Retrofitting HIDs on the 2001

[Dan Wogan]

Hey all,

I've been itching to do some more work on my car, and figured if I'm gonna do anything it may as well be making something I've already done better. So, I've been thinking of trying out a retrofit for my currently PnP HID lowbeams, or maybe a from-scratch retrofit for fog HIDs (I currently have halogens for the fogs).

My knowledge on this subject is pretty much none, so I've researched a bit and found that I'll basically need to buy an OEM projector housing from another vehicle (Acura TSX seems to be everyone's favorite), and modify it to fit in the stock headlamp housing. My questions are:

1. Has anyone done this to a 2G?
2. What projectors have you bought/used for the retrofit? (which are the easiest to modify to fit in the stock housings)
3. How did you go about fitting them into the housing? Did you have to physically saw away some of the plastic?

I'll likely have many more questions once anyone is kind enough to reply since this is a first for me. I know sall is basically the lighting/HID guru of the forum, but advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Dan

[XJSman89]

Sall and Awhelage will jump in, but I'm just going to leave this here:

theretrofitosurce.com

Check out my XJS projector retro thread in the water cooler for some recent pictures.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 4 via the ProBoards app

[awehlage]

I have done 4 retro-fits on the 2G headlights:

1. Morimoto D2S 2.0 (direct bolt on)
2. Acura TSX (custom bracket)
3. Morimoto FX-R 3.0 (custom bracket)
4. Nissan Maxima Bi-Xenon Converted (custom bracket)

#4 above is the most current and best performer. FX-R was second best followed by TSX and D2S 2.0.

Go to hidplanet.com and research.

IMO you should put in a projector that has a 2.5" lens as no 3" lens projector will fit. I've tried RX-350s and you would have to hack up the entire housing. Also, go for a bixenon projector so you have quad high beams and drop in some HIR bulbs instead of 9005 for increased performance. Keep bulb color between 4300K and 6000K for best results. I run Morimoto XB35 D2S 4500K and they are better than some OEM bulbs (Osram, Philips, Koito, etc).

Pay me to do a retro for you?!?!? I have done a retro for Irectus and PaulAurora.

[Dan Wogan]

Jul 30, 2015 15:48:56 GMT -6 XJSman89 said:

Sall and Awhelage will jump in, but I'm just going to leave this here:

theretrofitosurce.com

Check out my XJS projector retro thread in the water cooler for some recent pictures.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 4 via the ProBoards app

Thanks for the reply, xjsman. I have definitely gone through all the retrofit sites and did a fair bit of research. The Aurora isn't even on the selectable list of cars on theretrofitsource so I kinda gave up there haha but I'll continue to look for more info.

I've also checked out your retrofit thread, and that's actually what sparked the idea in my mind of trying to retrofit my housings. I'll be sure to take note of everything you've done while fitting mine!

[Dan Wogan]

Jul 30, 2015 16:59:18 GMT -6 awehlage said:

I have done 4 retro-fits on the 2G headlights:

1. Morimoto D2S 2.0 (direct bolt on)
2. Acura TSX (custom bracket)
3. Morimoto FX-R 3.0 (custom bracket)
4. Nissan Maxima Bi-Xenon Converted (custom bracket)

#4 above is the most current and best performer. FX-R was second best followed by TSX and D2S 2.0.

Go to hidplanet.com and research.

IMO you should put in a projector that has a 2.5" lens as no 3" lens projector will fit. I've tried RX-350s and you would have to hack up the entire housing. Also, go for a bixenon projector so you have quad high beams and drop in some HIR bulbs instead of 9005 for increased performance. Keep bulb color between 4300K and 6000K for best results. I run Morimoto XB35 D2S 4500K and they are better than some OEM bulbs (Osram, Philips, Koito, etc).

Pay me to do a retro for you?!?!? I have done a retro for Irectus and PaulAurora.

Thanks a ton for the quick informative reply. I'll definitely take your advice into consideration about the 4 different retros you've done. Thanks especially for those specs regarding lens size. I'm not concerned with anything high beam-related, as in I don't need mine upgraded since I literally never use them. Unless it's not possible to retro JUST the low beams...

