mAd tYte jDM HiDs y0!!!
04-05-2009, 07:20 PM
#1
mAd tYte jDM HiDs y0!!!
Ok, so as some of you may know (I'm looking at you, nalc)
I've been off and on working on my projector retrofit. I've learned a ton, screwed up constantly, and it's finally done (actually it's been done for about a week and a half now, but I've been mad busy with work/other crap). I've spent a lot on this retro with all the tools and hardware that I had to buy and the amount of screwups that occured. I'm pretty sure I personally kept Home Depot afloat in this time of economic crisis.
My retrofit consists of: R34 one piece headlights (the black ones) and TSX projectors.
My thoughts on this mod:
1) Light output - Duh, it's about 1x10^13244 times better than stock. It's my opinion that the 95-96 lights are worse than the 97+ because it diffuses the light even more with the fluted lenses. Then again, because they're glass, they don't get yellow and fog up, so it's kind of a toss-up.
The main thing that struck me about the retro is how wide the beam is. I can light up a lot of the road in front of me, and still see a good ways down the road.
2) R34's - there are pros and cons to using the R34s in a retro fit. If you're not going to use JNC's mounting method, it's great, as there is a flat back that you can easily bolt to. However, even though the TSX is a relatively small projector, it was still a pretty tight fit. Also, if I had to do it all again, I'd go with the chrome R34s instead of the black. I think it makes it more stock-looking and less "aftermarket." But that's just my opinion. I also believe that the black R34s would go better with the 97+ grill because of the connecting body-colored or chrome cross bars.
3) TSXs - Ok, so I bought two TSX projects, however one had a clear lense and another with a fresnel. I bought a set of clear lenses off of ebay, but they didn't fit. Appearantly this guy is known for duping people into buying his lenses that don't fit. So that was another $30 wasted
(I've been informed that they may not even fit the FX's, so basically DON'T GET EBAY LENSES!)
So I eventually bought one TSX aftermarket lense from The Retrofit source. It looked the same in the pictures, but it is definitely different in real life. However, it was not so different that I felt that I had to buy an original TSX clear lense, so I left it.
4) 4300k HID kit - I used a kit from a GD here (Umnitza) it was cheap and it works. I may upgrade later to a 55w kit so I can see further down the road, but honestly, unless this breaks, I'm not worried.
5) Shrouds - Man, this one was one big flustercluck after another, but I used MDX shrouds. First and foremost, they didn't fit the TSX projector, they were too small. Then, they were too big to fit inside the R34 projector. Both problems I fixed with a dremel, but they don't look as good as they did before.
6) Mounting/fit - R34s fit pretty well, but on the very last day when I was done aiming and sealing, I overtighted one of the mounting nuts/posts and broke the stud bolt.
I had to find a very short screw that was the same size, which was kind of a b!tch.
7) Wiring harness - Ok, this is really where it all started, so I guess I should have started there. Anyway, I did a LOT of research on this, and solved a few problems that people have had. For this, I'd like to thank: nalc, Andrew (i can't remember his whole sn, but I'm sure he'll post here), kzoosho, and a few others on hidplanet. Basically I put my low beams on the wiring harness and left the stock wiring to power my high beams. I have no "hid blink" when I hit my highs and I can flash the high beams at oncoming traffic without my low beams coming on unneccessarily. I'll explain more later if need be, but I'll post my wiring diagram.
On to the pix!
Some tools I used:
Some of the hardware I used
Some important components
I've been off and on working on my projector retrofit. I've learned a ton, screwed up constantly, and it's finally done (actually it's been done for about a week and a half now, but I've been mad busy with work/other crap). I've spent a lot on this retro with all the tools and hardware that I had to buy and the amount of screwups that occured. I'm pretty sure I personally kept Home Depot afloat in this time of economic crisis.
My retrofit consists of: R34 one piece headlights (the black ones) and TSX projectors.
My thoughts on this mod:
1) Light output - Duh, it's about 1x10^13244 times better than stock. It's my opinion that the 95-96 lights are worse than the 97+ because it diffuses the light even more with the fluted lenses. Then again, because they're glass, they don't get yellow and fog up, so it's kind of a toss-up.
