Members projector retrofits

[Sparky]

Can always get new aftermarket shrouds.

 

[xavierny25]

@Sparky I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for a set. I guess cracking them open is where I should start. I have to see the condition of the projectors themselves and see if it's even worth it. The self leveling part of these is pretty damn cool but not sure I can transplant that into envoy assemblies.

 

[Sparky]

theretrofitsource has all sorts of retrofit stuff (shrouds etc). Can probably make one of those fit easy enough.

Wonder how the self leveling system works. Take 'em apart, find out what's involved!

 

[xavierny25]

Ill be gutting into one this evening. I might be able to bake these puppies open I hope. Lots of pic's to follow while in progress.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

I'm intrigued. Will be watching closely for sure

 

[Blckshdw]

We'll need some pics for sure. The RX350's I'm running needed like a 2.75" shroud, and of course all that's available for aftermarket is either 2.5" or 3".

So I got some shrouds and shroud mounting rings from TRS. They have an inner and outer ring that are joined on one edge, and cut off the inner rings. Turned out to be a perfect fit and very tight with just friction, so I opted not to use epoxy or bailing wire.

 

[xavierny25]

So after some Google searching on bmer enthusiast sites it looks like i can bake these open if they are dated before oct. 2002. If not i have to take an exacto knife to them. I can really careless about these assemblies so I think the safe way would be the dremel.

 

[Blckshdw]

Yeah, since you're not re-using the housings, going with the quicker method would be best

 

[xavierny25]

Some of you may not be ready for this but here we go. If your going to ask 5000 questions about bmw headlights don't ask me cause all I want are the projectors.
The assemblies.
Top view. I just yanked the rubber piece off.
Bottom view.
Back. The triangle shape part is the leveling motor.

I don't want to chance it and mess this up so I'm going to 3 part this post. I'll try and wait out the 10min between.

 

[Blckshdw]

I don't want to chance it and mess this up so I'm going to 3 part this post. I'll try and wait out the 10min between.

The 10 minute rule doesn't apply to photo heavy posts, or content heavy posts. It's the small posts, afterthoughts, or replies to multiple posts separately, that we want to prevent.

And besides, I don't think I could ask 5000 questions about anything!

 

[xavierny25]

Time to cut it up so I just went along the edge of the lenses pretty close and as clean as I could with a dremel and cut off wheel.
By by lens. This black bezel is plastic welded into the housing so I just cut it out at the those welds.
By by bezel. Then I just pulled on it by the ball joints and it popped out.
Next post is all about the projector.

 

[xavierny25]

@Blckshdw after opening these up I think I'm going to scrap the leveling part. Aside from that these do not have a high beam setting wired into the cut off like the cheapy ones i have on the Voy currently. Btw the 5000 Q&A wasnt aimed at you.

Here it is guys. one down one to go. The over all is just over 6". The projector glass is 3"round. This is going to be a !@#$%^ !@#$%^ to fit into envoy headlights.

 

[Blckshdw]

I know what you meant.

Retrofitting OEM projectors definitely takes some creativity and resourcefulness. From seeing the kinda stuff you do in your day job, I don't think you'll have too many problems. When I did mine, I went with L brackets bolted to the reflector bowl floor, to have some slight rotational adjustment. Obviously with Voy headlights, that's not a clean option with the rounded bowls.

If you wanted to, you could go the putty and epoxy route, it's faster, but then you're stuck with the alignment, so you have to get it right, or then it's a real pain. I've seen some drill holes in the reflector bowls where the OEM bolt holes are, and then use screws, washers, and springs to hold the projector in place against the bowl.

So you've got options...

 

[Tiggerr]

@Blckshdw after opening these up I think I'm going to scrap the leveling part. Aside from that these do not have a high beam setting wired into the cut off like the cheapy ones i have on the Voy currently. Btw the 5000 Q&A wasnt aimed at you.

Here it is guys.View attachment 81085 View attachment 81086 View attachment 81087 View attachment 81088 View attachment 81089 View attachment 81090 one down one to go. The over all is just over 6". The projector glass is 3"round. This is going to be a !@#$%^ !@#$%^ to fit into envoy headlights.

My Rainier has big fat headlights they'd fit in lol...
at least round wise... depth not so much

 

[xavierny25]

And then there where 2. On the second one I didn't go so nice nice with as I already figured out how they come apart.

unlike my other retro (pic above) I think I'm going to go another route and install these on the lower location (high beam) like I've seen others do. I just think it will fit better. Now to price out bulbs and ballasts for these bad boys.

