DEPO projector retrofit

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polobuds

polobuds

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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!

Man, did you hit the PATIENCE thing on the head! I am usually like you...I am a perfectionist and I pay attention to details. But as you can see, my projector removal is definitely not as clean as yours. And i used a heat gun! But just like you said, I wasnt patient. I maybe used the heat gun for 30 secs, then dug in with a flathead screw driver to try and pry the projector housing loose. The heat melted the housing and so when I used the screwdriver, it started breaking the rim of the housing, along with the glue. Once that happened, I said f*&^ it, and just started to tear the thing off. I may have ruined one DEPO headlight, but I think it's still clean enough where I can reattach it if need be with aluminum tape and bondo like denali did.

But this time, I am going to be patient and wait for your photobucket pics to load up. I am more of a visual guy, and having this pics will better help me understand what I need to do. I know Xav8r is in the same boat, and probably any questions he has I have the same. I can probably speak for him when I say, THANK YOU!
 

waxworkz

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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...

who is this "other depo retro fitter" you speak of??
 

DenaliAK

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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?

Yeah, no rush, just curious how they come out. I'm a lightaholic (don't ask about my flashlights), so output shots would be great whenever you get them done. I used the side of a church with an almost completely flat parking lot. 25 feet measured from wall to where the tire meets the ground (for proper DOT alignment height measurements)....lol.
 
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