TheSamba.com :: View topic - Retrofitted HID projectors into the Westy (pics)

Fri May 04, 2012 11:21 pm

Like many Westy owners I was dissatisfied with the lighting even with the Hella H4's on the Van so I finally got around to installing Bi-xenon projectors into the Westy from an Acura TL.
Here's a couple of pics and more in the link below for anyone interested.

Westy retrofit pics

Fri May 04, 2012 11:23 pm

K58 wrote: Like many Westy owners I was dissatisfied with the lighting even with the Hella H4's on the Van so I finally got around to installing Bi-xenon projectors into the Westy from an Acura TL.
Here's a couple of pics and more in the link below for anyone interested.

Westy retrofit pics AWESOME JOB!

Daddy wants 8)

Fri May 04, 2012 11:29 pm

K58 wrote: Like many Westy owners I was dissatisfied with the lighting even with the Hella H4's on the Van so I finally got around to installing Bi-xenon projectors into the Westy from an Acura TL.
Here's a couple of pics and more in the link below for anyone interested.

Awesome.
More details on the install please.

Sat May 05, 2012 12:37 am

Thanks Guys,
I took a few pictures as I went along that are in the flickr link but here's a brief description.
After removing the old headlights I attached 97-01 Jeep Cherokee headlight buckets (You'll need cut a larger opening with a hole saw to allow the projectors to fit the buckets). I then attached them to the original headlight mounting brackets and replaced the OE headlight adjusters with generic type which need to be be mounted at the top and side along with a set of springs to keep the lights secure. (I borrowed the method from a fellow Samba member)
The projectors themselves were mounted into a set of Pilot 7X6 H4 headlight housings with plastic lenses I got on Amazon. I made a template from the projector and using a Dremel tool cut an opening in the back just large enough to fit the projector. While using a power source so I could see the cutoff I leveled the projector and used quick set epoxy to keep everything in place, then taped the entire housing and projector with 3M aluminum tape to keep out any dust and moisture. Once secure I attached the headlight the same way you would a standard 7X6 sealed beam with a headlight bezel and screws. The lengthy projector with bulb and ballast connector attached fits perfectly with no modification needed. The rest of the work was simply wiring up a heavy duty bi-xenon harness using 14g wire directly to the battery to bypass the weak original wiring entirely. I then mounted and wired up the waterproof ballasts. I also had to modify the grille with a Dremel to allow the larger housings to fit properly. Once fitted you can't really tell the difference. I also drilled 4 headlight adjustment holes into the grille for pitch and yaw.
Night driving in the Westy is a total pleasure now and the looks you get from other motorists is priceless.
If you have any other questions please hit me up.

Sat May 05, 2012 1:32 am

Nicely done! I'm going to do this with a set of 7" rounds one of these days... Morimoto bi-xenons ino a set of Ebay clear-lense headlights, good to see there's no fit issues with the length.

Sat May 05, 2012 5:31 am

K58 wrote: Bi-xenon projectors into the Westy from an Acura TL.

Where did you get the Bi-xenon projectors, from the junkyard or new parts? If new parts, can you tell us where? Nice work and good pix.

(BTW, your license plate is covered in 1 photo and visible in all the rest, if you care about it.)

-CJ

Sat May 05, 2012 11:06 am

climberjohn wrote: K58 wrote: Bi-xenon projectors into the Westy from an Acura TL.

Where did you get the Bi-xenon projectors, from the junkyard or new parts? If new parts, can you tell us where? Nice work and good pix.

(BTW, your license plate is covered in 1 photo and visible in all the rest, if you care about it.)

-CJ
Thanks for the compliments. I purchased everything here
and got all my advice from hidplanet.com
also, thanks, I covered the plate for a particular post. I do care but only so much. haha

Sat May 05, 2012 11:19 am

Syncroincity wrote: Nicely done! I'm going to do this with a set of 7" rounds one of these days... Morimoto bi-xenons ino a set of Ebay clear-lense headlights, good to see there's no fit issues with the length.
Thank you and I think the round headlights would compliment the projectors better. I thought it would be fun to do a quad setup with an SA grille. What do you think?

Sat May 05, 2012 1:03 pm

maybe "the looks you get from other motorists is priceless" because you are blinding them

Sat May 05, 2012 4:11 pm

K58 wrote: Thank you and I think the round headlights would compliment the projectors better. I thought it would be fun to do a quad setup with an SA grille. What do you think?

Yeah, I looked into doing that, with a set of BMW 5" projectors, unfortunately the steering column box behind the grille is in the way on the left side,
there's not enough clearance for a deep light...

I got the Morimotos from Retrofit as well, they are a great outfit, and really know their stuff.

randywebb wrote: maybe "the looks you get from other motorists is priceless" because you are blinding them

Not if he did it the right way, and he absolutely did... the meatsticks that put HID bulbs inside incandescent fixtures are the ones polluting the night. The projector lense and the cutoff shield inside the real HID fixture ensure proper light distribution. The key here is using a true HID light fixture, not just a bulb, and mounting it inside a clear-lensed surround suitable to the vehicle. Visit the retrofit source linked in the post above, they have lots of info about this, it's some really interesting stuff.