 

[07TrailyLS]

Hard for me to tell but are the lenses in good shape on the projectors? If not TRS sells new clear lenses if for some reason those are not to par. Also, if your familiar with the nut and bolt method it would be your best bet. It will allow you to recess the projector as far back as you want it. LIGHTWERKZ global had an excellent video on what this method is all about.

 

[xavierny25]

@07TrailyLS The lens seem to be in perfect shape. They just need a good cleaning.....

I'll be looking into that method and others as I figure things out.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Well curiosity killed the cat. My Dads Yukon was parked outside and I thought what projectors does it have!







Turns out they are 9006 bulb type projectors! Anyone know what size these are and if I can fit them in my TB easily. Cause if so its off to the Junkyard to find some Denali lights

 

[xavierny25]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 only you would know what size there are cause they are practically in you hand. Secondly NO Retrofit is clean and EASY UNLESS it's something yo do for a living.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 only you would know what size there are cause they are practically in you hand. Secondly NO Retrofit is clean and EASY UNLESS it's something yo do for a living.

I really can't tell I'm just a newbie retrofitter I do plan on doing some closer inspection, but sadly the car is not here . Wouldn't the H1 projectors be a clean fit without any trimming etc? I don't mind the alignment issues and such I can handle. But trimming and the sort is just not possible

 

[Blckshdw]

Like I said before, retrofitting OEM projectors into a vehicle with halogen reflector bowls is not a simple task. You have to get creative in how you hold the projectors in place, and it will require a lot of modification to your headlights. As in, if you start, you can't go back. I don't know if you've looked at my retrofit thread, but when I made the change from threaded shaft projectors (mini D2S) to OEM projectors (Lexus RX350), I had to rethink my mounting plans multiple times because my ideas would not work in reality, the way they did in my head.

For your sake, definitely stick with the H1 projectors, it will be faster, cleaner, and most importantly a proper HID setup for you. Cuz I am pretty sure, if you get those halogen projectors from a junk yard, and manage to get them retrofitted, you're gonna use your 9006 HID kit anyway...

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Like I said before, retrofitting OEM projectors into a vehicle with halogen reflector bowls is not a simple task. You have to get creative in how you hold the projectors in place, and it will require a lot of modification to your headlights. As in, if you start, you can't go back. I don't know if you've looked at my retrofit thread, but when I made the change from threaded shaft projectors (mini D2S) to OEM projectors (Lexus RX350), I had to rethink my mounting plans multiple times because my ideas would not work in reality, the way they did in my head.

For your sake, definitely stick with the H1 projectors, it will be faster, cleaner, and most importantly a proper HID setup for you. Cuz I am pretty sure, if you get those halogen projectors from a junk yard, and manage to get them retrofitted, you're gonna use your 9006 HID kit anyway...

Do you have a link to your retrofit thread or is it in here somewhere? Hahaha, how'd you figure it out ???

 

[Blckshdw]

Do you have a link to your retrofit thread or is it in here somewhere? Hahaha, how'd you figure it out ???

When I first started modding, I had the same approach. "how can I get the mod I want, for as little cost as possible" it's something that will take time, and you'll grow out of that mindset as you get more mods under your belt.

Here's the link to my retro builds thread.

http://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/blckshdws-projector-retrofit-builds.12300/

Considering the UV coating has started to peel on my current setup, and with all this talk, I'm starting to wonder about rebooting my LS430s retrofit plans

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

When I first started modding, I had the same approach. "how can I get the mod I want, for as little cost as possible" it's something that will take time, and you'll grow out of that mindset as you get more mods under your belt.

Here's the link to my retro builds thread.

http://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/blckshdws-projector-retrofit-builds.12300/

Considering the UV coating has started to peel on my current setup, and with all this talk, I'm starting to wonder about rebooting my LS430s retrofit plans

Yeah I guess so. I hope to grow out of it sooner than later though it doesn't help with $$$ bring tight. Thanks for the retro build thread will be a nice read for the evening.

Do IT! Do IT!

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

There was a reason I was confused about the 9006 and H1 type bulbs.

To cut a long story short, I bought two sets of HIDs for my Dads Denali a couple of years ago from a friend who got them with his car, who he bought from some guy, who planned to install them but didn't. Anyways my friend didn't want them so I bought them and installed them in my Dads Yukon. There were four ballasts and Six Bulbs. The 9006 bulbs went in the low beam projectors and fog lights and a set of bulbs were left. I thought it'd be useful should any of the bulbs go out.

Now yesterday I found the box while going through some old stuff and I was like let's see the bulbs. I was thinking of swapping one into mine, cause my passenger side bulb is causing some problems lately and voila.....





