Bit the bullet... (HID Retrofit)

[JaredC01]

Bit the bullet... (HID Retrofit) - Ordered

Just a preliminary thread for progress, but I ordered a Stage IV kit from The Retrofit Source and will be installing them probably a week from now.

For those interested, here's what I have on the way...

1 xLow beam TSX/RX Stage IV Kit (LowBeamIV):
Clear Lens: TSX-R
Projectors: Acura TSX
Shrouds: E55-R
Wire Harness Relay: H7
Ballasts: Denso Slim (35w)
Bulbs: Philips 85122+ (4300K)

1 xOCI Butyl Rubber Glue (OCiGlue) - Reseal insurance...

Will be updating with pictures once everything shows up.

 

[pdt165]

Subscribed.

 

[Navy Chief]

Subscribed

 

[The67beast]

Subscribed & cost for the above?

 

[JaredC01]

Subscribed & cost for the above?

$520.00 for the Stage IV, $15 for the rubber glue.

Edit: Just noticed they have a CAN-bus H7 wiring harness available on their page... Emailed the to see if I can swap the relay setup for it. If not, I might have to order yet another part... Oy.

 

[deucelee]

Subscribed, please post pics and directions of what you did if possible. You'll be doing everyone a great favor! thx man!

 

[JaredC01]

Subscribed, please post pics and directions of what you did if possible. You'll be doing everyone a great favor! thx man!

I'll be taking plenty of pictures.

I just hope I can get in contact with the company before the package is actually shipped out in order to swap the harnesses... I literally got the shipping notification 50 minutes after placing the order.

 

[mo_focus]

Sounds interesting! Good luck

 

[The67beast]

Yes please do a step by step. I think I speak for most when I say you are doing a lot of us a favor.

I'm interested I'm this however I've never done a retrofit before.

Thanks again!

 

[JaredC01]

Quick update, managed to get the email to TRS (The Retrofit Source) before they shipped out my package... Said the swap would be taken care of. So far I'm liking the customer service!

Hopefully the package will be here early next week... Pics to follow once they arrive.

 

[TDI_Timmy]

Subscribed as well.

Also curious about separating the plastic lens from front of headlamps - I have heard they are really glued on there.

Good luck and can't wait to see final product.

 

[JaredC01]

Subscribed as well.
Also curious about separating the plastic lens from front of headlamps - I have heard they are really glued on there.
Good luck and can't wait to see final product.

The typical way to remove the seal is to put the lights in the oven at 250 for 10 minutes... After you pull them out, start at a corner and peel apart. Trick is to not get any of the glue on the lens... It doesn't like to come off.

 

[Schumey]

Quick update, managed to get the email to TRS (The Retrofit Source) before they shipped out my package... Said the swap would be taken care of. So far I'm liking the customer service!

Hopefully the package will be here early next week... Pics to follow once they arrive.

Yeah, their costumer service is great!
I asked them If they could buy me some Cheetos as we can't get them here, and they told me they would do, and I wouldn't have to pay for it.

 

[JaredC01]

Yeah, their costumer service is great!
I asked them If they could buy me some Cheetos as we can't get them here, and they told me they would do, and I wouldn't have to pay for it.

Now THAT is going above and beyond... Definitely recommend them already, and my product isn't even here!

Anyway, a bit more on topic, after looking at the headlights for a bit, the actual retrofit shouldn't be an issue... There's plenty of space in the housing to mount the projector, it's just a matter of how far forward I'm going to have to mount them.

I will be curious to see how much space there is INSIDE the headlight housing though, as the Denso slim ballasts / ignitors are NOT sealed and are designed to fit inside the headlight housing. If everything goes to plan, the whole setup will literally be a plug-and-play system... No rewiring outside the headlight itself, AND no error codes thrown.

 

[Savageman69]

there is a bit of room inside the light housing...i have my slim ballasts inside the headlight right now until i can buy retro fits or make some or oems

 

[JaredC01]

there is a bit of room inside the light housing...i have my slim ballasts inside the headlight right now until i can buy retro fits or make some or oems

Good to hear, though I suppose the better question will be enough room inside the housing after the retrofit... Where did you put yours at?

