07-10 Yukon projector Retro build

[vietcu]

I am in the process of attempting my first Projector HID retro to my headlights. It has been done before and there are some vendors online that can do it, but they want way too much IMO to do a retro that I am pretty sure I can do by myself. So I am attempting to do this, but it will take some time as I don't have a lot of free time, and also doing research throughout the whole process. So this is going to be a while before I complete the project. Attached are some pictures of headlights for the Yukon that has already been done with the retro, the first one is from BlackFlameCustom that I happen to run across on the net. His setup is using the Morimoto Minis

This other setup is from a guy who responded to my thread over on the HID forum, and he has the TL projector in his headlights.

This is what I have done so far as of tonight. I purchased the R headlight on ebay for a whopping $20 shipped , was too scared to mess with the stock as I wasn't sure how easy it was to open. Turns out to be a piece of cake really. I got a heat gun and set it on high, work one section of the headlight at a time (this sucker is huge). To whoever say that the glue used is harder to remove, it was a piece of cake, took me a little less than 15 minutes to fully remove the two piece. Started first with removing 2 screws from behind the headlight, then heated 3 tabs at a time and popped them up once they got flexible being careful not to break it. I would use a larger flat pry piece rather than a screw driver as it is too small. put the pry in the crack and turned clockwise or counter, once you feel it opening move to another spot. Work your way around the whole headlight heating up one section at a time, it is really easy to open.

That is all I have so far, right now just doing some measurements so I can figure out which is the best projector to get. Any feedback will be read and appreciated, as I will be learning and doing it at the same time.

 

[Maggy]

Finally, "Reality TV" ...kinda...that I'll enjoy tuning into.

 

[vietcu]

I will try to make it as detailed as possible so if anyone else wants to tackle this project they can. I think I am going to go with FX-R projectors and some Morimoto ballast and bulbs. Will post up pictures once I get them in.

 

[vietcu]

Got in the Left headlights today so was able to take that apart tonight as well. I managed to get some more detailed pictures while taking this headlight apart, it was a little harder than the Right headlight but was pretty much the same process.

Once you can get it to crack this much you should be set to get the rest of the headlight to follow, take it slow and don't rush as you will crack it by forcing it open.

For those who are interested in taking the orange side marker out, you can check this picture out and see that I marked the 2 screws you need to remove before taking off the chrome plastic piece from the headlight.

the 2 back piece

and the whole package sitting apart from each other

Ordering my Projectors tonight, so prob won't be able to mess with this anymore until I get them in.

 

[vietcu]

Here are the updates to what I have done so far. I went with Murano projectors and a pair of Porsche Cayenne projector shroud.
pics of the projector. I ordered some clear lens also to get a better cutoff than the stock lens.

Light reflector removed, tips is to use some type of plyers and place under each tab and undo one at a time. I broke the inner most tab on both reflectors but was able to glue it back together and is holding up just fine. Learned the hard way I guess. Had to cut out that notch to get the projector to fit OK.

here is the reflector cut open in the back so the projector could fit in it. In order for the projector to fit inside the housing it can only stick out a maximum of 1.5" from the front of the reflector.

Using JB weld to hold the projector in place (Don't do it this way as you will see why a few pics down)

test fit with the housing on.

---------- Post added at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

Using a laser leveler I managed to be able to mount the projector straight on the driver side light, Passenger side however was crooked by a tad but it looks horrible once projected on the street.

Output of one light level with the laser line

Test fit on the Yukon. Just a reminder there is a metal bar going vertical in the back of the housing that is used to hold the radiator. So if you are planning on doing this keep that in mind as my projector is almost flush with the metal bar.

side shot of the fitting, Here is where the JB weld does not work. Noticed I have reverted to using screws and a wing nut behind the reflector to adjust the light. Once it heated up the JB weld just came right off the projector.

Here is a output shot of the lights on the Yukon. Will post a comparison picture once I have the stock lights back on. This picture is after I adjusted both lights so that they are both level. Trust me if you do this and don't take the time to do this it will annoy the heck out of you if the lights are not level with each other.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_1556.jpg

 

[Zed 71]

How do you adjust the level of the lights? Does the Porsche shroud have adjustment points?

