Aftermarket headlight assembly for Base model(s)

[StingerLove]

Hey peeps!! So, my wife and I purchased her 2019 Kia Stinger Base (no premium package) about four months ago. My wife was driving a ‘14 Kia Optima Limited 2.0 Turbo which she ABSOLUTELY loved! However, trading in the “fully loaded” Optima for the Base Stinger, we lost SO many features. In fact, I should probably post the LONG list of option(s) we lost going from the Optima SXL to the Stinger Base to help those in the same situation make a more informed decision. For now though, the #1 thing we miss the most is the HID headlights. Unfortunately, the premium package would have put the monthly payment over budget. Now that she’s been driving the stinger for a few month(s), night driving visibility is poor at best. I am aware of the “many” LED bulbs on the market replacing the halogen one(s). However, when switching to the brighter LED bulbs, some minor wiring adjustments will need to be made. From a visual perspective, the one thing (other than badging) that screams, “my Stinger is a Base” is the ugly headlight assembly. My question is this, can I replace my halogen headlight assembly, with the factory HID headlight(s) that come on the GT and Base Premium model(s)? Or, if anyone has a link to an aftermarket headlight assembly replacement, I would consider those as well. I’ve looked for aftermarket replacements with no luck so I thought maybe someone on these forums could help me out. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Never thought]

Hey peeps!! So, my wife and I purchased her 2019 Kia Stinger Base (no premium package) about four months ago. My wife was driving a ‘14 Kia Optima Limited 2.0 Turbo which she ABSOLUTELY loved! However, trading in the “fully loaded” Optima for the Base Stinger, we lost SO many features. In fact, I should probably post the LONG list of option(s) we lost going from the Optima SXL to the Stinger Base to help those in the same situation make a more informed decision. For now though, the #1 thing we miss the most is the HID headlights. Unfortunately, the premium package would have put the monthly payment over budget. Now that she’s been driving the stinger for a few month(s), night driving visibility is poor at best. I am aware of the “many” LED bulbs on the market replacing the halogen one(s). However, when switching to the brighter LED bulbs, some minor wiring adjustments will need to be made. From a visual perspective, the one thing (other than badging) that screams, “my Stinger is a Base” is the ugly headlight assembly. My question is this, can I replace my halogen headlight assembly, with the factory HID headlight(s) that come on the GT and Base Premium model(s)? Or, if anyone has a link to an aftermarket headlight assembly replacement, I would consider those as well. I’ve looked for aftermarket replacements with no luck so I thought maybe someone on these forums could help me out. Thanks in advance!!

It would probably be cheaper having the headlights retrofitted to HID. Checkout the retrofit source (google it). Also, the headlights on the GT are LED. I think I saw that each headlight is $2k. So you’d be looking at $4k worth of headlights.

 

[eflyguy]

However, when switching to the brighter LED bulbs, some minor wiring adjustments will need to be made.

Not sure what modifications you are referring to. I've installed HID, then more recently LED, in at least 9 vehicles that came with Halogen bulbs. The only time I ever needed "wiring" was back in the very early days of HID, where a dedicated harness was needed. They haven't needed that since I replaced "old" ones with new in my 2011 Sorento back around 8 years ago.

You might need a CANBUS adapter, but otherwise it's all plug-and-play. The HID (low) and LED (high) drive units all fit completely inside the headlight assembly on my 2015 Sorento and my 2003 F150, as well as the Bi-Xenon setup on my ex's 2011 Soul.

I bought all my stuff on Amazon or eBay. The only time I had an issue was a kit from one of the "reputable" sellers that charge 3x more, or worse.

 

[G-374844]

Thanks for the info!! I am definitely wanting to upgrade the factory halogen bulbs the LED bulbs and I was confused as to what wiring, may or may not be involved. I wasn’t sure if the “plug-in-play” light(s) would give me the “true” HID look. I have a short-medium list of complaint(s) with the Stinger, having traded in the ‘14 Optima sxL (274 HP and 269 lb -ft torque). I quickly realized just “how much” we downgraded. Back to the topic tho: ultimately, I would like to replace the complete headlight assembly. Nothing screams, “I’m a Kia Stinger base model owner” like the halogen “projectors” and for lack of a better word “cheesy” DRL. With the Stinger is still in the infant stage, I have had zero luck finding ANY aftermarket headlight assembly. Which leads me back to my original question; can I replace my factory halogen headlight(s) with the HID lights that come standard on the premium model as well as all the GT model(s)? The headlight assembly on all model(s) follow the same mold or shape but wasn’t sure about the electrical side. With my obvious lack of knowledge regarding automotive headlight(s), I would definitely pay a professional to install new assemblie(s). Thanks again for the input!

 

[Nestinger20]

Any update on this being doable?

 

[chrischubs]

Any update on this being doable?

i have upgraded my base model headlights to the led ones that the premium packages have.

 

[Nestinger20]

So do you need to swap in the LED module or is it straight plug and play?

 

[mominhaq]

i have upgraded my base model headlights to the led ones that the premium packages have. View attachment 48660

Hey, would these work for a GT-Line as well? Do your turn signals hyper flash and if so, would adding a load resistor help?

 

[O_oRaFii]

i have upgraded my base model headlights to the led ones that the premium packages have. View attachment 48660

Where did you get them? I would be very interested in doing this!

 

[jays2000]

Following... would love to upgrade to the GT+ headlights.

 

[nagisa]

Where did you get them? I would be very interested in doing this!

likely from a part out or oem

estimated price is like 2k-3k though

 

[mominhaq]

I was able to do this (almost, just need a better set of voltage regulators. The harness is the same but you need to attach a resistor in parallel for the turn signals and a voltage regulator for the low beams. Then bulb out warning is gone and the lights work. I got a great deal from someone who sold the pair. Anybody have a driver side lens they want to sell?

The ground to use for the turn signals is pin 7 btw


No Voltage Regulator:

Bad Voltage Regulator:

Good(ish) Voltage Regulator:

 

[eddierodri9uez]

I was able to do this (almost, just need a better set of voltage regulators. The harness is the same but you need to attach a resistor in parallel for the turn signals and a voltage regulator for the low beams. Then bulb out warning is gone and the lights work. I got a great deal from someone who sold the pair. Anybody have a driver side lens they want to sell?

The ground to use for the turn signals is pin 7 btw


No Voltage Regulator:

Bad Voltage Regulator:

Good(ish) Voltage Regulator:

How are the lights working? I just bought a pair for a good price as well.

 

[mominhaq]

How are the lights working? I just bought a pair for a good price as well.

Still working good

 

[Eleazar25]

I was able to do this (almost, just need a better set of voltage regulators. The harness is the same but you need to attach a resistor in parallel for the turn signals and a voltage regulator for the low beams. Then bulb out warning is gone and the lights work. I got a great deal from someone who sold the pair. Anybody have a driver side lens they want to sell?

The ground to use for the turn signals is pin 7 btw


No Voltage Regulator:

Bad Voltage Regulator:

Good(ish) Voltage Regulator:

What volt regulator did you use I have in a resister but it tweaks out and flicks a lot from time to time.

 

[Eleazar25]

i have upgraded my base model headlights to the led ones that the premium packages have. View attachment 48660

Yours don’t flicker ?

 

[mominhaq]

What volt regulator did you use I have in a resister but it tweaks out and flicks a lot from time to time.

Search for “

DC Buck Converter 8v-40v to 12V 6a 72W Automatic Buck Boost Power Converter”​

on amazon. Basically you are wanting a stable 12V output from the voltage regular. These go for around $20-30 on amazon

amazon.com/Converter-Automatic-Regulator-Waterproof-Transformer/dp/B08D8L79TS

 

[Eleazar25]

Search for “

DC Buck Converter 8v-40v to 12V 6a 72W Automatic Buck Boost Power Converter”​

on amazon. Basically you are wanting a stable 12V output from the voltage regular. These go for around $20-30 on amazon

amazon.com/Converter-Automatic-Regulator-Waterproof-Transformer/dp/B08D8L79TS

What colors did you connect I bought these but it didint seems to work unless there the wrong ones or connected them wrong ?

 

[mominhaq]

What colors did you connect I bought these but it didint seems to work unless there the wrong ones or connected them wrong ?

Look like you bought a step down converter. You need to buy a DC-DC buck/boost converter so it maintains 12V as output and can accept 8-40V as input

 

[mominhaq]

View attachment 58872

Look like you bought a step down converter. You need to buy a DC-DC buck/boost converter so it maintains 12V as output and can accept 8-40V as input