e36 conversion
#1
e36 conversion
i am almost done with the conversion but i think i can make it fit alittle better..... What is the trick in making it as flush as possibe?? It seems the sides closest to the grill are out alittle to much.
#9
Originally Posted by 3rdgene
someone said hammering next to the radiator would get it done......
Just so you know, [almost] all of the cutting is done to the headlight bracket. If you make a mistake, it's only the headlight bracket and you can just pick-up another. There IS a small cut to some sheet metal on the car, near the passenger side of the radiator. Its not a support, just some sheet metal, and you need to cut away about a nickel-sized area. It's located around the same spot where the hammer was hitting.
For a picture of where to hit the hammer, access Craig Brace's page http://www.geocities.com/craigbrace/. Click the "Links" icon, then the "BMW headlight conversion (another page)", then "example 2" (in red). I couldn't paste his picture here from the website.
#13
Supporting Maxima.org Member
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Posts: 1,369
Originally Posted by tripleGmax
well i hammered my support, but didnt cut it, figured why cut an item that has the word support in it if i dont need to??
Because how else will you tell if the support really does anything until youve cut it up. You gotta see if it will hold somehow haha.
#16
Two things you cut:
- headlight bracket
- radiator support (not an actual support, just sheet metal)
Besides, you only cut a little off of the radiator "support". It's nothing structural. Hitting it with a hammer might work, but for me it just bent the metal closer to the radiator, which I didn't like and cut it instead. Its a single cut about the size of a nickel, and you just cut a little off. You don't cut all the way through it.
- headlight bracket
- radiator support (not an actual support, just sheet metal)
Besides, you only cut a little off of the radiator "support". It's nothing structural. Hitting it with a hammer might work, but for me it just bent the metal closer to the radiator, which I didn't like and cut it instead. Its a single cut about the size of a nickel, and you just cut a little off. You don't cut all the way through it.
#17
Originally Posted by tripleGmax
i didnt need to cut anything but the bracket, so i wouldnt cut anything if you dont have to.
#22
Originally Posted by shavedmax
in order for mine to be aimed right it sticks out a little by the grille, and i cut my support, and hammered it, and cut the e36 brackets, and cut the grille. i like cutting stuff up though
what is goldmember resting? ill trade you a crazy4maxima clone, HUD halfway done with injectors
#23
Originally Posted by DMad8724
all that work and your headlights arent even flush/projectors *sigh*
what is goldmember resting? ill trade you a crazy4maxima clone, HUD halfway done with injectors
what is goldmember resting? ill trade you a crazy4maxima clone, HUD halfway done with injectors
i got a 4th gen too, thats why goldmember is resting, besides i had crazy4maxima in my yard for 8 months, i dont want to see that thing again
#24
Originally Posted by shavedmax
in order for mine to be aimed right it sticks out a little by the grille, and i cut my support, and hammered it, and cut the e36 brackets, and cut the grille. i like cutting stuff up though
#28
Originally Posted by Wiking
...your max does look neat! Can u also push it or did u assemble that masterpiece on that parking lot?
#29
Ok just to note, I should be picking up my e36 kit (including precut to fit brackets, bulbs, wires, ect ) I'll post if there is any additional cutting I find necessary. Heck I'll borrow my friends digi cam and document the whole thing. That should help awnser Q's, but as another post said " All custom installs are just that, custom". I'll start a new thread when they come in.
#32
Originally Posted by CyMax
I should be picking up my e36 kit (including precut to fit brackets, bulbs, wires, ect )
Since cutting is the installation portion that most concerns people, I'm sure others would be interested (did mine already). How much was it?
#33
Yippie!!! Mine came in the mail today, err actually Sat but the dang office was closed till today. Good looking wiring harness, just wich I knew which lead was which (high / low). Oh well I'll figure it out. Wish me luck!
#34
Originally Posted by CyMax
Ok just to note, I should be picking up my e36 kit (including precut to fit brackets, bulbs, wires, ect ) I'll post if there is any additional cutting I find necessary. Heck I'll borrow my friends digi cam and document the whole thing. That should help awnser Q's, but as another post said " All custom installs are just that, custom". I'll start a new thread when they come in.
#35
Originally Posted by whitemax28
good luck with that man. post some pics and lemme know how u got the pre-cut kit
Also, I don't know where these came from origonally, but the front glass covers just snap on!! I had thought that was a euro only thing but sure will come in handy for cleaning.
A question for the electrical folks here...... The un used ( pass side ) Bulb socket... should I just lop off the wires, cap and tape them??
#38
Everything gets removed from the bracket (all those white plastic parts) EXCEPT for the white plastic piece on the lower outside corner of the headlight bracket. That piece is held on by two screws, and is where the lower portion of the corner light rests against. All the other white pieces are used for alignment and are not needed for the e36 conversion.
#39
Ok end of day 1, drivers side lights mounted, need a little adjustment to lower the beams a bit, but after redesigning the upper bracket and reuseing the lower bracket in a sligghtly different way they look very good. I'm extremely tired, going finish them tommrow. unfortunately the only pics I have are from my camera phone but if I can still post them somehow, someone let me know. Thanks and goodnight.