I'm thinking about getting the e36 bmw projection headlights with the day running led strip. I want to if anybody has done this, which set is closest fit(4d,2d) does it matter which set. I heard that I can swap whole light assembly. What did you do as far as the plug in connectors? Did you have to move anything for the fit? Any info on this would be tight, good look.

 

http://www.angelfire.com/trek/tko/bmw_conversion/

 

If any one's interested I ordered projection E36's with the halo's in them. I think this is easier than making my own projection head lights that I've seen done. The dude that did them came out tight, definately the way to go instead of those euro jump offs there trying to sell to all the third gen heads. Good look on the info mann!!

 

I did the swap, along with the rest of the car.

 

Wow, I've not looked at that page in some time.

That was my original How-To write up and images that skymax hosted. I have since done two newer swaps and am using the Euro lights....which BTW are fantastic...glass lenses, high quality projector, and high quality angel eyes (NOT LED strips).

You need to know, if you are using a projector headlight, you cannot use the Maxima headlight housing....well, not without significantly MORE modifications then what you see in those images. Now, if you're using stock e36 headlights (non-projectors), then this write up should send you in the right direction.

You can give me a yell if you have any further questions.

 

Yeah I'm doing the projectors, I figured I would have to do some fabricating but thats alright. If you do have any more info. or pictures/anything related to this mod it would be highly appreciated, thanks in advance, Shiloh.

 

You can just email me directly at Mxmumpwr@aol.com so it's easier for me to get back with you and send any images.

 

The headlights came out clean but the corners didn't , they don't line up at all and that looks cheesy.

 

For some reason, the majority of 3rd genners are oblivious to the fact that 99% of these conversions look terrible. In addition to poor corner fitment, they also usually look crummy where the lights meet the grille, and of course the lights overall don't match the Maxima body lines and usually have a big gap in between the hood and lights. Never quite understood why people don't see how awful aesthetically these conversions usually turn out..

To do it right, you absolutely have to use the Wade covers. There's only 3-4 people who actually used the Wade covers. And I'm still the only person I know of who used the Wade covers AND fully enclosed them to make a "real" headlight unit out of it.

 

You're right, did look cheezy. But those images came immediately after getting everything together and lacked any later adjustments to bring things into better alignment. Additionally, you can see on my driver's side where I had been hit, hence the scuffs on the side marker...this prevented better alignment at the time. You should know there are many other images around the forums where this mod has been done and individuals demonstrate having got them aligned properly. Even my current euro lights are off because I've not had time to complete additional modifications to get them to sit where they need. Like any mod of this nature, it takes time.

So, I'll bounce off what you're saying RAZ to make this point, this is not some direct bolt on. This is no where near some "Lego block" mod where you just remove some bolts, set something in place, then replace bolts and you're done. It will also take significant time to do the work, even more if you are not very skilled with this level of modification. It is completely custom and there is quite a bit of fabrication required and in many ways, will be individualized based upon the person doing the job. Any such write-up is therefore nothing more than a basic guide addressing barriers and making suggestions.

 

+1 and Great example of the job done right. Anyone doing it MUST put the time and effort into it to get it looking right. Of course, doing the Wade on the euro lights is a bit different task than on the stock E36 lights!

 

Do you have any pics of your Euro lights?

Brad has the most decent Euro light setup (as far as fitment) I've seen to date. Still just a notch below looking 'right' to the discerning eye IMO, though, as it cocked his grille a little bit and the angles just don't match the hood/bumper line.

I'm probably going to fab up a set of Euro lights in the next year or two using the front Maxima glass from those "euro clear" headlight assemblies on eBay.

 

Basically U have to use the clear lens from the euro's with the projection set up. Why doesn't somebody just make these fuuckers for us!!!

 

Perfect, that's what that conversion should look like. Good job.

 

You mean use the "euro clear" Maxima lense, take off the BMW glass lense, and then fab the Maxima lense to the projector housing unit (back end) from the BMW lights? If so, that's what I was saying..

 

ebay used to have the black euro headlights and now for some reason i cant find em.
any one who knows where to get em plz link me to it. thanks

 

I do have images (you can check my Cardomain page). But the job is not completed. I got tied up in my turbo project and never finished the job so they sit too low and crooked. You can actually see the gap in my avatar pic to the left. They honestly do NOT look particularly good right now. I have additional cutting I must do as well as plans to completely fabricate a custom bracket to hold and wrap the lights so they appear more stock. The grill issue I think for me is moot only because I have installed it onto the hood. That has allowed me much more flexability....but all that may change with my brackets.

 

I believe a Custom Maxima still has or Google Spyder blach euros.

 

If you are talking about the black housing, dual projector "Euro" e36 headlights, those are absolute crap. I owned a set BREIFLY.....worse light output than stock headlights and fit/looked bad-cheap-out of alignment-hacked-ricy-etc! Not worth $20 for the set even new IMO.

If you're going to do this, you need to go with stock e36 (US spec, plastic housing w/o projector) or the euro (Euro spec with glass housing and projector and with or w/o angel eyes).

 

No your not. I did mine 4 years ago

 

Goon did one-better actually...


http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u...%20headlights/

 

lol i kno how dey look im lookin to buy me a pair. thanks tho

 

Then I stand corrected. Good job on yours, looks like you did the same thing I did with the black "perimeter" and all. How are yours holding up?

Mine will be 6 years old next month. I really kind of expected them to start yellowing after a few summers in the Texas sun (car is outside year-round), but they've actually held up great and haven't yellowed. Although, they did spend about a year with a tint film on them, but I took it back off this summer.

Caped.. not to be a hater.. and... I love Goon... but.. these are really kind of tacky IMO. Interesting/different, but tacky

 

To the person who fabbed these right here, if at all possible I'd like some info on what you used(materials), how you did these. They look real tight, everything looks lined up tightly/right. Her grille looks dope!! Excellent work!!

 

wow the white max looks great, might have to look into this

 

James mine are holding up just fine. Of course my car sits in a garage and only sees a few sunny days and no winters...in fact (sad to say) doesn't even see many sunny days. I work too damn much and rarely get a chance to enjoy. I did used the black surround because after welding the plastic, I used some bondo to smooth the lights to look factory-ish. I painted black on the inside too before putting the face on. I also filled them with water to make sure they were completely sealed water tight.

Shiloh. Materials were (as mentioned) WADE covers and some 1/8" lexan, a plastic welder and a pantload of time. I figure it was around 10 hours....on each light.

 

Cool beans. Exact same thing I did. I even mixed black paint into the epoxy I used so it wouldn't be obvious/visible on the inside of the housing