High Beam Projector Mod
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I was thinking of doing the same thing. If I get a chance this weekend when I add my HID to the fog lights and fix one of the headlights. I'll look into seeing if the low and high beam projectors can be swapped. I'll let you know if this is possible. If so, I guess the both of us will be looking on eBay for some projectors. 
kOT
kOT
Cool...I actually wont get to mine until Jun, but let me know! I think the assembly will look alot more "up to date" with dual projectors. I bought a set of headlights and am going to open em up and begin a custom assembly in Jun. I already have plans for leds / matching paint / eyelids but never thought of covering that ugly halogen bulb with a projector until now...keep me posted!
In what way??? To get to the actual headlight housing. Yes, because you have to take the bumper off and such. Though I've done it twice before and it would be easy for me.
Once the bumper is off, there are only four things on each housing to take off. Two bolts and one nut, or the other way around. then the fourth item is the hosing for the wash.
There are three big gas cap looking covers for access to the bulbs. If I remember correctly, there are four philips screws on the two "projectors".
KOT
The housing will probably be a big challenge to open up, hence me purchasing a set to "play with". They were not constructed for that. I don't think the oven method will work on the housing, and even if it did, I'm not sure what kind of damage would be caused. But I wont be certain until I get my sleeves rolled up. Based on initial survey of the assembly, it may come down to the trusty Dremmel and straight up re-fabrication. I'll pick my approach when they get here. Either way, clear fogs/drls are unique enough (installed already), but a custom headlight assembly? Now we are talking about "setting yourself apart". Wishful thinking for now, but I'll get it done!
The plastic lens is near impossible to separate from the grey housing without damaging the lens. The glue used fuses the pieces together. Many have tried to separate the lens/housing, including the tried'n'true method using an oven. You can't even pry them apart.
You can try, maybe you have a new method that noone knows about. If youve got the money to waste, try it out!
You can try, maybe you have a new method that noone knows about. If youve got the money to waste, try it out!
Youve got the right idea. You will HAVE to modify the housing from the back. It would be quite a chore...Id thought about removing the whole back so I could paint the insides, but the method I used (oven plus prying) cracked the housing around the edges. You could fix this problem, tho, by painting the outside of the lens....
If you can fit the Lexus LS projectors in there, do that!
Those are some nice projectors too. The reasons you listed make a point as to why this isn't a common modification. That's what drives to do it even more! We'll see when they get here...good thing about being a prior airframe mechanic is that I will definitely find a way to do. Failure is not an option! lol
Here's how you do it, but it's very slow and expensive.
Buy two left headlights and two right.
Cut out the lens on the first left light, not actually touching the lens but instead cutting through the black housing close to the edge with a cut-off wheel on the Dremel. This housing will be discarded. Then take a Dremel sanding wheel and sand off the remaining black housing material until only the lens remains.
Cut out the housing on the second left light, not actually touching the lens but instead cutting through the lens with the cut-off wheel. The lens will be discarded from this light. Then take a Dremel sanding wheel and remove any excess clear plastic lens until only the housing is left in perfect condition.
Use a good epoxy to fuse the remaining housing with the remaining lens - seal with clear silicon from behind.
You will have one spare projector left from the discarded housing, use this for your high beam.
Repeat the above for the right hand headlight.
Buy two left headlights and two right.
Cut out the lens on the first left light, not actually touching the lens but instead cutting through the black housing close to the edge with a cut-off wheel on the Dremel. This housing will be discarded. Then take a Dremel sanding wheel and sand off the remaining black housing material until only the lens remains.
Cut out the housing on the second left light, not actually touching the lens but instead cutting through the lens with the cut-off wheel. The lens will be discarded from this light. Then take a Dremel sanding wheel and remove any excess clear plastic lens until only the housing is left in perfect condition.
Use a good epoxy to fuse the remaining housing with the remaining lens - seal with clear silicon from behind.
You will have one spare projector left from the discarded housing, use this for your high beam.
Repeat the above for the right hand headlight.
It will be very slow but if you take your time, you'll get a perfect fit.
I am installing a projector in my fog light housing - already done one but I have to seal it up still. The projector was from an STS fog light housing.
I've also played with the tail light. It's very difficult to remove the lens without breaking it.
I am installing a projector in my fog light housing - already done one but I have to seal it up still. The projector was from an STS fog light housing.
I've also played with the tail light. It's very difficult to remove the lens without breaking it.
ostpics:Sounds like we have the same idea. Not 100% sure of my approach yet, but I'm looking at fabricating a custom LED tail assembly as well. Initially, I thought of just opening the assembly, trimming away the excess reflective material inside that separates the bulbs and installing waterproof LED strips flush against the lens. I'll leave the 3156 LED I already have for the directional. The problem with that is the LED's in those waterproof strips are not bright and big enough for my liking. 10mm is the way to go and I found a source. They are bigger and brighter. Downside is I have to make a custom board to install the LED's because I have not found a 10mm LED strip yet, only the smaller ones like SB4EVA used on his DRL's.
How does your 3157 work in there? Meaning the current drawn makes the car think there is a bulb out. So what your fix for that? I'm a slot tech, so I have rescorses for resistors or what not. I read it some where that their needed. But I don't know the vaule that is needed.
KOT
KOT
Already posted elsewhere on the forum but it's a simple process.
I put a 3156 in front and rear since vs a 3157 I didn't need dual-circuit. Just spice a load resistor from any auto parts store (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Checkers...) in-line with the bulb and viola...LED directional. Looks 100 times better...make sure it doesn't touch plastic or wires because it gets just as hot as a filament bulb...
I put a 3156 in front and rear since vs a 3157 I didn't need dual-circuit. Just spice a load resistor from any auto parts store (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Checkers...) in-line with the bulb and viola...LED directional. Looks 100 times better...make sure it doesn't touch plastic or wires because it gets just as hot as a filament bulb...
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