DEPO projector retrofit

[polobuds]

I searched the forum and couldn't find any answers, so I'm looking for help.

I got DEPO projectors for my 03 Tahoe and I'm doing a projector retrofit. Taking out the DEPO projector and putting in Morimoto D2S projector. Got some help from DenaliAK and Matt @ TRS, but wanted to see if anyone had tried to do this before I get different projectors.

The Morimotos don't quite fit into the reflector housing without a lot of trimming, and even then, it's not a clean fit because of the Morimoto bracket. Also, the Morimotos are a little too big for the projector shroud, and in order to switch out shrouds, I would have to go through the front and remove the headlight cover. Don't want to have to do that, but the shroud that came with the Morimotos are too big to fit anyways. Matt recommended switching to the H1 because they are a little smaller, but man, these are small already. Any suggestions?

Removed DEPO projector from headlight:


DEPO projector removed from reflector housing (morimoto projector in forefront):


Morimoto projector in the DEPO reflector housing (not even close to fitting):


This is how the reflector housing should fit with the projector (Morimoto won't fit like this because of the projector bracket):



Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't mind doing some trimming and modding, but I just want to make sure it will work before I completely destroy the reflector housing.

 

[puckhead]

Dang, looks like you have a project on your hands! Dont know squat about this stuff, just interested in the outcome. Hope you get it worked out

 

[Xav8r]

Shoot ... I just ordered DEPOs and installed them today. I'm planning on ordering the same stuff from Matt at TRS based on an email conversation we've had. Now I'm wondering if I should hold-off, as I didn't want to get involved with too much trimming, refitting, and gluing things back together.

Please, please continue to document and write-up what you discover, learn, and suggest for those of us considering doing this.

Thankfully I kept my originals and could always go back to "normal".

 

[DenaliAK]

I really thought those would fit better....seems like they are actually just the wrong size to fit any easy way. How do the Morimoto's if you stick them in like the DEPO's in that last pic? Maybe you could rig some kind of bracket that way. I'm sure you've checked that option already, but that's the only way I can think of doing it without baking them apart and going in from the front.

 

[bub]

this should be a good retro fit. hope you find the one you're looking for.

 

[polobuds]

Shoot ... I just ordered DEPOs and installed them today. I'm planning on ordering the same stuff from Matt at TRS based on an email conversation we've had. Now I'm wondering if I should hold-off, as I didn't want to get involved with too much trimming, refitting, and gluing things back together.

Please, please continue to document and write-up what you discover, learn, and suggest for those of us considering doing this.

Thankfully I kept my originals and could always go back to "normal".

Yeah, I ordered everything based on my email conversations with Matt. He has been super helpful but as you can see in the pics, it's just not a good fit unless you do some serious cutting/trimming. I contacted him and he suggested the Morimoto H1 might be a little better fit (he originally suggested the H1 and I went with the D2S). The H1 look a little smaller and may fit into the projector like the last pic, but we'll see. I was hoping someone besides Denali has done something like this with a Tahoe that might have some suggestions, but I think I will have to exhange them for H1. Matt said he would be able to exchange them so we'll see. I'll definitely keep you posted, and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions regarding this retrofit. Sounds like we are on the same path so we can exchange info.

---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

I really thought those would fit better....seems like they are actually just the wrong size to fit any easy way. How do the Morimoto's if you stick them in like the DEPO's in that last pic? Maybe you could rig some kind of bracket that way. I'm sure you've checked that option already, but that's the only way I can think of doing it without baking them apart and going in from the front.

Exactly. It doesn't seem to fit any way, even when I try to fit them in like in the last pic. The bracket on the Morimoto gets in the way, so the projector doesnt even fit into the DEPO shroud, and the shroud that came with the Morimotos are too big for the headlights and too big for the Morimoto. I was hoping to avoid going in from the front, and I may have to rig some sort of bracket to hold the projector in place, but I would have to do a lot of cutting to the reflector housing, otherwise it would stick too far out. I may have to switch out to the Morimoto H1, which are a tad bit smaller. They might allow me to fit it in the projector like in the last pic. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your help/advice!

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 AM ----------

Dang, looks like you have a project on your hands! Dont know squat about this stuff, just interested in the outcome. Hope you get it worked out

Thanks Puckhead and Bub. Hopefully I get this figured out. I know it will be 10x better if I can figure out the best way to fit them. Thanks

 

[droppedHoe]

i just ordered the dt moto ccfl projectors. i was gonna have my depo's modded but went with the ccfl halo's.. i'm gonna get them modded with infinity glass projectors, but im not personally doing it...Kuzina Kustoms is doing mine...

 

[Tahoewhat]

you got started doing this already.. Sorry cant help on this one. But looking forward to finished product, just dont give up man. Just sit back and think about it. and it will come to you.

 

[DenaliAK]

The zen approach to projects....I like it.

 

[Tahoewhat]

The zen approach to projects....I like it.

lol. it helps me most of the time. B/c i have a "slight" anger issue and end up breaking things. So when i get frustrated, i just take a break, sit back analyze what im trying to do and usually it will come to me. (sometimes)