SCRunner's Build Thread

[SCRunner12]

11/28/2012

Well I lied. My next big purchase wasn't a supercharger. Instead I utilized TheRetrofitSource.com's black friday sale and went even bigger for a new retro. I really like the looks of my current retro, but I wanted more light and with the Mini H1's, I was limited with the choice of bulbs. Don't get me wrong, the light output is far superior to stock, but after losing my fogs I really wanted more light and to bump down to a 4300K bulb. So instead of spending $70 on new bulbs I went for a new retro.

Specs
FX-R 3.0 with a 3" lens
Morimoto 3Five Ballasts
Osram Xenarc 66240 SVS Bulbs 4200K
Gatling Gun Shrouds
Something else special for them as well, but that will have to wait...

This upgrade should blow my Mini output out of the water. The SVS bulbs are one of the best bulbs out there and provide the most useable light and lumens. I can't wait to see them in action. I also went with the FX-R's for the added width and cut off. The 3" lens does nothing for output, but they will fill the large housings much better, which is one thing I wanted to change from the Mini's. It should be a badass setup and perfect timing for winter and snowboarding.

I'm sure you all think I'm crazy, but with 25% off, I had to do it. I know I won't regret it once it's done, but the hardest part is soon to come.


Other than that I received my black corners from redrunner02. They work perfectly with the blacked out headlights and I may tint the orange a dark red using the VHT red tint and black tint. Haven't decided yet, but it might look cool. I also painted the silver plating on the front bumper black and will paint the bumper itself when the rain passes. Looks better, but I need to figure out some permanent turn signals soon.

Sorry the pics were taken when it was raining so they aren't that great. I'll get some good ones when the storm passes.

 

[downpour11]

Nice! How much did you get the kit for? I looked online on black friday at the retrofit source and it didn't show any sale of any kind?!?! WTF?!?!

 

[SCRunner12]

It ended up being $370 with shipping. It's expensive, but after selling my current lights I should be only into it about $100. The SVS bulbs are not cheap at all and I could have just got the lower end Osram bulbs, but I figured go big this time. Plus SVS bulbs typically aren't on sale so I almost felt obligated.

They sent an email out and posted it on there facebook page. Also they had a tiny scrolling notification about it on there site. Not hard to miss. Too bad you couldn't get in on it. I'll let you know if TacomaWorld has another group buy, or we could have one here if 25 people are interested.

 

[downpour11]

Dammmmittt yeah because its $315.00 and if it was 25% off I would of jumped on it. Could of gotten it for $238! Hopefully they will have a sale again...

 

[blcktpgsr]

I'm not gonna lie, but you inspired me to do this retro dude..I'ma stick with the mini's and the XB35 4300 bulbs and see how fast I get tired of them..lol!

 

[downpour11]

Lol yeah me too. I've had 4 different HID kits and the ballasts keep breaking and on two different kits the passenger side bulb melted/blew out. I'm so sick of that crap. I'm gonna go with the stage III kit with the 6000k and do it right so I know for sure my headlights work every time I turn them on.

 

[SCRunner12]

Dammmmittt yeah because its $315.00 and if it was 25% off I would of jumped on it. Could of gotten it for $238! Hopefully they will have a sale again...

Yeah it was a killer deal. The group buys get 25% off as well, but no deals on the SVS and CBI bulbs, so I figured I'd jump in on this one. I might be doing a retro on my Fiances Jeep soon since her light SUCK! If so, maybe we could get a T4R group buy. I'm sure 25 people will join from all the gens. Let me know if you are interested.

I'm not gonna lie, but you inspired me to do this retro dude..I'ma stick with the mini's and the XB35 4300 bulbs and see how fast I get tired of them..lol!

Now I feel honored. Really it was GottabeTRD, Bandit Runner and most importantly rickashay that inspired me. It's hard to describe how much better a projector set up is over the stock halogens. I totally understand sticking with the Mini's and if I had gone with the XB35's and 4300K I probably would have too. I just was over spending another $70 for the XB's and not getting the output I really wanted. I figured that extra $70 would cover the cost of upgrading so why not. Otherwise I wouldn't have changed. You can blame black friday on this purchase.