The main thing that struck me about the retro is how wide the beam is. I can light up a lot of the road in front of me, and still see a good ways down the road.
2) R34's - there are pros and cons to using the R34s in a retro fit. If you're not going to use JNC's mounting method, it's great, as there is a flat back that you can easily bolt to. However, even though the TSX is a relatively small projector, it was still a pretty tight fit. Also, if I had to do it all again, I'd go with the chrome R34s instead of the black. I think it makes it more stock-looking and less "aftermarket." But that's just my opinion. I also believe that the black R34s would go better with the 97+ grill because of the connecting body-colored or chrome cross bars.
3) TSXs - Ok, so I bought two TSX projects, however one had a clear lense and another with a fresnel. I bought a set of clear lenses off of ebay, but they didn't fit. Appearantly this guy is known for duping people into buying his lenses that don't fit. So that was another $30 wasted
(I've been informed that they may not even fit the FX's, so basically DON'T GET EBAY LENSES!) So I eventually bought one TSX aftermarket lense from The Retrofit source. It looked the same in the pictures, but it is definitely different in real life. However, it was not so different that I felt that I had to buy an original TSX clear lense, so I left it.
4) 4300k HID kit - I used a kit from a GD here (Umnitza) it was cheap and it works. I may upgrade later to a 55w kit so I can see further down the road, but honestly, unless this breaks, I'm not worried.
5) Shrouds - Man, this one was one big flustercluck after another, but I used MDX shrouds. First and foremost, they didn't fit the TSX projector, they were too small. Then, they were too big to fit inside the R34 projector. Both problems I fixed with a dremel, but they don't look as good as they did before.
6) Mounting/fit - R34s fit pretty well, but on the very last day when I was done aiming and sealing, I overtighted one of the mounting nuts/posts and broke the stud bolt.
I had to find a very short screw that was the same size, which was kind of a b!tch.7) Wiring harness - Ok, this is really where it all started, so I guess I should have started there. Anyway, I did a LOT of research on this, and solved a few problems that people have had. For this, I'd like to thank: nalc, Andrew (i can't remember his whole sn, but I'm sure he'll post here), kzoosho, and a few others on hidplanet. Basically I put my low beams on the wiring harness and left the stock wiring to power my high beams. I have no "hid blink" when I hit my highs and I can flash the high beams at oncoming traffic without my low beams coming on unneccessarily. I'll explain more later if need be, but I'll post my wiring diagram.
On to the pix!
Some tools I used:
Some of the hardware I used
Some important components
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-06-2009 at 12:10 PM.
04-05-2009, 07:25 PM
#2
Baked to perfection: R34 Soufflé!
Taken apart - the inner components of the R34s: clear lens and black trim
Housing and chrome reflector
Front of housing (to show size)
Annoying original adjustment screw (I recommend, if you can, to cut this down inside the housing. Or rip it out completely and seal that hole up with bondo or something.
Taken apart - the inner components of the R34s: clear lens and black trim
Housing and chrome reflector
Front of housing (to show size)
Annoying original adjustment screw (I recommend, if you can, to cut this down inside the housing. Or rip it out completely and seal that hole up with bondo or something.
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-06-2009 at 06:39 AM.
04-05-2009, 07:28 PM
#3
JNC's mounting method in use with metal brackets that I found in home depot (I definitely recommend you find smaller ones because it was REAL close to not fitting correctly.
All mounted up:
With MF(*$(#&(*&# shroud installed (I'm pretty sure that this is NOT how you're supposed to do it, but I'm not what you'd call "Creative" or "handy" so it's the best I could do. The rest of the grey part of the projector was painted with high-temp flat black. You can see how I dealt with the frustration of the shroud.
My final wiring diagram
Final wiring harness completed with loom
All mounted up:
With MF(*$(#&(*&# shroud installed (I'm pretty sure that this is NOT how you're supposed to do it, but I'm not what you'd call "Creative" or "handy" so it's the best I could do. The rest of the grey part of the projector was painted with high-temp flat black. You can see how I dealt with the frustration of the shroud.
