My 2001 Maxima FX-R Projector Retro
My 2001 Maxima FX-R Projector Retro
Well, after hours upon hours, I am about 95 percent complete with my FX-R projector retrofit into my 2001 AE headlights. The reason I say this is that I need to open-up and repaint my stock AE headlight trim pieces with a high-temp paint. The projectors are positioned fairly close to the AE trim, which I now have notice are causing heat damage to the layer of AE-bronze paint.
Total in all, I've probably spent a good 20+ hours experimenting, baking, tweaking, drilling, dremeling, modfiying, aiming, and wiring. It's my first retro, and WOW, what a learning experience. I've probably baked open and put the headlights together 6 times, and pulled them out of the car several dozen times when I was trying to aim and position everything correctly. A MAJOR pain, and it sucks that I still have to do it one more time.
Initially, I went with the 5.5 OEM headlights. Looked awesome, but fitment wasn't great with the 2001 bumper. I could never get them to fit flush along the left and right fenders due to the 2001 bumper not allowing enough room for the bottom lip of the headlight. I guess the 2002/2003 bumper has a little less material in this area, which allows things to fit better.
Trust me. Those of you who have done the 2002/2003 swap and have made them fit flush, congrats. They just wouldn't cooperate with my Maxima. I am **** about fitment issues, and I refuse to ghettofit anything into my car.
Courtesy of The Retro Fit Source (which are AWESOME in product information, quality, reliability, and the owner is pretty cool too).
The Setup includeds:
TRS FX-R Bi-Xenon Projectors
2006 Matsu****a Ballasts
Phllips OEM 4300K 85122+ D2S bulbs
TRS Apollo Shrouds
And a whole lot of custom wiring and fabrication.
Output is AMAZING. Literally, the lighting is a night and day difference over the 2001 stock bulbs. Super awesome and sharp cut-off, AWESOME color flicker, and a nice wide and even beam pattern. They are so awesome, that I rarely have to use the bi-xenon high-beams.
Now for this pics. I apologize for any crappy pics. I'm saving my pennies for a nice DSLR.
For those of you who wish to look at the full ablum, here you go: http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/k...axima%20Retro/
The first few are from about 75% progress. I had some E55 shrouds that I thought would work. Well, they did, but they weren't as aggressive-looking as I would have liked. They actually looked kindof odd in person. Not bad, but it wasn't what I wanted. Plus, they didn't even cover up the entire projector.
Old Front/Side
Old Front/Side
Old Front
Total in all, I've probably spent a good 20+ hours experimenting, baking, tweaking, drilling, dremeling, modfiying, aiming, and wiring. It's my first retro, and WOW, what a learning experience. I've probably baked open and put the headlights together 6 times, and pulled them out of the car several dozen times when I was trying to aim and position everything correctly. A MAJOR pain, and it sucks that I still have to do it one more time.
Initially, I went with the 5.5 OEM headlights. Looked awesome, but fitment wasn't great with the 2001 bumper. I could never get them to fit flush along the left and right fenders due to the 2001 bumper not allowing enough room for the bottom lip of the headlight. I guess the 2002/2003 bumper has a little less material in this area, which allows things to fit better.
Trust me. Those of you who have done the 2002/2003 swap and have made them fit flush, congrats. They just wouldn't cooperate with my Maxima. I am **** about fitment issues, and I refuse to ghettofit anything into my car.Courtesy of The Retro Fit Source (which are AWESOME in product information, quality, reliability, and the owner is pretty cool too).
The Setup includeds:
TRS FX-R Bi-Xenon Projectors
2006 Matsu****a Ballasts
Phllips OEM 4300K 85122+ D2S bulbs
TRS Apollo Shrouds
And a whole lot of custom wiring and fabrication.
Output is AMAZING. Literally, the lighting is a night and day difference over the 2001 stock bulbs. Super awesome and sharp cut-off, AWESOME color flicker, and a nice wide and even beam pattern. They are so awesome, that I rarely have to use the bi-xenon high-beams.
Now for this pics. I apologize for any crappy pics. I'm saving my pennies for a nice DSLR.
For those of you who wish to look at the full ablum, here you go: http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/k...axima%20Retro/
The first few are from about 75% progress. I had some E55 shrouds that I thought would work. Well, they did, but they weren't as aggressive-looking as I would have liked. They actually looked kindof odd in person. Not bad, but it wasn't what I wanted. Plus, they didn't even cover up the entire projector.
