Alternative to JDM projector headlights?

[Huffer]

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/produc ... cts_id=227 (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=227)


The Morimoto Mini bi-xenon complete kit includes the ultra-compact Mini bi-xenon projectors, the proper HID bulbs, and a set of 35w digital Morimoto ballasts to power them. It doesn't get any more "plug n play" than this.

Looking for the amazing light output, the sharp cutoff line, and the non-existent glare produced by projectors - but aren't into the idea of performing major surgery on your headlights? Look no further.

Disassemble headlights, insert threaded mounting shaft of the projector through the pre-existing hole in the back of your reflector bucket, tighten the stack with the included hardware, and you're virtually done. These are naturally compatible with H4 and H7 reflectors, but will fit all others.

Smaller than their D2S counterparts, the Morimoto Mini H1 is compact enough to fit in virtually any application no matter how small the headlights. Performance wise, nothing is compromised.

The Morimoto Mini H1 projectors come stock with clear lenses to give them a wide, intense beam pattern with a sharp and colorful cutoff line. They're available with both LHD and RHD beams for glare-free compatibility with all traffic patterns.

The Morimoto 3Five H1 Lamps are built with high levels of precision to offer 90% of the performance of the more expensive Philips lamps at half the price. Morimoto offers all the bang for the buck, but we can't argue the great quality of the Philips Tech bulbs. Take your pick!

The included wiring harness will adapt your factory outputs to control the new bi-xenon setup flawlessly without any cutting or splicing. Will also work with DRL's

With all complete retrofit kits from TRS: You get freebies like an extended warranty, shroud centric mounting rings, ballast test leads, bi-xenon emblems, how-to information, and personalized customer support. Not to mention you save money when bundling everything together.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/images/products/complete-retrofit-kits/kits-morimoto-mini-h1-stage3-06l.jpg

$270 shipped.

What do you think? I could retrofit these into stock housings, and not have to worry about modifying the cutoff, directional aiming or any splicing for wiring etc.

[mycargoesvroom]

I think you should do it. I retro-fitted a set of these into Bugeye headlights and the output is amazing for such a small package.

[TGX4776]

i might retro these into my JDM projectors

[StatGSR]

hmmm interesting. would love to see somebody try these with the stock headlights, especially with the entire old reflector blacked out....

[Huffer]

hmmm interesting. would love to see somebody try these with the stock headlights, especially with the entire old reflector blacked out....

That's what I'm thinking - I have a spare set of headlights and I know a local guy who used their retro kits on a GC, they have the same stock setup with a sidemarker and a dual filament bulb for hi/low. Now just gotta prep the old ones and save up some cash.

[racingking951]

Make sure you do a DIY write up cause I know if yours turn out nice I'll buy a pair.

[httrdd]

Are these better than the JDM projectors? If not then why not just buy the projectors for $200 ish and call it a day. I hated the way my old headlights looked.

[Huffer]

Make sure you do a DIY write up cause I know if yours turn out nice I'll buy a pair.

I'm pretty certain it's a nobrainer - the description of the kit is pretty clear. But yes, DIY when I can get them. If anyone else does it first, post up!

[Huffer]

Are these better than the JDM projectors? If not then why not just buy the projectors for $200 ish and call it a day. I hated the way my old headlights looked.

No idea. But for someone like me who doesn't want to deal with wiring up bulbs, or dealing with the LHD beam pattern, this is a good compromise and it's a PNP kit. I can black out the reflectors and paint the trim rings, and then install right on the car, aim the beams and we're all set.

[anothernord]

Here's the deal:

The JDM projectors in stock form, with the halogen bulbs, are not anything special. However, they're really easy to retrofit with a variety of nicer projectors (FX35, Murano, TSX E55 ect). They come out looking super clean, and you get the bonus of an extra high beam reflector to maintain your high beams.

Retrofitting a GT headlight would certainly be a cheaper upgrade, but I don't know that sort of options for projectors there are that will fit in the housing.

I'd say to get just the Moromito projectors, or another small lowbeam projector, and stick it in, along with a DDM HID kit. That would be about half the price of the above kit.

[ouch1011]

Certainly an interesting idea. I'd try it if I didn't have retrofitted jdm lights already.

[Huffer]

Retrofitting a GT headlight would certainly be a cheaper upgrade, but I don't know that sort of options for projectors there are that will fit in the housing.

I'd say to get just the Moromito projectors, or another small lowbeam projector, and stick it in, along with a DDM HID kit. That would be about half the price of the above kit.

After doing a little more research, I think it would be possible to buy these:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/produc ... cts_id=236 (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=236)
Morimoto D2S Mini projectors $110
A set of "E46-R" shrouds $45
Morimoto stage 2 HID kit 35w 5000k for 9007/9004 bulbs $155
TOTAL $310

In comparison, buying a pre-made kit of the same components is $295.

I'm betting just the projector system + shrouds + bulbs alone would be a huge upgrade over stock lights.
That combo runs $110 + $45 + $45 (bulbs) = $200.

