Civic4drnwv's HID retro build! (56K=death)

[Civic4drnWV]

This was my first retro back in '05. I've since done 2 others this past year, both on members of this forum, so they can post some pics up if they want to. I'll eventually get around to explaining each pic sometime. All comments welcomed, any questions, just ask.:good:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car002.jpg
I first picked up a extra set of halogen reflectors so I could start work while still having headlights on the car. I basically just used a Dremel to make space for the TL projectors, which are one the biggest out there. Price you gotta pay for performance.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car006.jpg
Here is the projector fully mounted into the reflector. I used L-brackets from Lowe's to stabilize and make the rotational adjustements for the projector, nobody likes a crooked cutoff line. You can see how big the solenoid for the high beams is in this pic, hence hanging out the bottom and the extra piece that I had to add later.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car011.jpg
This is the beginnings of the shrouds that I made to fit over the TLs. It started life as a 4 inch PVC solid endcap. After a shit ton of Dremel work, I got this. Then sprayed on some gunmetal.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car017.jpg
The PVC shroud only covers the front of the projector, so I need to add extra material to extend back to meet the reflector wall. I used laundry ducting aluminum to wrap around the shroud. This is what I came up with after spending about 2 hrs. in Lowes just looking around for something that could possibly work.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car020.jpg
Everything so far fully mounted up.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car019.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Picture002.jpg
Here is the view from behind showing how the bulb and projector sit in the original bulb hole.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car014.jpg
Here is the extra piece that I had to add. Because of the TL solenoid being so big, when I put the reflector back into the headlight, the solenoid would hit the bottom of the housing, so I couldn't fully adjust anything. So I cut a couple of holes in the bottom of the headlight to free up some room for the solenoids and then cut up a couple of screw containers. I just fiberglassed over those to seal up the headlights, now with a little extra room.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70014.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car045.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70357.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70358.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70454.jpg

[aero]

looks really good man :good:

[DOOK]

why don't you let me know next time you're gonna be in town and I may have you do my legacy... I like Tyler's

[JBGstC]

Looks good! Which projectors/ballasts/bulbs you using? I love my TSX retro in my tC.

[Civic4drnWV]

looks really good man :good:

Thanks man!

why don't you let me know next time you're gonna be in town and I may have you do my legacy... I like Tyler's

Yeah, I'll hook you up Duke. I should be in for a few weeks around Xmas. I'll have alot more time on my hands come October b/c classes are over, only residence then.

Looks good! Which projectors/ballasts/bulbs you using? I love my TSX retro in my tC.

Matsushita ballasts from a G35 w/ Philips D2S 85122's (4300k) and Acura TL projectors

[JBGstC]

Matsushita ballasts from a G35 w/ Philips D2S 85122's (4300k) and Acura TL projectors

Very nice! TL's are super nice projectors, one of the best bi-xenon projectors by far in my opinion. Anymore cutoff pics?

[The Lobster]

YES he did mine! and i love him...saddens me i havent turned them on for the past 3 months:(

[Civic4drnWV]

I'll post some more pics up later on. Sher throw up some pics of that heap.:lol:

[Civic4drnWV]

My new little project is retroing some HID into my fogs. I already added some Lexus IS300 yellow capsules to them. They basically get drowned out by the lows, so I'm looking for more light. More cutoff pics as requested. I still need to take some of the high beam. I never really think about it though b/c I really don't use them much.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70370.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70365.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70364.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/102_0374.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70522.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/STA70516.jpg

[JBGstC]

Cutoff looks really good! Makes me wish I didn't color mod my TSX's...

[Civic4drnWV]

Cutoff looks really good! Makes me wish I didn't color mod my TSX's...

Why is that?

[JBGstC]

Why is that?

I lost some sharpness in my cutoff, which I've corrected somewhat with some bulb spacing, and now I kinda like the OEM cutoff better than the colormod. Oh well, I still love my retro, and all retro's for that matter. I really like the way you sealed the ballast on the bottom of the headlight housing, OEM style y0!