Thanks for taking the time to post .

 

[vietcu]

How do you adjust the level of the lights? Does the Porsche shroud have adjustment points?

Thanks for taking the time to post .

The Porsche shroud is just to cover the projector for aesthetic reasons only. I bolted the projector on the reflector from the headlight itself on the left and right side. What I eventually did was bolted one bolt on first, then while it is on the vehicle turned on the light and made sure the projected light was level with my laser level. At that point I held it in place and drilled the other hole, then took the light back off the truck to bolt it in. Once it is bolted securely on the reflector, you can use the stock adjuster to tilt the light up and down so that it does not blind oncoming traffic.

 

[sumo]

nice job

 

[BAMA_LTZ_HOE]

That looks really nice. I did a retrofit on my 05 Tacoma Double cab and it turned out nice. I would love to do the same to the wife's LTZ.

 

[TXDENALI]

Looks really nice! Wanna do a set for me for some extra cash?

 

[BabyHuey]

Howdid u get the headlights for so dirt cheap??? By R headlight, i assume u mean right side?

 

[tybardy]

where did you scoop the projectors? how much?

 

[1ATony]

That came out pretty cool

 

[vietcu]

Sorry guys for not keeping up with this build. I have been extremely busy due to having to do an emergency remodel to my bathroom. It is now winter here so not much to do with messing with the truck for now, but I am not going to give this up just yet. Will post updates and pictures as soon as I have some free time and weather get a little better.

To answer some questions, I am probably going to just make this for myself. But there are some vendors online that will make you a complete set for somewhere close to $1,000. I took my time perusing the bay to get the headlights (OEM) for a good price as I knew I was in no hurry to get this done.

 

[08YukonXL]

What made you go with Murano projectors with Porsche Shrouds? Were they the size you were looking for. Where do you research something like that? Are there other alternatives that work better in your opinion? I think I might attempt this so I was curious.

 

[vietcu]

What made you go with Murano projectors with Porsche Shrouds? Were they the size you were looking for. Where do you research something like that? Are there other alternatives that work better in your opinion? I think I might attempt this so I was curious.

I wanted to go with 3" lens and was going to go with the Lexus projector, but it had the solenoid below it which would show. I wanted to do as clean a look as possible so went with this instead. And I was able to find the whole kit with ballast for a buck something, so couldn't pass it up. The Porsche shroud is one of the largest shroud out there, and when putting it on the headlight it filled in the space nicely is the reason I went with this shroud.

If I didn't care too much about the size of the projector, I would probably go with the Murimoto lense which is 2.5" and a bit shorter than the Murano projector. It would probably be a lot easier to install as well. I would go to Hidforum and read a bit if you want to do this project. It is time consuming but worth it in the end IMO. Will be working on mine again real soon so I will post more pictures.

 

[itsspeeds]

Wish I had the balls to try that!!!

 

[08YukonXL]

I wanted to go with 3" lens and was going to go with the Lexus projector, but it had the solenoid below it which would show. I wanted to do as clean a look as possible so went with this instead. And I was able to find the whole kit with ballast for a buck something, so couldn't pass it up. The Porsche shroud is one of the largest shroud out there, and when putting it on the headlight it filled in the space nicely is the reason I went with this shroud.

If I didn't care too much about the size of the projector, I would probably go with the Murimoto lense which is 2.5" and a bit shorter than the Murano projector. It would probably be a lot easier to install as well. I would go to Hidforum and read a bit if you want to do this project. It is time consuming but worth it in the end IMO. Will be working on mine again real soon so I will post more pictures.

Thanks. I appreciate the info.

 

[vietcu]

waay too long to finish this project, but I am ALMOST done . Here is the updates.

I used the extra lens that I had to make a faux projector for the orange light instead of keeping it stocked. I almost ruined it using super glue though. Here are some pictures of the almost finish light.

I tried to resist temptation of adding the halo, but after adding it I think it came out clean.

All that is left for me to do is to seal the back of the housing, then install the front housing and I am finished. Hopefully this thing will be on the truck mid July.

 

[sumo]

nice, i too am working on a retro fit, quad low and hi beam setup