sure of this, I made my girlfriend park 200 ft away to tell me if it was too bright. I love the 5000K color. It is bright white and will hint blue at certain angles. The install was a breeze, and I know that if there are ever any problems, it is covered under warranty for life. If you're considering HID's, do yourself a favor and skip the cheaper ebay kits. This kit is worth every penny.
There are other kits on their website as well to suit your specific needs. The prices are great at each level, and you can count on them for customer service.
I decided to go with a high quality kit instead of the cheap kits on Ebay that burn out in 2 months. I bought the kit from www.xenonexpert.com . Their pricing is excellent, the quality is first rate, but the most important aspect is that the service is top notch. The kit carries a lifetime warranty I dealt with Oliver from the beginning. He helped me with my decision, the ordering process, and also walked me through the installation, which I now pass on to you.
First and foremost, the kit is plug and play, meaning no soldering, cutting, or splicing of wires is necessary. Total install time was about 30 minutes, but I will break it down for those of you who just have no clue.
Here's the kit from the xenonexpert website
1. Disconnect power from the car battery.
Driver Side Installation...
2. Unbolt the 8mm screw that holds the washer filler neck, and move the filler neck out of the way to gain access to the headlight.
3. Remove the stock halogen bulb
a) Peel the rubber dust cap off the back of the headlight
b) Turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise and pull the bulb out
c) Disconnect the connector and set the bulb aside.
4. Carefully install the HID bulb (CAREFUL not to touch the glass with your fingers)
5. Mount the Ballast
a) I chose to use the double sided tape that came with the kit instead of mounting screws. The tape is more than strong enough because of the huge surface area of the ballast and mounting location. Mount the ballast to the flat sheet metal area next to the headlight.
6. Connect the connectors supplied from the ballast to the bulb. This step is self explanatory as the connectors only fit a certain way. I'll include a pic nonetheless, heh
Show Content
7. Connect the red and black wires from the ballast to the OEM headlight harness. Insert the pins into the harness until you feel a little click. The positive (red) wire connects to the green (with brown stripes). Then do the negative side (black to black).
Use some electrical tape to cover the connection
8. Cut a tiny slit into the dust cap so that the wires can still come out and place the dust cap back onto the lamp assembly.
That's it for the driver's side! Make sure to bolt the washer filler neck back down.
Passenger Side Installation
2. Remove the air silencer by simply pulling it off the airbox. I did this to improve the sound of acceleration as well (so you can just leave it off 8) ).
3. Unclip the rubber shield behind the headlight and move it out of the way
The result should look like this before you proceed.
4. Replace the halogen bulb with the HID bulb via the same procedure as the driver side
5. Mount the ballast in the same location as the driver side.
6. Connect the wires in the same manner as the driver side.
7. Cut a slit in the dust cap and install it back onto the lamp assembly. The end product should look like this:
8. Replace the rubber shield by clipping it back. Also, replace the air silencer (if you choose to).
And now onto the results!
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
And now some random pics
Overall, I am extremely pleased with this kit. The lighting is awesome compared to stock. I re-aimed the headlights after the install so that it wouldn't blind oncoming drivers, and to make sure of this, I made my girlfriend park 200 ft away to tell me if it was too bright. I love the 5000K color. It is bright white and will hint blue at certain angles. The install was a breeze, and I know that if there are ever any problems, it is covered under warranty for life. If you're considering HID's, do yourself a favor and skip the cheaper ebay kits. This kit is worth every penny.
There are other kits on their website as well to suit your specific needs. The prices are great at each level, and you can count on them for customer service.
1 - 20 of 340 Posts
[quote author=Total ConFUSION link=topic=60924.msg1039302#msg1039302 date=1162163976]
Look at his last pic on the garage door. There is no sharp cutoff. The light is all over the place.
[/quote]
If you want a [quote author=jaydez link=topic=60924.msg1039079#msg1039079 date=1162153429]
[quote author=noisuf link=topic=60924.msg1038857#msg1038857 date=1162142079]
[quote author=jaydez link=topic=60924.msg1038834#msg1038834 date=1162140180]
nice! do you have a pic of the light cutoff on a flat surface in front of the car?
[/quote]
Do you mean how close to the front of the car the light is laid down?
[/quote]
I wanted to see how sharp the light gets cut off at the top of the beam. If its a nice straight beam I think im gunna upgrade. But if it fades and isnt a nice sharp line i might wait on it.