[Civic4drnWV]

Mine are color modded. At the time, the TL really didn't have much done to it yet, so I experimented a little to get that much blue. I still am using stock lenses too. The ZKW lenses are riduculously expensive, but look so sharp.

[JBGstC]

Mine are color modded. At the time, the TL really didn't have much done to it yet, so I experimented a little to get that much blue. I still am using stock lenses too. The ZKW lenses are riduculously expensive, but look so sharp.

Yeah, the ZKW's are awesome, but like you said, the cost of them sucks. I am considering re-doing my retro with S2K projectors, but same as the ZKW lenses, cost is an issue...

[Civic4drnWV]

I wouldn't waste your time. I don't think the added performance of the S2K's over the TSX's is worth the extra money.

[JBGstC]

I wouldn't waste your time. I don't think the added performance of the S2K's over the TSX's is worth the extra money.

I doubt I ever to do it, I don't feel like taking all that shit apart again, haha...

[Mushadd iV]

how do u do a color mod with xenons? is it a manipulation of the shield or what? I have mine cracked open right now painting the housing, figured it would be a good time to see if i can add a nice color to the cutoff

[JBGstC]

how do u do a color mod with xenons? is it a manipulation of the shield or what? I have mine cracked open right now painting the housing, figured it would be a good time to see if i can add a nice color to the cutoff

I put some #8 washers between the 2 halves of the tsx projector on these little pegs and then put it back together. I'm not sure how to colormod the projectors in your mini.

Check out www.hidplanet.com/forums (http://www.hidplanet.com/forums), I'm sure there is a method for color-modding your projectors somewhere on there...

[Civic4drnWV]

Mushadd, do you have single or bi-xenons? What year Mini? The earlier Mini's with low beam only HID have the same projectors as a E46 BMW and to mod those you just do the washers between the bowl and the legs for the lense holder. The newer Mini's with Bixenon are different and I'm not sure about those. Take a pic of the projector themselves, that will help to identify them. Just guessing, they will be made by Bosch or ZKW, who makes all BMW projectors.

[Mushadd iV]

I have single projector, the new model minis have the bi-xenons. I know there are two screws that hold the shield in place. and 3 torx screws that holds the shroud on...not sure where id put the washers? seems like ur referring to the 3 legs that the bowl sits on, i just put some washers between the legs and the bowl, then tighten down the torx screws? seems a little too easy to me lol. i'll see if i can't find some pictures on hidplanet.

this is my headlight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI050.jpg

[sde780]

Awesome! any chance of posting a walkthru?

[Civic4drnWV]

Yeah, I will add details to the pictures on the first post. Unless you are doing a retro on the same car and with the same projectors, this really won't help. Every retro is totally different and you just need to be creative when it come to design and fit.

[The Lobster]

he did mine and it looks completely different then his:0 thanks again mr craig! no i havent gotten pics besides these since the car hasnt moved in forever!

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa16/locovirus/CIMG3771.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa16/locovirus/CIMG3770.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa16/locovirus/CIMG3730.jpg

[SpinsAll4]

did my retro in a few hours. lights and projectors came from a 2000 ish mercedeze suv, not sure exactly what, buddy of mine got the whole headlight assemblies from the body shop he worked at at the time, i just tore them apart to get everthing out. did it back in 03 and i dont have any build pics or even good finished pics anymore other than my avatar, which doesnt show much :(

[Civic4drnWV]

Take some pics. I have never seem a 1G DSM with a retro. Pretty small space in there.

[SpinsAll4]

thats why im reluctant to take pics haha it is HORRIBLE taking them out... they are actually in my pop-ups, which are now meant NOT to pop up, and shine through my turn signal housings, so it installs and removes in pieces. i have a much better idea in mind to redo them inside the turn signal housings and eliminate the pop up from the system all together, i just havnt done it out of lazyness haha

[Civic4drnWV]

Just take a pic of the headlight on/off and cutoff. I'm not asking you to take them apart.

