3rd gen retrofit halo headlights WANTED!!!

[kadegrizzard]

Use your existing housings!

My housings now are etched and i would rather have the clear housings

 

[absalom]

I'd be interested to see some support for this claim...

Next are you going to tell me that the DDM tuning ballasts are on par with Denso..? I mean, they look the same.

"No real interest in comparing our products to DDM. If somebody wants to buy them and perform an independent test of their own, welcome to do so...but I don't consider them competition, so why bother IMO" -Matt@TRS

It makes sense that he has no interest in conducting his own test. If word were to get out that DDM put out the same quality of lumens, beam pattern, etc --- all for half the price of TRS, then he'd most likely lose some business. At the end of the day, we're most likely buying the same China-produced crap, just rebranded. Of course, I don't have any idea whether they came from the same factory. I've handled and used several kits from both manufacturers, and the hardware and assembly methods are so similar that it's easy to draw this conclusion.

Another user on the forums, Dfarms, and I compared lights a few weeks back. He's running 4500k's in D2S 3" with 55w ballasts (pretty much the exact same setup as me, just different brand); all from TRS. The conclusion we came to was that the DDM's had a noticeably brighter overall beam, with a greater peak intensity at the step-up of the beam. The TRS's had a slightly more even spill in the entire width of the beam pattern though.

I dabble in the flashlight world with some frequency. One thing that held flashlight tech from progressing, was folks stuck on brand loyalty. Old timers who refused to admit $50 Nitecores and Fenix's were twice as bright as their $500 Surefire. Now we're seeing more and more folks jumping ship to these foreign brands, and the industry is moving forward with a quickness. USA flashlight brands just priced themselves out of a majority market share. Now apply this to the HID retrofit world. For the longest time, TRS dominated the scene. Brand loyalties were formed, and folks became very resistant to newcomers. More and more early adopters are recognizing the similarity between the brands, and choosing the cheaper of the two. If an 8 year old Chinese kid is getting paid the same 14 cents/ hour to produce DDM/TRS products, you'd better believe I'm going to choose the less expensive of the two.

To anyone who is curious and on the fence, I live in North-Central Phoenix and encourage anyone to stop by and see for themselves. They put out a staggering amount of light. It's also worth pointing out that the DDM kit had a more evenly matched color temperature between the two bulbs than either of my TRS kits. Compared to OEM quality, TRS and DDM are both a bit of a lottery when it comes to color temperature, lens focus, solenoid performance, etc.

If I had enough interest, I could start retrofitting them for $100 labor + parts for interested parties. It's stupid easy to do, but I'm sure some lazies out there will take advantage.

 

[GSPRunner]

I wouldn't doubt the DDM kits putting out as much light as TRS, but I've had a couple DDM kits and they don't last, that would be my only concern.

 

[KingSuper]

Do they sell the projector housings by themselves? When I purchased my truck, it came with HIDs but just the ballast and the bulbs installed in the stock halogen housings. I'd like to put them in proper projectors but I don't need new ballasts or bulbs.

 

[absalom]

I wouldn't doubt the DDM kits putting out as much light as TRS, but I've had a couple DDM kits and they don't last, that would be my only concern.

Fair point, as I've only had my DDM's about 4 months so far. I do know, that if a ballast were to crap out, I can have a new one shipped to me for $17 within 3 days. At a $152 price difference from TRS to DDM, I'd have to destroy 9 ballasts before having a setup that costs as much. I had a 55w FX-R TRS kit for nearly two years on my last 4runner, loved it! Wasn't cheap, but the output was decent. Unfortunately, as it was my first retrofit, I never got the beam alignment just right, and I burnt out a bulb, but I was very happy vs. stock halogens.

Do they sell the projector housings by themselves? When I purchased my truck, it came with HIDs but just the ballast and the bulbs installed in the stock halogen housings. I'd like to put them in proper projectors but I don't need new ballasts or bulbs.

Yes, iirc they are about $65 for the 3" threaded body projectors for the pair. You could have em installed in about 2-3 hours, or add an extra hour for paint.

 

[A.Wilson013]

For whatever reason the quote feature on my phone isn't working.

For what it's worth, you and David are the first case that I have seen comparing TRS vs DDM that came to your conclusion. Every other one I've looked at is quite the opposite.

I'd be interested to see you and David post output shots, swap bulbs, and post again.

DDM must have really stepped their harness game up if they're anything close to the TRS harness. When I had their kit in my last vehicle it looked like my nephew had put it together.

 

[absalom]

For whatever reason the quote feature on my phone isn't working.

For what it's worth, you and David are the first case that I have seen comparing TRS vs DDM that came to your conclusion. Every other one I've looked at is quite the opposite.

I'd be interested to see you and David post output shots, swap bulbs, and post again.

DDM must have really stepped their harness game up if they're anything close to the TRS harness. When I had their kit in my last vehicle it looked like my nephew had put it together.

It wouldn't cost you that much to come see for yourself. You could pay for the flight over time by buying 3 DDM kits instead of TRS.

I'd love to have David and I, whip 'em out again and take photos. Would you also like to see pics of the harness? It looked identical to the TRS harness on my Golf.

 

[1moreToy4me]

OP, you can do it yourself for just under $200. The new threaded bodies make retrofits an absolute piece of cake. You'll end up with perfectly level, 55w HID beams emitting roughly 5,000 lumens each! Now, this price also includes $20 LED or CFL halo rings. Although I don't think halos look at home on our trucks, they're still very easy to install and wire. Order all your parts through DDM and then order the halo bulbs through TRS. Text me @ 480.779.8307 when you need help.
It does, if you're willing to do the work yourself. I'm confident we can teach OP how to DIY.

