Mini Morimoto RetroQuik Bi-Xenon Projector Swap for '06+ Headlamps

[South-O 4RnR]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on this project. I currently have the retroquick with d2s 2.0's installed in the lights. I bought a 2nd set of OEM headlights so that I could spend some time on this project. I have an email out to TRS about buying a universal retroquick mounting sheet so that I don't have to cut up the original, as [MENTION=115400]TheTurboMRT[/MENTION] did. Any other suggestions before I attempt this?

 

[SunPilot]

I can't believe how good the output is on these mini D2S 4.0s. TRS has come a long way with them.

I think I will offer these for the retrofit group buy I'll be posting soon! Stoked to build some lights!

I have my D2S 4.0's in transit. Will be installing them early next week...can't wait! Figures you're going to have a group buy after I got mine LOL

 

[rickashay]

I have my D2S 4.0's in transit. Will be installing them early next week...can't wait! Figures you're going to have a group buy after I got mine LOL

I decided not to run a GB. So you're better off anyway. Just been too busy with work and building RickRunner. haha Might do one later in the year but who knows....

Good luck on the retro. I'll be diving back into mine very soon as well.

 

[SunPilot]

Look what showed up on my doorstep yesterday. My projectors weren't supposed to be delivered until Monday. Now, I can finish the headlight build!

 

[SunPilot]

I decided not to run a GB. So you're better off anyway. Just been too busy with work and building RickRunner. haha Might do one later in the year but who knows....

Good luck on the retro. I'll be diving back into mine very soon as well.

Thanks, good luck with yours too. I'll post some pics after I get these bad boys installed.

 

[South-O 4RnR]

Thanks, good luck with yours too. I'll post some pics after I get these bad boys installed.

Yes please. Share what was needed to get them to fit. I'll be doing this project as soon as the materials arrive.

 

[aquilon]

It was starting to get light out as I was taking these, but here are some example photos.
1: Tooling around my neighborhood:
http://s181.photobucket.com/user/wildhippie666/media/20170105_070550_zpsq8y2el5g.jpg.html

I need to do this. I hate the lights on my 4Runner currently.

Also nice to see you were able to do with the ebay housings. I suppose I will do that too. Yours look amazing.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Hey everyone! Good luck with your projects!

My fun was ruined in a bottleneck in traffic, so, the projectors came out of the totalled 4Runner, and into the Lexus. I still have the plates I made, if you would like some pictures. Maybe I can tape to a sheet of graph paper and scan them? I'll post up what I come up with.

Or, if you're in the Newnan, GA area, free to a good home!

 

[South-O 4RnR]

Hey everyone! Good luck with your projects!

My fun was ruined in a bottleneck in traffic, so, the projectors came out of the totalled 4Runner, and into the Lexus. I still have the plates I made, if you would like some pictures. Maybe I can tape to a sheet of graph paper and scan them? I'll post up what I come up with.

Or, if you're in the Newnan, GA area, free to a good home!

Wanna ship them to me? Is it worth the effort or should I be able to replicate what you made fairly easily?

 

[aquilon]

Hey everyone! Good luck with your projects!

My fun was ruined in a bottleneck in traffic, so, the projectors came out of the totalled 4Runner, and into the Lexus. I still have the plates I made, if you would like some pictures. Maybe I can tape to a sheet of graph paper and scan them? I'll post up what I come up with.

Or, if you're in the Newnan, GA area, free to a good home!

I'm in Suwanee GA

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Accident




Totalled. My fault. Got a good payout, and picked up this white Lexus GX470



Light output difference between stock lights and D2s 4.0s on the Lexus (high beams)


Low beams


And for your projects, the brackets!



The brackets are super easy to make, just keep cutting until they look something like these.
1 square = 1/4"
Tin snips, angle grinder, bandsaw, air saw, die grinder, cutoff wheel should all be able to cut these out.

I found 3 of the 4 brackets. I may have accidentally thrown away the last one when I was cleaning out the garage. Or it's in the shop vac....
Both sides were the same

 

[South-O 4RnR]

Thank you [MENTION=115400]TheTurboMRT[/MENTION]!

 

[SunPilot]

[MENTION=115400]TheTurboMRT[/MENTION]

Did you have any problems getting the bulb and igniter together? I can't get the knurled ring over the little knobs on the bulb. Going to call the company today. What a crappy system. The spring won't seat inside either...wants to twist out through the cap.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

[MENTION=115400]TheTurboMRT[/MENTION]

Did you have any problems getting the bulb and igniter together? I can't get the knurled ring over the little knobs on the bulb. Going to call the company today. What a crappy system. The spring won't seat inside either...wants to twist out through the cap.

I didn't have any problems with the bulb/igniter, maybe the bosses on your bulb are a little too tall? Maybe take some sandpaper to them, they might have some injection molding flash on them.