[TEAM1320elder]

the work looks great, im not taking anything away. but i have a serious question. i know im gona get flamed for this, but why not just buy a set of hids that plug and play?

i bought a low and high kit, for 96 a kit, and i love them. got them in 6k put them in the stock housing took about 20 mins to install them, the only time i get some one high beaming me, is when im hualing something.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i195/jbeane316/100_1339.jpg

[The Lobster]

^the light output is far superior in a retro fit. The hid projector also had a built in cut off so it doesnt blind on coming traffic. See how your light source bleeds 360 it tends to blind oncoming traffic. Notice the intensity and the cut off in these retro fits. Oh and ya it cost about 4 times more then your PnP but the quality of the light and intensity pays off. One more thing is that you can have high and low beam with a bi xenon HID retro with a single bulb housing

http://www.nsxprime.com/photopost/data/500/11497EVOHID1.jpg

http://www.devilchrist.net/zx10r_hid_retro/DSC00574.JPG

[The Lobster]

here is a PnP hid cut off

http://www.intellexual.net/hids/5.jpg

here is pnp hid vs retro fit notice the left car the lights bleeds/glares alot more.

http://www.ludehawk.com/pics/glare/5.jpg

[Mushadd iV]

even though you may not get highbeamed, doesn't mean your not blinding people. I can always tell when cars have "HID kits" when i pass them, its annoying, but i dont kick my highbeams on them. park your truck up against a wall, and get a shot of your beam pattern. reflector housing give off the most glare and hotspots. projectors lenses with hid kits are better but still not true hid/retro.

civic4drnwv, what thickness of washers do you use to get a good color mod on the cutoff? or is it trial and error?

[Civic4drnWV]

The main difference is a nice even spread of light that is 4 lanes wide in a retro VS. 2 hot spots and a bunch of glare surrounding in a PnP kit. I'll find a good picture that illustrates this. Actually you can do me a favor, take a picture of your HIDs 25 ft. away from a white wall and I'll do the same, then we'll compare.

[Civic4drnWV]

Mushaad, just get #8 washers from any hardware store. Every projector is different start w/ just one and then try 2. It's all just trial and error. BTW, take a pic of your projector out of the headlight, I'm curious to see exactly what one Mini uses.

[Civic4drnWV]

Here is the pic I was thinking of.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/thetruth.jpg

[TEAM1320elder]

Here is the pic I was thinking of.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/thetruth.jpg


i dont like the 8k color but i like the look of the stock housing better. if i wanted the light to be down on the ground like the second pic, i would have just left the stock halogen bulbs in it. ive never taken a pic but ive pulled the turck up to a wall, and it isnt a low wide beam, but its not a big glaring wad of light either. when my highs are on its everywhere.

ill take a pic this eve.

[The Lobster]

^you can adjust the height of the light. That height is adjusted so it doesnt blind on coming traffic.

you know the PnP width is about half a garage door so 10 feetish. The light is also concentrated on two points "hot spots" while everything else is sorta just dimmly lit.

the retro fit is the length of the whole wall and the intensity is about the same through out the whole 20 feet. It also doesnt blind anything above the cut off. Again you can raise the height of the light. You also notice that the light source is way further back and the intensity is still the same.

[Civic4drnWV]

Proper aiming of the headlight is so that the top of the beam is supposed to drop 2 inches over 25 ft. from the height of the center of the headlight itself. You can't really do this with a PnP kit since some light even shoots straight upwards sometimes for squirrel spotlighting.

[Civic4drnWV]

BTW, I will have alot more time on my hands here in 6 weeks after I'm done with classes forever. I'll only be in clinic during the week, so I might have time to do a few more retros if anybody wants one.

