MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

I finished my retrofit a couple days ago.

TSX Projectors into A33 eBay Projector lights.

I started out with chrome housings and masked off the areas I wanted to keep chrome. Namely around the projector, high-beam reflector, and the turn signal area. I really want to pull it all apart and paint some other stuff, and switch the LED angel eyes over to CCFLs, but that'll wait for another day.

I'm using 00-01 I30t ballasts and ignitors and GE 5100k (or 6000k, depending on what source you cite) D2S bulbs. I mounted the ballasts underneath the headlight like the stock lamps and still utilize the stock wiring. For weather-proofing the back of the headlight I cut the bottoms out of some tupperware containers and glued them to the back of the housing. I then cut holes in the lid and mounted the ignitors there.

I don't have any real beam or wall shots yet, as I didn't take any the other night when I pseudo-aimed them and it's raining like mad outside, and, basically, my car doesn't see inclimate weather anymore, so you'll have to wait for those shots.

Some shots below, and the full album link is here: http://picasaweb.google.com/metaorbit/Projectors

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

And I just think this one is fun:

gtr_rider

iTrader: (50)

looks awesome man

97lude

iTrader: (1)

Very nice work. Looks oem

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Thanks. Though I feel that I've gotten the bug and will do another one soon...

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

Great job. Seems to be a growing trend around here.

mydepots

HID with projector is much better than without it. Nice job.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

HID with an HID projector (TSX ftw!) is much better than HID with an HID reflector, that's for sure.

Was able to find some flat ground (I'm still amazed it exists out here) to properly aim my headlights so I took a few shots. Unfortunately I'm not any kind of expert at shooting headlights in the dark, so the shots aren't the best. That and what turned up on my camera looks a little different from what I see IRL. But, here they are...

This is my favorite:



These aren't bad either:

n3985

iTrader: (36)

Your passenger seems to be too far left? Or is it the angle?

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

It is a little to the left, but it's also the angle that I'm shooting at. It's not that bad when you're right behind it. But yeah, I need to adjust the lower aiming screw a bit to try to correct it...just can't reach it at the moment, LOL.

MorpheusZero

iTrader: (10)

Looks great man. always like a retro'd VQ.

mydepots

that's very nice

leeI35

Looks great Meta!!...

Now can one of you "Light-Gurus" get this to work with the stock OEM housing. I am not a big fan of the Ebay lights (plus i hate the halos). I kind of like the OEM housing and it would look sick with the projectors. I am not one to spend time on DIY mods for the car + my time is wrapped up in DIY house projects.

clayman88

iTrader: (1)

Excellent job! I love the cutoff!

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

OEM lights are the next project. I don't like the eBay lights for the same reasons, but the output right now is great.

It might be a while though, as really the only reason I got this done was because of spring break (that and the fiancee went out of town for a whole day).

House projects...sigh. I managed to paint my formal dining room this break, but I still need to re-do the trim (f-ing scotch tape leaked paint around the edges making my job a whole lot more difficult). Now I just need to tackle some land-scaping out front and growing some more grass in the backyard (sod in the front yard ftw). Somehow I thought having a house would allow me more time on the car...funny how things change...

leeI35

Same with me. I have some new rotors and and a grounding kit that I have had for over two months now that I am waiting to put on the car. Right now house projects are what I am focused on, and I get more satisfaction of completing a house project than I do my car

Anyway, I know you guys are enjoying the light output, I am definitely jealous. There are some back roads that I frequently travel near my house, and the improved light output would be welcomed.

OH and do you have LEDs in your license plate bulb sockets. If so, which ones are you using? I just bought hyper-white flank panel LEDs and I hope they are bright like that. Looks nice!! I am still trying to find little things to keep me interested in the car before I end up taking a plunge into something else.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

16 superflux-style LEDs. Much better than ANY drop-in LED replacement bulb that I've used.

I kinda go into detail in it here:

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...7&postcount=29

leeI35

Ok, I saw your LEDs on one of the sites I go to. No matter what I choose though, your lights will be brighter because you took out the dull OEM lenses.

