HID retrofits post here

[tinik]

what is the difference / comparasment with TL or FX projectors?
Any pictures, who did this?

Thanks
gene

[Marauder]

I searched around on the HID planet website and found this, but you wont get a good comparison of the two side by side.

TL output (both stock and with BMW ZKW lense)





FX35 output beam.

[tinik]

so there is not much of a difference between TL and FX projectors?

[Marauder]

Well, its really hard to capture the differences with pictures. The FX ones are not as good as the TL, and the TL with the clear lense is the favorite as far as the best output.

The differences are also determined on the bulbs and ballasts used as well.

Just figure out a budget and work from there.
You can get FX projectors with the standard lense for around $50 a set or about $120 a set for clear lenses.

[tinik]

so why not then buy a 2 bmw/mb headlights for cheap and use those ellipsoids/projectors? most of them have zkw lens plus most of them bi-xenon from factory.

[Marauder]

Those BMW projectors put out decent light, but not as good as some of the others. I fired up the e46 projectors I have and the light output isn't nearly as nice as the TL's I have. They also take more work to install since they are so open and just made of plastic. The ones with aluminum houses are nicer to work with. The BMW ones I have really don't have any reflective coating on the bowl, seems like it loses a lot of light output potential from there.

But a lot of people use whatever projector they want, it all depends on your budget. Its also best to try and see the light output in person, like on existing cars as well.

I hope to try and finish up installing my HID's this weekend. I'll take pics and post my whole retrofit when I'm done.

[tinik]

so, pretty much you think that TL projectors with zkw (clear) lens should be one of the best combinations? do you have any pictures?

thanks
gene

[Marauder]

I don't have pics yet, but should have pics of my retrofit as soon as I get back to work on it. I was hoping that it would be done now, but I came down with the flu and my weekend turned out to be just filled with rest instead of work.

[twinturbotundra]

Originally Posted by Marauder

Damn, how will you spent $1000 before opening a headlight??

So far, I have spent $750, which included $100 for buying a spare set of used headlights to have in my truck while I retrofit my OEM lights. i spent an extra $270 for BMW projectors just to get a clear lense for my TL bi-xenon projectors.

My parts so far are:

$160 - Acura TL bi-xenon projectors
$180 - 55w HID kit with D2S bulbs 4300k color
$35 - Bi-xenon wire harness
$275 - BMW ZKW bi-xenon projectors
$100 - set of used OEM headlights

Going a budget HID bi-xenon setup, I would get some FX35 projectors with clear lenes for about $150 instead of the TL/ZKW setup I have, which would save about $300.

I wish I were here earlier, you don't need to spend $275.00 just to get clear lenses.

This guy at ebay: eBay Store - retrofit: HID, Projectors, Ballasts
have clear lenses.

I bought pair for 2.5" FX35 projectors and a pair for 3" TL projectors. I installed pair on FX35 and cutting part of the shield off and sure made a BIG difference compare to stock lenses. I thought the original lenses were giving out great light output till I modified the projectors.
I will post some pictures of modified FX35 projectors.

Almost forgot to mention, I am thinking to have them installed in the fog lights on a 2006 tundra.

[Marauder]

I have seen those replica lenses. They aren't exactly the same at the ZKW ones, but there are some that claim they are about as good. But opinion vary. I have seen the beam shots on hidplanet.

I decided to just spend the money on the real deal. I've been slow doing the install, but I installed the HID balasts and wiring harness two weeks ago and will be working on the projectors soon.

[twinturbotundra]

Originally Posted by Marauder

I have seen those replica lenses. They aren't exactly the same at the ZKW ones, but there are some that claim they are about as good. But opinion vary. I have seen the beam shots on hidplanet.

I decided to just spend the money on the real deal. I've been slow doing the install, but I installed the HID balasts and wiring harness two weeks ago and will be working on the projectors soon.

Can you post pictures of them after you will finish installing them, it sure made a big difference when I modified my FX35 projectors also I will replace lenses on my TL projectors. I am trying to get pictures of them and post them here.

[morganater]

my friend brendon_ak can answer most questions. this thread is end-all for projectors as far as im concerned: Acura TL Projectors and CCFL Angel eyes Retrofitted into 05 AC

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by twinturbotundra

Can you post pictures of them after you will finish installing them, it sure made a big difference when I modified my FX35 projectors also I will replace lenses on my TL projectors. I am trying to get pictures of them and post them here.

Sure thing, but mine are still not done yet. I hope to continue on them next week sometime. i think since I don't do as much night driving, now that its summer, I am less motivated to install them sooner....LOL

I did get the whole wire harness installed along with the ballasts, so its all ready to drop in the new housings to test fire once I get the projectors mounted. I will mount the headlights to aim the projectors before closing them back up.

[dibble9012]

Figured I'd add my retrofit photos in this thread: Infinity FX projectors with gattling gun shrouds, clear lenses, and philips d2s bulbs from theretrofitsource.com.













Here's my HID retro thread: 2005 Tundra DC HID Retrofit Progress

[primeral]

My first post on this forum

I finished the retrofit for the 06 Sequoia SR5 my wife and I bought a month ago...

Infiniti FX bi-xenon projectors with clear lens upgrade and E46 bezels


D2S 4300k 50w


aiming in progress




gorgeous cutoff


When I'm at a stoplight beside another Sequoia or Tundra at night, it looks as though the other truck's headlights are off