Yeah I know I'm far from the first, but I'm fired up and can't resist posting my impressions and a few shots. The install was a long process (around 6 hours) but the results made it all worth while. This included the time it took to cut and install a custom clear blinker lens.

Regarding the DDE's, I only found a couple points for improvement, all in the instructions, not the product: (Matt, I'm sure you're taking notes)
1. The installation guide provided in .pdf doesn't clearly distinguish between 4th and 5th gen ring installation. This was a bit confusing at times - particularly on the "required tools list" that lists tools that aren't required for the 5th gen DDE's and the ring install section which recommends drilling which isn't necessary for 5th gen.
2. There aren't specific instructions on power options other than splicing the parking light. Guide to specific wires for ignition switched power would be a great touch.
3. A few pics from E46's slipped in there as well, which aren't of much value to us Nissan guys.

Otherwise, I have nothing but praise for an excellent product. It's freezing here and they fire up right away! Plus, they're much brighter in person than pics can display.

I've posted a writeup on my site with a few other install tips: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/313356/9

Finally, a few shots:

 

looking good

 

looks awsome. Definatly like the cleared out turn signal. no problems as far as taking apart and putting back together the headlight assembly?

 

They really look good! I'm going to be clearing out my housings next week or so...any tips as far as getting the lights apart? Heat gun or oven?

 

Oven for sure. A heat gun will take forever. I threw 'em in for around 15 mins. at around 240 and they came open pretty easily with a flathead to slowly pry them apart. I would recommend sitting your light on a towel of some sort and doing a temp closer to 200. On the bottom of the light one of the screw holes for the HID ballast melted over just a bit. This was only because it was touching the cookie sheet directly and this was the only melting issue I had. Very minor - all I had to do was push the screw back through. Hardly worth mentioning.

Also, be sure not to scrape around with tools too much when it's hot - it's easy to scar the plastic when it's so hot.

 

Nope. So far so good. Planning to wash the car this weekend, so we'll see if there are any moisture issues then. I used channel locks to assure the seal was very tight after re-warming them in the oven (per Polo's recommendation)so I'm confident they'll be no problems.

 

What did you use to mount the rings to the headlamps? Silicone? Double Stick tape? epoxy?

 

Looks real good and I just cant take it anymore. Ive got to get some HIDs

 

housecor - seems that you were not looking at the latest guide?
sounds too much like Gen V

 

where is the latest guide, because I have the same instructions.

 

heat gun took less then 15 min and you dont have to worry about any other part of the hosing melting. some peoples ballast housing was metled and they couldn't put it back on. heat gun us much safer hamy...

 

Really? Well that would definately explain it! What is the link to the latest install guide for DDE Lightnings?

 

http://www.umnitza.com/dde/video/e46...tallmaxima.htm <-- that's the latest.

Heat gun = bad idea overall.

If something is "melting" you've put the setting on too high and not removed the ballast like you are supposed to in the instructions.

 

USER NAME and PASSWORD???

 

You must be a customer to d/l the instructions.

 

I don't think that using a heat gun is as good for the lights as sticking them in the oven for a few. Pulling them apart when the glue is not fully heated can contort your housing. If you heat a section, pull it apart heat another section pull it apart and so on, the section that is yet to be heated could bend or break. It is probably best to heat the entire housing up that way when you pull it apart there will be no stress on other areas of the housing that have yet to be heated. Your best bet is to get an oven thermometer, wait till it reaches 250 degrees and place your light on a cookie sheet before getting it into the oven. sometimes ovens aren't exact on temps that's why you shold use the thermometer. Good Luck. By the way, I cooked my light three times and no problems with any melting of any kind.

 

What kind of silicone did you use to mount the ddes? Im planning on using this stuff to mount the DDEs and also to put an extra good seal on the headlights when i reseal them: http://www.permatex.com/products/pro...&item_no=80855

Its a clear RTV silicone adhesive sealant.


-Steve

 

I Agree.
Looks GREAT! WOW!

Please don't get into a front-end accident.

 

RTV Silicone - you got it

 

My wife bought mine and her username and password does not work. Anyone know why?

 

Between my DDE's, clear bra, and various bulbs & lenses - this is my new greatest fear.

 

email us for the u/p

 

Looks great housecor. I gotta get mine cleared soon!!

 

Do you have the clear bra type of stuff for your headlights too to protect them? Stonguard or whatever it is. I am considering getting it for my headlights since they are brand new and I dont wanna get them all nicked up.

Also, Ive got another question for you about the clear lenses. I too bought the homedepot lights and the other night cut em out. How did yours come out? Mine seem to have come out ok but they seem far from perfect. The lenses were kinda scuffed up when i bought them which i guess is expected cuz they arent exactly awesome quality and the packaging didnt help. I cut em and got em in pretty good but it still kinda bothers me on the quality of the lens. From far away they look great but up close you can see the imperfections.....Im a real perfectionist when it comes to stuff i do and I dont think theres really any way to get these absolutely flawless. Also when you cut them how did you hold them in the housing? There are those 6 little nubs in the housing, 3 are raised and 3 are flush with the edge of the housing. Did you cut your lens making it a tight fit for those 3 nubs that are flush with the housing? BTW your headlights are looking great!

Thanks


-Steve

 

I'll take these one at a time...

Nope, but I know x-pel sells a kit. Many on the org have talked about getting the kit but I know of no one who actually purchased it. www.xpel.com

I think they turned out great. I just used the old lens to trace on the depot lens with a sharpee and then cut it out with a dremel just barely larger than the old lens (to be safe). The lens popped right into the housing and was a good tight fit behind the tabs. I added a little epoxy for good measure. I did put a small scratch on one corner of a lens with the dremel but it's invisible once you get it in the housing. The great thing is you don't have to cut them perfectly - the edges aren't visible once installed.