[The Lobster]

the first video is great because not only does he have one HID kit in one headlight and the other stock to show good differences but you can also tell just how much glare you get. Also notice that the halogen side is actually puting out more useable light on the GROUND, where it counts!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcX63e7peV0&search=Hidding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcX63e7peV0&search=Hidding)

Check out this HORRIBLE narrow beam pattern.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4RdiDP0wfs&search=Hidding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4RdiDP0wfs&search=Hidding)

Mmmm glare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnfAUWp-ck&search=Hidding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnfAUWp-ck&search=Hidding)

HID retro fit cut off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBULgzK1caQ

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/haknslash2003/hid%20pics/wMTIxNDY2ODZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/haknslash2003/hid%20pics/wMTIxNDY2OTZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

[Civic4drnWV]

Good find Sher.

[Mushadd iV]

Mushaad, just get #8 washers from any hardware store. Every projector is different start w/ just one and then try 2. It's all just trial and error. BTW, take a pic of your projector out of the headlight, I'm curious to see exactly what one Mini uses.

i just won a headlight on eBay. I'll get a picture of it in a few days when i get it ripped apart. Here are some pictures of the 02-04 reflector HID, compared to the newer 05-06 Projector HID. Also the projector(passenger) has a 4300k compared to an 8000k in the reflector housing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI053.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI056.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI065.jpg

here is a crappy example of the cutoff, distance is too close, but you still get the idea. the reflector has a good cutoff but still no where near as sharp as the prjector.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/1LowNeon/MINIs/MINI067.jpg

also civic, when i add too many washers, what begins to happen to let me know ive gone too far?

[Warriorblaze]

So what do you headlight whores recommend for a GOOD replacement halogen bulb?

The headlights on the Mustang are pitiful and its very easy to 'out run them'.

[SpinsAll4]

So what do you headlight whores recommend for a GOOD replacement halogen bulb?

The headlights on the Mustang are pitiful and its very easy to 'out run them'.


i suggest stiffer rear springs :rofl:

[Warriorblaze]

Stiffer front springs maybe, the ass already sits up like a pro-mod because of the slicks. :rofl:

[The Lobster]

here you go mr blaze

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1888068

[Warriorblaze]

Thanks for the link, the page won't load for me tho. Keeps saying network timeout.

[The Lobster]

ya HT is having some problems right now but check on it later its great.

[sde780]

It's working on and off for me

[Warriorblaze]

Those are H4 bulbs. I have 9004's in the stang.

[The Lobster]

^ so get the xtremes in 9004:)

he was just using h4 cause thats what fit in his car.

[Warriorblaze]

Looks like they only have them available in h4 and h7

[The Lobster]

ok nm your sol thye got all sizes but 9004

9003, 9006, 9007, 9008/H13, H7, H4

[RhizzleDizzle]

civic4dr those lights are sweet as hell. Great work man. That takes some patience and skill.

[bigD]

so did this turn into a showoff your retro thread? if so here is my contribution....
acura tsx projectors and 4300k hid lights
http://www.justchil.net/gallery2/d/84687-6/DSC_0176.JPG

http://www.justchil.net/gallery2/d/89273-4/DSC_0020.JPG



http://www.justchil.net/gallery2/d/94067-4/DSC_0144.JPG

*they are currently out and im running the stock halogen lamps until I can install the new hid kit due to a faulty ballast :(

[sde780]

:shok: that srt-4 is nice

[Civic4drnWV]

so did this turn into a showoff your retro thread? if so here is my contribution....
acura tsx projectors and 4300k hid lights
http://www.justchil.net/gallery2/d/84687-6/DSC_0176.JPG



Did Haknslash do those up for you?

[Civic4drnWV]

also civic, when i add too many washers, what begins to happen to let me know ive gone too far?

Just add until you get the color you want. Most are going for a blue/purpleish cutoff all the way across the beam. It's all personal preference.

[Civic4drnWV]

Blaze, 9004 and 9007 are the same bulb socket. Only difference is the wiring to the socket, all you have to do is switch 2 of the terminals and they are interchangeable.

