DEPO projector retrofit

[polobuds]

I searched the forum and couldn't find any answers, so I'm looking for help.

I got DEPO projectors for my 03 Tahoe and I'm doing a projector retrofit. Taking out the DEPO projector and putting in Morimoto D2S projector. Got some help from DenaliAK and Matt @ TRS, but wanted to see if anyone had tried to do this before I get different projectors.

The Morimotos don't quite fit into the reflector housing without a lot of trimming, and even then, it's not a clean fit because of the Morimoto bracket. Also, the Morimotos are a little too big for the projector shroud, and in order to switch out shrouds, I would have to go through the front and remove the headlight cover. Don't want to have to do that, but the shroud that came with the Morimotos are too big to fit anyways. Matt recommended switching to the H1 because they are a little smaller, but man, these are small already. Any suggestions?

Removed DEPO projector from headlight:

DEPO projector removed from reflector housing (morimoto projector in forefront):

Morimoto projector in the DEPO reflector housing (not even close to fitting):

This is how the reflector housing should fit with the projector (Morimoto won't fit like this because of the projector bracket):

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't mind doing some trimming and modding, but I just want to make sure it will work before I completely destroy the reflector housing.

 

[puckhead]

Dang, looks like you have a project on your hands! Dont know squat about this stuff, just interested in the outcome. Hope you get it worked out

 

[Xav8r]

Shoot ... I just ordered DEPOs and installed them today. I'm planning on ordering the same stuff from Matt at TRS based on an email conversation we've had. Now I'm wondering if I should hold-off, as I didn't want to get involved with too much trimming, refitting, and gluing things back together.

Please, please continue to document and write-up what you discover, learn, and suggest for those of us considering doing this.

Thankfully I kept my originals and could always go back to "normal".

 

[DenaliAK]

I really thought those would fit better....seems like they are actually just the wrong size to fit any easy way. How do the Morimoto's if you stick them in like the DEPO's in that last pic? Maybe you could rig some kind of bracket that way. I'm sure you've checked that option already, but that's the only way I can think of doing it without baking them apart and going in from the front.

 

[bub]

this should be a good retro fit. hope you find the one you're looking for.

 

[polobuds]

Shoot ... I just ordered DEPOs and installed them today. I'm planning on ordering the same stuff from Matt at TRS based on an email conversation we've had. Now I'm wondering if I should hold-off, as I didn't want to get involved with too much trimming, refitting, and gluing things back together.

Please, please continue to document and write-up what you discover, learn, and suggest for those of us considering doing this.

Thankfully I kept my originals and could always go back to "normal".

Yeah, I ordered everything based on my email conversations with Matt. He has been super helpful but as you can see in the pics, it's just not a good fit unless you do some serious cutting/trimming. I contacted him and he suggested the Morimoto H1 might be a little better fit (he originally suggested the H1 and I went with the D2S). The H1 look a little smaller and may fit into the projector like the last pic, but we'll see. I was hoping someone besides Denali has done something like this with a Tahoe that might have some suggestions, but I think I will have to exhange them for H1. Matt said he would be able to exchange them so we'll see. I'll definitely keep you posted, and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions regarding this retrofit. Sounds like we are on the same path so we can exchange info.

---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

I really thought those would fit better....seems like they are actually just the wrong size to fit any easy way. How do the Morimoto's if you stick them in like the DEPO's in that last pic? Maybe you could rig some kind of bracket that way. I'm sure you've checked that option already, but that's the only way I can think of doing it without baking them apart and going in from the front.

Exactly. It doesn't seem to fit any way, even when I try to fit them in like in the last pic. The bracket on the Morimoto gets in the way, so the projector doesnt even fit into the DEPO shroud, and the shroud that came with the Morimotos are too big for the headlights and too big for the Morimoto. I was hoping to avoid going in from the front, and I may have to rig some sort of bracket to hold the projector in place, but I would have to do a lot of cutting to the reflector housing, otherwise it would stick too far out. I may have to switch out to the Morimoto H1, which are a tad bit smaller. They might allow me to fit it in the projector like in the last pic. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your help/advice!

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 AM ----------

Dang, looks like you have a project on your hands! Dont know squat about this stuff, just interested in the outcome. Hope you get it worked out

Thanks Puckhead and Bub. Hopefully I get this figured out. I know it will be 10x better if I can figure out the best way to fit them. Thanks

 

[droppedHoe]

i just ordered the dt moto ccfl projectors. i was gonna have my depo's modded but went with the ccfl halo's.. i'm gonna get them modded with infinity glass projectors, but im not personally doing it...Kuzina Kustoms is doing mine...

 

[Tahoewhat]

you got started doing this already.. Sorry cant help on this one. But looking forward to finished product, just dont give up man. Just sit back and think about it. and it will come to you.

 

[DenaliAK]

The zen approach to projects....I like it.

