Which Projector and why?

[Doc2012]

So, reading all the PRF threads, there's a lot of options out there.

Those that have done it, I want to know WHY you chose the projector kit you chose.

I just got off the phone with TRS, asking about the Morimoto mini stage 3(H1), the Morimoto mini stage 3(D2S), and the FX-R.
[MENTION=63060]rickashay[/MENTION], [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION], I guess this is mainly for you, but figure it would be old for others to see why you chose what you chose, seeing as how there isn't a thread debating the differences, positives, or negatives.

I'm leaning toward the D2S, or the FX-R, but am open to others if you can persuade me in another direction.

 

[absalom]

These are what I'll be using. Threaded body, reportedly great optics, and bonus 20% off until 4/5/15!

I used FX-R's on my last build and while they were very nice, they are also extremely labor intensive to install. By comparison, the mini-morimoto H1's on my Golf were a 3 hour affair. I'll never use a non-threaded body projector again. One piece of advice, don't settle for a 35w setup. The extra lumens are absolutely worth the extra effort of a 50w configuration.

 

[SKRS2]

I'm leaning toward the D2S, or the FX-R, but am open to others if you can persuade me in another direction.

I got the FX-R since they were the same price as the D2S and are supposed to be better. They can be a bit of a pain to get correctly aligned (at least compared to the D2S).

 

[blizz86]

d2s are a bulb type not a projector. the mini's are a breeze to install but they do not give the foreground that would be preferred given our headlight height.

i will admit that the fxr's are a huge pain to install but i believe the look/performance is well worth it. Only thing i would do differently is just pay for the quick setting construction cement (sets within seconds), vs trying to hold everything in place while jb kwik sets is a nightmare.

if you decide to go for the fxr's, do this:

find level ground with a wall. get 25-30 ft away, put a straight piece of tape 2 inches below your headlight height. get your sika fast setting adhesive, pump it into where the projector body meets the headlight housing and hold it straight as possible.

Sika 10.1 fl. oz. AnchorFix-1 Anchoring Adhesive-112729 - The Home Depot

 

[BrianSD_42]

For a quick answer I would suggest going to HID Planet and trying to find a comparison thread.

I'm sure there are several.

 

[MTD]

I have done both a Mini D2s 3.0 retrofti and an FX-R retrofit (3 times lol). Honestly after doing the Mini D2S on my last set I would nver go back to the FX-R because the output is the SAME! As for the fore ground light there is more than enough(almost too much). On top of that you would have no problem finishing a Mini d2s retro in a few hours whereas an fxr build could take days depending on the pace you work at.

Current setup with MD2S:

My old fxrs:

 

[BrianSD_42]

If the MD2S had even 85% the output quality of the FXR then I would do the MD2S.

It is true that the cutting for an FX-R is such a nightmare and PIA that once you do it you probably never want to do it again.

I plan to do a retrofit for my friends Tacoma and I will use the best quality drop ins I can find.

Btw I have a set of OEM Phillips 4300K bulbs, originally purchased from TRS for $99 that I am selling for $40 (no lower). If you are interested let me know. They are barely used.

 

[Elesage]

I've installed a cheap set from ebay (125$) (H1 35 watts) and very happy so much better than oem light but nut as good or as bright as D2s....:crybaby:

 

[scrap metal]

I'm currently doing a retrofit with the mini h1

I would not recommend them as mentioned before they lack foreground lighting do to the height of our vehicles.

That being said, anyone who wants the easiest way to retrofit and still be 100x better than stock, then yes, the mini h1 is still good.

 

[aeroneer1]

I went with the D2S just because I didn't want to deal with aligning and drilling with the FX-R, and the H1 looked too small for our big headlights. But I was super close to getting FX-R. The D2S still requires some pretty heavy modification to the light (dremeling only), and I'm taking my time, so I probably could have just gone with FX-R.

Someone who has done a few sets before, could probably do a D2S/H1 setup in a couple hours, so that's a plus. But if installation time is not a big deal, I'd just go with FX-R.

