Hid's or Projector Headlights

[broncosi]

Technically, 4300K provides the most lumens - so if brightest mean "the most light", then 4300K does that.

Right right sorry, that's what I meant. But no one understands that. They say, "I want bright, give me 10,000K purple!!!" . . . "Yo"

 

[BTLAW]

I'm also in on a GB. Keep us updated.

 

[deekoi]

Started doing my own and it's just about finished. I'll post more pictures later of the build process but here's the almost finished product! Need to install it on my truck now!

Picture whoring:

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EZbXD6vxF2wNCYp_VlujyOxAberC8IVVh7hqnuTI_Iw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Qe12qBaaOI/Tzii41RYK0I/AAAAAAAAA04/RCa4wr6FPDc/s800/IMG_7749.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJDeweC4krCpBw&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

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<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cfbGkf94IAu8E8rPzxEWR-xAberC8IVVh7hqnuTI_Iw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MQjzSihDkCU/Tzii1lj5U9I/AAAAAAAAA0w/KNi3B2o7L70/s800/IMG_7746.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJDeweC4krCpBw&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

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[broncosi]

looking good, you didn't want to paint your shrouds black?

 

[Jesse1983]

Deekoi - did you have a hard time mounting the projectors? I'll definitely be doing this soon, especially with the group buy in place

 

[deekoi]

looking good, you didn't want to paint your shrouds black?

I picked up 2 shrouds and 1 black, didn't like the look much, the chrome stood out much better and gave it the OEM look. I have a picture of it and I'll post it later tonight.

Deekoi - did you have a hard time mounting the projectors? I'll definitely be doing this soon, especially with the group buy in place

The whole project so far was fairly easy except for mounting the projector.... That was definitely a pain in the ass...
I basically held the projector there until the silicone dried enough, which was about 30 minutes or so. Left it on the whole time to aim. Couldn't take any pictures since both hands were committed to holding the projector for the aim.

 

[deekoi]

Pictures of the Shrouds in black:
(sorry pictures didn't come out as good... but I didn't think the shrouds stood out enough in black. It just blended in too much with the black background.)
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/khhpL_zuF1SJHlDFCi7XXuxAberC8IVVh7hqnuTI_Iw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HuUC6U1zOQ/TzmRWIR5EDI/AAAAAAAAA1I/b8tjI_9oTqk/s800/IMG_7711.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJDeweC4krCpBw&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>
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[Jesse1983]

I like that too. both look good in my opinion. I can't wait to start this on mine.

 

[deekoi]

I like that too. both look good in my opinion. I can't wait to start this on mine.

I wanted to paint it to a similar color to the TE housing. Glossy Gray but it was a difficult to find a match on that & it has a section that isn't glossy.

 

[Jesse1983]

any tips for removing the front plastic cover on the headlight? any hidden screws that need to be removed before prying it off?

 

[deekoi]

How to take a part your headlight

any tips for removing the front plastic cover on the headlight? any hidden screws that need to be removed before prying it off?

Even better, did a quick how to!

The process was fairly easy in general. On a scale of 1-10 I’d put it at a 4. I’m not anywhere remotely pro like Antman, Harper7, 9hooker, and all the other great folks. All this is new to me and learning a lot. The final product/skills are noticeable by the pros like in Philsey's headlights.
Also, keep in mind, I didn’t have to remove the headlights from my truck, I purchased a separate spare to work on.

Youtube videos I found very helpful: This guy has a good how to videos for this. He breaks it out into 4 videos but the most useful ones are 1 & 2.
(1) How to build HID projector headlights - YouTube
FYI, He pries the unit open which I didn’t do in the same fashion. & some of this stuff I did not do. More info below…

(2) How to build HID projector headlights - YouTube

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2m_ZlJET9FeIqlvZ5dWiKNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0Vw-Vo6V-SE/TzqpIAVVM2I/AAAAAAAAA4E/t0Egy1V0ouM/s800/IMG_7653.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

1) unscrewed the screws in the back (9 of them)
2) Pre heat your oven (with 2 2x4 blocks on the bottom for the headlights to rest on) to 250. Youtube videos did it at 300 and 9hooker did it at 170 so I went with 250 degrees just because… You’ll want to keep it at 250 or lower to cut the glue/sealant, pictures & explanation below.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q1ga-Ww9Mx7fMS7PmxWtctMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cw01_mpwqtM/TzqpISlim6I/AAAAAAAAA4M/xi6aUfwN4zg/s640/IMG_7676.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

3) I picked up a couple of these to make it easier. Got them at harbor freight for a buck or so…

