OP
OP
polobuds
Full Access Member
^+1
DEPO projector retrofit
- Thread starter polobuds
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
I used the Lexus RX projectors in the DEPO housings. Check out a little bit of my progress.
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/sho...e-Lexus-RX-Projector-Retrofit&highlight=tahoe
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/sho...e-Lexus-RX-Projector-Retrofit&highlight=tahoe
OP
OP
polobuds
Full Access Member
Just the guy I've been waiting for! Forgive me for hitting you up on the thread. If you'd like I can PM, but I figure that whatever advice you have to offer, it will help others who are attempting/thinking of attempting this retrofit.
So you got your goods from Matt @ TRS. Yes, very helpful guy but he recommended the Morimotos. As you can see in my pics, I'm doing the same retrofit in the DEPOs, and I see you went in through the front. I was going in through the back by removing the bracket. I'm interested to see how your RX projector fits. I'm about to exchange my D2S projectors for Morimotos H1, but if your RX projectors are fitting better, I might have to go that route as well. Like you, it's a work in progress that hopefully will be finished next year, but hoping not into May. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Edit:
I see from the pics that the RX projectors fit nicely onto the existing DEPO housing screw locations (with some minor trimming with the dremel). I'd like to see some more pics of how you did this if you happen to have more. So it looks like you didnt even bother putting the RX projector back into the reflector housing. Just went projector onto DEPO housing. Did you fill the gaps with anything, like aluminum tape?
Last edited:
If you go in through the front you have more options, that's for sure, and if you mess things up a shroud can hide things and make it look professional, too.
That came out awesome, 05-Z71...very, very clean. Looks relatively easy, too. Do you have any output shots against a wall from a bit of a distance? I'm curious how wide the beam is compared to my TSX's.
Polo--this might be your answer, buddy!
That came out awesome, 05-Z71...very, very clean. Looks relatively easy, too. Do you have any output shots against a wall from a bit of a distance? I'm curious how wide the beam is compared to my TSX's.
Polo--this might be your answer, buddy!
Xav8r
Member
And you have my attention ...
Not to thread jack, however to hopefully add to the knowledge base for anyone who might be attempting this ...
The picture with the caption "Modified DEPO bezel ..." ... what, how, and why did you modify the DEPO bezel?
Thanks
Not to thread jack, however to hopefully add to the knowledge base for anyone who might be attempting this ...
The picture with the caption "Modified DEPO bezel ..." ... what, how, and why did you modify the DEPO bezel?
Thanks
Alrightey -- here's what I know...
I'm sure your H1 projectors will work fine if that's what you have already. I took a wild guess at the RX projectors, and it turned out that they fit well (almost identical size & shape to the DEPO halogen projectors that I removed). The output is AMAZING with the clear lens swap & cutoff shield mod. I haven't finished the project yet (I moved earlier this summer and boxed everything up). I'm getting ready to dig back into it for the winter tho. As of now, I have the driver's side almost finished -- just need to fit the shroud and install/seal the lens.
One thing that I learned and would like to share is that you need to TAKE YOUR TIME and BE PATIENT!! If everyone can repeat that 20x, that would be great. I ruined a set of DEPOS before I learned that I needed to slow down a bit and be even more careful. I'm a perfectionist, so I'm extremely particular about the smallest defect -- I probably could've put them together as they were, but it would've driven me nuts! I still haven't mastered the oven bake to soften the glue enough to work with it, without deforming the clear lens. My final approach will be to use a heat gun and work things slowly. Key word, SLOWLY. If you're patient, it will start to work out for you.
Another helpful tool was to make an aiming fixture. I simply used a block of wood, and made markings & pinning positions on it. I aimed the stock headlight with the stock aiming. I then put tape marks on the wall to outline the beam pattern. When I glued the projector into the housing, I put the housing into the fixture and used the tape marks on the wall to ensure that the projector output was flat, as well as in the same area as my stock pattern. This should help keep me close to the stock settings, and reduce aiming time down the road.
Overall, there wasn't much work content. A bit of minor trimming and test fitting was all it took to put everything together. I used a 2-part putty epoxy to seal and set the housing. I also filled the area around the projector bowl with silicone to make sure it didn't get any moisture or dirt inside the projector. I've got a ton of pictures that will highlight any of the modifications made during my install -- If you're patient, I'll post them to my photobucket account.
I plan on digging back into everything soon, and will finish up the passenger side. If you have any questions, I'll try to help as best I can! If anything, I'll post a picture album...that should help a bunch. Later!
The DEPO bezel fits almost perfectly. I just need to trim the back side so that it will fit the shape of the newly installed Lexus RX lens. The Lexus RX projectors fit almost exactly where the stock DEPO halogen projectors were sitting -- leaving little need for modification. There are also clearance issues on the inside of the lens -- there isn't much room to have an aftermarket bezel/ring poking out too far.
My overall assessment is that it looks good, and requires little to no effort to modify the DEPO bezel. I did get a set of GTI bezels which are low profile, but they are too big around, and would require significant trimming in multiple areas. I'll see if I have pics to post of the mods/trimming done to the back side of the DEPO bezel.
---------- Post added at 12:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 AM ----------
Denali, I don't have any outside output shots yet. The only thing I did was install the driver's side headlight assembly to make sure that there weren't clearance issues with my battery/front frame area. When I installed it, I took it for a quick test-drive, but it wasn't dark. The only output pics I currently have are on my old living room wall.
Once I get back into the project in the next few weeks, I'll install the driver's side and compare it to my Xenarc X2020 on the passenger side. Possibly a 20-25 foot shot on the garage door?
OP
OP
polobuds
Full Access Member
Yep! If I had denali lights, I would've been gravy with your writeup. But since I found another Tahoe DEPO retrofitter, he might be able to answer more of my questions. As always thanks for the help and encouragement. This should help motivate me/get the ball rolling again to finish this mod. I was feeling a little bit dejected since I'm a noob at retrofitting, and I'm not the most creative problem solver!
Will keep you updated...
**subscribed**
even though i might go with some IPCW head lights that seem to have a way better projector to start but are about 3X the price. just have to weigh the expenses and see if they look good enough. thing i didnt like is i think they come with something other than a 9004/9005 bulb that i have my HIDs now. might have to buy new bulbs
even though i might go with some IPCW head lights that seem to have a way better projector to start but are about 3X the price. just have to weigh the expenses and see if they look good enough. thing i didnt like is i think they come with something other than a 9004/9005 bulb that i have my HIDs now. might have to buy new bulbs