Old Front/Side
Old Front/Side
Old Front
Last edited by tcaughey; Jun 10, 2010 at 09:17 AM.
looks so awsome! I should invest in a projector cuz the hids i have now with the stock housing has crazy beam scatter.....its all over the place, looks good from my view but probably not too great for oncomers
I don't give compliments often... but dude your car looks mean as **** with that setup... Looks like a ****ing crazy *** car... I love it
It def turns a non aggressive maxima into an aggressive one. I always disliked the 3.0 5th gens because of their headlights and front rounded body
It def turns a non aggressive maxima into an aggressive one. I always disliked the 3.0 5th gens because of their headlights and front rounded body
Last edited by Merlyn; Jun 10, 2010 at 03:21 PM.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-housings.html
The irony of your last statement and the pic in your avatar is astounding lol. Well done.
I don't give compliments often... but dude your car looks mean as **** with that setup... Looks like a ****ing crazy *** car... I love it
It def turns a non aggressive maxima into an aggressive one. I always disliked the 3.0 5th gens because of their headlights and front rounded body
It def turns a non aggressive maxima into an aggressive one. I always disliked the 3.0 5th gens because of their headlights and front rounded body
Thanks guys. Haha, for clarification, yes, I am a dude.
Projectors = 150 shipped from TRS.
2 Bulbs and Ballasts = 120 shipped w/ brand new bulbs (ebay find)
Bolts/washers = 4 bucks
E55 shrouds = 40 and a waste of money
Apollo shrouds = 30 bucks shipped for the value version from TRS.
I'd say all in all, right around $350. I already invested this money into a pair of 5.5 lights, but quickly sold them to fund the project.
BTW, I'll be getting better pictures here in the next day from different car angle shots. They look so much better in person, and the pictures don't do justice.
Also, thank you Nexus for inspiring me. Haha, you know damn well that I contacted you about your setup months ago, and it was just a matter of time before I tackled it. And are you serious about having the same exact setup, right down to the same bulb? Wow, that is craZY. Haha, And the fact that you tried the E55 shrouds too makes it even more crazier.
The whole process definitely took some time, and if I were to do it again, the whole process and time could be cut in half. Everything is about learning, and I find that after an initial project, future things become easier.
Projectors = 150 shipped from TRS.
2 Bulbs and Ballasts = 120 shipped w/ brand new bulbs (ebay find)
Bolts/washers = 4 bucks
E55 shrouds = 40 and a waste of money
Apollo shrouds = 30 bucks shipped for the value version from TRS.
I'd say all in all, right around $350. I already invested this money into a pair of 5.5 lights, but quickly sold them to fund the project.
BTW, I'll be getting better pictures here in the next day from different car angle shots. They look so much better in person, and the pictures don't do justice.
Also, thank you Nexus for inspiring me. Haha, you know damn well that I contacted you about your setup months ago, and it was just a matter of time before I tackled it. And are you serious about having the same exact setup, right down to the same bulb? Wow, that is craZY. Haha, And the fact that you tried the E55 shrouds too makes it even more crazier.
The whole process definitely took some time, and if I were to do it again, the whole process and time could be cut in half. Everything is about learning, and I find that after an initial project, future things become easier.
Oh, and I feel as if I have become a professional with a dremel. Haha, it was pretty nerve-racking cutting up my OEM headlights. I actually did mess up on one of the headlights, but since I mounted everything within the removable reflector bowl, I will more than likely purchase a used headlight and simply swap out the reflector and AE trim.
Haha, it was pretty nerve-racking cutting up my OEM headlights. I actually did mess up on one of the headlights, but since I mounted everything within the removable reflector bowl, I will more than likely purchase a used headlight and simply swap out the reflector and AE trim.
Thanks guys. Haha, for clarification, yes, I am a dude.
Projectors = 150 shipped from TRS.
2 Bulbs and Ballasts = 120 shipped w/ brand new bulbs (ebay find)
Bolts/washers = 4 bucks
E55 shrouds = 40 and a waste of money
Apollo shrouds = 30 bucks shipped for the value version from TRS.
I'd say all in all, right around $350. I already invested this money into a pair of 5.5 lights, but quickly sold them to fund the project.
BTW, I'll be getting better pictures here in the next day from different car angle shots. They look so much better in person, and the pictures don't do justice.
Also, thank you Nexus for inspiring me. Haha, you know damn well that I contacted you about your setup months ago, and it was just a matter of time before I tackled it. And are you serious about having the same exact setup, right down to the same bulb? Wow, that is craZY. Haha, And the fact that you tried the E55 shrouds too makes it even more crazier.
Projectors = 150 shipped from TRS.