I'm pretty firm with sticking with my 8000k bulbs for now, just because I like the look of them. I completely understand this isn't the most optimal color temperature for night visibility but I just like the look too much. Perhaps down the road I'll grow tired of the eye strain. But I do really want some 3000k fog HIDs (currently have "jet" yellow halogens which are pretty meh) if you have any suggestions for retrofitting fogs.

I appreciate the offer to retro my headlights but I'm looking for something I can do myself, mostly for the fun of it. Plus you're a biiiiit too far away from where I live haha I'd have to take the ferry across the lake!

[sall]

Just send him a used pair of headlamps or have them drop shipped. Andrew has the 2G experience, but plus one for DIYing! I would say not much of reason to upgrade with 8000k bulbs though. I think 6k maximum for that slight tinge of blue would satisfy you without decreasing lumens on the road. Plus you get color flicker with projectors anyways! If you need more light you can always have Andrew or I mod a pair of Hella Gen3 to adjustable wattage .

[Dan Wogan]

Jul 30, 2015 18:10:51 GMT -6 sall said:

Just send him a used pair of headlamps or have them drop shipped. Andrew has the 2G experience, but plus one for DIYing! I would say not much of reason to upgrade with 8000k bulbs though. I think 6k maximum for that slight tinge of blue would satisfy you without decreasing lumens on the road. Plus you get color flicker with projectors anyways! If you need more light you can always have Andrew or I mod a pair of Hella Gen3 to adjustable wattage .

But upgrading the projector would still increase light output from the stock projectors, no? I understand it would't be the brightest thing ever but still a considerable increase from PnP. Plus a better cutoff.

It's tempting to just send awehlage (is that this "Andrew" of whom you speak?) my housings and have him go from there but yeah I'd love to learn and do it myself. It would be a fun thing to do on a Saturday with some friends.

So just making sure I have everything straight after I did a bit of research:

1. I should get a Bi-Xenon projector because that has low beam/high beam capability? As far as I've seen, a physical piece of metal (that when up creates a crisp cutoff) will flip down to let all the light shine through (above the cutoff). Do I have this right? If so, how does that engage? Will it be PnP with the high-beam toggle inside the car?

2. It seems the Morimoto Mini is a very popular and small projector. Would you recommend one of these? Since it's my first time I kinda want something I don't have to do a lot of cutting and filling with, and these seem to be small enough where that wouldn't be a huge issue.

    2a. I've seen online different "stages" of this product with different bulb numbers. After a quick google I couldn't find a heap of info about the differences between them. awehlage mentioned using HIR bulbs instead with these projectors, but is that because the fitment for bulbs inside the projector fit HIR and not 9006? The HID bulbs I already have are 9006 so I don't really want to buy more bulbs.
EDIT: I've found that HIR/D2S/etc. replacement HID bulbs are very cheap so I guess the bulb type doesn't matter much.

    2b. I've also seen a variance in price for the MMs. What's a common price range for these projectors, and would you trust ebay for something like this?

    2c. awehlage I see you've used Morimotos before. Do they fit inside the headlight housing depth-wise? Aka with the lens as far forward as possible (to the clear plastic housing covering), is there enough room in the back to plug in the 9006 bulb and have the wiring not get bent against the parts behind the headlight housing? I'm assuming since you've done this retro that yes there is, however I'd just like to be sure.

3. I'm very interested in adding in a HALO/angel eye ring. Is this a whole different animal or can that be added easily enough to our OEM housings? Since the housing sits snug up against the clear plastic covering, there would theoretically be no room in front of the projector lens/around it to install the HALO. Plus our housings are rounded which means I guess I would have to bevel them pretty deep into the housing. So this this would require more cutting then?

Thanks again everyone for bearing with these nooby questions. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help!

Dan

[XJSman89]

Everyone is a noob sometimes, Dan! Asking questions and stuff is how you learn, don't be bashful! There's no sense flying in blind when we can help you along a bit before you start.

My Aurora retro thread is kinda old, I have learned a lot since then haha. It's still a decent example though. Hopefully it was somewhat worthwhile.

I'm going to attempt to answer a couple of these:

1) You've got it right. The cutoff shield flips out of the way (it actually flips up and not down, the lens at the front actually inverts everything) and you have your low beam projecting without a cutoff. You don't have to hook up the solenoid, but why wouldn't you? it should all be plug and play with the newest harnesses. It was for my Jag, and that surprised me, actually.

