help - TRUE Projectors... HELP please

[jdpber]

OK guys i broke the drivers side headlight and lower driving light blinker... so i have decided to UP to a set of REAL glass projectors.. not the $50 ebay plastic look alike junk.. the real projectors that focus the light and will not melt with 55w HID bulbs..

I am asking for help on experience and brands and options.. i spent an hour looking last night and everything i got was either JUnk or way over priced.. i know may of you have this upgrade so any help and info is great..

something clean and functional is what i am after..

i am thinking og a stock lower driving/turn.. if i cant find a lower that matches the projectors..

thanks

 

[yates ™]

Have you talked to that Black Flame guy on here? Please do not do halos, they were played out when they came out.

 

[soulsea]

DenaliAK is your man for nbs projector retrofits.

I believe he has a how to thread on retrofitting FX-R projectors on your style housings.

 

[WHITEOUT]

Buy a set of Depot headlights, some real HID projectors out of another car, then you have to retrofit the new projectors into the headlight housings. You aren't going to find "real" HID projectors inside of headlight housing for NBS Tahoes. Everyone is retrofitting, been done for years. There are write ups about retrofitting all over the Web, and on TYF.COM, denaliak did a nice writeup. Don't buy the cheap Ebay halo headlights, junk.

My Depot projector headlights by themselves work very well with HID. I have modified them, but they are very bright, focus the light perfect, great cutoff now, and are very well constructed and easy to open for retrofit.

 

[soulsea]

Here: http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6151

He actually used TS-X projectors (Acura). They decent, but if you can fit FX-Rs you'll probably be happier with them. They are a replica of the Infiniti FX SUVs and I believe they are also used in the G37.

---------- Post added at 11:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------

This is the kit you would need: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=141 plus a set of aftermarket housings, and then do the retrofit.

I have to run out right now but I will check later for you to see if the measurement are comparable between the TS-X and the FX-R projectors.

 

[jdpber]

Ok thanks for link. I will read this afternoon evening work day is crazy busy.

As for the halos. I would prefer not have them so hope y'all didn't get I sea I wanted them. Just if housing had them I could deal with them.

 

[jdpber]

Depos in shopping cart in iphone..

now need matching complementing driving turn signals and all is good..

thanks for the info guys and link.. the build thread link did the trick.. very strait forward conversion.

 

[soulsea]

Have a look at how clean the fx-r projector looks with the iris shroud:

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/sho...port-amp-More!&p=475211&viewfull=1#post475211

I think that would be sick in an nbs headlight.

 

[jdpber]

I've about made decision it's gonna happen. I love me some light.

 

[jdpber]

...

 

[DenaliAK]

I'll chime in more later. Serge has you on the right track, though. DO NOT BUY DENALI headlights for your retro, they won't fit in a Tahoe.

Re: FX-R's

They are great lights. Similar in size to the TSX, but about an inch taller. That could be a major issue for the already narrow Tahoe lights. If you're willing to pay the price, though, one of the good Retro companies can probably set you up with about whatever you want. If it was me doing it over and paying for it, I'd get dual projectors.....

I would recommend giving Oscar at Lightwerkz a call. http://www.lightwerkz.net/ I've seen several of his retros up close and they are awesome. Black Flame Customs also does really clean looking work, though I've only seen pictures of their's. http://blackflamecustoms.com/

 

[jdpber]

I'll chime in more later. Serge has you on the right track, though. DO NOT BUY DENALI headlights for your retro, they won't fit in a Tahoe.

Re: FX-R's

They are great lights. Similar in size to the TSX, but about an inch taller. That could be a major issue for the already narrow Tahoe lights.

Yea I know the nali front has many differences from the Tahoe. Lights, hood. Bumper. Grill. Fenders.

As for the TSX vs te fx-R. What are the major performance differences? Over one or the other.

I have thought about dual projectors..

If I am taking the time and money to do the lights I want the done correct. I am a firm belieaver in "do it right once" and pay more for quality first and save in long run... That's my main rule on tools.

 

[jdpber]

35w vs 50w.

 

[soulsea]

Depends on what projector you use John ... some can't handle 50/55W.

It also depends on other factors like what bulbs you are running. If you're going to run cheap aftermarket bulbs (like DDM and/or other ebay stuff) then stick to 35W cause they put out a lot more heat than oem bulbs (hella/philips/osram).

That is somewhat offset by the fact that cheap aftermarket ballasts (like DDM and/or other ebay stuff) they never put out their advertised wattage ... depending on the quality it will be anywhere between 5-15W less than they say.

It is more expensive but running oem bulbs, ballasts, and a high quality harness will keep pretty much everything running smoothly and very close to stated wattage. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as an oem 50/55W ballast as none of the major companies (denso/hella/AL Basch/Matsushita/etc) make them, so the only way to get them running at 50/55W is to have them boosted by someone who knows what they are doing ... including potting them, and installing dedicated fans or heatsinks.

---------- Post added at 10:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 PM ----------

FYI, this is what an oem ballast (AL Bosch) looks like properly boosted to 55W with heatsinks:

Mucho $$$.

 

[DenaliAK]

When do we get to see those bad boys working, Serge?

 

[soulsea]

When do we get to see those bad boys working, Serge?

If all stays as scheduled ... Sat the 28th.

 

[DenaliAK]

Awesome. Looking forward to seeing it. I imagine you are, too....lol.

 

[MrFleming007]

Looking forward to seeing those. You guys are killing me with these beautiful retrofits, especially since I don't have the cash right now to do it.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[WHITEOUT]

I used to have a set of the modified Denso ballasts that adjusted up to 75 Watts. Been done for years now. Problem is, they don't last very long and are extremely bright. TOO BRIGHT!!! Like said, all OEM is 35 watt. Having anymore is overkill, IMO. to each there own, not hating in the least bit. Been there done that

Lost all my pictures of my old retrofit and ride. But found a pic online of modified Denso ballasts

 

[soulsea]

Yeah 75W is too much ... it will eventually fry ballasts, bulbs, and most projector bowls.

Plus if you go over a hill you're scorching airline pilot corneas at 40,000ft.