R12: Bi-Xenon Projector Retrofit Kits

im interested in getting in on another round but will have to wait a few weeks for funds to recover from the holidays.

 

I want in, how hard is the install?

 

Looks like this one is going to take a while to fill up.

I figured it would go quick because it's been a couple of months and the last two filled quickly, but I think people are waiting for tax refunds.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/212064-hid-retrofit-2009-tacoma-extended-cab.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/207026-morimoto-mini-stage-iii-kit-h1-step-step-pics.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/252938-hid-conversion-02-taco.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/231575-retrofit-help-those-need.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...012-retrofit-bhlm-halos-finally-finished.html

The first two threads really cover you.
The D2S and H1 are both the same procedure. The projector housings replace the stock bulb. You just need to open up the headlight housings and install them.

The FX-R are more involved and are going to take some trial and error getting them aimed properly before locking everything down and sealing up the housings.
I'm very happy with my D2S conversion.

 

Look at the link I posted a couple posts ago. That's the best resource I've found on how to install the FX-Rs. Mini's will be about the same without having to cut the bowl.

Remove headlights
Bake in oven for a few minutes
Pull lenses off the rest of the housing
BLHM (optional but easy while the housing is open)
Bake painted stuff in the oven for a bit to cure paint & prevent your lights from fogging later (if you do a BLHM)
Cut out some of the bowl (for FX-Rs only)
Mount & align projectors
Glue &/or bolt projectors to the bowl (RX-Rs only)
Mount ballasts & wire things up
Mount headlights in the vehicle without the lenses
Align the new lights (more precisely make sure that you didn't mess anything up preventing you from properly aligning them & having to bake things apart later)
Pull headlights
Heat & reseal headlights
Mount headlights
Fiddle with the alignment a bit to get it perfect

It took me 2 weekends at a leisurely pace.... Including re-splitting a light due to stupidly not seating a ball & socket joint (took less than an hour as I had things pretty figured out by then).

Also the Gatling gun shrouds don't fit the FX-Rs well, get a different shroud if you are going with FX-Rs.

 

Im in... this is my christmas present i was just waiting for the next group buy!
1 - g35man - 2 FXR
2 - pakow - 1 FXR
3 - rkarabao- 1 D2S
4 - logcabinwc- either d25 or H1
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30 - Rich91710 - 1 D2S (Depending on when the buy happens, don't rely on me for the 25 count right now)



Now which one do you all think I should get? D25 or H1? Install seems about the same... So what are the main differences?

 

D2S is an industry-standard lamp. The Philips and OSRAM are the same lamps used by automakers... Philips is covered by the GB.
H1 is only available in Morimoto lamps.
IMHO, D2S has a more even pattern, H1 has more of a hot spot, but some prefer that for better projection down the road... I like better coverage out the sides.
Also, the H1 has a near-field cutoff that is not present on the D2S.. creates a dark area in front of the vehicle. It can be removed during installation.

 

Well it would seem the main difference then is whether to have the hot spot for better forward projection or a more even light output to see more of the sides..
Rich, do you think that my fogs would provide comparable "side-view-illumination", if that makes any sense? haha I almost alway drive with my fogs on if i have my headlights on, so if the D25 covers the same amount of side field as the fogs I would probably go with the H1s... if not i feel like the better side viewing would be safer while driving

 

oh and this was posted in one of the previous gb's and i thought it might be helpful... maybe post it in the first post again andrew? just thought it might help!

info posted by buzzardsgottaeat
A lot of people get the mini (H1 or D2S) because they're easiest to install

FX-Rs are better quality but require free hand cutting of your light housing and a slightly more difficult aiming/securing process.

Blazers are for fogs, you have to cut/rig it up custom, no plug n play or bake n reseal there.

H4 headlights
H10 fogs (H11 for 2012s) are the sizes you need and the harness will be the H4/9003 iirc

H1 has been deemed a little brighter while D2S more even output. Most go with the H1 simply because its brighter but don't consider other factors. Matt and the guys at TRS mostly favor the D2S and I also like to point out that the larger shrouds fill our headlights better than the mini H1 and there is a greater selection.

3000k is yellowish and good for fogs for its ability to cut through adverse weather

4300k is like sunlight or stock color headlights and has the highest lumen count (brightest) of the available options

5000k will be whiter and is the highest TRS recommends.
6000k is also very white with a tiny bit more blue

Any higher temp is stupid because you lose light output and fatigue your eyes and others.

I always say 4300k is the way to go but can see how white/5000k has an appeal

The upside to a projector retrofit vs cheap hid bulbs in your stock light housing is mainly that it is higher quality and has a clean cut off line.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head but that should be a good starting point for anyone who wants to start researching these.

 

mini h1 kit for me

 

Just recently put my H1s in, and was wondering what the dark area in the front was from. Is there a reason they do this with the H1s?

 

I'm 99% sure ill probably go with the D25's. if I want to really see straight down the road more ill ten on my highs and/or get a light bar. Besides, both will be an improvement from stock

 

anything here is an improvement from stock and retrofitting it will properly utilize the brighter output

 

Just added Theloneracer

 

Im in... this is my christmas present i was just waiting for the next group buy!
1 - g35man - 2 FXR
2 - pakow - 1 FXR
3 - rkarabao- 1 D2S
4 - logcabinwc- either d25 or H1
5 - Theloneracer - H1
6 - double dee - D25
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30 - Rich91710 - 1 D2S (Depending on when the buy happens, don't rely on me for the 25 count right now)

 

Im in... this is my christmas present i was just waiting for the next group buy!
1 - g35man - 2 FXR
2 - pakow - 1 FXR
3 - rkarabao- 1 D2S
4 - logcabinwc- either d25 or H1
5 - Theloneracer - H1
6 - double dee - D25
7 - Bulhas - FXR +
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30 - Rich91710 - 1 D2S (Depending on when the buy happens, don't rely on me for the 25 count right now)

 

i noticed they no longer have a the blazer projector..... what would be suitable for fog lights no??

 

Nothing at the present time.

The Blazer has been gone for about 6 months.
Plug-in kits aren't covered by the GB discount, and they're dangerous in fogs anyways.

 

its not for the fogs

 

Ooooooo... sounds good.


Spent some time poking around and I fear they are gone.
Princess Auto has them archived, NLA.
I found two sites that offer them for something like $75 EACH (should be $50/pair)... but the sites are very "generic" looking and I wouldn't trust them with anything but Paypal... and honestly, any time I've ordered from a site with those layouts, I've been told they were out of stock and occasionally had to fight for a refund.

There are a few listings on eBay under "Blazer projector" but I have no clue if they are "real" or not.