Gauging interest in projector retrofits

[Ruff]

I am drooling on my keyboard reading about this.

Please let me know when I can get in line to get some done.

I think I can tackle this but, my biggest problem is having the time to do it.
The only thing that worries me is that I have no clue when it comes to anything electrical. Otherwise my 4R would have more lights than a spaceship.


Ruff

 

[jpshoe]

I'm VERY interested in this as well. Can't wait for you to get this up and running. I'm in right away, keep us posted!

 

[GSPRunner]

Alex text me a picture of my retrofit he is doing...at 1:40am. They look great. This is a solid deal and an amazing upgrade for our 4Runners, I wouldn't pass this up people!

 

[LIVEVIL]

Yes please

 

[cashmoney]

If I'm reading this right it's $350 for the retrofit kit with new headlight housings and a $100 for labor. Looks like I know what next month's mod will be.

 

[the great him]

If I'm reading this right it's $350 for the retrofit kit with new headlight housings and a $100 for labor. Looks like I know what next month's mod will be.

the $100 for labor was for the first two people, go back read the first post... after the first two are completed he will adjust price to accurately reflect labor costs, meaning im sure it will go up. $100 is like an hour of labor at most shops.... im guessing this is more like a 4hr job(even for someone who knows what they are doing and has it down). so even at $50 an hour thats $200. still a great deal, but just dont be upset if the price goes up.

 

[the great him]

[MENTION=101823]Jaketino[/MENTION] here ya go!

 

[absalom]

Good stuff man. I'm sure you'll get a butt load of business. Screw FX-R's ... never again lol!

 

[A.Wilson013]

If I'm reading this right it's $350 for the retrofit kit with new headlight housings and a $100 for labor. Looks like I know what next month's mod will be.

the $100 for labor was for the first two people, go back read the first post... after the first two are completed he will adjust price to accurately reflect labor costs, meaning im sure it will go up. $100 is like an hour of labor at most shops.... im guessing this is more like a 4hr job(even for someone who knows what they are doing and has it down). so even at $50 an hour thats $200. still a great deal, but just dont be upset if the price goes up.

Good stuff man. I'm sure you'll get a butt load of business. Screw FX-R's ... never again lol!

I timed my first set, which took right about 6 hours, and I will time the next one as well. I think during this one I learned a pretty good, and repeatable, method that will allow for a bit more speed on the next. The issue I have is that when I am doing this I am absolutely terrified of breaking something, so I am moving pretty slow, haha.

As for the labor price... I'll be honest- it's going to go up. While I am NOT a shop and will not charge anywhere NEAR $100, or even $50 an hour, $16 is simply not worth my time. I'm not looking to make a bunch of money off of this, but time with my family is more important to me than $16/hr. More to come on this after the next set. Again, I am not looking to get rich, rather just don't want to feel like I am wasting my time.

As far as these vs. FX-R's... I'll never say that these are as good as the FX-R, but investment vs reward I truly believe is higher with the Mini D2S. For those that don't know, I have the FX-Rs.

 

[the great him]

Sold!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Here are a few photos of the set I just completed for [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION].

One of the downfalls of the "threaded" projector, that I feel these images show well, is that it doesn't sit as far back in the housing. This makes for a gap between the shroud and housing, that at the right angle, can make the black shadow/reflection in the housing. Obviously painting the housing would remedy that.

 

[GSPRunner]

Nah man I think they look great. You know I wanted OEM as possible and the black housings wouldn't do that for me. Thanks man!

 

[Skyfox16]

I would definitely want a set of these.

I'll be your tester for a set of black housing ones!! :cheers:

 

[MyHigh]

I feel like I'm six again waiting for my birthday, thanks for the teaser.....only seven more days!

Actually the timing couldn't be better, the 31st is my B-Day!!

 

[TheToyotaGarage]

IN! You know where to find me :bathbaby:

 

[brian2sun]

Oh yeah, I'm interested! Might as well be driving by candlelight in my '97!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Well guys, I got [MENTION=88597]MyHigh[/MENTION]'s lights in the mail today and knocked out his retrofit this evening. With some lessons learned from [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION]'s setup, I was able to shave some time, but not a ton. Biggest thing I did, which wasn't cheap, was to have some washers made here locally that make for a MUCH tighter fitting for the projector.

