Alternative to Pre-Facelift Depo lights on Ebay for 600 bucks?

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I sent basically these exact questions to The Retrofit Source to see if they have any tips on opening these lights (their website says 220 for 20 mins and diligent prying techniques to open permaseal) as well as their professional opinion on what projectors plug and play and what type of upgrades you can do to our headlights to improve what we already have installed from the factory.

Just keep in mind that that "20 mins at 220" is more of a blanket statement---and degree of difficulty is highly dependent on the housing design. To be clear, I'm in no way doubting what the guys over at TRS say, but if your housings use the same sealant as the facelifts, its not going to be that easy. They'll definitely be able to point you in the right direction as to the pros/cons and which projectors would fit your needs best though!

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Well if the Evo projectors you have are 150 with clear lens already and are a straight swap that isn't a bad idea, plus I'd get bi-xenon functionality right? I saw TRS sells 9005 male pigtails which connect to the 9006 connector of the bi-xenon solenoid, so in essence I could use those and have stock halogen high beam light up along with the bi-xenon function of the Evo projectors at the same time? Holy light Batman!

Definitely more interested in amber removal/corner light modification and seeing what upgrades I can do to the projector if I open them up than necessarily angel eyes. I would rather spend 150 on better projectors with bi-xenon function than 150 on angel eye rings if I had to choose between the two! (most seem like they are about that much if they are LED rings)

Right from the TRS website for EvoX: "Their bolt pattern is identical to older Hella 3" halogen, xenon, and bi-xenon projectors - so can be used as a direct bolt on upgrade to OEM or aftermarket housings that use these designs."

Yup, you could use the traditional highs with them....there's really no need though. While the Evot low-beams aren't as wide as say the FX-r's; the highs on the Evo's are second to none! Like I said previously in my upgrade thread, I really only did the angel eyes because I already had the housings open. The $150 is definitely worth the projector upgrade....the $160 I spend for the angel eyes (while they definitely look cool) isn't as easy to justify. Lol.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Just keep in mind that that "20 mins at 220" is more of a blanket statement---and degree of difficulty is highly dependent on the housing design. To be clear, I'm in no way doubting what the guys over at TRS say, but if your housings use the same sealant as the facelifts, its not going to be that easy. They'll definitely be able to point you in the right direction as to the pros/cons and which projectors would fit your needs best though!



Right from the TRS website for EvoX: "Their bolt pattern is identical to older Hella 3" halogen, xenon, and bi-xenon projectors - so can be used as a direct bolt on upgrade to OEM or aftermarket housings that use these designs."

Yup, you could use the traditional highs with them....there's really no need though. While the Evot low-beams aren't as wide as say the FX-r's; the highs on the Evo's are second to none! Like I said previously in my upgrade thread, I really only did the angel eyes because I already had the housings open. The $150 is definitely worth the projector upgrade....the $160 I spend for the angel eyes (while they definitely look cool) isn't as easy to justify. Lol.

so as long as I'm getting superior low beam capability and bi-xenon high beam capability, the Evo-X ones you used are straight plug and play, and unlike your facelifts, my ballasts are able to be reused as well? I also read you needed to use can-bus modules, do I need those? And will my auto-level headlight functioning still work upon startup?

I'm guessing the FX-R projectors don't replace the stock hella projectors directly correct? Will update with any tips the TRS guys get back to me on,

[X5SND]

The only thing that may be a bit of a drawback is that with a clear lens, there is very little light scattered like you would get from a factory fresnel lens. Why would that matter you ask? Well, it reduces the amount of stray light that would normally find its way to the reflective coatings on street signs. With most modern sign coatings though, there is enough light reflected from the street surface to make them visible with out any troubles. Some guys over on HidPlanet complain about it...I haven't found any difficulty in reading signs at night post-retro. If anything with less light they aren't as blinding/distracting at night. Just want you to be aware, so you can make an informed decision as much as possible.

Yep, you're just swapping out one projector for another---everything else remains the same. I had to use can-bus modules because I was going from the Hella GenIV ballast to the aftermarket Morimotos. As you are retaining all factory parts except the projecotor you do not need the can-bus modules. Auto-level will also be the same---no changes there.

I'm not too sure about the fx-r....they have a spec comparison thread over on HidPlanet for most of the projectors, but I haven't found the time to sit down and compare all the dimensions/mounting hole positions. It's generally accepted that the fx-r's are low beam biased while the EvoX-r's are high beam biased; either way though the EvoX low beam is still a HUGE improvement over the factory projectors!

Keep me posted on what TRS says!

[Lowblock]

So what are the odds that I can bake open the headlights on my 03, built 12/02? Can I look at something in paticular or is it trial and error. I would really like to add rings.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by Lowblock

So what are the odds that I can bake open the headlights on my 03, built 12/02?

100% Not in your favor.

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by X5SND

100% Not in your favor.

So it would be best to source a set of used ones that can be opened then correct?

[X5SND]

That's not to say they CAN'T be opened....but sourcing ones that can be baked open will make your life exponentially easier!

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by X5SND

That's not to say they CAN'T be opened....but sourcing ones that can be baked open will make your life exponentially easier!

Ok, so what years 01-02? That sucks my lights are in perfect condition, the PO put on the 3m sheild at 20 miles.

[danielsan]

Having had the FX-Rs retrod for a year now i have no complaints with them. The FX-R's are really overkill if you live in a built up area.
That said if the EVOX-Rs were avaliable in RHD i would swap them purely for the superior high beam.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I'm guessing the FX-R projectors don't replace the stock hella projectors directly correct?

Correct, but all you need is a bracket made up to mount the FX-R's in, or zip ties if you're lazy like me.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by danielsan

Correct, but all you need is a bracket made up to mount the FX-R's in, or zip ties if you're lazy like me.

An adapter bracket is would be a simple CAD & CNC venture....How did you mount the shroud though? Pics??