Retrofitting Projectors in a 1st Gen

I found a projector expert. This guy has done many retrofits of OEM HID projectors in all types of vehicles. We're shooting e-mails back and forth about putting some in my X. He thinks bi-xenons will work since the housing is fairly large, so I'd have highs and lows. I'll keep everyone up-to-date.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I read and saw a guy in the HID forum who sanded the lines out of the plastic headlight lenses so a projector would have a good cut off line.

 

[huskyfan23]

Was that on an Explorer? I just found out about HIDForums last night and have been reading a bunch of posts. Think I'll leave it up to the experts for my retrofit. I told him Procarparts is supposed to be getting the diamond lamps in sometime soon but he said there wouldn't be much of a difference using those or stock.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I just posted over there to see if someone remembers where that post about sanding lenses is.
I cant believe that you would get a good beam pattern through the X fluted lenses. I think you would be dissapointed after all the work of a retrofit.
If I was going to do that I would sand the lenses.

 

[huskyfan23]

I think he had already planned on doing the sanding. He said after he was done it would look stock and the lights would shine well.

 

[huskyfan23]

So it begins. I'll be purchasing some new lamps (so there are no scratches, and I need headlights til then), and have them shipped directly to this guy. I asked if he could do a lexan cover because I prefer that look. Within the next 2 weeks or so I should have HID projectors

 

[huskyfan23]

The guy got the headlamps today. He told me bi-xenons will fit, so I ordered some off eBay. These are the same projectors they use in BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Audi, etc 2003-2004. The cool thing about bi-xenons is they are hi and low beam. When you flip to high, a solenoid on the projector collapses the shield to let out more light. I also ordered HID ballasts and bulbs from the same guy. They are Hella Gen 4 ballasts with Philips D2S bulbs (4300K). Everything is OEM so it's not gonna burn out like those Taiwan kits. The guy doing my retrofit is also doing a write-up here: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8hmdh/rip/huskyfan23/writeup.htm

I can't wait til everything is all finished!

 

[blue_97_v8]

Don't HID's draw less off the charging system?

 

[huskyfan23]

Yes, they use less power and produce more light.

 

[huskyfan23]

He has 1 headlight done right now. I am EXTREMELY happy with the outcome. He said whenever I feel like buying the new diamond lenses, he'll switch the lenses for me. The cutoff isn't so great because of the textured lens, but when I'm offroading at night, a cutoff would not be beneficial. Here's my favorite pic out of the gallery

 

[IAmTodd]

Awsome! Can we get a total price when you're done?

 

[huskyfan23]

I already have a total. He charged $150 (parts, labor, harnesses so I can just plug straight into my 9004 plug), got Hella Gen 4 ballasts & Philips 4100k bulbs on eBay for $220, Mercedes E55 Bi-Xenon projectors for $130, new housings (didn't wanna use my old scratched up ones) $85. In total it's close to $600. I had a lot of money to blow so it's not too bad IMO. I didn't wanna risk doing this myself so I had him do it.

 

[EasyE]

awsome

 

[huskyfan23]

They'll be on their way back home hopefully tomorrow! He said he's just gotta glue the last lens back on. I can't wait!!! I asked him about the diamond lamps and he said they won't be much of an improvement over the stock ones. He aimed the projectors a certain way as to not glare much at all. Anyways, I'll have tons of pics when I get the projectors back. Woo!

 

[huskyfan23]

Pics of the finished product are UP! http://community.webshots.com/album/130956768qlImLy

Can't wait!

 

[Bill Kemp]

Those lights look great. Neat slide show. Also looks like the beam pattern is much better than I thought it would be comming through the lined lenses.
A real sharp cutoff isnt such a great thing as the stray light is good for illuminating the surrounding area.
Looking forward to your pics.

 

[huskyfan23]

Yeah I agree. IMO the cutoff is just for looks, but since I'll be using these offroad, and at night, the spread will be a nice help.

 

[EasyE]

Did he spry paint the inside of the surround lense??? and off topic but Everett,WA are you a twitcher?? lol you will get it if you have seen dawn of the dead lol the story is based on that town right?" is it big?

 

[huskyfan23]

Yes he spraypainted everything black to make the projector less noticable when turned off. I didn't see Dawn of the Dead, and never heard of it being based here ..

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

well, i broke down and bought them from PCP

cool though that your the first to get them custom made, and im the first to buy them