My final wiring diagram
Final wiring harness completed with loom
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-05-2009 at 10:00 PM.
04-05-2009, 07:35 PM
#4
What I used to seal the biotch up (definitely recommended!)
Mounted on the car
And again
And because Samuel L Jackson is so awesome:
Mounted on the car
And again
And because Samuel L Jackson is so awesome:
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-05-2009 at 08:57 PM.
04-05-2009, 07:45 PM
#5
those look real nice what k are you runnin? do you even have bulbs in? should thro some output pics up when ya do other than that looks clean bro
answer my own question haha what i get for not reading all of it
answer my own question haha what i get for not reading all of it
Last edited by AZombiePENGUIN; 04-05-2009 at 07:50 PM.
04-05-2009, 07:50 PM
#6
04-05-2009, 08:16 PM
#11
Senior Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ / Hoboken, NJ
Posts: 1,325
lookin' fly dude
AZP - duals in stock housings hasn't been done by anyone except Flava, and he cheated (1" mini fog projectors)
Trust me, after doing a retro in the stock housings, and doing a retro in R34s, R34s are the way to go.
Now get some body colored door handles and black window trim - since you have blackout headlights.
Glad you didn't turn into a HIDwhore like me, dude. At last count, I have six HID bulbs, five ballasts, and 11 projectors.
I just wired up an e46 bix with a cut shield, a damaged 85122, a gen2 Nissan ballast, and a 12v computer power supply. Sometimes hoodlums like to loiter at the corner in front of my building. I'm on the 6th floor, so they usually think it's a searchlight from a police helicopter.
AZP - duals in stock housings hasn't been done by anyone except Flava, and he cheated (1" mini fog projectors)
Trust me, after doing a retro in the stock housings, and doing a retro in R34s, R34s are the way to go.
Now get some body colored door handles and black window trim - since you have blackout headlights.
Glad you didn't turn into a HIDwhore like me, dude. At last count, I have six HID bulbs, five ballasts, and 11 projectors.
I just wired up an e46 bix with a cut shield, a damaged 85122, a gen2 Nissan ballast, and a 12v computer power supply. Sometimes hoodlums like to loiter at the corner in front of my building. I'm on the 6th floor, so they usually think it's a searchlight from a police helicopter.
04-05-2009, 08:26 PM
#14
lookin' fly dude
AZP - duals in stock housings hasn't been done by anyone except Flava, and he cheated (1" mini fog projectors)
Trust me, after doing a retro in the stock housings, and doing a retro in R34s, R34s are the way to go.
Now get some body colored door handles and black window trim - since you have blackout headlights.
Glad you didn't turn into a HIDwhore like me, dude. At last count, I have six HID bulbs, five ballasts, and 11 projectors.
I just wired up an e46 bix with a cut shield, a damaged 85122, a gen2 Nissan ballast, and a 12v computer power supply. Sometimes hoodlums like to loiter at the corner in front of my building. I'm on the 6th floor, so they usually
think it's a searchlight from a police helicopter.
AZP - duals in stock housings hasn't been done by anyone except Flava, and he cheated (1" mini fog projectors)
Trust me, after doing a retro in the stock housings, and doing a retro in R34s, R34s are the way to go.
Now get some body colored door handles and black window trim - since you have blackout headlights.
Glad you didn't turn into a HIDwhore like me, dude. At last count, I have six HID bulbs, five ballasts, and 11 projectors.
I just wired up an e46 bix with a cut shield, a damaged 85122, a gen2 Nissan ballast, and a 12v computer power supply. Sometimes hoodlums like to loiter at the corner in front of my building. I'm on the 6th floor, so they usually
think it's a searchlight from a police helicopter.
Next up is black bumper lights (which I'm gonna LED). Then the handles, then door trim. Unfortunately, I have a rare color maxima, so finding body-colored handles is a *****...
Oh, and lawls @ the search light.
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-05-2009 at 08:29 PM.