 

[Tahoewhat]

The zen approach to projects....I like it.

lol. it helps me most of the time. B/c i have a "slight" anger issue and end up breaking things. So when i get frustrated, i just take a break, sit back analyze what im trying to do and usually it will come to me. (sometimes)

 

[puckhead]

lol. it helps me most of the time. B/c i have a "slight" anger issue and end up breaking things. So when i get frustrated, i just take a break, sit back analyze what im trying to do and usually it will come to me. (sometimes)

haha! I hear ya there bud, sometimes it takes a lot not to smash the project I am working on lol. having a stiff drink while working helps calm the nerves a bit though

 

[DenaliAK]

lol. it helps me most of the time. B/c i have a "slight" anger issue and end up breaking things. So when i get frustrated, i just take a break, sit back analyze what im trying to do and usually it will come to me. (sometimes)

Yeah, I hear you. It doesn't really help fix things to throw them at the wall or smash them with large wrenches. (ummm...no.....I never did that....)

For about 1.2 seconds you feel SO much better about things, though.

 

[polobuds]

you got started doing this already.. Sorry cant help on this one. But looking forward to finished product, just dont give up man. Just sit back and think about it. and it will come to you.

Ha, yeah, started a couple of days ago and now I'm stumped. Normally would've asked you but you're waiting for me to do this one, so I gotta figure it out.

I know what you mean by anger. I lost a PS2 wireless controller because of this so called "anger". damn socom game got to me!

I think I'm going to switch them for the Morimoto H1. They are a little smaller so I hope that helps. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Xav8r]

Hey Polobuds ...

I'll admit that I thought this was going to be a simple plug & play / bolt-it-on deal. And not to sound to "behind the curve", but ... will our original plan work if we baked the DEPOs apart and then mounted the TRS stuff from the front?

I'm not too far in yet, and I'm trying to figure out if I should just order the Xenarc X2020 and sell my DEPOs on CL or EBay. When I looked at comparing the two options in the beginning the costs were essentially the same, and although the plug-and-play option of the X2020s was extremely enticing, I thought the TRS option would give me more control.

What do ya think ... should I bail now and get the 2020s? Why don't you want to bake the DEPOs apart? If I bake them and then try to mount/clamp them from the front are there issues I'm not seeing and/or understanding?

Lastly, what area are you in? I'm in 916 if it would help to have two sets of eyeballs and hands to solve this puzzle.

 

[Tahoewhat]

haha! I hear ya there bud, sometimes it takes a lot not to smash the project I am working on lol. having a stiff drink while working helps calm the nerves a bit though

oh yeah, i think i forgot to mention that though, but sometimes, i need more than one, and refuse to work on a project buzzed.. Doesnt end up right or good. lol... but have done it, usually just end up having a drink and do it the next day and talk, think about it all nite.. lol

Yeah, I hear you. It doesn't really help fix things to throw them at the wall or smash them with large wrenches. (ummm...no.....I never did that....)

For about 1.2 seconds you feel SO much better about things, though.

lol... No either have I... lol...

Ha, yeah, started a couple of days ago and now I'm stumped. Normally would've asked you but you're waiting for me to do this one, so I gotta figure it out.

I know what you mean by anger. I lost a PS2 wireless controller because of this so called "anger". damn socom game got to me!

I think I'm going to switch them for the Morimoto H1. They are a little smaller so I hope that helps. I'll let you know how it goes.

yeah, cant ask me.. lol.. i have no idea what to tell you. Since its the holidays i have 4 days to do absolutly nothing, i can see what i can find out for you.. well try to help ya help.
Not sure if you saw the thread about steve meades projectors he put in. Put im really liking his idea that he did. Looks super easy, just drill out the backside of the light, he had a/m lights, but same theroy, and just put em in. very painless i think. But w/ me probly not. Probly a week to do.. lol...

Anger, yeah, ps2, nope lost a ps3 brand new one. Still got it, just cant use the top trigger buttons.. lol... Surprised the rest works, b/c it broke completely apart... Thats why if i do something that will anger i try not to drink.. lol..

Im really starting to think i have anger issues. lol...


but keep us informed, as you know, very interested in doing this. just w/ my halo projectors..

 

[waxworkz]

can you do this mod to a set of suburban depo lights? i have HIDs and hate the way they look with out a projector

 

[polobuds]

Hey Polobuds ...

I'll admit that I thought this was going to be a simple plug & play / bolt-it-on deal. And not to sound to "behind the curve", but ... will our original plan work if we baked the DEPOs apart and then mounted the TRS stuff from the front?

I'm not too far in yet, and I'm trying to figure out if I should just order the Xenarc X2020 and sell my DEPOs on CL or EBay. When I looked at comparing the two options in the beginning the costs were essentially the same, and although the plug-and-play option of the X2020s was extremely enticing, I thought the TRS option would give me more control.