[bigD]

Did Haknslash do those up for you?

unfortunately no :( after he sold his srt he stopped making retros for us. He is the light whore though lol. The vendor I bought mine off of honestly didnt do a good job. I have had to reseal the lights because of condensation and just recently one of the cheap ballasts provided took a crap. Also the tard HOT GLUED the adjusting nuts so I cant really aim the lights that well. The output is ok, alot better than halogen but there is room for improvement. Last I heard this particular vendor got out of the business and took alot of peoples money (story of srtforums haha grrrr)

[Civic4drnWV]

I could straighten them out for ya sometime. Hak was the man, I talked to him alot when I did mine, b/c he was one the first guys to use the TL in anything. Find some OEM ballasts on Ebay. PnP kits usually blow quickly.

[bigD]

I could straighten them out for ya sometime. Hak was the man, I talked to him alot when I did mine, b/c he was one the first guys to use the TL in anything. Find some OEM ballasts on Ebay. PnP kits usually blow quickly.

ok cool, ill keep that in mind.

[JBGstC]

Sorry to be repetitive, but I'd definitely stay away from kit ballasts. That's what I had before I got my matsushita's for my retro. The kit ballasts caused the lights to flicker and a couple times one of them just went off. HIDPlanet is a better place to get the ballasts from, people on ebay try to take you to the wash...

[Civic4drnWV]

I've bought 4 sets of Matsushita's off of Ebay w/o any problems. I've actually had mine for about 4 years or so now problem free. I don't like buying from HIDPlanet b/c that forum has crappy communication and generally higher prices than Ebay as well.

[JBGstC]

I can never find a deal on eBay, Haha maybe I'm not looking hard enough. I just hope he finds good ballasts for a good price :)

[The Lobster]

i had to get new 85122+ bulbs for my hids since one was burnt out when mine was done.

i picked up 2 bulbs for 20 shipped:)

[Civic4drnWV]

I've never paid more than $150 for a set and that came with some D2R bulbs that I ended up selling on HIDPlanet for $25.

[TEAM1320elder]

hey heres my cheapo's in 6k in my stock 07 classic. i didnt think to turn the highs on they do go everywhere and i love it i can see everything out my road with em on.

i forgot to take the pic last night, so i took one this morning going to work. id say its about 15-20 feet

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i195/jbeane316/100_1565.jpg

[Civic4drnWV]

This is a really bad picture that I had saved. I'll have to get out and take a new one.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/Car/Car030.jpg

[Civic4drnWV]

Holy hot spots BATMAN!!!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/100_15651.jpg

[TEAM1320elder]

so your saying the factory halogens would be better?? gtfo. these are 10 times better than he stocks, and they dont have hardly any glare and dont blind on comming traffic. i let joey drive the truck and i passed him in his daily beater which is a talon for hight refrence, and it didnt glare at all nor did it blind me any worse then the lexus suv that just happend to be behind him. and besides, i WANT the light to be concentrated in front of me, not 50 ft wide like the ones your posting. i dont need to see beside me when im driving forwards.

i actually think your pic you posted looks like my friends car with reg ass silverstars in it. kinda dim looking

[Civic4drnWV]

I'm not bashing your kit. It actually looks really good for a halogen reflector with HIDs, there isn't much glare upward like most. But all that around the hot spots is essentially glare. Yeah, that is a pic before I knew what I was doing with a camera, I'm gonna take some new ones soon.

[The Lobster]

so your saying the factory halogens would be better?? gtfo. these are 10 times better than he stocks, and they dont have hardly any glare and dont blind on comming traffic. i let joey drive the truck and i passed him in his daily beater which is a talon for hight refrence, and it didnt glare at all nor did it blind me any worse then the lexus suv that just happend to be behind him. and besides, i WANT the light to be concentrated in front of me, not 50 ft wide like the ones your posting. i dont need to see beside me when im driving forwards.

i actually think your pic you posted looks like my friends car with reg ass silverstars in it. kinda dim looking

i think you are missing the point of a real HID. The HID light reaches Twice as far as your pnp and its also twice as wide so our angle of vision is twice as wide and our dept of vision is twice as far. You have two concentrated hot spots so if a deer steps out in front of your car you will probably see it 1-2 sec slower then with a HID retro fit. thats just a simple example

you dont want to have concentrated in front of you as your field of vision is only concentrated on those two points.

