CLOSED - The Retrofit Source GB

BHLM pieces

 

ok yes those. I shall be correcting these uglies after work tonight.

 

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions for you all (even though I PMd Andrew with many of the same ones). I am in the process of planning out my retrofit build for my 2010 Tacoma. I have just purchased and received new Depo brand headlights from Amazon for a fresh start as opposed to using my faded and cracked headlights for the build. First let me explain what I am thinking of getting:

• Mini D2S Stage III with O lens LHD
• MotoControl Bixenon: H4/9003
• Apollo 2.0 Full OR 3.0 shrouds (haven't picked a style yet, but it also depends on the ease of install of each)
• 110mm XSB 2.0 Switchback halo to mount inside of either shroud option I pick
• D2S XB 4500K bulbs
• Morimoto XB 35W ballast
• Morimoto XB igniter
• Black RetroRubber

Now that I have everything listed, I have a series of questions to make sure I know what I am doing prior to buying it all, seeing as this is my first ever attempt at a retrofit including painting essentially all pieces of the headlights black. The questions:

• Between the two shroud options I have listed, is one easier to install into the Tacoma headlights/onto the projectors than the other?
• Will the shrouds come with centric rings? The link on the TRS website redirects to the homepage.
• Is there a guide that shows how to install the halos inside of the shroud?
• For wiring the led halo, is there a guide somewhere that will show how to wire these into Tacomas? I would like them to stay on probably all of the time, or better yet, be able to switch them on when I'd like. My truck came standard with only three lightingoptions for the headlights: 1) Off 2)The side marker, parking, tail, license plate 3) All lights on. None of these include DTRL, so I am wondering how people with these trucks without DTRL are wiring the halos.
• Again with wiring, how do the halos need to be wired in order for the switchback function to work(switching to amber color when the blinker is on)?
• Seeing as I plan to paint the bowls and the new shrouds, what is the recommended procedure for this? Strip the chrome, sand, and repaint?

Thank you all in advance for any help you can provide!

 

basically u dont want you halos on when the headlight is, its too much heat and burns them up quicker. As far as that you will want the switch back box module (25 bucks i think) that will take power from an ignitioned on source then u tap the other wire into your headlight so when that bulb is turned on it turns the halo off. If you dont want that you can wire them to a switch in the cab and just turn them on and off. the 3.0 shrouds fit perfect on the d2s and in the tacoma housings, no trimming on the shroud. I have not used the 2.0. As far as halos its 110mm for the inside on the apollo shrouds or an 80 for the front outside. the front is easy and most use a small piece of gauged metal wire. The inside it usually JB welded.

 

^ didnt know you're in HJ Facebook group!

 

lol just joined! im pooling many places of knowledge for ideas and experience on my current problem.

 

That page is full of knowledge and pros!

 

hope they dont shun me since i didnt do halos because i dont want to open them and shit again in a few year!

 

Hahaha actually, TRS' V2 xsb halos has been performing quite well under heat. I haven't seen/read that many bad issues with them. If there is, it's usually the resistors

 

ya i did read they were better but for me the halos just arent worth the time and money and my OCD would replace them even if one tiny led went out. Also I got my first ever speeding ticket a few days before order my retro so i had to punish myself some how.

 

just finished mine

 

how did u paint it? primer? remove the chrome? sand?

 

I literally just sprayed it right over the chrome. Zero prep. I knew the chrome was clean since the headlight hadn't been opened. I put the spray paint in warm water for about 10 mins before each coat.

Heres some more pictures:

paint in warm water:


After first coat:


After final coat:



Results:

 

looks great.. IDK what the fuck my luck was.....

 

Try krylon fusion SUPER maxx

 

i am trying some new stuff, basically my primer was still curing after 3 hours when i sprayed the black paint on it and it bubbled

 

I didn't use any primer or anything else. Just sprayed like 8 coats of krylon satin black

 

@gordi I didn't use primer either. Just wiped/scuffed the chrome a little with a scotch brite pad and maybe did about 3-4 coats of Krylon Fusion.

 

I'm going to need me halos, mine just died

 

Well idk what my luck was. I used dupicolor vehicle paint that they use to paint the plastic bumpers and stuff. Used adhesion promoter before and I scuffed the chrome.