04-05-2009, 09:19 PM
#16
04-05-2009, 09:26 PM
#17
I think Flava has dual projectors ??? Can't reacll, too lazy to look. lol
Looks nice mate ... it's worth taking the time and doing it right.
Did you make the harness or buy it (if so - where from)?
Looks nice mate ... it's worth taking the time and doing it right.
Did you make the harness or buy it (if so - where from)?
04-05-2009, 09:51 PM
#18
I actually designed and made the harness myself. I think my diagram that I used may be on my other computer, but I'll upload it when I get the chance.
04-05-2009, 11:41 PM
#20
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I don't think the ebay clear lenses work for FX's without cutting down the lens holder lip.. At least not the lenses from tomtom0037..
The lenses from retrofit-source are pretty much drop in and enjoy the pretty colorband but cost 3x more then the cheap ones..
I just started my R34/FX35 retro a few hours ago and I'm already wishing I lived a lil closer to kzoosho..
Thanks for the pics by the way.. I was wondering how it would look if I left out the low beam reflector and now that I see it I think I'm gonna try and keep most of it in there..
The lenses from retrofit-source are pretty much drop in and enjoy the pretty colorband but cost 3x more then the cheap ones..
I just started my R34/FX35 retro a few hours ago and I'm already wishing I lived a lil closer to kzoosho..
Thanks for the pics by the way.. I was wondering how it would look if I left out the low beam reflector and now that I see it I think I'm gonna try and keep most of it in there..
Last edited by TSoprano; 04-05-2009 at 11:44 PM.
04-06-2009, 06:15 AM
#21
Senior Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ / Hoboken, NJ
Posts: 1,325
TSoprano, the other thing you could try to do is use a large chrome shroud. I believe that furry chrome pic linked to uses a pair of e46 replica chrome shrouds on each side. They're big, and you'd need to trim them down, but they cover most of the area between the lens and the oddly shaped R34 opening.
BTW, cool, this is where I'm at now. My projectors are bigger
I'm curious to see the harness - I'm still figuring mine out. Soldered up a super complicated 3-relay jawn, and it didn't work
so now it's back to the beginning, I'll re-do it.
BTW, cool, this is where I'm at now. My projectors are bigger
I'm curious to see the harness - I'm still figuring mine out. Soldered up a super complicated 3-relay jawn, and it didn't work
so now it's back to the beginning, I'll re-do it.
04-06-2009, 06:21 AM
#22
I will gladly make you a harness (made several for members already). PM if interested. I also use 3 relays (but mine work ). It can be tricky for sure.
What projectors did you use Nalc?
). It can be tricky for sure. What projectors did you use Nalc?
04-06-2009, 06:37 AM
#23
I don't think the ebay clear lenses work for FX's without cutting down the lens holder lip.. At least not the lenses from tomtom0037..
The lenses from retrofit-source are pretty much drop in and enjoy the pretty colorband but cost 3x more then the cheap ones..
I just started my R34/FX35 retro a few hours ago and I'm already wishing I lived a lil closer to kzoosho..
Thanks for the pics by the way.. I was wondering how it would look if I left out the low beam reflector and now that I see it I think I'm gonna try and keep most of it in there..
The lenses from retrofit-source are pretty much drop in and enjoy the pretty colorband but cost 3x more then the cheap ones..
I just started my R34/FX35 retro a few hours ago and I'm already wishing I lived a lil closer to kzoosho..
Thanks for the pics by the way.. I was wondering how it would look if I left out the low beam reflector and now that I see it I think I'm gonna try and keep most of it in there..
Good luck keeping the reflector in there, it sticks out pretty far and you're going to have a real hard time fitting it. You will be making friends with a dremel.
Nalc's suggestion of a bigger chrome shroud is right on. However, I'm still not a fan of the replica shrouds' design. But that's all subjective.
TSoprano, the other thing you could try to do is use a large chrome shroud. I believe that furry chrome pic linked to uses a pair of e46 replica chrome shrouds on each side. They're big, and you'd need to trim them down, but they cover most of the area between the lens and the oddly shaped R34 opening.
