The $150 Retrofit How-To

[thebwlife]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you pick up the projectors? I'm trying to decide if I should do the mod or not.

I bought it all from ddmtuning.com (which has a kinda bad name on this forum and a good one on the FJ and Tacoma forum). This is my third time using and I've been happy each time.

You need the D2S mini projectors, the D2S HID
Kit, and a H11 to 9006 wiring harness (I had to build myself so I didn't cut the factory wiring).

Here is the cut off. The left side has a bit of light throw because the plastic lens is messed up. Even with that the cut off is fine. I'm on a bit of a slope, they are pretty dang close to level. Meaning if I look long enough I can make my brain think one side is higher than the other, but in practice they are level.

 

[sandcrawler]

yes, these, right? Iris - Projector Shrouds from The Retrofit Source

bummer about your lens. i hope the knockoff headlight works out.
thanks for taking the time to document and write it up.

nevermind. i see it on the ddm site; similar to the Iris but half the price.

 

[thebwlife]

nevermind. i see it on the ddm site; similar to the Iris but half the price.

I also stuggled to get mine to clip on and stay, so I put a dab of epoxy on it in a few places.

 

[IAmTodd]

I was excited until I saw DDM Tuning. I have a set of their HIDs in my fogs and they hardly ever fire and if they do they flicker until they're warmed up. Second car I've had issues with their products, never again. Their warranty is a joke as they will do everything in their power not to warrant them. Pay the money and get a quality product from TRS.

 

[KidVermicious]

Very basic and no frills...

My kinda mod. In for the details.

 

[thebwlife]

I was excited until I saw DDM Tuning. I have a set of their HIDs in my fogs and they hardly ever fire and if they do they flicker until they're warmed up. Second car I've had issues with their products, never again. Their warranty is a joke as they will do everything in their power not to warrant them. Pay the money and get a quality product from TRS.

Fair enough, but there are lots of people happy with the product too...

As far as HID/Ballast go I could get 4-5 sets for the cost of one TRS.

TRS is the best no doubt, but also cost 4x more.

 

[alexb]

I've had pretty good luck with DDM. Ran a pair of their bulps in my Infiniti and have installed their HID kits in several friends cars. I'm actually using a pair of their ballasts in the 4runner right now. With this cold weather they take a good minute to warm up, but other than that no issues.

 

[thebwlife]

I've had pretty good luck with DDM. Ran a pair of their bulps in my Infiniti and have installed their HID kits in several friends cars. I'm actually using a pair of their ballasts in the 4runner right now. With this cold weather they take a good minute to warm up, but other than that no issues.

In all fairness they take maybe 3-5 seconds longer than the $2800 xenon option on my BMW.

My only complaint with DDM is the shipping costs are kinda high, and then they ship mostly out of China so it takes 8-10 days. I'm American I want it now!

 

[Atticus]

I have a set of their HIDs in the 4Runner right now. One doesn't fire every now and then, but I just turn it off and back on and it is fine. Interested for the write up though.

 

[philsey]

Hi, I'm Phil, and I'm a "light nut". Me, I gotta see - the best, non intrusive way I can. So I get retrofitting.

I'm puzzled by this thread tho. Very many of you guys spends thousands upon thousands on (top quality) specialized tires, wheels, winches, lifts, racks, bumpers, suspensions, armor, on what amounts to a hobby. I get that too, your money eh.

So the same guys are interested in a $150 DIY retrofit using what everyone recognizes as second-rate components, in your headlights ?????. Dudes, your headlights!! Likely the most important safety elements on your vehicle.

Please, no butthurts OK? Just an observation - no malevolence intended.

 

[sandcrawler]

Hi, I'm Phil, and I'm a "light nut". Me, I gotta see - the best, non intrusive way I can. So I get retrofitting.

I'm puzzled by this thread tho. Very many of you guys spends thousands upon thousands on (top quality) specialized tires, wheels, winches, lifts, racks, bumpers, suspensions, armor, on what amounts to a hobby. I get that too, your money eh.

So the same guys are interested in a $150 DIY retrofit using what everyone recognizes as second-rate components, in your headlights ?????. Dudes, your headlights!! Likely the most important safety elements on your vehicle.

Please, no butthurts OK? Just an observation - no malevolence intended.

it's a fair point, Phil. i'm guilty as charged.

truth is, i'm already getting very good lighting from the stock reflectors and H9 bulbs. an HID projector retrofit would obviously catapult that into excellent lighting—but at significant cost. then i have to consider that i don't drive at night all that much, so i have to think about how much "value" i will get out of the investment. plus, well, other priorities that alter the balance of pro and con on this subject.

at some point i need to man up. until then i just consider all this good information-gathering so i'm the best informed i can be when it comes time to plunk the money on the table.

 

[thebwlife]

Hi, I'm Phil, and I'm a "light nut". Me, I gotta see - the best, non intrusive way I can. So I get retrofitting.

So the same guys are interested in a $150 DIY retrofit using what everyone recognizes as second-rate components, in your headlights ?????. Dudes, your headlights!! Likely the most important safety elements on your vehicle.

Please, no butthurts OK? Just an observation - no malevolence intended.

Why did you not go with a coilover set up from King, Fox, Icon, or Radflo? It's the only thing holding your truck up off the wheels. Way more important than headlights. Of course I'm be sarcastic, but we all have to make choices based on money at some point or else we would all be driving SAS GX460's with full armor and a custom built turbo setup.

For me my 4Runner is just a toy. Not my daily driver or backup car. that said I'd rather teach myself how to do this stuff and mess up $150 worth than $500 worth. The end result is 95% of the same results for 30% cost.

That said when I do my bud built winch plate I'm planning on doing Ridgid LEDs mounted also, if I don't start a couple muscle car projects first.

 

[Mikedezzy]

When do you think we will see a write up? I am so interested i want to see it now so i can get to ordering parts. I will begin purchasing the same day you write it up..

Lets see it bro!

 

[Mikedezzy]

BUMPP... where is the write up?

When do you think we will see a write up? I am so interested i want to see it now so i can get to ordering parts. I will begin purchasing the same day you write it up..

Lets see it bro!