Jordan where? show me I want another project...


also anyone know what LEDs these are under the lights.

 

[absalom]

Jordan where? show me I want another project...

Makes me super moist when folks call me by my first name.

Check this out buddy:

Click me!

 

[D Farms]

It makes sense that he has no interest in conducting his own test. If word were to get out that DDM put out the same quality of lumens, beam pattern, etc --- all for half the price of TRS, then he'd most likely lose some business. At the end of the day, we're most likely buying the same China-produced crap, just rebranded. Of course, I don't have any idea whether they came from the same factory. I've handled and used several kits from both manufacturers, and the hardware and assembly methods are so similar that it's easy to draw this conclusion.

Another user on the forums, Dfarms, and I compared lights a few weeks back. He's running 4500k's in D2S 3" with 55w ballasts (pretty much the exact same setup as me, just different brand); all from TRS. The conclusion we came to was that the DDM's had a noticeably brighter overall beam, with a greater peak intensity at the step-up of the beam. The TRS's had a slightly more even spill in the entire width of the beam pattern though.

I dabble in the flashlight world with some frequency. One thing that held flashlight tech from progressing, was folks stuck on brand loyalty. Old timers who refused to admit $50 Nitecores and Fenix's were twice as bright as their $500 Surefire. Now we're seeing more and more folks jumping ship to these foreign brands, and the industry is moving forward with a quickness. USA flashlight brands just priced themselves out of a majority market share. Now apply this to the HID retrofit world. For the longest time, TRS dominated the scene. Brand loyalties were formed, and folks became very resistant to newcomers. More and more early adopters are recognizing the similarity between the brands, and choosing the cheaper of the two. If an 8 year old Chinese kid is getting paid the same 14 cents/ hour to produce DDM/TRS products, you'd better believe I'm going to choose the less expensive of the two.

To anyone who is curious and on the fence, I live in North-Central Phoenix and encourage anyone to stop by and see for themselves. They put out a staggering amount of light. It's also worth pointing out that the DDM kit had a more evenly matched color temperature between the two bulbs than either of my TRS kits. Compared to OEM quality, TRS and DDM are both a bit of a lottery when it comes to color temperature, lens focus, solenoid performance, etc.

If I had enough interest, I could start retrofitting them for $100 labor + parts for interested parties. It's stupid easy to do, but I'm sure some lazies out there will take advantage.

you must be thinking of someone else i have 6000k bulbs that are almost 2 years old at this point. what i noticed is that the beam pattern on yours had a hot spot right at the cutoff, but was scattered every where else. also mine were filled with dust at the time. what i did notice is that your kit from ddm was the same as the pnp one i got from amazon, not that there was anything wrong with that kit, it just wasnt as good as the morimoto harness and ballasts that i switch to later on.

 

[absalom]

you must be thinking of someone else i have 6000k bulbs that are almost 2 years old at this point. what i noticed is that the beam pattern on yours had a hot spot right at the cutoff, but was scattered every where else. also mine were filled with dust at the time. what i did notice is that your kit from ddm was the same as the pnp one i got from amazon, not that there was anything wrong with that kit, it just wasnt as good as the morimoto harness and ballasts that i switch to later on.

You son of a bitc h, right under the bus. Tonight, we duke it out ... HID style. Pics to come

 

[nc-grayson]

Literally, the exact same product. But hey, if you like spending extra money, don't let me stop you

So basically just buy this kit, and it's plug and play once you open your headlights? Just to clarify, these are the same as the "threaded bodies" you speak of in reference to theretrofitsource.com?

 

[baja1]

good question. what else do you need? I do notice the price has gone down,$115 from DDM or $105 from amazon. unless im missing something?

 

[MyHigh]

You son of a bitc h, right under the bus. Tonight, we duke it out ... HID style. Pics to come

Lol.....:behindsofa:

 

[absalom]

So basically just buy this kit, and it's plug and play once you open your headlights? Just to clarify, these are the same as the "threaded bodies" you speak of in reference to theretrofitsource.com?

Yes and yes.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Ok so buy the TYC headlights and ONLY USE THE GLASS from the TYC headlights.

Keep everything else from your existing OEM parts because they are so much stronger.

 

[A.Wilson013]

you must be thinking of someone else i have 6000k bulbs that are almost 2 years old at this point. what i noticed is that the beam pattern on yours had a hot spot right at the cutoff, but was scattered every where else. also mine were filled with dust at the time. what i did notice is that your kit from ddm was the same as the pnp one i got from amazon, not that there was anything wrong with that kit, it just wasnt as good as the morimoto harness and ballasts that i switch to later on.

Awkward...

haha

 

[MN4runnerman]

Literally, the exact same product. But hey, if you like spending extra money, don't let me stop you

Just noticed in your tab bar that you like bloons and are probs ADD :roll:

fftopic:

 

[KingSuper]

Yes, iirc they are about $65 for the 3" threaded body projectors for the pair. You could have em installed in about 2-3 hours, or add an extra hour for paint.

Oh sweet! Do you have any you could recommend? Deems like you know your stuff and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be rollin' around with HID's in halogen housings.

 

[absalom]

Awkward...

haha

We'll post pics soon enough and let everyone draw their own conclusions.

Just noticed in your tab bar that you like bloons and are probs ADD :roll:

fftopic:

Open houses are long. I pretty much switch between TF2, Bloons, imgur, T4R, and YouTube. Lol.

Oh sweet! Do you have any you could recommend? Deems like you know your stuff and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be rollin' around with HID's in halogen housings.

The 3" D2S projectors are great!