There are also ready-made 7" round HID replacement assemblies, but they're pushing $700, the Hummer crowd seems to like them...

Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:20 am

Nicely done! Thanks for the writeup. It looks like TRS put a small writeup about this retrofit on their website.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/retrofit_examples.php?retrofits_id=2

I just finished up a retrofit on my subaru (all sourced from the retrofit source, great company) and prior to that I had never driven a car with an HID setup before. The light output of the bi-xenons is phenomenal, and now I think I'm spoiled. I can definitely see doing this in the future. Come to think of it, I'm surprised GoWesty or the like hasn't developed a kit yet.

Thanks for doing this the right way. A blob of purple HID light glaring from halogen housings blinding everyone is one of the most obnoxious things on the road.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 pm

Quote: Not if he did it the right way, and he absolutely did

actually, I notice if your driving on a road that isn't dead flat, oncoming headlights flash at you due to bumps in the road...looking like they are flashing their brights at you. it's annoying. couldn't that be a factor ?

driving in most of the city, I barely need headlights at all. some streets are defiantly under-lit but not all.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:24 pm

Keane wrote: Nicely done! Thanks for the writeup. It looks like TRS put a small writeup about this retrofit on their website.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/retrofit_examples.php?retrofits_id=2

I just finished up a retrofit on my subaru (all sourced from the retrofit source, great company) and prior to that I had never driven a car with an HID setup before. The light output of the bi-xenons is phenomenal, and now I think I'm spoiled. I can definitely see doing this in the future. Come to think of it, I'm surprised GoWesty or the like hasn't developed a kit yet.

Thanks for doing this the right way. A blob of purple HID light glaring from halogen housings blinding everyone is one of the most obnoxious things on the road.

Hey, thanks for noticing!
Yep, Matt saw some pics of my Westy and asked me if I'd like to be featured on the new site. I told him I would be honored.
I'd like to think a VW supplier might offer an hid kit but judging from what I've seen it would be too expensive and/or not enough interest.
Are you on hidplanet? Love to see some pics of your Subaru?

Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:06 pm

Crankey wrote: Quote: Not if he did it the right way, and he absolutely did

actually, I notice if your driving on a road that isn't dead flat, oncoming headlights flash at you due to bumps in the road...looking like they are flashing their brights at you. it's annoying. couldn't that be a factor ?

driving in most of the city, I barely need headlights at all. some streets are defiantly under-lit but not all.

the higher quality cars with HID lighting have ato-leveling to ensure the beams don't blind other drivers

this would be esp. important on a Van where the load varies greatly from one drive to another

Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:20 pm

This is one sweet addition to a Vanagon...whatever the price.
Thanks for posting this and the links.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:21 pm

randywebb wrote: Crankey wrote: Quote: Not if he did it the right way, and he absolutely did

actually, I notice if your driving on a road that isn't dead flat, oncoming headlights flash at you due to bumps in the road...looking like they are flashing their brights at you. it's annoying. couldn't that be a factor ?

driving in most of the city, I barely need headlights at all. some streets are defiantly under-lit but not all.

the higher quality cars with HID lighting have ato-leveling to ensure the beams don't blind other drivers

this would be esp. important on a Van where the load varies greatly from one drive to another

wow, cool to know.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:08 pm

Aren't there 7'' HID lenses and lights that should be a drop in for an SA grill or round headlight grill?

Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:18 pm

Phishman068 wrote: Aren't there 7'' HID lenses and lights that should be a drop in for an SA grill or round headlight grill?
Yeah, someone posted 'em earlier in the thread.

I've been tinkering with a pair of E46 projectors and some cheapo 7" H4s but without a big bubbled lens they'll be way too deep for my Bay or the Fastback project. Might be able to use them in the wife's Benz, could definitely put them in the Cabriolet...

Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:49 pm

Quote:
the higher quality cars with HID lighting have ato-leveling to ensure the beams don't blind other drivers

this would be esp. important on a Van where the load varies greatly from one drive to another

Speaking on behalf of all other drivers on the road: This should be mandatory with lights this intense. Installation doesn't matter if they are shining in my eyes, and out here where the roads are two-lane, winding and hilly, no installation or levelling will do it. I'm just glad most of my neighbors drive cars of similar vintage...

Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:03 pm

Actually the newer factory HIDs come not only with auto leveling, but also aiming correction as you drive so when these drivers come over a rise in the road they don't blind you. That's been the case in Europe for a decade as their research found the "hobby horse-ing" over undulations was a blinding issue so the headlamps can constantly adjust. Wish our gummint would get off their fat butts and update our lighting laws... Ours are among the worst in the world - including 3rd world countries. It is well known outside the US that our lighting laws are in place to protect our US lighting suppliers by having unique (and lower quality) standards. Thanks, Washington DC!!

DougM