inboard headlights

[kaput]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

On LCI vehicles, the coronas are lit by LEDs mounted on the bottom of the headlight assembly. On LCI vehicles, there is no H8 bulb in the assembly at all. On LCI vehicles, the inboard projector is a dummy blocked physically by plastic and visually by an opaque shield, both of which are internal to the headlight assembly, and there is no socket, wiring or plug for any bulb in that position.

So I should contact Lightwerks or Theretrofitsource and swap that dummy out for something I can put a 3500k 55 watt kit into. Good info to have. I'll start calling around, and see where we sit. IF* I decide to go that route, I'll post all the information here, and show the results.

First up though, is the FLiR PathfindiR 2 with pedestrian and Animal detection.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by kaput

So I should contact Lightwerks or Theretrofitsource and swap that dummy out for something I can put a 3500k 55 watt kit into. Good info to have. I'll start calling around, and see where we sit. IF* I decide to go that route, I'll post all the information here, and show the results.

First up though, is the FLiR PathfindiR 2 with pedestrian and Animal detection.

It did not look like a swap was possible to me. When I say dummy, I mean all there is of a projector is the lens and I don't even think it's an optical lens. There's nothing to mount a real projector to. The pre-LCI headlight doesn't have a projector in that position either, just a lens. The difference is the pre-LCI has an H8 socket and mount and Celis rings around it while the LCI has LEDs and Celis coming from the bottom. The E70 X5 headlight assembly was never designed with a projector in that position on any version.

IF you can get the front cover off without destroying the assembly, IF you can find a projector that fits inside the assembly you'd still have to find a way to mount it solidly and keep it in alignment. It's certainly possible, I'd guess, but there's a lot of retrofitting, fabrication and modification involved.

I have purchased a lot of pieces and components from Retrofit Source and can recommend them. Lightwerkz does very good work as far as I can tell and put a pair of headlights together for me. When I do swaps or back fits, I use OE projectors, usually Hella, and not reproductions or replicas of any type so I can't help you there. Good luck.

I'll be interested in the FLIR camera work.

[kaput]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

It did not look like a swap was possible to me. When I say dummy, I mean all there is of a projector is the lens and I don't even think it's an optical lens. There's nothing to mount a real projector to. The pre-LCI headlight doesn't have a projector in that position either, just a lens. The difference is the pre-LCI has an H8 socket and mount and Celis rings around it while the LCI has LEDs and Celis coming from the bottom. The E70 X5 headlight assembly was never designed with a projector in that position on any version.

IF you can get the front cover off without destroying the assembly, IF you can find a projector that fits inside the assembly you'd still have to find a way to mount it solidly and keep it in alignment. It's certainly possible, I'd guess, but there's a lot of retrofitting, fabrication and modification involved.

I have purchased a lot of pieces and components from Retrofit Source and can recommend them. Lightwerkz does very good work as far as I can tell and put a pair of headlights together for me. When I do swaps or back fits, I use OE projectors, usually Hella, and not reproductions or replicas of any type so I can't help you there. Good luck.

I'll be interested in the FLIR camera work.

I personally have had a TFX swap done by Caeser. One of the best things I ever did. I feel like this is something I want to undertake, be the first, and have something special. Maybe if I find out exactly how to do it, I can show others that might be apprehensive to do it, and show them how to. Honestly, I am first and foremost a lighting guy when it comes to cars. I always upgrade everything that needs it. My E46 M3 got the TFX bixenons, L3 Thermal system, LED tail retrofit, LED 3500k bulbs in the inner reflector bowls. It made lots of light, and was very helpful. I see the X5 has good output, but I want clear lenses on the outers, Osram CBI bulbs, and to find a way to make spotting lights (Think full open projectors aimed straight ahead shooting 55 watts of 3500k yellow light in tandem with my main lights, and fogs.)

I feel like it is an untapped resource of space we can take advantage of. I'd rather do the extra work to retrofit the projectors than install a 20" LED lighter under he bumper.

I guess I gotta source a set of headlights to play with.