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Struggling with my Retrofit

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by kingz10fan, Dec 3, 2014.

  1. Dec 3, 2014 at 10:03 PM
    #1
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    First off I'll say I drive a 2005 Taco. I ordered the Mini D2S Retro w/ Gatling Gun shrouds through the group buy. I have everything painted and was installing the projectors today when I ran into trouble.

    I cranked the locking nut down as far as possible on the back of the projector. However when I go to install the bulb it doesn't far enough back for me to be able to fully connect it to the ballast. Am I doing something wrong here? Any help is much appreciated!!!! Attaching pictures below for reference.

    retrolight2.jpg

    retrolight.jpg
     
  2. Dec 3, 2014 at 10:06 PM
    #2
    hoenah808

    hoenah808 Well-Known Member

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    hmm which rubber grommets did u use on the projector? last I remember theres supposed to be rubber spacer things. maybe use a smaller one?
     
  3. Dec 3, 2014 at 10:12 PM
    #3
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    The only spacer that came with my kit is that big clear one on the back of the projector. Theres nothing below the locking nut in the second picture. Also I moved that clear one down a little on the projector to even get as much clearance as I currently have. Before I didnt even have enough clearance to get that backing nut that holds the light in
     
  4. Dec 3, 2014 at 10:13 PM
    #4
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    Also I am I am using Depo headlights not original OEM. Could that be a problem?
     
  5. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:37 PM
    #5
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    Anyone? Bueller?
     
  6. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:38 PM
    #6
    InSight Retrofits

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    You aren't doing anything wrong except missing a step. You have to grind the backing down. until its literally just thick enough to hold the alignment ring in place.

    Hard to see but here it is:

    IMG_9648_zpsb7ae5a44_b77956e4c2c2dc6a5ce6dbaaf0e508e67d928356.jpg
     
  7. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:48 PM
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    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    I think I understand. So I need to remove the reflector bowl from the housing and grind down the backing so it barely still holds that 3 pronged metal washer on the bottom?
     
  8. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:52 PM
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    InSight Retrofits

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    Set the alignment ring right in there and take a dremel to it until it's all flush with the ring

    You're cutting all of it down like 1/4"

    IMG_9895_zps0f0b3d2c_3c6790a9fb5a8c0ac0599e69ca83c9e49a747f58.jpg
     
  9. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:54 PM
    #9
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    LOL I should've just gone FX-R. Thanks for the help sir!
     
  10. Dec 5, 2014 at 4:54 PM
    #10
    InSight Retrofits

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    Honestly the Mini is 90% as good as the FXR and a bit easier to install on the 2005-2011 :)
     
  11. Dec 5, 2014 at 6:59 PM
    #11
    TheFang

    TheFang No Big Deal

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    Sorry for the late reply, been without internet for a few days. I had the same problem but instead of grinding down the plastic, I decided to grind down the nut instead.
    photo1-3_zps6c591d69_f4e49eb5c0bf4cdc4706a9d34236caedaf4e46f7.jpg
    After doing this, the nut will fit within the raised plastic of the housing and sit flush with the tabbed washer.
     
  12. Dec 6, 2014 at 9:18 AM
    #12
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for all the help! Grinding the back of the headlight was much easier than I though it would be.
     
  13. Dec 6, 2014 at 2:33 PM
    #13
    aubi1414

    aubi1414 War Eagle!!

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    Did that fix your issue?
     
  14. Dec 7, 2014 at 7:32 PM
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    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    Sure did!
     
  15. Jan 16, 2015 at 5:03 PM
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    jxepolis

    jxepolis Well-Known Member

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    what did you use to grind it down? if dremel what attachement? I did my retro yesterday, and have this EXACT same issue.

    I am waiting for the tech guy at TRS to call me back with help. They have been great but wanted to talk with him.

    Please let me know!
     
  16. Jan 17, 2015 at 8:07 AM
    #16
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    Yes I used a dremel. It was actually much easier than I expected. The backing of the headlight underneath that locking nut in my original pictures is actually just a very hard plastic so it was very easy to grind down. I just used that cone shaped attachment on the dremel. Just remember not to grind it down to much because that 3 pronged washer still needs to fit securely in there. I took almost 1/2 inch off mine tho and it worked out perfectly
     
  17. Jan 17, 2015 at 2:56 PM
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    InSight Retrofits

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    All you need is the drum sander attachment
     
  18. Jan 18, 2015 at 7:54 AM
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    jxepolis

    jxepolis Well-Known Member

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    And like you, I do not want to have to take the bowl apart. Did you have to take the bowl out of the housing to do this?
     
  19. Jan 18, 2015 at 12:19 PM
    #19
    kingz10fan

    kingz10fan [OP] Active Member

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    No I left it all together. You can access the back plastic part easily still with it all attached
     

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