I want to see some more pics of yours. How do you like the XB's and 4300K? I like the look of the 5000K, but the light gets washed out a bit too much for my liking.

Oh I also picked up a dremel from Home Depot for this next project. Should come in handy.

 

[downpour11]

Yeah it was a killer deal. The group buys get 25% off as well, but no deals on the SVS and CBI bulbs, so I figured I'd jump in on this one. I might be doing a retro on my Fiances Jeep soon since her light SUCK! If so, maybe we could get a T4R group buy. I'm sure 25 people will join from all the gens. Let me know if you are interested.

I'd definitely be interested. Unless a month or two goes by and I get too p i s s e d off at my current HID's and just suck it up and pay the full price for the kit lol thanks man let me know if you stumble on anything!

 

[SCRunner12]

Lol yeah me too. I've had 4 different HID kits and the ballasts keep breaking and on two different kits the passenger side bulb melted/blew out. I'm so sick of that crap. I'm gonna go with the stage III kit with the 6000k and do it right so I know for sure my headlights work every time I turn them on.

I understand everyone's preferences are different, but don't go with the 6000K. They will be too blue and you'll lose some light output. 5000K looks amazing as a pure white, has a great blue cutoff and produces a lot of light. The 6000K will be a bit more dim and most importantly, you can't get Phillips bulbs in 6000K. If you're going for the FX-R set up, go for at least the Phillips 85122+ bulbs. They are 5000K and a lot better than the standard Morimoto bulbs. You won't regret it.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

nice
i see you got the black corners or is that just me?
Edit: i actualy read your first post lol...

 

[downpour11]

Ahhh good call. 5000k it is! Maybe I was thinking it would be similar to the 6000k HID's which, for me, had better light output than my 5000k kit. Though I can't say much since they are in 96 housings hahaha So I'm jumping into a whole new headlight ball game lol. thanks!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Now I feel honored. Really it was GottabeTRD, Bandit Runner and most importantly rickashay that inspired me. It's hard to describe how much better a projector set up is over the stock halogens. I totally understand sticking with the Mini's and if I had gone with the XB35's and 4300K I probably would have too. I just was over spending another $70 for the XB's and not getting the output I really wanted. I figured that extra $70 would cover the cost of upgrading so why not. Otherwise I wouldn't have changed. You can blame black friday on this purchase.

I want to see some more pics of yours. How do you like the XB's and 4300K? I like the look of the 5000K, but the light gets washed out a bit too much for my liking.

Oh I also picked up a dremel from Home Depot for this next project. Should come in handy.

The time I planned on doing the retrofit I was talking with my brother on the phone, the one there in Brentwood, and he implied interest as well for his 98. Now not only did I make one for myself, but for him as well. How's that for a newbie retrofitter? lol!

And here comes my other brother who after seeing mine installed told me to order one for his 99..great! all cool!

As we speak, his kit is yet to be shipped by TRS,along with the XB35 bulbs that I also ordered as a replacement for mine and Edwin's kit. So truth is I'm actually still waiting.

I ordered them on Monday and I just called them up and asked for the shipping status. and Andrew said due to the high volume of orders during the BF sale,,it still hasn't left the shipping dock.

Yeah I'll put up pics on my build as soon as I get those bulbs replaced.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

You bast@rd. I had to sit and watch you do the H1's, and now the FX-R's before I could save up for mine. You suck. That's what I get for spending $$$ on my chick's b-day instead of TRS.

I was thinking when the time comes, black out the reflector bowl, same shrouds and Kelvin temp as you have planned, and maybe one of those side emitting amber LED strips like GottabeTRD but use them as a blinker instead of a running light or possibly use an amber Halo as a blinker. What are you going to do for housings now that you're selling your stock retrofitted housings?

 

[bikerjosh]

The time I planned on doing the retrofit I was talking with my brother on the phone, the one there in Brentwood, and he implied interest as well for his 98. Now not only did I make one for myself, but for him as well. How's that for a newbie retrofitter? lol!

