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Cmillz1331 2007-2010 HID Projector Retrofit


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So I decided to do a projector retrofit for a fun Fall project...My goal was to get some experience before doing a motorcycle headlight retrofit next Spring. I was able to find a spare set of headlights on eBay for a good price. I ordered the Mini H1 projector kit from TRS. I stuck with the standard Mini Gatling shrouds since I knew they would fit in the housing, and I wanted to keep cutting to a minimum on this project (1st retrofit attempt).

 

I started this build on a Tuesday...I baked the lights and got everything separated and cleaned up the best I could. Then on Wednesday and Thursday, I did all cutting (actually easier to use a belt sander than a dremel) to the reflector bowl and epoxied any parts that needed to be amended (too much cutting on 1 bowl, 1 broken trim around turn signal, and I sealed both bulb holes in high beam portion).

 

So today (Friday) I am finishing up painting and clear coat on all parts so they can fully cure and settle over the weekend. Then on Monday morning, I will assembly the lights together, test the beam pattern and make the adjustments. I'll recheck the adjustments on Tuesday morning, and if all is good...I'll have sealed headlights ready to go by next Wednesday! Then hopefully I can install on vehicle by that weekend...but we'll see.

 

I'm not going to do a full write-up since there have been a few here and there, plus most have moved on from the Gen1 Edge anyways...But I'm posting all pictures below (after completion) of the progress. If someone has any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer and help out.

 

 

Thanks!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm really wanting to do some modifications to my headlights. It's alot to risk though lol.

Yeah, that's why I always shyed away for the past 3-4 years...but now I have more money and I could do the whole thing for under $400...and if it sucked then I could at least sell off the projector kit.

 

Since you have a 2015, it would be much harder to find a cheap set of headlights to work with. I would never trust myself working on the current headlights because you never know what could happen...even if you are an experienced fabricator.

 

I basically had zero fabrication experience so this was just a fun project for me to see how it turned out and to see if I could do something similar in the future when I really need to.

 

It is definitely fun seeing how it turns out though. The Mini H1 kit is extremely easy to work with (in terms of minimal cutting). I couldn't imagine trying to do an FX-R install or anything like that...I wouldn't even try it, based on my experience level.

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So I finally got the new headlights installed today. Taking the bumper off was much easier than expected, and everything went pretty well. I'm very excited with how well this project went, especially this being my first retrofit. They may not be perfect but it makes it that much better knowing I did this myself. Below are the pictures I have right now...I'll try to get better ones later on. I'll also update once I get a true night driving experience with the new lights. Thanks to anyone who gave some quality tips on this.

 

Projector Retrofit vs. Stock Headlight

Projector Retrofit First Fire-up

Projector Retrofit Install Complete

Please ignore the chipped paint on grille in the last pic...the auto body shopped did a shitty job and I'm making them redo the entire thing once Spring hits.
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pay attention to it, over time, it will more than likely start to crack and chip. Oven cleaner stripes the chrome right off, and the scuff it it, prime and paint.

Thanks for the tip. I have all the tools and necessities at work with me so I can always fix if needed. I'm hoping to get a new car (trade in the Edge) within the next 16 months so we'll see. I'd then switch back the headlights and take out projectors for another project...

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So I still haven't been able to get a good reference point for the cutoff...the streets in my apartment complex are too curved for a night reference and thanks to Daylight Savings Time, it's now somewhat light out when I get to work...Below is the best I could do when pulling into a Panera parking lot a few nights ago...it's only a few feet away, but it at least shows that the output from each is pretty level...NOTE: I went with the B-stock Mini H1 projectors (the cutoff shield on the driver's side was warped towards the left side of the car, resulting in the beam slanting upwards) to save a little $$$. This was my first retrofit and I wanted to save $$$ in case I messed it up. Still is way better than the stock Halogen output...

 

I'm still trying to fine tune the beam height but I'm pretty happy so far.

 

Low-Beam Cutoff

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I drove the first extended period during middle of the night on Saturday and I was happy with the way the lights looked. I did notice the abundance of ground lighting by the Mini H1 projectors, but there's still enough ahead of me that I'm much happier than with the stock headlights. I think I finally have the height of the projectors setup properly, and I was pleased that the fog lights still seemed to have a job to do on the low side areas of the road.

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