Retrofit HELP

[Ehahn84]

So, I just finished up my second retrofit build. This time I used Morimoto stuff from The Retrofit Source and they look great. However, the interior of the lenses fog up when the lights are on. The fog goes away after just a few minutes when they're turned off. I used new retro rubber to seal the housings, then used a syringe to inject high temp silicone into the channel between the glass lens and the reflector housing. The rubber boot on the back where the wiring goes into the housing is sealed with high temp silicone and spray rubber flex seal. Does anyone have any ideas? Could it just be that I need to "burn out" any condensation that is still inside?

 

[infantry503]

I used that Butyl sealant stuff and it worked perfect with no fogging. It has been pissing rain in Portland with no leaks.

 

[infantry503]

I feel like you tried to hard to seal it and maybe that had something to do with the fogging. It was really simple to just use that butyl stuff and do a good on coverage. Mines sealed like crazy

 

[Drew76]

You want the housings vented to the atmosphere, usually at the back there is a vent tube with a bug screen in it, in applying the extra sealant maybe the housings can no longer vent causing the condensation?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Did you seal the two breathing holes? Doing so guarantees they will fog up in colder climates.

I actually drilled two new breathing holes for a total of four in my last documented retrofit because even with the two standard breathing holes when I turned on my halos it would fog up.

 

[Ehahn84]

I did not seal the two breathers. Do you have a link to your build so I can see your added holes? Interesting though...went on a longish drive after this post last night and they weren’t foggy when I got home.

Did you seal the two breathing holes? Doing so guarantees they will fog up in colder climates.

I actually drilled two new breathing holes for a total of four in my last documented retrofit because even with the two standard breathing holes when I turned on my halos it would fog up.

 

[Ehahn84]

I used retro rubber which is just Morimoto butyl.

I feel like you tried to hard to seal it and maybe that had something to do with the fogging. It was really simple to just use that butyl stuff and do a good on coverage. Mines sealed like crazy

 

[sauer]

TRS sells gortex stickers to assist with housing condensation. You can drill a hole or two in the rear of the housing and throw the patch over it. They also have one-way “pressure valves”that screw in but you have to open the case to install them. I used them on my Yukon retrofit and work perfectly.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Check out the search sticky in my signature.

I don't believe there is any 100% right way to do a retrofit. Everyone has their own style. I drilled extra breathing holes after noticing that mine were fogging up in cold weather.

I used clear silicone to seal the tubes, blue fish tank air tube for the breather and cotton cheese cloth for a simple dust filter.

I would think to add more holes you'll need to open up the light again, sorry. Anytime you drill (if you choose to do that) there will be dust. Perhaps there is a better solution. I don't know.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...s-3-0-panorama-halo-retrofit-diy-journey.html

Pictured here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html

.

 

[cblock406]

I just finished mine and am in the PNW also. Unfortunately I'm getting the same problem which is very frustrating. I'm pretty sure I am going to try making a couple vent holes and using the goretex patch. Not excited to pull them apart again but it will be worth it if it fixes the condensation.

Out of curiosity, anyone know if retailers like SQR have any kind of warranty for this on their headlights? Or if they do anything extra to ensure they don't fog up?

 

[Ehahn84]

I think I resolved mine. Used factory 2001 housings and breather tube ends were sitting up against the black plastic headlight assembly mount blocking off air flow. I repositioned they and have been good since. Fingers crossed. FWIW, REI sporting goods sells the gore-Tex patches for $4.

I just finished mine and am in the PNW also. Unfortunately I'm getting the same problem which is very frustrating. I'm pretty sure I am going to try making a couple vent holes and using the goretex patch. Not excited to pull them apart again but it will be worth it if it fixes the condensation.

Out of curiosity, anyone know if retailers like SQR have any kind of warranty for this on their headlights? Or if they do anything extra to ensure they don't fog up?

 

[cblock406]

I think I resolved mine. Used factory 2001 housings and breather tube ends were sitting up against the black plastic headlight assembly mount blocking off air flow. I repositioned they and have been good since. Fingers crossed. FWIW, REI sporting goods sells the gore-Tex patches for $4.

Good call, I'll have to check that and thanks for the heads up on the patches! Good luck to you, hope that fixed it for you!

 

[John7M7]

Not trying to hijack the post but I just bought a retrofit from a member and the shrouds are not secured in place, they run free in the headlight assemblies. What did you guys use to secure the shrouds?
I'm thinking some epoxy?

 

[cblock406]

Not trying to hijack the post but I just bought a retrofit from a member and the shrouds are not secured in place, they run free in the headlight assemblies. What did you guys use to secure the shrouds?
I'm thinking some epoxy?

The first time I silicone'd them to the projector. The second time I did mine I bought some centric rings that basically snap the shroud to the projector.

These:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-retrofit-kits/shrouds/shroud-centric-rings.html

 

[Ehahn84]

My shrouds screwed into the projector backing plate with 1/2 #8 sheetmetal screws. I did however buy some JB Weld with my kit from TRS because that’s what they recommended, I just didn’t use it.

Not trying to hijack the post but I just bought a retrofit from a member and the shrouds are not secured in place, they run free in the headlight assemblies. What did you guys use to secure the shrouds?
I'm thinking some epoxy?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Not trying to hijack the post but I just bought a retrofit from a member and the shrouds are not secured in place, they run free in the headlight assemblies. What did you guys use to secure the shrouds?
I'm thinking some epoxy?

What I suggest you do is this, looking at the projector and the shroud, put silver metallic tape in the places - on the projector -where you would put epoxy. This tape as pictured in my retrofit thread is very good tape and very durable to high heat. Now put epoxy connecting the Shroud to the tape. This way if you need to remove the Shroud you can snap at off by force without breaking the plastic on each, the tape will give way. This is sort of a compromise but it is highly durable and effective. I have found the double-sided tape is actually not very effective.

 

[John7M7]

What I suggest you do is this, looking at the projector and the shroud, put silver metallic tape in the places - on the projector -where you would put epoxy. This tape as pictured in my retrofit thread is very good tape and very durable to high heat. Now put epoxy connecting the Shroud to the tape. This way if you need to remove the Shroud you can snap at off by force without breaking the plastic on each, the tape will give way. This is sort of a compromise but it is highly durable and effective. I have found the double-sided tape is actually not very effective.

Interesting! So basically the projector itself will have some epoxy on it but not the shrouds, correct? That's a pretty good idea, I'll go pick up that kind of tape on Monday!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Interesting! So basically the projector itself will have some epoxy on it but not the shrouds, correct? That's a pretty good idea, I'll go pick up that kind of tape on Monday!

Well the tape on the projector will have the epoxy and the shroud will have actual direct connection to the epoxy. It is easier to put the tape on the projector because of its shape. If you have to remove the shroud later on you can always cut the epoxy of the shroud pretty easy. The main idea is to prevent a plastic on plastic bond that would break if you pulled it apart.

 

[John7M7]

That makes sense, thank you for the explanation. I just ordered both the aluminium tape and some clear epoxy, hopefully I'll get that done before the weekend and I'll report back.

Thanks again!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Glad to help. BTW when I bought the "aluminum tape" discussed and pictured I actually just bought simple reflective tape from the general auto parts store. This is the kind of tape they put on trailer bumpers and such to prevent accidents. It is cheap and simple. For epoxy I actually used quick dry epoxy but any will work well.