 

[Savageman69]

when you open the large lid or cap what ever it is to access the low beams i just slid it down in there its all open inside

 

[JaredC01]

when you open the large lid or cap what ever it is to access the low beams i just slid it down in there its all open inside

Awesome. Thanks for the info...

Off topic: They really should put the 'Thanks' mod on this board.

 

[Savageman69]

yeah they have that on the atv forum i frequent its neat i like it

 

[JaredC01]

Woot! Kit is already in Anchorage, and should be delivered tomorrow... Pics will follow.

 

[Savageman69]

right on im keen to see the progress for sure

 

[Beals]

Subscribed

 

[JaredC01]

They're here!

Almost feels like my birthday!

Package came in today, though apparently they didn't get the switch made in time to get the CAN-bus H7 adapters off to me in place of the relay... Minor setback, though I will be waiting to hear back from them before starting the mod.

Anyway, on to the pics!

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE FOR THE FULL SIZE IMAGE

Starting with the box itself:


First thing out, happens to be the relay... For those interested, the harness is the best I've seen to date:


Next, we have the shrouds... I went for the E55's for the size and coverage (and the look, personal preference):




Projectors! TSX projectors:






TSX-R Lens:


TSX vs. TSX-R Lenses:
TSX...

 

[JaredC01]

TSX-R...


Quick view of the cutoff (taken inside the housing):


On to the Ballasts - Denso OEM:


Up close:


And the bulbs! OEM Philips:







All of it laid out!


And the preview (with TSX lenses)...

 

[JaredC01]

Reserved...

 

[jettahighline]

Gonna look sweeeeetttttttt~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[TDI_Timmy]

Toyota parts on a Volkswagen?!?!?

Looks awesome! I can't wait to see this build!

Just curious, is this something you are doing yourself? Any help from fifteen52? I was reading they were supposed to be doing a DIY guide on projectors but I haven't checked lately.

I really think projectors should be standard on all cars whether halogen or HID. We are travelling right now and the rental is a new Ford Taurus and it has projector halogens. The light seems so clear and focused - really does a nice job lighting up a pitch black road when going 65MPH. I have always always liked Bi-Xenon projectors and never realized the improvement with halogens in projectors.

 

[TwoTone]

Toyota parts on a Volkswagen?!?!?

Looks awesome! I can't wait to see this build!

Just curious, is this something you are doing yourself? Any help from fifteen52? I was reading they were supposed to be doing a DIY guide on projectors but I haven't checked lately.

I really think projectors should be standard on all cars whether halogen or HID. We are travelling right now and the rental is a new Ford Taurus and it has projector halogens. The light seems so clear and focused - really does a nice job lighting up a pitch black road when going 65MPH. I have always always liked Bi-Xenon projectors and never realized the improvement with halogens in projectors.

Agrred, when we bought the Subie I had saved some money get get HIDs put on right away, but I've been pleasantly supprised by how good of a job the Projector Halogens do.

 

[DJ KJ]

That looks so PRO man!

I can't wait to see the pics!

- KJ

 

[JaredC01]

Toyota parts on a Volkswagen?!?!?
Looks awesome! I can't wait to see this build!
Just curious, is this something you are doing yourself? Any help from fifteen52? I was reading they were supposed to be doing a DIY guide on projectors but I haven't checked lately.
I really think projectors should be standard on all cars whether halogen or HID. We are travelling right now and the rental is a new Ford Taurus and it has projector halogens. The light seems so clear and focused - really does a nice job lighting up a pitch black road when going 65MPH. I have always always liked Bi-Xenon projectors and never realized the improvement with halogens in projectors.

Toyota parts indeed... Best option! If it makes you feel any better, they put them in the Lexus's as well. Oh, and they'll be COMPLETELY out of sight, sealed away in the headlights. Only you and I and the forums will know about the betrayal.

As for help from fifteen52, nope... This forum or another?

Edit: Found what you were talking about. They look good, but no pics of the internals or a DIY. Honestly from what I'm seeing, it shouldn't be TOO much of a pain in my side to retrofit them. As said, waiting on the proper harness at this point before doing anything else.