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Anyone done a HID projector retro-fit yet?

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Old 02-06-2008 | 05:12 PM
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Default Anyone done a HID projector retro-fit yet?

So I've been reading alot on hidplanet.com/forums and I really want to swap out the halogen projectors for a HID projectors to get a better cutoff and less glare. Has anyone done this on their XB2 yet? It seems like a somewhat easy swap since we already have projectors.

I want to install s2000 projectors but I'm not sure if they will fit? Does anyone have the dimensions of the stock halogen projectors?
Old 02-06-2008 | 07:12 PM
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The stock housings work perfectly fine with HID's.

Cutoff is solid, and there is controlled glare, as in the factory allowed light to output slightly above the cutoff to light up signs and stuff.

I never have been flashed yet and the beam is perfectly fine. I would just use the stock projector headlamps...
Old 02-06-2008 | 07:35 PM
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They work decent but alot of the light is scattered all over the place with the stock halogen projectors. I too have never been flashed but I want a sharp cutoff and no glare above the cutoff (which the stock ones do).
Old 02-06-2008 | 08:27 PM
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I would do it if I could justify the cost. Good projectors (like the S2K's, etc.) are not cheap. Then you have to get non-rebased bulb's/harnessing (has to have DS2's) which aren't cheap either. Then of course the work involved in installing the projectors.

The work part probably wouldn't be hard if we knew the measurments of the stock projectors. I guess someone would have to volunteer a headlight to disassemble. I'm sure there is a OEM HID projector out there that will fit right in place, just have to be creative on how to mount it.

Would be sweet to have a true cutoff line with the purty flicker and colors.
Old 02-06-2008 | 08:57 PM
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Yeah I'm thinking the S2k projectors maybe to big. Might have to go with FX35/45 but I hear they don't perform as well.

Yeah I someone could post of measurements of the stock projectors that would be great!
Old 02-06-2008 | 09:10 PM
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AAG I love lighting, love true HID setups, as you may have gathered from some of my other posts on lighting. However, I think this venture would be very costly for minimal improvement my friend. :-/
Best of luck though!
Old 02-06-2008 | 10:03 PM
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Yes it'll be costly but I seriously doubt the minimal improvement part. Read up on hidplanet.com/forums, LOTS of helpful information and reasons why HID-retros are better than halogen projectors w/ an hid kit.
Old 02-07-2008 | 01:09 AM
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But hey, that extra glare is beneficial!

And as long as it is not bothering anybody else, then who cares?

I would use the money for other mods myself, alot of money for very little benefit.
Old 02-07-2008 | 02:26 AM
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i have a pair of s2k heads i just got last week off ebay got here last week i will be starting the venture as soon as the spare headlight i got of ebay arives so i can tear it apart first should be hot
Old 02-07-2008 | 05:28 AM
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keep us updated and please post lots of pics and a how-to.
Old 02-07-2008 | 01:21 PM
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The glare is rather annoying IMO. I get lots of people flipping up their mirrors when im behind them at a light... makes me feel bad. And it sucks to have to aim them lower which really doesnt help much since the glare goes pretty high. So yeah Im definitely going to buy 1 new xB headlight, open it up, and fix the cutoff! Not sure when Ill do this but maybe soon. What measurments of the projector would ya'll like?
Old 02-07-2008 | 02:57 PM
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The width of the projector lense, the diameter of the projector & also how wide the opening is where the projector sits in (to see how big of an HID projector can fit).

I haven't really taken a deep look but the stock projector doesn't look too big.
Old 02-07-2008 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by XD40tC
The glare is rather annoying IMO. I get lots of people flipping up their mirrors when im behind them at a light... makes me feel bad. And it sucks to have to aim them lower which really doesnt help much since the glare goes pretty high. So yeah Im definitely going to buy 1 new xB headlight, open it up, and fix the cutoff! Not sure when Ill do this but maybe soon. What measurments of the projector would ya'll like?
Hmmm, interesting. Im using 4300K's and have no issue at all. I have driven behind many people at night and the light does not light up the inside of their car one bit. It actually looks pitch black inside their car. Wonder why your having such issue? Did you raise your beam?
Old 03-25-2008 | 03:35 AM
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Well I've started the project. Here's the s2k projectors



Still need bulbs and someone to do the retro since I'm not confident enough to hack up my headlights. I'm probably going to get customlightz.com to do the job.
Old 03-25-2008 | 03:37 AM
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aag i got screwwed on my s2ks the guy said he got more for them on the forums and refunded me my money but he said next time he comes across a pair they are mine at a steal
Old 03-25-2008 | 03:51 AM
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Sweet man! These things are gonna be awesome when installed!
Old 03-25-2008 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by coryjames
aag i got screwwed on my s2ks the guy said he got more for them on the forums and refunded me my money but he said next time he comes across a pair they are mine at a steal
Were those the lights you bought on ebay? I would've given him negatory feedback on that one. You got your money back, but still. If you won the auction/buy it now, they're yours. That's all assuming they were on ebay and I'm not talkin out of my ****.

BTW Cory, your sig is freakin awesome!
Old 03-25-2008 | 11:39 PM
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yeah ebay it was and thanks i like the sig to there is a s2k i saw at a junkyard this morning im going to go see if he will take 300 for the headlights ballasts and bulbs seeing as one of the heads looked bashed in but all that maters is the lens
Old 03-27-2008 | 03:01 AM
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Use Lightwurkz.

www.myspace.com/lightwurkz
www.lightwurkz.com

My friend's company - very high quality work from the San Francisco - he did show cars for SEMA.

Tell him Grant sent you.
Old 03-31-2008 | 05:12 PM
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good luck w/the project I did the retrofit on my matrix put TL projectors in them cut off is excellent. BU tI just bought an XB and thought it will be easy just to put Denoso HID ballast and D2S bulb and call it. do we have 9006 or is it different bulb socket.

It takes a lot of time if you DIY. you have to bake your headlights, JB welds seals etc...

here is what I did to my matrix headlights:





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