I want your retrofit helpful tips/advice!!

Joined the TRS retrofit group buy and UPS should be delivering the goods tomorrow.

went with the morimoto mini H1 with orbit shroud.
ive done plenty of car/truck work and even HID installs but never done retrofitting.

any helpful tips/advice/tricks you have is appreciated!!

Ive read viet's BHLM DIY and will be doing the black housing also. no halos or anything crazy.

thanks in advance.

 

I'll help you out. Paint your housings and give them time to cure. Idk how long you're supposed to wait but I am painting Mine tonight, and not doing the install until thursday/friday.

The Mini projectors are a super easy install, especially on our headlights because you can use the 9003 adapter plate that will basically aim the projector for you.

Once everything is painted, installation shouldn't take you more than an hour.

Here is a guide I wrote, different assembly and slightly different method because the bulb was different than the adapter plates that come with the projector, but just don't cut your assembly like I had to and you will be fine. If you need any help PM me


http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?49504-2008-2011-Ford-Focus-Retrofit-(permaseal)

 

-Take your time
-Read the instructions 2-3 times
-Seal them right the FIRST time..(removing them is a bitch ask me..)

Thats about it, it's pretty straightforward. If you have questions feel free to pm me.

 

A7xschecter6661 If you need any help PM me


sweet!! thanks..expect a PM or two

 

yea im usually very impatient but not with this project. I already borrowed another vehicle to drive for a week because I want to make sure I do this right the first time and take my time!

 

Some helpful tips would be test hi/lo function and make sure horizontal alignment is perfect before you seal the lights. Also, allow for enough time for the spray paint to off gas before proceeding with the process. Paint, leave everything over night, then mess with the parts the next day.

 

regarding that hi/lo function, what is the easiest way to test that? grab two wires to connect to a square 9v battery??

 

Mount them to the truck with the wiring harness. You'll have to mount them to the truck to ensure proper horizontal cutoff anyways so you might as well check the hi-low function while you're at it. You'll also confirm that all the electrical bits and pieces are working at the same time.


Also, another tip, once you're all done and everything is done, I would pull your passenger side fuses (2 - 10 amp fuses) and tape off the connector on that side. This will prevent water from getting into the socket and pulling the fuses helps reduce corrsion at the unused plug also.

 

Do you guys scrape off all the old sealant off the headlights and put new ones in?

 

I got what I could with a flat head screwdriver but didn't go nuts with it. I think I heated them up a few times to warm the old sealant to remove it. I got to the 'good enough' point, where the channel was empty enough to take a new strip of sealant and that was where I stopped.

 

i made a mistake of using too much of the rubber butyl, stuff got everywhere.

 

do you all think this is still a necessary step to do before install
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?35918-How-To-Pre-Install-Morimoto-Mini-Tips

 

Not 'necessary' but also not a terrible idea. I had one of those solenoids lock up on me, had to get it warrantied through TRS. That extra step would have likely prevented the issue in the first place though.

 

Getting the same setup but mine aren't getting to me til Friday. I'm doing Monday since have next week off. Keep us updated on how it goes. I know you've been itching to get these done but like everyone says....take your time. Good luck man!!!

 

Ya post pictures of the entire project and if you run into any issues

 

Got the front bumper, grille and headlights off.. The whole process took me about an hour...manage not to damage anything major. the plastic rectangular piece right between the bumper and the headlight, that's another story...I broke one of the tabs but i was able to JB weld it LOL...other than that pretty easy....

Going to start the baking and headlight opening tonight..maybe start the black housing paint if I got time..

UPS says my package is out for delivery

 

It's possible to get the headlights out without removing the bumper, the first time was a pain in the ass but after that it only takes a few minutes per lamp.

 

yea some member told me that...but im planning on plasti dipping the gray plastic of the front bumper anyway so might as well take the whole thing off

 

I will agree it would be 10x easier without the bumper but still possible. Post up some pics when you are done bud!

 

I had to take my head lights off and just said forget the struggle and took bumper off simple and easy and I agree those bumper fillers between the headlights are some what a pain at first