[/quote]
If you want a sharp super straight cut off like with projector headlights you will never get that unless you have projector headlights. The fusion comes with reflectors headlight so the cut off is not as clean but still improves light output 3 X compared to your stock bulb. So bottom line you get a good enough cut off and a major upgrade in light output.
Look at his last pic on the garage door. There is no sharp cutoff. The light is all over the place.
[/quote]
If you want a [quote author=jaydez link=topic=60924.msg1039079#msg1039079 date=1162153429]
[quote author=noisuf link=topic=60924.msg1038857#msg1038857 date=1162142079]
[quote author=jaydez link=topic=60924.msg1038834#msg1038834 date=1162140180]
nice! do you have a pic of the light cutoff on a flat surface in front of the car?
[/quote]
Do you mean how close to the front of the car the light is laid down?
[/quote]
I wanted to see how sharp the light gets cut off at the top of the beam. If its a nice straight beam I think im gunna upgrade. But if it fades and isnt a nice sharp line i might wait on it.
[/quote]
If you want a sharp super straight cut off like with projector headlights you will never get that unless you have projector headlights. The fusion comes with reflectors headlight so the cut off is not as clean but still improves light output 3 X compared to your stock bulb. So bottom line you get a good enough cut off and a major upgrade in light output.
[quote author=Total ConFUSION link=topic=60924.msg1040073#msg1040073 date=1162207112]
From this thread... http://www.fordfusionclub.com/index.php?topic=52244.0
"Now if you are looking to do a H.I.D upgrade on your fusion on the low beams please read this:
You are waisting your money. Yes they look nice and yes they are bright. But consider this; Its illegal and not D.O.T approved, plainly worthless of our stock halogen low beam lamps. The Halogen lamps will not control the H.I.D beam pattern. It will throw the light every where and it looks like a big mess. Trust me I know because I have them.
I know you are asking "but why does BMW, Mercedes and all these elite cars come with H.I.D's".
The answer is because they where made with H.I.D reflectors or their projectors where specially done for H.I.D's. The reflectors and the Projectors control the H.I.D beam pattern and they have a cut-off light to it. Dont you notice sometimes when you see a BMW and the lights are flickin purple, white and blue. Thats the cut off light."
[/quote]
ALL conversion kits are illegal and not DOT approved. Doesn't mean you can't use your judgment. Most cities have a law that prohibits cars to run fog lights on in the city. People have them on all the time and it's not enforced.
So unless you buy a crappy kit and go with 10 000K that will make your lights totally blue you'll be fine. We've been selling out kits for over 4 years now and to truck like the Ford F-150. Customers have been happy and not ONE of them have been pulled over.
It's a free country so if you prefer your halogen bulbs nobody forces you to get HID
From this thread... http://www.fordfusionclub.com/index.php?topic=52244.0
"Now if you are looking to do a H.I.D upgrade on your fusion on the low beams please read this:
You are waisting your money. Yes they look nice and yes they are bright. But consider this; Its illegal and not D.O.T approved, plainly worthless of our stock halogen low beam lamps. The Halogen lamps will not control the H.I.D beam pattern. It will throw the light every where and it looks like a big mess. Trust me I know because I have them.
I know you are asking "but why does BMW, Mercedes and all these elite cars come with H.I.D's".
The answer is because they where made with H.I.D reflectors or their projectors where specially done for H.I.D's. The reflectors and the Projectors control the H.I.D beam pattern and they have a cut-off light to it. Dont you notice sometimes when you see a BMW and the lights are flickin purple, white and blue. Thats the cut off light."
[/quote]
ALL conversion kits are illegal and not DOT approved. Doesn't mean you can't use your judgment. Most cities have a law that prohibits cars to run fog lights on in the city. People have them on all the time and it's not enforced.
So unless you buy a crappy kit and go with 10 000K that will make your lights totally blue you'll be fine. We've been selling out kits for over 4 years now and to truck like the Ford F-150. Customers have been happy and not ONE of them have been pulled over.
It's a free country so if you prefer your halogen bulbs nobody forces you to get HID
yeah i think there are a lot more thing d-town cops need to worry about .... how much for your kit that you got?
.... how much for your kit that you got?Special forum price can be found here: http://www.xenonexpert.com/apexcone_sale.html
Thanks.
1 - 20 of 340 Posts