but as this argument started we already know the PnP people will defend their kits to the death as well as retro fit people defend their points.

i posted couple videos and it shows that a good halogen bulb gives off more light to the ground then a PnP.

this is glare if i have ever seen it

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i195/jbeane316/100_1339.jpg

[The Lobster]

Holy hot spots BATMAN!!!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b317/irisharse3/100_15651.jpg

check out how your light source is only concentrated against the wall on two spots. what about the ground? the side? everywhere else? you dont want to drive with two spot lights. You want to be able to see everything.

i dont know about you but i rather see the whole road and more then just two points.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4290/bbbbbml1.jpg

[TEAM1320elder]

theres 30 times more light on the ground and its twice as wide, with my perticular truck and kit.

ALL lights glare like that in the cam. standing there looking at the truck and then put the cam up wow what a glare thrugh the cam only. good thing we dont drive looking throu digital cams.

the pic you posted right there is not what i would consider good headlights. its way to short in height. im not defending pnp vs retro, but all im saying is its a hell of alot eaysier to buy a nice kit with waranty for 100 bucks pnp then have to buy espensive factory stuff, and then build new headlights. i done a years worth of research and looked at and drove a car with a retro kit, the light beam looked just like what you have posted. i thought it sucked, my stock halogens were better.

and how are mine not REAL hid's? just currious. thes things in have alot wider pattern and i can see about 3 times as far then with my stocks. as for light on the ground, it hits about 4 ft from the front of the truck out as far as you can see.

[TEAM1320elder]

oh and btw,,civic, your work looks great, im not argueing on that, simply discussing the other bs

[JBGstC]

Not to start a pissing match, but not all headlights glare when photographed...

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/JBGstC/P6090635.jpg

[The Lobster]

ALL lights glare like that in the cam. standing there looking at the truck and then put the cam up wow what a glare thrugh the cam only. good thing we dont drive looking throu digital cams.

the pic you posted right there is not what i would consider good headlights. its way to short in height. im not defending pnp vs retro, but all im saying is its a hell of alot eaysier to buy a nice kit with waranty for 100 bucks pnp then have to buy espensive factory stuff, and then build new headlights. i done a years worth of research and looked at and drove a car with a retro kit, the light beam looked just like what you have posted. i thought it sucked, my stock halogens were better.

and how are mine not REAL hid's? just currious. thes things in have alot wider pattern and i can see about 3 times as far then with my stocks. as for light on the ground, it hits about 4 ft from the front of the truck out as far as you can see.

ha thanks for the picture of yoru car with no glare!!! i also posted a pic a page back on PnP vs HID retro and the glare was minimum compared to Pnp.

i am not sure why you keep stating the height...the hieght is adjustable. these pics are with cars about 25-40 feet back. Again these are CARS if adjusted right the light should be right below everyones side view mirror. Your height on your truck would be higher of course. So not sure how high the light comes into play...

here is a tundra with retro fits no glare...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e200/kslyguy808/Tundra%20Projector%20Retrofit/DSC00670-2.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e200/kslyguy808/Tundra%20Projector%20Retrofit/DSC00683-1.jpg

CRV no glare

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/JSMexUsa/IMG_0977.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/JSMexUsa/IMG_0948.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/JSMexUsa/IMG_0952.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/JSMexUsa/IMG_0953.jpg

tacoma with min glare (camera was below lights)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/RossK35/tl/CIMG0062.jpg

look at that clear cut off and the intensity. take a picture of yours with the same intensity, dept, and width

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/RossK35/tl/P4140010.jpg

this is a DIRECT SHOT with min glare, and look at how bright everything is in front of the truck to ensure 165 degree of vision and not miss a single thing in the road.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/RossK35/tl/P41400022.jpg

[sir2sol]

is it just me or does that tacoma look awesome with the retro...anyways here's some pics of my car and my buddy's car, both with retro-fits done.

my buddy's integra

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/new064.jpg

my car...yeah i know, but it was the only one i've got of my retro-fit right now:shok:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/new152.jpg

every car in this picture is either retro-fitted or hid from the factory...it's hard to tell the difference.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/new145.jpg

[Civic4drnWV]

from L to R, first 3 are retros, last is stock S2K.

