23 replies to this topic

[danimal86]

So i've decided my next project is going to be to do a projector retrofit. I've been doing a little research and looking at the kits on TRS, and it looks like the Morimoto Mini projectors do not require that you cut into the stock reflector housing. Can anyone confirm this? Also, how does it work with bi-xenon vs just the low beams since we have different bulbs for low/hi? Im suprised that the bi-xenon kit was more expensive.

Here's my TRS shopping list:
PnP Upgrade kit: Bi-Xenon

AMP/D2S Ballast Adapters
Morimoto 3Five 4300k DS2 Bulbs
Morimoto Mini Bi-xenon (D2S) Projectors
Gatling Gun Shrouds

OCI Butyl Rubber Glue

Maybe get the Morimoto CCFL Angel Eyes to put behind the Gatling Guns
(I am a firm believer that angel eyes should only be on BMW's, but they had a picture of the CCFL behind the gatling on one of the install pdf's and it looked awesome!)

How does the list look?

I'll be using my existing DDM 55w Slim Ballasts and relay harness.

[Vipfreak]

Tony ought to be jealous. lol

[bbstar1122]

As for the bi-xenon, it works by plugging your high beam wiring into the projectors. When you flip on your highs, there's a switch in the projectors themselves that flip the light beam higher

[danimal86]

So you'd be disabling the original hi beam or do both work at the same time?

Hopefully someone can confirm about the fitment of the Morimoto Mini projectors. I've wanted to tackle this project for a while, but been waiting to get a second set of housings in case something goes wrong with cutting the reflectors....if the mini's fit w/o cutting then im going for it!

[bbstar1122]

Technically your high beams would still be working, but just wired into your projectors. When you turn on your highs only the projectors flip up, nothing happens to the original high beam housing as there is no power going to it anymore. That's why many people black them out when they retrofit.

[danimal86]

hmm...interesting. So I could do just the low beam kit and keep the highs stock? Any downside to that?

[bbstar1122]

Yea you could, but I'm sure anyone who has bi-xenon projectors will tell you that the highs with projectors light up the road much better...plus its cooler lol

[danimal86]

cool thats what i'll probably do.
Here's the install pdf that led me to believe that there's no cutting involved with the mini's:
http://www.theretrof...2S_Retrofit.pdf

There are two sets of kits, the D2S and H1....i'd want the D2S right (looks like it comes with an adapter)

[Vipfreak]

Both the Mini H1 (what I have) and the D2S (what I helped Tony with) require cutting but it's minimal and won't take THAT long or be THAT hard. I do however urge you to take your time. You'll basically be either opening up the area where the bulb slides through on the reflector bowl if you use the D2S. If you use the Mini H1s you'll need to shave down the back side of the reflector bowl where the 9005 bulbs lock in. I'd generally prefer the D2S if I did it all over again. Either way both projectors use the reflector bowls to "clamp" to so there's no guess work in mounting the projector as well as aiming.

[danimal86]

Vipfreak, on 10 March 2012 - 03:00 AM, said:

Both the Mini H1 (what I have) and the D2S (what I helped Tony with) require cutting but it's minimal and won't take THAT long or be THAT hard. I do however urge you to take your time. You'll basically be either opening up the area where the bulb slides through on the reflector bowl if you use the D2S. If you use the Mini H1s you'll need to shave down the back side of the reflector bowl where the 9005 bulbs lock in. I'd generally prefer the D2S if I did it all over again. Either way both projectors use the reflector bowls to "clamp" to so there's no guess work in mounting the projector as well as aiming.

Thanks! I'm thinkin im going to jump on the D2S. When you installed them on tony's, how much of the opening did you have to grind down. I think i became a little more hesitant when i saw pictures of the install where they hacked about half the bowl off.....yikes! Does my shopping list look complete?

[vietrolla]

Only thing I would change on your list is the 55wat ballast, the projector housing can only handle the 35 watt HID kits, just do a google search on morimoto mini 55 watt, many people have had the chrome literally melt and/or flake away... Well I have the H1 Projectors and just some light dremeling to get it to fit perfectly.

oh and do Evil Eyes or Demon eyes looks freaking awsome at night

[Vipfreak]

Like I said it's modifying only the back of the bowl where the original bulbs slide though. If you were to get any of the other projectors then yes I think you'd probably have to hack up more of the bowl as well as figure out how to secure the projector to the bowl. Yeah, 35w is needed. I don't think you'll need the Butyl really. I reheated the existing Butyl then sealed them back up. I've had no moisture inside since retrofitting. The halo rings and demon eyes stuff I don't really know about.

[MatrixNubee]

Sorry danimal for not responding to your PM about this, caught me when I was busy:(

But Nick (VIPfreak) said everything perfectly

Any other questions you have?

[danimal86]

Thanks for all your guys help! Im glad you mentioned about not using the 55w ballasts....I'll have to use the ballast from my fogs (35w raptor from ddm).

vietrolla,
what do you mean about evil/demon eyes? Im still undecided about putting the halos behind the gatling shrouds (not sure about how often i'd have them on)....but this looks too cool to pass up:

[vietrolla]

RcMannAE86's Projectors!!!

[danimal86]

vietrolla, on 11 March 2012 - 03:08 AM, said:

RcMannAE86's Projectors!!!

Anyone know what shrouds those are? and how did he get the red look?

Edited by danimal86, 11 March 2012 - 11:53 AM.

[Vipfreak]

Apollo http://www.theretrof...ex.php?cPath=30

I'm too lazy to search for his build thread but it was a red LED behind the projector lens. Don't know how it was wired, but I'm sure it was a simple job.

[danimal86]

Ok, so i'm going to order the projectors for my retrofit tomorrow and here's my revised shopping list:

Morimoto Mini H1 bi-xenon Projectors
Mini Gatling Gun Shrouds
H1 4300k bulbs

According to TRS the H1's are a better choice because:
Better Preforming
More colorful cutoff line
The threaded shaft of the H1 is smaller (22mm vs the DS2 being 35mm)

After doing some research on the CCFL Halo's, i'm going to pass on them. They seem prone to breaking/malfunction (according to some reviews on HIDplanet.com)

I'm going to pull my ballasts from my fogs (35w DDM Raptor) and use those for my projectors. Is there an adapter needed to make the H1's work with the Raptor ballasts?

Edited by danimal86, 19 March 2012 - 04:28 PM.

[Vipfreak]

If you're going to go with mini H1s make sure you're re really careful with the aluminum rings, they strip easy. Maybe ask for an extra set

[danimal86]

thanks! Just out of curiosity, why do you like the ds2 over the h1s?