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/01CKuPuBR6nNZ7FVLH8MtdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SYMu6hJpZOA/TzqpJfi9K9I/AAAAAAAAA4s/qr_VgyR5wlM/s640/IMG_7704.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

4) Headlights into the oven for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then take it out and start separating the front headlight from the back. I did this process several times to make the separation as clean as possible. This will take some patience. The first time was just to make a small indent.
5) I started from the inside of the housing. This next picture shows the side I started at.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1TJOWzgDi8lcEkJKGEE7XdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MzRg0H1jQRk/TzqpIu-pCCI/AAAAAAAAA4U/4YaNRj4jZLU/s800/IMG_7679.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>
6) Then slowly pull it apart but while you do that cut the glue instead of pulling it apart. This will require lots of strength. Once it starts pulling apart, you’ll have glue strings everywhere & here is where it makes a huge difference for a lower temperature. To avoid the glue completely melted and getting to be a mess, cut it. The lower temperature will make it harder to pull part but it will keep the glue clean and keep the glue evenly distributed for when you reseal it. & hopefully you won’t have to worry as much for leaks and such.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GYoidFk0SSPkCBm38xKy4tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gk5z9RzDQkM/TzqpI-DihMI/AAAAAAAAA4c/ItwT8MhIusM/s800/IMG_7684.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

7) And you’re done! It can be done with 1 person but it’s a little easier with a second helping pull the headlight apart and cutting the glue.
8) After this take the reflectors apart, then next step is cutting the hole for the projector, which was easy with a Dermal. This is straight forward but you’ll want to cut off this bottom piece. I didn’t realize it until after I painted it but it was still easy to cut it off.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RXWgFouahEMFj2BNl48wBNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SNqSioD7hzE/TzrV3r3_Y1I/AAAAAAAAA5A/sAeYoFZVSbU/s800/IMG_7710%25202.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>


But like I said before, the hard part is the aiming and final product. That's where the pros do really well. The Group buy is a great deal but if you wanted to give it a shot yourself for a fun project, this will take you a couple steps closer!
Best of luck!

 

[Antman]

Awesome. This one's gotta go in the Sticky!! Ohhhhhh Jesse!!

 

[Jesse1983]

Even better, did a quick how to!

nice, thanks. It's the same process to black out headlights on a Tacoma, so I'm familiar with baking the headlights etc. But on the Taco headlight there are like 3 screws that need to be removed before the headlight will pull apart, just to triple check, nothing like that on the 4Runner, just glue right?

Awesome. This one's gotta go in the Sticky!! Ohhhhhh Jesse!!

done :fro:

 

[deekoi]

nice, thanks. It's the same process to black out headlights on a Tacoma, so I'm familiar with baking the headlights etc. But on the Taco headlight there are like 3 screws that need to be removed before the headlight will pull apart, just to triple check, nothing like that on the 4Runner, just glue right?



done :fro:

Thanks! arty:

Nope just the glue.

One more thing, for those who plan on doing the reflector black out look...
If I were to do it over again, I'd tape up a ring around the projector cut out before I paint it. With the shroud you probably won't be able to see it but I don't know if this applies for all shrouds. As you can see Apollo shroud covers up most of the area so it wouldn't be a problem for this one.

Doing this will give the silicone more bonding surface area. I added more silicone on the back side to get a little extra support. Doesn't look clean but makes no difference, no one will see it until you need to replace the bulb.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Vt0R6mafrJeG0aQuvtsTk9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GQo7FsJNdzg/TzzLgatQUeI/AAAAAAAAA5M/2z9U107pfug/s800/IMG_7710.JPG" height="480" width="720" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/102590935901233563955/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

 

[Jesse1983]

I did some baking today. ready for my projectors

 

[windycity]

I did some baking today. ready for my projectors

Hey jesse1983 is their anyway u can post some pictures of the back of the reflector. I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna stand the reflector straight while aiming the projector(as per the previously posted youtube video). No biggie if u cant. Thank you.

 

[gamerc]

I just ordered my HIDs (FX-R, 50w, morimoto, 5000k, E46 shrouds) through a different group buy. I also found a place that will retrofit existing headlights in a day, so I'll likely just drive down there and have it done. If it works out well, I'll probably do my fogs, but we'll see. I'm anxious to see MOAR LITEZ.

 

[azn-sensation]

Finished mine last week.

 

[windycity]

Looks damn good. Did u take pics of the install? What shroud did u use? Did u use silicone to set the projector in the reflector? What method did use to properly place the projector? Hahaha, alot of questions, right. I'm planning to do this very soon. Thanks.

 

[Etremo04]

azn- that looks Really Good. I need to find someone to do this work..I want to do the retrofit but don't know how to do it myself :ybrick: