i guess this is strange to ask a non car audio question in a car audio forum :P

i've always wanted to do HIDs in my express van, but i've heard that doing those drop in kits has a chance to burn out the switch and/or wiring to the headlights, is this true? or can i get those drop in kits without any worries?

 

I have installed quite a few kits in my time, and never had a problem. A fellow installer though had a problem with mercedes headlights though, but that was voltage issues.
To answer your question, I believe you wont have an issue at all

 

Buy a reputable brand and they'll already have the safeguards in place to keep it from happening.

I've yet to see someone "burn out" a headlight circuit though.

 

great, that's what a i wanted to know

i am assume reputable brands are in the $300 range for a decent set or are those $100 kits any good? any recommendations on brands?

 

I bought Retro Solutions digital HIDs for about $175/pair in a group buy a long time ago. They're very nice because they are regulated and run internally at 12v all the time. No flickering whatsoever because of that.

I'd say anything around 150-200 will be okay. HID is getting cheap these days.

 

I got mine for $100 and have had only one issue with mine, but thats cause my car sucks!! but the warranty was there and fixed for free.