[sir2sol]

actually the first one is retro, the second one is an '02 wrx with the uber-rare version 6 sti hid headlights, the third is retro, and correct the last one is stock s2k.

[Civic4drnWV]

Damn, I'm slippin. What are the DA and Sol running?

[FourOnTheFloor65]

actually the first one is retro, the second one is an '02 wrx with the uber-rare version 6 sti hid headlights, the third is retro, and correct the last one is stock s2k.


Actually DJ they are Version 7. But they are RHD projectors. I have several LHD projectors at my house I need to change them out with something else. I have to run them really low to keep them out of people's eyes.

I wish I had taken pics of Matt's Retro when we did it. I should have taken step by step pics and at least some of the cutoff at the end. It turned out really well. I was pleased and I'm sure he is too.

About the Silverado lights. Have you ever ridden in a car with a really good quality HID projector set up stock or retrofit? I'll just assume for now that you haven't. A lot of people I have talked to who love their kits have never really experienced good HID lights before. They may be better than your stock bulbs but they are not great by HID standards. This is one thing where for you the grass is definitely greener (or at least brighter) on the other side. The really wide pattern is amazing when driving you can see for ever off both sides of the road and equally as well in front of you. All the hot spots are doing is dilating you pupils.


For you retrofit guys. If you ever need any stock plugs for the Mitsushita GenIII ballasts I have a box full of like 200 of them cut out of Nissans, Infinitis, and Subarus.

[FourOnTheFloor65]

Damn, I'm slippin. What are the DA and Sol running?


The DA is my buddy Matt's car. He has Color modded E39 single xenons with Mitsushita GenII ballasts in a set of EBay aftermarket lights. That was my first retrofit. I have about 45hours in them. A smaller projector would have made it a lot easier to do. I am obsessive compulsive with stuff like that. I spent like 3 hours finding a way to mount the igniters inside the housings like these ballasts and igniters would have come stock. They are adjustable from the outside just like the stock lights would be. I wanted to do them right. I still need to pull them back off the car and rig up some way of sealing the back of them where the bulbs stick out.

Sir2sol (DJ) owns the sol. He is running FX Bi-xenons and some hella ballasts. I can't remember what generation they are.

[sir2sol]

thanks ryan, you're always on top of things :good:

[sir2sol]

here's some pics of the new set of headlights i just got finished with. all the needs to be done is they need to be sealed and they're all done.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/P1010147.jpghttp://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/P1010149.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/sir2sol/P1010148.jpg

[Civic4drnWV]

No shrouds???? BOOOOOOOOOO!

[sir2sol]

i dunno, i like the look of just the projectors. kinda has that mechanical look to it. if you'd ever see my car, you'd know that there's definitely no frills about it. we'll wait and see if i still like the looks of them after i install them.

[Civic4drnWV]

W/o any shrouds, you might get some bleeding light from between the bowl and the lense holder. Just something to think about.

[sir2sol]

i've thought about that, with these fx projectors there doesn't seem to be any noticeable hot-spot (or at least not yet). with the e series projectors that i had before, if you didn't have a shroud or some sort of bezel, they were all over the place. not to mention the cutoff line sucked balls. when i install these ones, i'm going to see what i've got, but hopefully they'll be all good.

[Civic4drnWV]

I've worked w/ FX's before. They are really nice for the price, but they don't quite match up to my TL's.