And here comes my other brother who after seeing mine installed told me to order one for his 99..great! all cool!

As we speak, his kit is yet to be shipped by TRS,along with the XB35 bulbs that I also ordered as a replacement for mine and Edwin's kit. So truth is I'm actually still waiting.

I ordered them on Monday and I just called them up and asked for the shipping status. and Andrew said due to the high volume of orders during the BF sale,,it still hasn't left the shipping dock.

Yeah I'll put up pics on my build as soon as I get those bulbs replaced.

Funny thing is Edwin couldn't wait to show me pics on his phone of the lights and the rollbar/drawers you made for him after we attached his new whitson roof rack to his stocker. Very jealous.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Funny thing is Edwin couldn't wait to show me pics on his phone of the lights and the rollbar/drawers you made for him after we attached his new whitson roof rack to his stocker. Very jealous.

Oh so the word is out! typical..haha! Yeah he's coming to get the goodies this Christmas.

 

[SCRunner12]

nice
i see you got the black corners or is that just me?
Edit: i actualy read your first post lol...

:withstupid: :biggrin2:

Ahhh good call. 5000k it is! Maybe I was thinking it would be similar to the 6000k HID's which, for me, had better light output than my 5000k kit. Though I can't say much since they are in 96 housings hahaha So I'm jumping into a whole new headlight ball game lol. thanks!

Yeah it could have been the kits you were using as well, but 5000k will look awesome.

The time I planned on doing the retrofit I was talking with my brother on the phone, the one there in Brentwood, and he implied interest as well for his 98. Now not only did I make one for myself, but for him as well. How's that for a newbie retrofitter? lol!

And here comes my other brother who after seeing mine installed told me to order one for his 99..great! all cool!

As we speak, his kit is yet to be shipped by TRS,along with the XB35 bulbs that I also ordered as a replacement for mine and Edwin's kit. So truth is I'm actually still waiting.

I ordered them on Monday and I just called them up and asked for the shipping status. and Andrew said due to the high volume of orders during the BF sale,,it still hasn't left the shipping dock.

Yeah I'll put up pics on my build as soon as I get those bulbs replaced.

Nice! I bet you did Edwin's first to work out some of the kinks before doing yours, huh? I'm sure you did just fine with your amazing attention to details and fab skills. I can't wait to see the output and pics of the finished lights.

I was looking at TRS Facebook page and they had 1200+ orders this weekend. I'm sure they will be taking quite a while to get them out. I will be waiting a long time since I ordered mine late Monday. O well.

You bast@rd. I had to sit and watch you do the H1's, and now the FX-R's before I could save up for mine. You suck. That's what I get for spending $$$ on my chick's b-day instead of TRS.

I was thinking when the time comes, black out the reflector bowl, same shrouds and Kelvin temp as you have planned, and maybe one of those side emitting amber LED strips like GottabeTRD but use them as a blinker instead of a running light or possibly use an amber Halo as a blinker. What are you going to do for housings now that you're selling your stock retrofitted housings?

Haha, if it wasn't for the sale I wouldn't have done it. I put the items in the cart about 5 times and put my credit card info in 4 times before I finally clicked submit.

I really like the blacked out housing. I can't stand chrome so it was the only way to go. I thought about doing some LED's, but I'm not totally sold on them. I have one extra addition, but that will wait. It should be pretty cool though. I'm getting a set of headlights from redrunner02. I'll be putting his lift on this weekend, so he hooked me up with some lights.

 

[redrunner02]

It looks great man!
I hadn't thought about tinting the amber sections red,
interesting thought!

 

[SCRunner12]

It looks great man!
I hadn't thought about tinting the amber sections red,
interesting thought!

Yeah I was thinking about it last night. Might work out, but I'm not 100% sure. I guess one of us will have to find out.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Yeah I was thinking about it last night. Might work out, but I'm not 100% sure. I guess one of us will have to find out.

i think that would look good. i have my old ones you could try it on first if you want :naughty:

 

[SCRunner12]

Hmmm, maybe. I might borrow some nightshades if you still have some left. I lent mine to a TW member and never got it back. Maybe that will be my mod this weekend.