I think the lights I just orders should be bright enough since they aim at an angle. I will find out tonight. Same story will apply here about the DIY for lenses. Too busy to make my own lenses lol (or maybe I am too lazy).

http://frickinbrite.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=249

Chester86

iTrader: (1)

Nice job man. . .looks really good.

NewLoveI30

Awesome looking retro Meta!

You have any plans to open them back up and paint the surrounds to match body color?

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Thanks.

I already painted them "Smoke" (they were chrome) using Duplicolor Metalcast. I'm going to eventually open them up though and paint some more of the areas I left chrome that smoke color.

I won't paint them body color though. I'm generally not a fan of doing that.

flewdawg

Meta, them joints look vicious!!!

I got my TSK Projector about a week ago, and I'm looking for some ballest now. I didn't want to do it after they came, but seeing yours, sparks the interest again. BTW, did you create your own LED angel eyes as well??

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

No, the angel eyes come on the eBay lights already. I'll swap 'em out with CCFLs if I decide to keep the lights.

n3985

iTrader: (36)

John, the replacement CCFL rings we need are 3inch in diameter, which means we can't use any of the pre-made BMW kits. The only place online I found that carries the size we need is $70 I think for just the rings.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Yeah, that's what I found too. I think I might have a line on some cheaper rings though...if I do find them, I'll let you know.

n3985

iTrader: (36)

From what I've found thus far, the inner rings off the FX35/45, Mazda3, and RSX *could* work.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Hmm, I have a Mazda3 sitting in the garage. I'll have to approximate the diameter behind the headlamp lens, but it'd be worth a shot.

n3985

iTrader: (36)

Pretty sure the lens is 3", but if I wasn't clear I meant that pre-made CCFL rings kits on eBay made for the preceding cars' highbeam could be what we need.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

Yeah, I gotcha. I found some cheap 80mm outer diameter rings but it seems the inner diameter is too small to use.

BTW - tried the headlights out for the first time tonight on the interstate....F'ing incredible. I found a S2000 along the way and we both lit up the road (6 lanes wide!)

I *love* seeing the cutoff and beam against the divider wall...just priceless.

romefolk

hey Meta...lets see those OEM housings with the projectors? what did you do with the ebay ones?

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=518778

Scroll down past the G35 pics, and you'll see 'em.

As for the eBay lights retro'd with TSX projectors, those have been purchased already.

But I'll probably start retrofitting lights for a fee if folks supply the headlights and projectors.

leeI35

Hey Meta, PM me pricing details if you are still doing it.

MrRogerStatus

iTrader: (4)

Yea, and the price of TSX projectors.

Thanks

n3985

iTrader: (36)

Sorry to hijack Meta, but I have 2 sets of TSX projectors coming in which I do not need anymore. So if anyone wants to buy them, let me know. I'm not out to make a profit on these, but would like at least to break even with what I paid for them.

flewdawg

You can teach a man to fish ...

I hope they take care of them

MrRogerStatus

iTrader: (4)

Hey Meta i have a question, was it easy to remove the ebay projectors and replace it with the TSK's? And did the TSK's fit flush without any modification?
Let me know.
Thanks

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

They're TSX projectors.

The thing is, it sounds easy, but it takes time and precision to do it right.

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

TSX projectors by themselves typically sell for $150-160 a pair. If you're patient though, you can sometimes find good deals.

bigtulley

iTrader: (1)

Fellow Maxima.org members, I am WAY late on this trend of retrofitting a maxima with HID ligths. I have been contemplating looking into a way to get HIDs for my car, but just recently realized I was already behind!

I would like to get a set built for my 99 Maxima, but do not think I could do it by myself and not mess up $100 worth of light housing! So I would like to contract someone to build it for me, with me supplying the parts. If anyone knows someone that could do it for me (and not for my arm and leg) let me know. I will pay for the person's labor, and supply whatever parts I need to get the HID set built for my car. If they are on the east coast, I would also possibly drive to their location and let them put them in for me. Someone please help a fellow Maxima lover get his car up to date and looking swift!