TiN's Mini H1 Retrofit
- Thread starter TiN
- Start date
TiN
New member
No problem! Planning on a retrofit?
rsingh0405
New member
TiN
New member
Update 5:
I have some good news and some bad news... The good: I am getting really close to being 100% done with my retrofit project (just waiting on some odds and ends to ship in). The bad: I was working against the clock for the last few days and wasn't able to get many pictures of my progress. Here is a quick summary:
- I mounted my Gatling Gun shrouds onto the Mini H1 projectors using a few small, evenly-spaced dabs of JB Weld. When doing this, I made sure that the top of the projector lined up with what I wanted to be the top of the shroud.
- I attached the reflectors and corner marker light lenses back to the outer headlight trim.
- I cut away about one square inch of material from the inside of the headlight trim, as it was making contact with my Mini Gatling shroud in the high-beam location.
- I hand-tightened my LED cubes and projectors into their respective positions within the reflector bowls. After doing this, I removed my the headlights that were in my 4Runner (using this method: another blacked out headlight thread...DIY lots of pics), and attached my unsealed retrofit housings. I hooked up my HID kit, made sure my cutoff was flat, and tightened everything down.
- I baked the lenses and housings back together (after adding some extra butyl glue) by press fitting them, putting them in the oven at 250°F for seven minutes, and then pressing them together snugly while hot. I made sure my seal was water-tight by adding a healthy serving of sealant to the back of the projector's threaded shaft.
-Today, I was just able to finish wiring everything up. Here are a few quick pictures:
Halos only:
Tapped to corner-marker lights
Low-beam and Halos:
High-beam and LED cube and Halos:
I have some good news and some bad news... The good: I am getting really close to being 100% done with my retrofit project (just waiting on some odds and ends to ship in). The bad: I was working against the clock for the last few days and wasn't able to get many pictures of my progress. Here is a quick summary:
- I mounted my Gatling Gun shrouds onto the Mini H1 projectors using a few small, evenly-spaced dabs of JB Weld. When doing this, I made sure that the top of the projector lined up with what I wanted to be the top of the shroud.
- I attached the reflectors and corner marker light lenses back to the outer headlight trim.
- I cut away about one square inch of material from the inside of the headlight trim, as it was making contact with my Mini Gatling shroud in the high-beam location.
- I hand-tightened my LED cubes and projectors into their respective positions within the reflector bowls. After doing this, I removed my the headlights that were in my 4Runner (using this method: another blacked out headlight thread...DIY lots of pics), and attached my unsealed retrofit housings. I hooked up my HID kit, made sure my cutoff was flat, and tightened everything down.
- I baked the lenses and housings back together (after adding some extra butyl glue) by press fitting them, putting them in the oven at 250°F for seven minutes, and then pressing them together snugly while hot. I made sure my seal was water-tight by adding a healthy serving of sealant to the back of the projector's threaded shaft.
-Today, I was just able to finish wiring everything up. Here are a few quick pictures:
Halos only:
Tapped to corner-marker lights
Low-beam and Halos:
High-beam and LED cube and Halos:
earthrealm
Senior Member
NICEEEEE!!....NOW SOME BRIGHT HALOS, not the weak spec d halos.
how much did you spend on parts?
how much did you spend on parts?
TiN
New member
Thanks! The halos are crazy bright in person. I've spent around $600 between parts and supplies; I'll have a full list up in a couple of days.
Great job, Tin. I ordered the mini D2S set from TRS after tossing the idea around for quite a while. I actually decided to go for it after seeing your earlier post seeking advice on what people here have been doing. It was the tipping point for me.
I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. I'm a bit apprehensive about the installation but we'll see how it goes. I'm thinking it might take me more than a few days to do which means I'll be out of a vehicle for a while!
I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. I'm a bit apprehensive about the installation but we'll see how it goes. I'm thinking it might take me more than a few days to do which means I'll be out of a vehicle for a while!
S p a r k y
New member
We need to have a knoxville meet, wanna see these completed!
TiN
New member
Thanks! The light output alone was truly worth the upgrade. My project took a couple of weeks mainly because I ordered parts along the way, so I had to wait for those to arrive. Otherwise, it was a fairly simple process. If I were to do the exact build again, I could probably knock it out in 2 or 3 days.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Those look amazing, nice job
johnnytoofye
New member
Update 5:
I have some good news and some bad news... The good: I am getting really close to being 100% done with my retrofit project (just waiting on some odds and ends to ship in). The bad: I was working against the clock for the last few days and wasn't able to get many pictures of my progress. Here is a quick summary:
- I mounted my Gatling Gun shrouds onto the Mini H1 projectors using a few small, evenly-spaced dabs of JB Weld. When doing this, I made sure that the top of the projector lined up with what I wanted to be the top of the shroud.
- I attached the reflectors and corner marker light lenses back to the outer headlight trim.
- I cut away about one square inch of material from the inside of the headlight trim, as it was making contact with my Mini Gatling shroud in the high-beam location.
- I hand-tightened my LED cubes and projectors into their respective positions within the reflector bowls. After doing this, I removed my the headlights that were in my 4Runner (using this method: another blacked out headlight thread...DIY lots of pics), and attached my unsealed retrofit housings. I hooked up my HID kit, made sure my cutoff was flat, and tightened everything down.
- I baked the lenses and housings back together (after adding some extra butyl glue) by press fitting them, putting them in the oven at 250°F for seven minutes, and then pressing them together snugly while hot. I made sure my seal was water-tight by adding a healthy serving of sealant to the back of the projector's threaded shaft.
-Today, I was just able to finish wiring everything up. Here are a few quick pictures:
Halos only:
Tapped to corner-marker lights
Low-beam and Halos:
High-beam and LED cube and Halos:
Lights came out really nice!
TiN
New member
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bQC1fydIUzY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Test video of the Strobe Controller I got in the mail today!
Test video of the Strobe Controller I got in the mail today!
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Looks great, TiN! I have a 2005 I'd like to brighten up with a setup from TRS. Instead of chopping the OEMs, I was considering getting some housings but am not sure how high quality the plastic lens cover is or where to start with that acquisition. Should I just use my OEM/stock headlamp units and modify them or look for some replacements?
Also, I'd like to ensure that my new headlights can illuminate road signs. Do you have any problems with that? I drive a lot of twisty dark mountainous roads and highways and brighter headlights would be so much nicer and safer.
Also, I'd like to ensure that my new headlights can illuminate road signs. Do you have any problems with that? I drive a lot of twisty dark mountainous roads and highways and brighter headlights would be so much nicer and safer.
TiN
New member
Thanks! I chose to go with the aftermarket housings because, the way I see it, all lenses will start to cloud up eventually. They may need a little more tlc in the long run, but they were a whole lot cheaper than OEMs (even used OEMs). And for the time being, they look way better than any pair of 10yo lenses.
The light output (w/ my 6000k bulbs) is great for illuminating signs in the dark. I live out on a back-road here in TN, and my nighttime visibility was greatly improved. I can also flip on my LED cubes for a little extra oomph in super dark areas.
TiN
New member
Love these lights. Do you have any pictures of your light output?
On an off topic, I'm currently getting my OEM's retrofitted too!arty:
I only have a few crappy phone pics right now, but I'm off work tonight so I'll grab some with my good camera.
You'll love your Retros... Retrofits are the best thing since sliced bread :biggrin1:
sigepbiker
Member
[MENTION=100305]TiN[/MENTION] - great write up!
I didn't see on your thread what angle LED lights you're using.
I didn't see on your thread what angle LED lights you're using.