2 Bulbs and Ballasts = 120 shipped w/ brand new bulbs (ebay find)
Bolts/washers = 4 bucks
E55 shrouds = 40 and a waste of money
Apollo shrouds = 30 bucks shipped for the value version from TRS.
I'd say all in all, right around $350. I already invested this money into a pair of 5.5 lights, but quickly sold them to fund the project.
BTW, I'll be getting better pictures here in the next day from different car angle shots. They look so much better in person, and the pictures don't do justice.
Also, thank you Nexus for inspiring me. Haha, you know damn well that I contacted you about your setup months ago, and it was just a matter of time before I tackled it. And are you serious about having the same exact setup, right down to the same bulb? Wow, that is craZY. Haha, And the fact that you tried the E55 shrouds too makes it even more crazier.
It's definitely crazy lmao. But yours looks off the hook and on another level lol (super nice on the AE)
PS: I guess the website has some copyright issues w/ the Nissan Matsus ballasts b/c the site never lets you spell the whole word
Maxipimp
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 72
From: Dallas, TX
sorry to jump in post but u have the experience with the projectors i want ANNND I know im bringing up the dead with this thread, but I'm getting ready to upgrade my lighting on my 01 AE. I've seen nothing but great reviews on the FX-R's w/ clear lenses (hidplanet, TRS and others) and i was wondering on how these will fit in the sucktacular ebay projectors. BUT, there are two different headlight designs now.
the all too well known version
and the updated version
i want to put the FX-R's w clear lenses in the updated versions, but I've never been on the inside of the old versions. Never seen the FX projectors in person yet and also never opened the set of ebays.. i dont want to go around spending money like crazy or having to wait on returns or selling things that dont fit (my max is my DD)..
and for kicks I've chopped up a pic on how things will look if and when these are done! I have my flame suit on lol!
the all too well known version
and the updated version
i want to put the FX-R's w clear lenses in the updated versions, but I've never been on the inside of the old versions. Never seen the FX projectors in person yet and also never opened the set of ebays.. i dont want to go around spending money like crazy or having to wait on returns or selling things that dont fit (my max is my DD)..
and for kicks I've chopped up a pic on how things will look if and when these are done! I have my flame suit on lol!
Well, the FX-R projectors are actually pretty big. The body of the projector will not just drop into those ebay halo lights. But, if I recall correctly, the e55 projectors drop right into the eBay halo lights after you take out the halogen projector. Search around a bit for "e55 projector retrofit" or "eBay projectors", there were a few people who have managed this project. The FX-R projectors are the bomb, but again, I would expect there to be some highly involved modifications to be made to make the FX-R projectors fit nicely into the eBay housings.
I think I might have a pic of just the FX-R projectors, check post #1 and click on the photobucket link. I'm sure you could modify and make the FX-R projector to fit into the eBay housings, but it's never been done so you would be on your own.
Also, if you are planning a retrofit, be prepared for lots and lots of downtime. I easily spent 20+ hours cutting, sanding, test fitting, aiming, test fitting, aiming, aiming, and more aiming before I finally considered my retro to be usable. I did this on my daily driver, but I also didn't work for 3 days straight and worked nonstop until they were done. It sure is an experience and you will learn a lot throughout the process, but patients is key.
Another tip: do not cheap out on parts, especially the bulbs/ballasts. This will help tremendously! The more you plan out the retro with quality parts and research all of your components, the less likely you will have to deal with returns and excess cost. If you haven't already, check out theretrofitsource.com. They are awesome and they carry only high quality parts. You can use whatever cheap housings you want, but keep the heart of the project high quality.
I think I might have a pic of just the FX-R projectors, check post #1 and click on the photobucket link. I'm sure you could modify and make the FX-R projector to fit into the eBay housings, but it's never been done so you would be on your own.
Also, if you are planning a retrofit, be prepared for lots and lots of downtime. I easily spent 20+ hours cutting, sanding, test fitting, aiming, test fitting, aiming, aiming, and more aiming before I finally considered my retro to be usable. I did this on my daily driver, but I also didn't work for 3 days straight and worked nonstop until they were done. It sure is an experience and you will learn a lot throughout the process, but patients is key.
Another tip: do not cheap out on parts, especially the bulbs/ballasts. This will help tremendously! The more you plan out the retro with quality parts and research all of your components, the less likely you will have to deal with returns and excess cost. If you haven't already, check out theretrofitsource.com. They are awesome and they carry only high quality parts. You can use whatever cheap housings you want, but keep the heart of the project high quality.
Last edited by tcaughey; May 7, 2011 at 08:57 PM.
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