I did have a problem with one of the springs wanting to come out through the cap. I didn't have the issue on my replacement, though. Could be variance in the springs? Is it happening with both of yours, or just one?

 

[SunPilot]

I didn't have any problems with the bulb/igniter, maybe the bosses on your bulb are a little too tall? Maybe take some sandpaper to them, they might have some injection molding flash on them.

I did have a problem with one of the springs wanting to come out through the cap. I didn't have the issue on my replacement, though. Could be variance in the springs? Is it happening with both of yours, or just one?

Yep, the nubs on the bulb are larger than the hole in the metal lock ring. The springs are not wide enough, it seems. They keep trying to come out between the cap and bulb, and it ends up twisting the bulb. Almost broke the wire running up the outside of the bulb. Both springs have the same issue. I called the Retrofit store where I bought them, just a few minutes ago. They said there are a lot of complaints with this system and they might have to redesign the units. Not much they can offer in the way of help. I guess I'll keep trying. If I can't get them working, I'll be calling them back. I'm having this trouble while the lights are out and on my bench. I can imagine what a pain in the a** they must be if installed on the car and a bulb needs replaced.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Wanna ship them to me? Is it worth the effort or should I be able to replicate what you made fairly easily?

I'm in Suwanee GA

I can throw them in an envelope and send them, if you need them after seeing the scanned template. I'll try to scrounge up the 4th bracket this evening, but I'm afraid it may have gone to the landfill. I'll let y'all know.

Is the scanned template enough for you to go on?

 

[South-O 4RnR]

I can throw them in an envelope and send them, if you need them after seeing the scanned template. I'll try to scrounge up the 4th bracket this evening, but I'm afraid it may have gone to the landfill. I'll let y'all know.

Is the scanned template enough for you to go on?

Let me know if you find it. I emailed TRS about getting a piece of the retroquick mounting plate that I could cut up, but it's not being offered. I'd feel much more comfortable having extra material to cut up in case I screw it up.

I'm a little hesitant to buy the 4.0's after hearing about [MENTION=56333]SunPilot[/MENTION] issues. Should I just put on my bigboy panties and get the order placed?

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Let me know if you find it. I emailed TRS about getting a piece of the retroquick mounting plate that I could cut up, but it's not being offered. I'd feel much more comfortable having extra material to cut up in case I screw it up.

I'm a little hesitant to buy the 4.0's after hearing about [MENTION=56333]SunPilot[/MENTION] issues. Should I just put on my bigboy panties and get the order placed?

I had the same idea about the RetroQuik plate. I tried. It's not helpful. The 4.0 is much larger than the 2.0 it was designed for, and there's not enough material to hog it out to the bigger projector. Cutting up the factory shields was the best option for me

 

[SunPilot]

Installed my D2S 4.0 kit

Hey guys. Just an update. I had some concerns installing this Morimoto D2S mini kit. I saw the way others installed by cutting the original mounting plate. I tried that with one plate and found when I set it in position, the reflector bucket of the Mini unit was hitting the plastic support plate. I didn't want to grind material off that plate and weaken it, so I came up with a different solution. I made a new mounting plate that bolts directly to the Mini unit and to the factory plastic carrier.

This is how it ended up fitting:

here's a pic of the unit ready to install


The way I made the plate (I had some 18 ga. sheet metal lying around) was to take the original factory plate and lay it on top of the sheet metal. Then I marked the four mounting holes that secure the plate to the carrier and drilled them out. I did put a notch in the bottom for location purposes, but on the top, I simply snipped the little plastic nubs so the new plate can sit flush. After the plate was sitting on the carrier, I marked the vertical and horizontal centerline so the new projectors would be oriented properly. Then I disassembeled the Morimoto unit into two pieces and used the metal reflector section to make a pattern that I then cut out of the new plate. I used a dremel for most of it, and my 4 1/2" angle grinder with cutoff disk. I kept trimming until the reflector sat inside the plate and was centered. I drilled 4 new holes using the reflector extra bolt holes and used small bolts and nuts to secure it to the plate (Installed the lens back on the Mini first). When I mounted it, it was very secure and rigid...no give, no flex, no issues, and the reflector pot cleared the plastic carrier. The only trimming needed was on the plastic shroud that sits over the lights. The Morimoto units are 3" lenses and stock is 2-1/2" I believe. The new lenses hit the shroud, but that was an easy fix with the dremel, just shaved away the plastic until I had plenty of clearance space, and you can't even tell, especially since I blacked out that section. I just installed them today and they fit nicely.


I'll try to get some night pics when I can. Hope this helps anyone thinking about moding these lights.

 

[South-O 4RnR]

Hey guys. Just an update.

Amazing! Thank you. What size halo did you get? The 80MM?