2) I have mini H1s in my Olds. It's a quick and easy projector with minimal modification needed compared to pretty much any other projector besides maybe the D2S, if one will fit. You may have to sand the back of the light down a bit or cut the washer to fit the bulb holder. A little time with a dremel and you'll be good to go.

2a) You'll have to buy new bulbs. They don't make a projector that's a decent aftermarket replacement that uses 9006 bulbs. I only have experience with the H1s, and am going with D2S on the XJS, but Sall and Awhelage can help you with bulb selection.

2b) Get a complete retrofit kit from TRS, not eBay. It's worth it to have their customer service, warranty, harness, and you can be sure it's a genuine product. They have some copycats because they're such a good projector.

2c) I know they fit in my classic, but I can't speak to the 2g.

3) Again can't speak for the 2g, but lkraft92 has them on his classic. They were real easy to install, he just wired his to 12v power and put a switch inline so he can control them separately. You can wire them in directly or into the parking light circuit, standalone, etc. IIRC he had to go without shrouds to get the angel eyes to fit in the classic. It doesn't look too bad and the angel eyes look pretty dang cool. Hopefully they will fit in the 2g.

Hope that helps! Keep asking questions, that's what we're here for!


Sent from my Galaxy Note 4 via the ProBoards app

[awehlage]

Danielwogan please PM me your email. This topic would be way easier if not discussed on a thread because of all your questions. Some information given has not been exactly correct and want to clarify this for you. Typing on a mobile device will take ages. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you.

[Dan Wogan]

Jul 30, 2015 21:06:57 GMT -6 XJSman89 said:

Everyone is a noob sometimes, Dan! Asking questions and stuff is how you learn, don't be bashful! There's no sense flying in blind when we can help you along a bit before you start.

My Aurora retro thread is kinda old, I have learned a lot since then haha. It's still a decent example though. Hopefully it was somewhat worthwhile.

I'm going to attempt to answer a couple of these:

1) You've got it right. The cutoff shield flips out of the way (it actually flips up and not down, the lens at the front actually inverts everything) and you have your low beam projecting without a cutoff. You don't have to hook up the solenoid, but why wouldn't you? it should all be plug and play with the newest harnesses. It was for my Jag, and that surprised me, actually.

2) I have mini H1s in my Olds. It's a quick and easy projector with minimal modification needed compared to pretty much any other projector besides maybe the D2S, if one will fit. You may have to sand the back of the light down a bit or cut the washer to fit the bulb holder. A little time with a dremel and you'll be good to go.

2a) You'll have to buy new bulbs. They don't make a projector that's a decent aftermarket replacement that uses 9006 bulbs. I only have experience with the H1s, and am going with D2S on the XJS, but Sall and Awhelage can help you with bulb selection.

2b) Get a complete retrofit kit from TRS, not eBay. It's worth it to have their customer service, warranty, harness, and you can be sure it's a genuine product. They have some copycats because they're such a good projector.

2c) I know they fit in my classic, but I can't speak to the 2g.

3) Again can't speak for the 2g, but lkraft92 has them on his classic. They were real easy to install, he just wired his to 12v power and put a switch inline so he can control them separately. You can wire them in directly or into the parking light circuit, standalone, etc. IIRC he had to go without shrouds to get the angel eyes to fit in the classic. It doesn't look too bad and the angel eyes look pretty dang cool. Hopefully they will fit in the 2g.

Hope that helps! Keep asking questions, that's what we're here for!

Wow thanks for taking the time to try and answer all of my questions!! Yeah the cutoff shield flipping up makes way more sense anyway haha I don't know what I was thinking.

I've found a kit with literally everything included, even though I don't need ballasts, but maybe buying something a little more quality than what I currently have will be worth it. And there's like a ton of different bulb choices including 9006, but if I'm going from scratch again you'd probably recommend something different.

Thanks again for the reply and taking the time to answer all of these questions!

[awehlage]

You get my multiple emails?

[Dan Wogan]

Jul 31, 2015 14:30:47 GMT -6 awehlage said:

You get my multiple emails?

Yes sir! I worked all day so I just responded just recently