I think the advantage is it's one-stop shopping. It looks like any of their projectors will "lock in" to the headlight housing using a resizable locknut system on the back of the projector.

[anothernord]

You could save $100 by getting an HID kit from DDM tuning. The catch is that they take longer to ship.

[Guig'z]

Cough cough, my 02 Outback ;)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/IMG_1391-1.jpg

[Huffer]

Guig'z - do you have anymore pics of the retro? A DIY by any chance?

I also found retrosource on ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Retrofit-Source-HID-Retro-Parts

[ouch1011]

You could save $100 by getting an HID kit from DDM tuning. The catch is that they take longer to ship.

The JDM projectors are not great even with HIDs. The light pattern is terrible. I've made a post comparing the JDM projectors to proper HID projectors. The difference is very clear.

[mycargoesvroom]

The JDM projectors are not great even with HIDs. The light pattern is terrible. I've made a post comparing the JDM projectors to proper HID projectors. The difference is very clear.

I agree 100%. Although they're much better then the OEM lights IMO, they're terrible in comparison to any other projector system I've seen.

[Guig'z]

Guig'z - do you have anymore pics of the retro? A DIY by any chance?

I also found retrosource on ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Retrofit-Source-HID-Retro-Parts

I am doing a new one when I receive my new shrouds! Alot of persons have asked about a DIY, and I will do one!

Seriously, the output is so much better than any OEM HID or whatever!

[slaytalera]

I retro-fitted my JDM projectors with FX-R projectors and LOVE them. For a stock USDM reflector setup, youll have to sand out the little lines on the inside of the lens, as thats part of the aiming system and will mess with the beam pattern that the projector is out-putting

[jewbaru]

omg, thank you Huffer!!, next paycheck after my car is fixed, these will be ORDERED!!, for the BE, think i need a special shroud?

[jewbaru]

Cough cough, my 02 Outback ;)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/IMG_1391-1.jpg


do you have the breakdown of which parts you ordered?

[Huffer]

omg, thank you Huffer!!, next paycheck after my car is fixed, these will be ORDERED!!, for the BE, think i need a special shroud?

You can use different shrouds for any application. They just have to fit the projector.

slayatera - thanks for the info on the lines. Will have to see when I open mine up.

[jewbaru]

so a 9007 hi/low DDM tuning HID kid would fit in these?

[Huffer]

It depends on which projectors you get from retrosource. Eventually when i do it, im getting the whole setup direct from them. It might not save me a lot of money but ill know it all works together.

[B's Legacy Wagon]

wow amazing iam definatly intertested in this. has any intalled these yet id love to see them ( i was not sure if the pictures above Jewbaru posted where the lights mention in the OP. or if his where the JDM version.) i am not to picky on the price as much as i would like something easy to install and will work properly.

[Huffer]

As far as I know, Guig'z on this site, is the only one to have fitted a projector set from retrosource.com. His lights are not JDM.
It looks very very simple. If I had the spare cash, I'd have already pulled the trigger.

[Guig'z]

I used:
Fx-R bixenon projectors
Matsushita ballast
Philips 85122+ D2S bulb
E55R shroud
and crome-amber bulbs for the turn signal

I could take output pictures if one of you is interested!
I am also working on a new set, so I will make a DIY!

[jewbaru]

yes please! pics would be great, ill be waiting for that DIY

[HeresMyMind]

I use the mini d2s projectors from him all the time for retrofits, in the older RS's. bugeyes, hawkeyes you name it. I did s2000's in my jdms because there is no projector out there close to it in performance. but it lacks a highbeam so the JDM lights have that.

-B

[Mr Evolution]

anymore updates on this??

Was thinking to do this as well, but would like to see some pics of the getting these to fit inside the light housing.

[Mr Evolution]

anymore updates on this??

Was thinking to do this as well, but would like to see some pics of the getting these to fit inside the light housing.

[Huffer]

anymore updates on this??

Was thinking to do this as well, but would like to see some pics of the getting these to fit inside the light housing.

Not as yet. Saving up the moola. But it should be very straightforward. Open the headlight, measure the clearance, contact retrofitsource with the dimensions, see what they recommend, buy, install and voila.

[coastiespeed]

omg, thank you Huffer!!, next paycheck after my car is fixed, these will be ORDERED!!, for the BE, think i need a special shroud?

You can use different shrouds for any application. They just have to fit the projector.

slayatera - thanks for the info on the lines. Will have to see when I open mine up.

Has anyone done this yet with USDM Headlights? I'm sortof concerned about sanding these lines! Are you suggesting doing it by hand or with a dremel? And how will you get it cleared up after sanding? Won't the scratches be too deep? I want to do this retro fit biznessss but i don't want to plunk down 200 for JDM headlights on top of the 270-300 for a retrofit kit.

[B's Legacy Wagon]

i have not done any of this yet but iam thinking that once youget the head light opend up you would probably hand sand the lines out maybe like 1000 grit wet sand and to pollish the fine scratches out use one of those small polishing bonnet that attaches to a drill. i have seenthe small bonnets they sell in kits(headlight restoring kits) not sure maybe the meguires polishing ball attachment may work as well. just throwing out ideas.