With that, my new rate will be $175 for the basic retro, or $200 if you want them painted. I prefer to not paint them... lol

If you want silly things like halos or demon eyes we can discuss this... I think they're silly, so I'd rather not do them (and never have) but if you think it necessary or cool, we can chat.

For the folks that have posted/PM'd me. PLEASE SEND ME A PM, OR E-MAIL TO [email protected] IF YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED AT THE UPDATED PRICES. IF YOU DO NOT, YOU'LL LIKELY BE OVERLOOKED BY ACCIDENT.
[MENTION=60544]Skyfox16[/MENTION] [MENTION=123572]TheToyotaGarage[/MENTION] [MENTION=47945]brian2sun[/MENTION] [MENTION=84643]JBurt[/MENTION] [MENTION=111369]s20004runner[/MENTION] [MENTION=124615]3bears[/MENTION] [MENTION=95226]Ruff[/MENTION] [MENTION=107515]jpshoe[/MENTION] [MENTION=118662]LIVEVIL[/MENTION] [MENTION=124801]cashmoney[/MENTION] [MENTION=60147]the great him[/MENTION] [MENTION=45751]Zachpins34[/MENTION] [MENTION=83823]CdaleR4000si[/MENTION] [MENTION=88079]afg10000[/MENTION] [MENTION=127612]chris.andros.18[/MENTION]

Here are some photos of [MENTION=88597]MyHigh[/MENTION]'s retrofit. I am very happy with how these first two turned out, and cannot wait to see some output shots when they're installed.

 

[RussToy]

A.Wilson013...I think you're doing a great service for the 3rd gen community! Like you said, the lighting is horrible in our 4Runners. It really is good to see someone with the skills stand up and offer their assistance to those who can't/won't do their own. I personally don't think you're giving yourself enough credit...I think your lights look great..especially for the price!!

I had Rickashay build my lights 3+ years ago. Yes...they are a "work of art" and in the end my lights turned out Frick'in Awesome (after I tweeked a couple things). I've had no issues at all. But, for the price difference...I'd have done business with you in a heart beat my friend! Due to Rickashay living in Canada...heck, I had almost $100 just in shipping cost!!

Anyway...I give ya koto's for helping guys out. :cheer2: I know you're making money...but you could be charging a lot more if you wanted. I have a strong feeling you're going to be a very busy guy for a while. Hhmmmmm, come to thing of it...you should have posted this at the beginning of winter...instead of summer...lol!!

Speaking of Rickashay, has anyone heard from him lately. The last I heard...him and his partner were going to open a shop building headlights, pre-made wiring kits for e-lockers and so on?

Just wondering...

- Russel

 

[the great him]

A.Wilson013...I think you're doing a great service for the 3rd gen community! Like you said, the lighting is horrible in our 4Runners. It really is good to see someone with the skills stand up and offer their assistance to those who can't/won't do their own. I personally don't think you're giving yourself enough credit...I think your lights look great..especially for the price!!

I had Rickashay build my lights 3+ years ago. Yes...they are a "work of art" and in the end my lights turned out Frick'in Awesome (after I tweeked a couple things). I've had no issues at all. But, for the price difference...I'd have done business with you in a heart beat my friend! Due to Rickashay living in Canada...heck, I had almost $100 just in shipping cost!!

Anyway...I give ya koto's for helping guys out. :cheer2: I know you're making money...but you could be charging a lot more if you wanted. I have a strong feeling you're going to be a very busy guy for a while. Hhmmmmm, come to thing of it...you should have posted this at the beginning of winter...instead of summer...lol!!

Speaking of Rickashay, has anyone heard from him lately. The last I heard...him and his partner were going to open a shop building headlights, pre-made wiring kits for e-lockers and so on?

Just wondering...

- Russel

He has pretty much put that retrofit work on the side/back burner. He sold his 3rd gen a couple years ago, bought a 80seiries built it up, sold it and now has a first gen Tundra that he is building. He spends time over on expedition portal but I don't see him much here anymore. -as usual, his work is all top shelf

 

[A.Wilson013]

I just priced OEM headlights for a curious user and the cheapest price I could find was $218.87 each from Camelback. Please let me know if you have a cheaper source.. That's a LOT of money.

As it stands...

Complete retrofit with new OEM headlights- $876.36 (Plus shipping back to you)
Complete retrofit with new TYC headlights- $519.14 (Plus shipping back to you)