BTW, cool, this is where I'm at now. My projectors are bigger
I'm curious to see the harness - I'm still figuring mine out. Soldered up a super complicated 3-relay jawn, and it didn't work so now it's back to the beginning, I'll re-do it.
BTW, cool, this is where I'm at now. My projectors are bigger
I'm curious to see the harness - I'm still figuring mine out. Soldered up a super complicated 3-relay jawn, and it didn't work
so now it's back to the beginning, I'll re-do it.Curious to see my harness? It's up in the pics. Also the diagram is up there now, 2 relay design w/ capacitor and diode.
EDIT: not shown in the harness pic above is the two wires where I tapped the parking (or driving) lamps, whatever you call it. It worked nicely as 'check'.
Nice going on the new retro! I like how you went from budget-minded camry projectors to....this. Also, are they bixenon? I can't remember.
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-06-2009 at 06:50 AM.
04-06-2009, 06:47 AM
#24
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ / Hoboken, NJ
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M35/M45 singles. They're big *****. Took hours of dremelling and filing to cut them down.
Now I want to put my Camry projectors and H11 kit, with cut shields, as my high beams!
But if I do that, I don't know what to do with my Lexus yellow capsules!!!
Now I want to put my Camry projectors and H11 kit, with cut shields, as my high beams!
But if I do that, I don't know what to do with my Lexus yellow capsules!!!
04-06-2009, 06:55 AM
#25
You'll be the brightest MFer on the block
04-06-2009, 10:33 AM
#30
04-06-2009, 12:07 PM
#33
Thank you!
Heh, well, to be honest, you'd really want to go to kzoosho or Gtr_Rider for that. I suck comparatively.
That, and it depends on what you'd want done. Dual projectors, wiring harness, all that crap would cost more.
Wait, is my retro stock-looking? IMO it's a little bit "aftermarket" for me, but that may be just because I need to get rid of the rest of the chrome on the body.
Last edited by Coolsaber57; 04-06-2009 at 12:17 PM.
04-06-2009, 12:17 PM
#34
Those do look really nice, clean retro and the shrouds really set it off.
TSoprano, the other thing you could try to do is use a large chrome shroud. I believe that furry chrome pic linked to uses a pair of e46 replica chrome shrouds on each side. They're big, and you'd need to trim them down, but they cover most of the area between the lens and the oddly shaped R34 opening.
Yup, I used a set of those for a Cefiro retro I did, well the ones I used were actually BMW shrouds with the BMW Xenon print on them. But the size of them works really well once trimmed down. Always better to have them too big vs. too small.
04-06-2009, 03:53 PM
#35
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So those lenses don't work for the FX either? Man that guy rips everyone off
Good luck keeping the reflector in there, it sticks out pretty far and you're going to have a real hard time fitting it. You will be making friends with a dremel.
Nalc's suggestion of a bigger chrome shroud is right on. However, I'm still not a fan of the replica shrouds' design. But that's all subjective.
Good luck keeping the reflector in there, it sticks out pretty far and you're going to have a real hard time fitting it. You will be making friends with a dremel.
Nalc's suggestion of a bigger chrome shroud is right on. However, I'm still not a fan of the replica shrouds' design. But that's all subjective.
I got my R34's on Friday and just got around to opening em up and trimming down the FX's last night. Now that I see how tight of a fit the projectors are gonna be it looks like my best bet is a big ol chrome shroud.. I just wanna keep some chrome in there so it sora matches the high beam side..
04-06-2009, 04:17 PM
#36
Yea I just filed a paypal dispute against that guy for false advertising..
I got my R34's on Friday and just got around to opening em up and trimming down the FX's last night. Now that I see how tight of a fit the projectors are gonna be it looks like my best bet is a big ol chrome shroud.. I just wanna keep some chrome in there so it sora matches the high beam side..
I got my R34's on Friday and just got around to opening em up and trimming down the FX's last night. Now that I see how tight of a fit the projectors are gonna be it looks like my best bet is a big ol chrome shroud.. I just wanna keep some chrome in there so it sora matches the high beam side..
Good luck on the paypal dispute...most likely since it's only $30, you won't see a dime of it back
04-06-2009, 04:44 PM
#37