[Huffer]

What you have to do, is determine if you have refraction lines that are present through the entire lens of the outer glass/plastic, or if it's a surface only line. If it's a surface only line, you can sand the surface down, then use progressively finer grades of sandpaper until the clarity is restored. Then you would buff it really well, and reassemble your headlight.

It's the same process with sanding out any imperfections. You have to figure out how deep you have to go without compromising the structural integrity of the surface.

Personally, having a small/thin refraction line in the housing isn't going to detract from the overall output a huge amount - keep in mind just how absolutely crap the stock headlights are.

[Lachrymologist]

I'm looking to retrofit FX-Rs into my JDM projectors. I'm curious what the most convenient shroud is to use...

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

so no one has ever retrofitted usdm headlights with HIDS? If someone has, please send me the link!

[Huffer]

so no one has ever retrofitted usdm headlights with HIDS? If someone has, please send me the link!

Been done. This isnt an HID thread, this is a projector thread.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Sorry I meant to say projectors. Lol

[Huffer]

^^ did you read the thread? Guig'z has done it to his BH, no-one appears to have done it to their BD/BG yet, but the process should be 99% the same as retro'ing on a GC Impreza.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Sorry. FIY I found out from a friend that HID Planet is having a group buy for the mini stage kit for 25% off the total price. Instead of $270 its now $202 shipped. Here's the link to the group buy!

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?41308-TRS-Retrofit-Group-Buy

[Huffer]

^^ thats a great deal - thanks for the info!

[jewbaru]

still would like to know which shroud fits our third gen lights

[Huffer]

still would like to know which shroud fits our third gen lights

You're not going to know until you measure for clearances. But it will depend more on the size of the projector you get.

[jewbaru]

well hasnt someone done this already, should be the same as theirs correct?

edit:



Retrofitting a GT headlight would certainly be a cheaper upgrade, but I don't know that sort of options for projectors there are that will fit in the housing.

I'd say to get just the Moromito projectors, or another small lowbeam projector, and stick it in, along with a DDM HID kit. That would be about half the price of the above kit.

After doing a little more research, I think it would be possible to buy these:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/produc ... cts_id=236 (http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=236)
Morimoto D2S Mini projectors $110
A set of "E46-R" shrouds $45
Morimoto stage 2 HID kit 35w 5000k for 9007/9004 bulbs $155
TOTAL $310

In comparison, buying a pre-made kit of the same components is $295.

I'm betting just the projector system + shrouds + bulbs alone would be a huge upgrade over stock lights.
That combo runs $110 + $45 + $45 (bulbs) = $200.

I think the advantage is it's one-stop shopping. It looks like any of their projectors will "lock in" to the headlight housing using a resizable locknut system on the back of the projector.



I used:
Fx-R bixenon projectors
Matsushita ballast
Philips 85122+ D2S bulb
E55R shroud
and crome-amber bulbs for the turn signal

I could take output pictures if one of you is interested!
I am also working on a new set, so I will make a DIY!



where those writen up for 3rd gen headlights?

[Huffer]

If you knew the answer to your first question, why post it? Second, maybe you could try PMing Guig'z or search his posts....

[B's Legacy Wagon]

not sure if i read the post correctly over there but it sounded like they reached there 25 people for the group buy. But i think i read that the coupon code may still be good for the rest of this week only? just thought i would let you all know.

[Huffer]

not sure if i read the post correctly over there but it sounded like they reached there 25 people for the group buy. But i think i read that the coupon code may still be good for the rest of this week only? just thought i would let you all know.

Yep:

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/index.php

25% off any TRS stage III retrofit kit!

Just use coupon code: TacomaWorld25
"the code should be valid through the end of the week." - ie valid till September 23rd 2011

[jewbaru]

If you knew the answer to your first question, why post it? Second, maybe you could try PMing Guig'z or search his posts....


it doesnt answer my question lol.


also, Guig'z installed his projectors in the split beam head lights.. and i have the single hi/low style

[Guig'z]

I made a DIY guys, haven't had time to post it.

I made a DIY into Legacy L headlights, using FX-R bixenon projectors.

I am also selling a set for 350$ already retrofitted, if anyone is interested. For 450 I have a set that is almost perfect.

How many of you are interested about a DIY? I just saw this tread, no one PM'ed me about info or anything, and I think I am the only one who made a retrofit..

Its the same process btw into split beam or not.. it doesn't change the things..

Go look there, if I have no interest I won't make one.

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=22787 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=22787)

[B's Legacy Wagon]

thanks i posted in your other thread. i am interested in a write up for a single lense set up. still tossed up between the FX-R or the Morimoto D2S Mini projectors. also really tossed up between the phillips bulbs and morimoto 35w. sounds like everyone raves about the phillip's. i also trying to do some research on the led turn signals. at retrofit sorce on the forums there was a guy with a honda accorn and he had put in led turn signals and led's along the light ala audi style.