What do ya think ... should I bail now and get the 2020s? Why don't you want to bake the DEPOs apart? If I bake them and then try to mount/clamp them from the front are there issues I'm not seeing and/or understanding?

Lastly, what area are you in? I'm in 916 if it would help to have two sets of eyeballs and hands to solve this puzzle.

Xav8r, I have no problem baking them to go in through the front. I'm just trying to avoid that extra work but I know what you're saying. There are a lot of youtube videos (and some pretty good ones) that show how to do a projector retrofit going in the from the front. However, most of the headlights they are retrofitting are not projector headlights to begin with, so it's a little easier for them to cut out the reflector and just glue the projector to the housing. This is a really good how-to video and you can see that he is doing the retrofit on a normal headlight:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UMlUfBbc1M

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In0OaqEbk2w


This wouldn't work that well for the DEPOs because the DEPO already has a projector. You could do something similar by going in from the front, but it wouldnt be the same.

I dont know anything about the Xenarc so I can't help there. I emailed Matt and said I could exchange the D2S projectors for the H1. I'll probably do that after the weekend and see how the H1 fits. If all else fails, I'll forget the Morimoto projectors and just use the DEPO ones. Remember, the DEPOs that you have now already have projectors, so you could put in an HID bulb and be good (many people do this). But if you want to go with a higher quality projector, you have to do a retrofit like DenaliAK did. I'll keep you posted

---------- Post added at 12:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 AM ----------

oh yeah, i think i forgot to mention that though, but sometimes, i need more than one, and refuse to work on a project buzzed.. Doesnt end up right or good. lol... but have done it, usually just end up having a drink and do it the next day and talk, think about it all nite.. lol




lol... No either have I... lol...



yeah, cant ask me.. lol.. i have no idea what to tell you. Since its the holidays i have 4 days to do absolutly nothing, i can see what i can find out for you.. well try to help ya help.
Not sure if you saw the thread about steve meades projectors he put in. Put im really liking his idea that he did. Looks super easy, just drill out the backside of the light, he had a/m lights, but same theroy, and just put em in. very painless i think. But w/ me probly not. Probly a week to do.. lol...

Anger, yeah, ps2, nope lost a ps3 brand new one. Still got it, just cant use the top trigger buttons.. lol... Surprised the rest works, b/c it broke completely apart... Thats why if i do something that will anger i try not to drink.. lol..

Im really starting to think i have anger issues. lol...


but keep us informed, as you know, very interested in doing this. just w/ my halo projectors..

Yeah, if you're talking about DenaliAK, that's what motivated me to try this too. I saw his retrofit walkthrough, and the only problem is he did it on a Denali with different headlights and different projectors. I was going to get the TSX, but was worried it wouldnt fit in the tahoe. So I asked Matt @ TRS and he suggested the Morimotos. I know those are the TRS brand, so I'm wondering if he recommended those because of that. Or if the TSX really wouldn't fit. Don't know unless I get the TSX instead.

 

[Tahoewhat]

No, there is a post somewhere on here, cant find it now, ?? buts its about steve meades, but reading it again your post, he dont have the projectors, just clear headlights and put a proj. in it. Didnt really think about that for some reason. Well keep us updated w/ your progress.

Looking forward to it.

 

[vatahoelt]

I searched the forum and couldn't find any answers, so I'm looking for help.

I got DEPO projectors for my 03 Tahoe and I'm doing a projector retrofit. Taking out the DEPO projector and putting in Morimoto D2S projector. Got some help from DenaliAK and Matt @ TRS, but wanted to see if anyone had tried to do this before I get different projectors.

The Morimotos don't quite fit into the reflector housing without a lot of trimming, and even then, it's not a clean fit because of the Morimoto bracket. Also, the Morimotos are a little too big for the projector shroud, and in order to switch out shrouds, I would have to go through the front and remove the headlight cover. Don't want to have to do that, but the shroud that came with the Morimotos are too big to fit anyways. Matt recommended switching to the H1 because they are a little smaller, but man, these are small already. Any suggestions?

Removed DEPO projector from headlight:

DEPO projector removed from reflector housing (morimoto projector in forefront):

Morimoto projector in the DEPO reflector housing (not even close to fitting):

This is how the reflector housing should fit with the projector (Morimoto won't fit like this because of the projector bracket):

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't mind doing some trimming and modding, but I just want to make sure it will work before I completely destroy the reflector housing.

so if those don't fit, then i assume these wouldn't fit either in the depos?

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=92

 

[DenaliAK]

I doubt it, since those E55's are bigger than the Morimotos.

I've been thinking about picking up another Tahoe/Yukon when we can afford it since my wife has pretty well taken over this one (she is in love with the Denali....lol). With all these retrofit issues, I'll probably make sure to get a Yukon just so I can fit Denali headlights on it knowing I can retro just about anything into them.