Seems like they are H1 6000K bulbs as noted on the box



And since @Blckshdw cleared it out that I can use my existing ballasts, the only thing left for me to get would the actual projectors themselves

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Well just went and got me some projectors. Pet the madness begin.











I don't even know where to begin with Al those tiny parts. Anyone care to chime in

 

[xavierny25]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 If you haven't learned anything from @Blckshdw projector thread then get yourself on youtube and watch a few of these videos.

LIGHTWERKZ global had an excellent video on what this method is all about.

He explains everything all to well for you to have any questions.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 If you haven't learned anything from @Blckshdw projector thread then get yourself on youtube and watch a few of these videos.

He explains everything all to well for you to have any questions.

Thanks Xav, now that I'm up to speed on how everything works, I've got a few questions only you guys can answer!

I was thinking of having black projector housing/shrouds. This one currently looks a bit silly, although it may look different when mounted on the TB, anyways is it possible to mount the projector and not put on the shroud, and is it possible to paint the front part of the projector (not the shroud) that has the lens on it?

Thanks a lot everyone

 

[Sparky]

You can mount the projector without the shroud but it may look weird/ugly without it. You can paint the shroud.

You could paint the frame that holds the lens, But, putting a painted shroud on there will hide it so I wouldn't worry about painting that part.

But if you do, use a higher temp paint if you can. Unscrew it from the projector bowl, then it would probably be best to remove the lens from the front frame before painting so you don't get paint on the lens. Not really sure how the lens comes out.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Well took the lights off from the TB today!



Will be redoing the front for the zombie apocalypse



Was about to bake them until I realized I have a gas oven and thought it would mess up the lights, so as it sits right now I've got the grill removed. Will be taking it to a shop to get the headlights opened tomorrow hopefully

 

[Sparky]

OEM lights cannot be baked open.

Also, don't run the oven with the lights in there. Gas or electric does not matter as you don't run the heat source with the lights inside.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

OEM lights cannot be baked open.

Also, don't run the oven with the lights in there. Gas or electric does not matter as you don't run the heat source with the lights inside.

Will I have to cut them open then? And what about those tabs all around the headlights? Cut them as well?

That's what i was thinking, pre heat then pop them in.

 

[Blckshdw]

Will I have to cut them open then? And what about those tabs all around the headlights? Cut them as well?

That's what i was thinking, pre heat then pop them in.

Check in the articles submissions section. There's a write up on this process with a bunch of pics.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Check in the articles submissions section. There's a write up on this process with a bunch of pics.

Thanks will do

 

[07TrailyLS]

I know your not from the states so i really dunno how much it would be for shipping but if you can invest in a set of new depo lenses for 100 a pair, youll really thank yourself. It takes a steady hand to cut our lights. Especially because of that goofy oval piece the grill inserts in. And your lenses are pretty much shot from the UV rays. You can try to sand and polish then clear but end result will more than likely show tons of littlestress cracks from the heat over the years

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

I know your not from the states so i really dunno how much it would be for shipping but if you can invest in a set of new depo lenses for 100 a pair, youll really thank yourself. It takes a steady hand to cut our lights. Especially because of that goofy oval piece the grill inserts in. And your lenses are pretty much shot from the UV rays. You can try to sand and polish then clear but end result will more than likely show tons of littlestress cracks from the heat over the years

I plan to eventually release these headlights as you stated with the lens being shot. However I'd like to try my hand on these lights before I go for a retro in newer ones

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

Check in the articles submissions section. There's a write up on this process with a bunch of pics.

After going through the article section and reading the article written by....... @Blckshdw , I started by putting the lights in my oven and slowly working my way through them. Five hours and I have the lens loose but still not off! It's like GM made these headlights so no one could open them!!







Pre-machine era retrofit

 

[xavierny25]

You must mean "error" we have already mentioned it countless time that you cant bake the oem head lights open. Your attempt with a hack saw isn't going to get you any closer either. I hope you have another set of lights for your blazer cause your build is going left really fast.

 

[Blckshdw]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 you're also cutting where I said NOT to cut. You need to cut along the rear edge going around the headlight, not the outer edge. You just need a groove on the back so you can fit a blade above AND below the lip of the lens. There's permaseal in both places.

 

[$ Khalid ! 9130]

@$ Khalid ! 9130 you're also cutting where I said NOT to cut. You need to cut along the rear edge going around the headlight, not the outer edge. You just need a groove on the back so you can fit a blade above AND below the lip of the lens. There's permaseal in both places.

I realized that after all that work that out would've been easier that way . Maybe the other side will be better. Or should I stop before I fly too close to the sun and burn