I think the output of the FX-R is a little better, but I figured the move from halogen to HID projector was going to be drastic anyhow, I wasn't worried about it For output/cutoff examples of all, check this site out.

Bi-Xenon Output Comparison: TL, E55, Murano, FX, IS, e46,LR3

 

[MTD]

If the MD2S had even 85% the output quality of the FXR then I would do the MD2S.

It is true that the cutting for an FX-R is such a nightmare and PIA that once you do it you probably never want to do it again.

I plan to do a retrofit for my friends Tacoma and I will use the best quality drop ins I can find.

Btw I have a set of OEM Phillips 4300K bulbs, originally purchased from TRS for $99 that I am selling for $40 (no lower). If you are interested let me know. They are barely used.

I have had them side by side and can tell you the MD2S 3.0's are just as good as the fx-r's. I mean you know how I mod, only the best stuff if I truly knew that the fx-r's were better I would have them but they aren't anymore.

 

[Unner]

I've got the Mini H1 in my mk3 Supra and they are great in there, but the lights are like 2 feet lower than our 4Runners, so there may be issues with the immediate foreground area, but they should still be a huge improvement over stock. I think installing them into our housings would be really easy, installing them into a tight sealed beam of the Supra was a lot of work though. I would probably only go with a projector that doesn't require cutting just because that makes it much easier to install.
[MENTION=94545]MTD[/MENTION], how much trimming of the housing is required for the square D2S projectors you have?

Does anyone have issues with the projectors coming loose on their 4Runners if they do a lot of rough gravel road/washboard road driving? I would think this a concern on our trucks that are actually used as trucks, but I could be wrong.

 

[MTD]

I've got the Mini H1 in my mk3 Supra and they are great in there, but the lights are like 2 feet lower than our 4Runners, so there may be issues with the immediate foreground area, but they should still be a huge improvement over stock. I think installing them into our housings would be really easy, installing them into a tight sealed beam of the Supra was a lot of work though. I would probably only go with a projector that doesn't require cutting just because that makes it much easier to install.
[MENTION=94545]MTD[/MENTION], how much trimming of the housing is required for the square D2S projectors you have?

Does anyone have issues with the projectors coming loose on their 4Runners if they do a lot of rough gravel road/washboard road driving? I would think this a concern on our trucks that are actually used as trucks, but I could be wrong.

The MH1's have foreground limiters where as the md2s do not so that isn't an issue at all.

As for install its very similar to the mh1 but you have to take a sanding drum to the bulb retainers tabs inside the boot retainer circle. It is a super easy and quick job. Nothing like the fx-r's as far as cutting goes lol

As for the washboard roads I drive on gravel roads a lot and after a year mine are still in place. Just tighten them down good and you are set.

 

[Doc2012]

Well, I decided to go with the FX-R. [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION], I will by using your install guide.

After talking to the guys @TRS, they seem like the best bet. Plus they gave me a killer deal, had the shrouds I wanted, and all the info was very helpful. The guy I talked to at DDM didn't seem like he knew anything. Got passed around a few times.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Cool I definitely think you will be happy but it is a huge undertaking.

When we said MD2S earlier we were not talking about D2M which is a different company.

The MD2S is sold by The Retrofit Source as well.

Good luck with the retrofit!

 

[T4Rfirefighter]

The MH1's have foreground limiters where as the md2s do not so that isn't an issue at all.

As for install its very similar to the mh1 but you have to take a sanding drum to the bulb retainers tabs inside the boot retainer circle. It is a super easy and quick job. Nothing like the fx-r's as far as cutting goes lol

As for the washboard roads I drive on gravel roads a lot and after a year mine are still in place. Just tighten them down good and you are set.

Any chance you have pictures of the dremeling required to make the MD2S projectors fit?

 

[MTD]

Any chance you have pictures of the dremeling required to make the MD2S projectors fit?