[pdiddy]

UPDATED: See post #26 for pictures

Hi All,

I recently upgraded to an HID conversion kit inside a set of Halo projectors and was really unhappy with the results. I really wanted to upgrade to HID and the only way to really get the results is to do a full retrofit with HID projectors and d2s bulbs.

I took apart the Halo projector headlamp and removed the halogen projector. the halogen projector had a lens diameter of 2.5", so the only HID projector that's widely available are the E46s ( typically found in BMW and Audi TT ).

 

[pdiddy]

please keep us posted i really wanted to see the results. i was going to do the q45 hid projector retrofit on my oem mada headlight. but dont want to fork out the cash if it isnt goin to do any real justic. please post some cutoff lines. if ur successful i will be the next to follow with that upgrade. my local installer said he will charge me $250.00 as long as i supply the parts. BTW u made my day with this post

Glad to make your day. I've been obsessing about my retrofit for the past 2 weeks. The worst part of the retrofit is waiting for my parts to show up. I just need by bulbs and I'll be hooking it up to the beast. In the meantime, I'm custom creating a wiring harness to handle the load from the ballast.

If you're going to retrofit your OEM headlamp, I'd go with the TSX or S2000 projectors. These are the best projectors that produce super sharp cutoff and nice color patterns. I didn't go this route because these projectors are huge; 3-4 inches needed to mount them. $250 is not bad...if they aim and seal them properly. If you need advice, let me know.

 

[pdiddy]

Now that i'm in "full-blown" retrofitting mode, I'm starting to rethink my decision on the e46. I'm thinking of hacking the projector opening to accomodate a 3" lens diameter, thus making it possible to fit a TSX projector.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna test out the e46 first and then contemplate on the TSX. My bulbs come in today!

 

[pdiddy]

My bulbs are in! I will post pictures of the cutoff tonight?

 

[pdiddy]

Here are some pics of the completed right headlamp. Please excuse my garage I should be done with the left headlamp tonight and it'll be on the Armada by this weekend.

cutoff with ECE shield vs. halogen projector with unknown shield ( prob DOT )

 

[pdiddy]

updated some previous pics with a before and after shot of the light output.

 

[pdiddy]

awesome mod. how much did everything run you? lot of work to set up the HID portion?

If you're going to partake in this mod, buy yourself a dremel...it's godsend.

The HID is easy to setup. Not much to it except for finding a spot to mount the ballasts. The toughest part is aiming the lenses.

Retrofitting is addictive. I'm in the process of finding parts to retro my corolla. =)

 

[pdiddy]

WOW! Amazing job! I say make a couple more of these and sell them to ppl here hehe

Hmm...maybe. It does take time some time to get things right.

 

[pdiddy]

HID retrofit completed!

My HID retrofit is complete. I'm very pleased with the results. Here are some pics. Thanks for all your comments.

Retro done, not yet sealed:

Cutoff at 25 ft:

Side view:

Driver view:

Left rear view:

Lighting up the road and stop sign.

Real HID projectors versus HID kit inside the stock halo halogen projectors

 

[pdiddy]

thats weired, I can't see the pictures now, I did before though.

I have storage issues on my server and did some house cleaning. I did recover some pics...see post #26.

 

[pdiddy]

hey pdiddy, i came here form CT. Saw your post on CT and left you a pm over there, please check it out.

anyway, i am wondering why you didnt go with the tsx or s2ks? you mentioned them being huge but the diameter of the tsx and s2ks are smaller than the e46s? are you refering to the length?

and are you willing to send me pics of the retrofit, for some reason i cant seem to upload them.

thanks
franc

Franc, I sent you a PM on CT. Please see post #26 of this thread for pics.

 

[pdiddy]

man those are sweet. people coming towards you dont flash your high beams at you ?

Not at all.

I just want to remind people that these are still illegal even though they're retrofitted with real HID components. HIDs in a non OEM HID approved housing is illegal. This mod is about convincing people that the MADA came with HID from the factory. With that said, there is a sheriff station near my house and I've driven towards and behind the cops...they think they're stock. As long as cops are convinced, I'm convinced...

 

[pdiddy]

I am going to have to agree with pdiddy here. Yes they are illegal, even the plug n plays are illegal. However, since you are using OEM HID components, it is a lot harder to tell if they are retrofitted. Now for the plug n plays (which I DO NOT recommend to anyone) it is easier to tell becasue they have hot spots and can blind on coming traffic.

For people that don't know, a hot spot is a concentrated beam of light in a certain area. The distribution of light is not even. PnP kits inside halogen intended reflectors usually produce hot spots above the "cutoff" line. Unfortunately, people with these kits will blind the living daylight of oncoming traffic.

Hey pdiddy, thanks again for the pictures. Ran into some issues (3 week old Titan with a broken windshield ) so the retrofit will probably be put on hold. Ill let you know when I start thinking about it again.

My sister bought an 06 tacoma and 2 days later, she misjudged a turn and clipped another car. Anyways, handle your business and keep me posted.

 

[pdiddy]

Hey there P!
I too just bought the dual halo headlights and am disappointed with the lighting (although I love the halos and the leds). I was just about to get a hid conversion kit when I read your post. Could you forward some detailed info as to what I have to do to have a full conversion like yours? I would really appreciate any help could provide. I see in the picture that your conversion is exactly what I am looking for. It looks fantastic! Thank you in advance, Earl J

Thanks for the compliments. I've provided the parts list early in this thread. As far as the retro itself, I'll leave that to your creativity. The toughest part is having the confidence to crack open the headlights. Once you're there, you'll be surprise how amazing our brains work in trying to solve puzzles.

 

[pdiddy]

Pdiddy told me he used a heat gun. I did the same thing and it does work. Here are his comments to me:

To remove the housing:

1. Remove 4 screws
2. Set heat gun temp to 750deg
3. Place the housing with the clear plastic part facing down
4. Keep the gun about 2 inches away from the target
5. Apply heat along the perimeter of the seams for 5 minutes. Make sure you don’t stop, just keep going in a circle around the perimeter. Wear gloves because it’ll get hot.
6. After that, pry open the headlights with your hands. If the glue doesn’t seem pliable enough, heat it up some more.

Yup. Take your time and don't force it. It takes about 5-10 min per headlight.

 

[pdiddy]

Any tips for aiming these beasts after I get them installed. A picture is worth a thousand words but someone elses experience is worth ten fold.

Aim your headlights against a wall at 25ft. The top cutoff should be the same height as the headlights. I'll take some pictures of my tsx cutoff as soon as it stops raining here. Also, see post #26 to see the e46 cutoff.

 

[pdiddy]

those tubes are there to help vent the headlights. most aftermarket headlights and taillights such as these ebay projectors/altezza style products have condensation problems. it could be from not being sealed right and really from just being poorly manufactured. but if it burns off, no worries because even some OEM headlights/taillights have that problem.

Yes. Some are poorly sealed. You can get automotive seal to reseal the lights.

Btw- with my retrofits, i replace the old glue with new butyl seals. I haven't had any condensation problems whatsoever.

 

[pdiddy]

Wow, definetely some good info provided by all. I just want to get a brighter ring that will fit my halo headlights. Does anybody know the correct size for the CCFL halo ring?

My ccfl rings are 95mm. If fits perfect in the halo groove.