[The Lobster]

^nope my FX def does not compare to the TLs in your pic:)

[sde780]

So how much does a retrofit usually run you? (materials wise - ballasts, projectors, bulbs, wiring, etc)

[Civic4drnWV]

It all depends on what you are using and how lucky you can get on pricing. None of these materials except for wiring are new or sold by a real business, usually Ebay or other forum members. I would say at the very least, you could do one for ~$220 and that is with a bottom of the barrel projector and PnP kit, w/ misc. wiring. I did mine for about $330 but that was getting really lucky with the projectors. The TLs at the time were going for anywhere b/t $250-300 by themselves and I luckily ran into an Ebayer that had no clue what he should have sold them for. So price is basically up to you w/ most of the cost difference in the projectors that you want.

[sde780]

I see. Projectors are the least expensive of the lot, no? Someone on HT was selling Fx projectors for $60. I'm more worried about the ballasts and bulbs, they seem to be really expensive.

[Mushadd iV]

its cheap compared to buying from the factory, my headlights are $1200 each new. They go for about $4-500 used on eBay. But I waited and searched for months and months. Managed to get one "buy it now" for 300, and the 2nd for about $90 because the guy thought it was broke...it wasnt :)

[Civic4drnWV]

I see. Projectors are the least expensive of the lot, no? Someone on HT was selling Fx projectors for $60. I'm more worried about the ballasts and bulbs, they seem to be really expensive.

No, not necessarily. FX's are really cheap now b/c of a huge recall on their headlights about a year or so ago. That is about the cheapest price for a set as you can go. But on the other end of the spectrum, you could get say Honda S2000 projectors which can run up to $300 for a set. I have spent no more than $150 on a set of OEM ballast with bulbs. If you are really interested in doing this, give me a PM and I can help you decide on certain ones to look for and even help you source them.:smile:

[The Lobster]

this seems to be a nice upgrade to the fx projectors

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43028&highlight=fx35

[FourOnTheFloor65]

It all depends on what you are using and how lucky you can get on pricing. None of these materials except for wiring are new or sold by a real business, usually Ebay or other forum members. I would say at the very least, you could do one for ~$220 and that is with a bottom of the barrel projector and PnP kit, w/ misc. wiring. I did mine for about $330 but that was getting really lucky with the projectors. The TLs at the time were going for anywhere b/t $250-300 by themselves and I luckily ran into an Ebayer that had no clue what he should have sold them for. So price is basically up to you w/ most of the cost difference in the projectors that you want.

I have bought stuff much cheaper than that. I had a full retrofit set minus the bulbs that I just sold to a friend of mine. I had $150 in everything. Koito ballasts from a toyota and projectors from an Audi A6 (I think, I can't remember I must have 5 sets of projectors at my house). But you could get a set of used bulbs for $25 on EBay. So call it $200 once you get the relays and fuse holder and all the other random stuff, and I didn't have to use a shitty pnp kit. The stuff is out there for cheap you just have to find it.

[Civic4drnWV]

this seems to be a nice upgrade to the fx projectors

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43028&highlight=fx35

Yeah Sher. See if you can find some TSX lenses cheap or maybe these replicas. Definately will add a ton of blue at the cutoff.

I have bought stuff much cheaper than that. I had a full retrofit set minus the bulbs that I just sold to a friend of mine. I had $150 in everything. Koito ballasts from a toyota and projectors from an Audi A6 (I think, I can't remember I must have 5 sets of projectors at my house). But you could get a set of used bulbs for $25 on EBay. So call it $200 once you get the relays and fuse holder and all the other random stuff, and I didn't have to use a shitty pnp kit. The stuff is out there for cheap you just have to find it.

That is dirt cheap. My whole philosophy with retros is that you should use a projector toward the higher end of the performance spectrum so you don't have to take it apart 2 or 3 times to redo with better projectors. That $220 budget was about $60 for projectors, $140 for ballasts and bulbs, and $20 for wiring, relays, fuses, etc. I really don't like buying used bulbs b/c most of the time they will not be colormatched. I have found a reliable PnP kit for $70 w/ bulbs, but that would only be an option if someone really wanted to cheap out.