Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

lll2for3lll's Projector Retrofit Project

20K views 170 replies 16 participants last post by  lll2for3lll 
#1 · (Edited)
Most of you probably don't care but this is a project I never imagined myself tackling.

I ordered a set of 05-07 OEM Headlight Replicas for $117.andsomechange from 1A Auto.<<<<DIRECT LINK. Their shipping is very very fast. 2 business days and it was free.

First off, the visual quality is outstanding. I've held OEM headlights in my hands the same way I'm holding the reps and I do not notice a difference. The only difference I'm noticing is the glue (a definate clue that opening them should be a breeze).

I'm open to all advice while I journey through this process.

The projectors are coming soon.

Pictures:







Here is the glue. It's pretty soft. Should be simple to remove the lens. "Like Butter!" says Robpp.

 
See less See more
4
#143 ·
My headlight assemblies held no moisture from the storm last night.

The true test with be when I wash it.
 
#144 ·
I'm thinking about either making another set or installing 08+ OEM projectors if I can figure out what to do with the gap.

If I make another set, I'm painting and might do some other custom work.

And the set of headlights I made in this thread might either be up for sell or up for grabs. Lol.
 
#147 ·
#146 ·
I like them. I do and so does people at the gas station and in random parking lots. I just like the OEM look.
 
#149 ·
Sounds good but aftermarket OEM spec'd headlights are easier to open.
 
#150 ·
'tis true. i opened a stock pair and it wasn't too bad...just something to keep in mind.
 
#152 ·
It's a thought though. Might be a while considering the fact that I'm spending my money on other stuff right now.
 
#153 ·
That's fine, doing the retro fit myself has been a thought since I first saw this thread. Hahaha

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
 
#154 · (Edited)
It's not as hard as I might have made it out to be. The Retrofit Source have the Mini's on sale.

The most time consuming part was removing the old glue from the channel.
 
#155 ·
2for i think I am going with an 8 projector setup/

i have 6 now with my new fogs and found a small pair the trs sells that I may try and use as parking lights. i found a small amber ring that fits around this mini projector and could be my turn signal/

it will be fun to try and align all the cut off lines LOLOL
 
#156 ·
Rob!!!!!!! I mentioned something to you before about putting projectors in the turn signal bezel. Lol. It was a long time ago. Remember?

Do it.
 
#157 ·
i dont remember but I do LOTS of dreaming and scheming :lol:



i DO know my switchback stick out like a sore thumb.........so another projector there and then either a amber ring for the blinker or an amber strip like omelet drew the other day/




or my other crazy mod would be a LED lowbeam.....one of the DOT 7 inch round headlights then a bi xenon high beam and a strip for the blinker cause that big headlight would need that whole side to fit.



only problem is those leds are like 300 a SIDE.....
 
#159 ·
Not sure if this was covered and forgive me if it was, but when you install the retrofit, is there any splicing of the wires or do the morimotos PnP with the stock 07 wiring?
 
#160 ·
If you use the solenoid for the high beam then yes.

I don't need the for high beams so their just PnP with a relay kit and ballast.
 
#161 ·
for anyone who's done this, the big nut on the back doesn't screw down tight (like it's just a little too big or ill fitting) the result is the whole thing's loose. Any fix for this or do I have a defective part?
 
#162 ·
Looks like this at first....



Then you have to do this....



Shave off the small ring that protrudes the surface....



Winning!

 
#163 ·
did all that as well. are you NOT using the large silicone grommet? I tried the smaller of the two behind the projector inside the housing but even when I turn down the nut on the back it doesn't feel very secure (up down, left right, etc) and that it might bounce around even a little while driving, has that been the case with you?
 
#165 ·
I thought the SAME exact thing. Lol. Seriously. I was concerned about that. But after talking with the the guys on here that retrofitted these Mini's, they said it will not move or bounce around from driving around. I used medium strength thread lock on everything that had anything to do with screwing (nut, screws, etc)

Did this project a long time ago and ZERO problems. Except when I "thought" I had water leaking in causing moisture on the lens but that was due to my turn signal not screwed in all the way.
 
#164 ·
I got 2 sizes of the rubber washer. I didn't use the big washers at all. I only used the smaller washers.

Of it doesn't fit after shaving the ring on the inside of the reflector, shave a little more. I had to shave a little, check it, shave some more, check again, etc, etc.

If your nut or the stem on the Mini is messed up, call the retrofitsource and that will be happy to send you another one. Tell them you will put the broken Mini in the box that come with the new Mini and write refuse on the box. That will speed up the exchange process.
 
#166 ·
cool thanks! going to get some lock tite tomorrow and call RTS and ask to get an exchange mini because this other one works just fine and despite the fact the defective one LOOKS like the threads are perfect, obviously something is off because the nut just drops down to the bottom without even spinning it.


Oh and side note, spend the $115 and get the aftermarket eagle eye headlights!! jeeeeeeesus was it so much easier. 2 rounds of 15mins each at 225* and they were open. Compare that to 3 rounds on OEM with NO progress and even with a heat gun I got nowhere. well worth the $115 to get a set that came apart "like butter" LOL, right on!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lll2for3lll
#167 ·
cool thanks! going to get some lock tite tomorrow and call RTS and ask to get an exchange mini because this other one works just fine and despite the fact the defective one LOOKS like the threads are perfect, obviously something is off because the nut just drops down to the bottom without even spinning it.


Oh and side note, spend the $115 and get the aftermarket eagle eye headlights!! jeeeeeeesus was it so much easier. 2 rounds of 15mins each at 225* and they were open. Compare that to 3 rounds on OEM with NO progress and even with a heat gun I got nowhere. well worth the $115 to get a set that came apart "like butter" LOL, right on!
I couldn't explain how easy they were to open. Now you know the point I was trying to get across.
 
#168 ·
totally, thats exactly why i bought them. a wood chisel worked well to get between the lens and the body to separate and a stiff 1.5" putty knife got into the seam right away
 
#169 ·
also could you explain how to properly aim these, what height against a wall is the good so that at a distance they don't end up in traffic?
 
#171 ·
25 feet away from the wall
Measure the height of projector
Go to the wall and measure up to that height
And drop down 1 to 2 inches.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheAngryMinnow
#170 ·
Also important note: when you're dremeling down the humps and the ring, do NOT use windex to clean the reflector housing. I did and it ended up creating some subtle rainbow streaking inside. Just use pressurized air and a microfiber lint free cloth.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top