Growing up doesn't have to suck

[KidWgn]

Putting this here for later reference.

07-14 Chevy Tahoe Custom Black & Clear Projector Retrofit Headlights - BlackFlameCustoms.com

Customer Headlight Build Updates – Customer: TJ D – Vehicle: 07-14 Chevy Tahoe – Projectors: H1 Bi-Xenon – Lens Upgrades: None/Factory Clear – Shrouds: E-46 Chrome – Bulbs: CN – Ballasts: NHK FAST – Paint Theme: Black Surround & Chrome Center / Accents – Vinyl Logo/Decals: None – Extras: CLEAR...

blackflamecustoms.com

View attachment 420257

Looks like cheap chinese junk.

Oh, I'm not buying them! I just saved that pic and the link to have more pics for ideas for inspiration. I already have the black housings with clear reflector. I'm researching retrofitting a small but good projector into them. I don't care much for the look of projectors cuz they look like beady eyeballs- worse than the bubble eyes of the factory Yukon headlights. But the small projectors in a darker housing tone it down to what seems like something I can live with. I'm not sure what brand of headlights I have. They were a resell deal on Marketplace when the guy didn't get what he thought he was getting. But there are a few projectors I'm looking at. The ones from TRS look identical to some others for a fraction of the price. Still researching...

They may LOOK the same, but the optical clarity and focal point of the lens is what really matters here.

Have you looked into AlphaRex headlights? That's what I'll be doing in the spring, since my damn adjustment knob snapped internally.

 

[iamdub]

Looks like cheap chinese junk.

They may LOOK the same, but the optical clarity and focal point of the lens is what really matters here.

Have you looked into AlphaRex headlights? That's what I'll be doing in the spring, since my damn adjustment knob snapped internally.

Pretty much all the aftermarket housings are "cheap Chinese junk". Best I know is that TYC and Depo are the best aftermarket option. But they don't have all black OEM-ish with clear reflectors. I have the exact same housings (same brand, etc.) that BFC used for that retrofit. I'm not using $500+ retrofit projector assemblies, though.

I've seen the Alpharex headlights. I'd love to have LED projectors, but I'm not spending $1,000 on headlights. Especially when I don't like a lot about their appearance.

I'm just using some housings and HIDs I already have to retrofit some (hopefully) good HID projectors. Total budget package. I don't drive it enough and even lesser at night to invest that much in headlights. In the end, if they're not better than stock, then I'll have my stock housings to throw back in and I'll only be out more time than money. I'd remove the clear reflectors and black lower section trim and swap that into the OEM housings so I'd still have the same "aftermarket" look, but with OEM quality plastics and fitment.

 

[iamdub]

Dubby badger don't give a shit 'bout no Permaseal.




This was a spare/junk OEM assembly Tahoe Twin gave me to experiment with.


For those interested-

1. Heat oven to 270°
2. Place headlight assembly on board(s) and heat for 8 minutes
3. Work it for 6 minutes, starting at the bottom corners/bottom
4. Heat it for 4 minutes and work it for 6
5. You will repeat Step #4 four or five times

I used a broad flat head screwdriver to get it started, then switched to a 1" wide stiff plastic knife. I used door frame shims to hold it separated as I worked along the seam. Watch the clock cuz you'll get so engrossed in trying to pry it apart that you'll be fighting the semi-permanent bond from the Permaseal cooling off. You don't wanna break something trying to rush it. Keep it hot.

 

[Just Fishing]

 

[Just Fishing]

Man, I want to go back through those honey badger videos now, I wish they were in 4k...
"Honey badger don't care, honey badger don't give a fk!"

 

[iamdub]

Man, I want to go back through those honey badger videos now, I wish they were in 4k...
"Honey badger don't care, honey badger don't give a fk!"

Vintage interwebz! I'm glad some of you other old timers caught the reference.

 

[KidWgn]

I'd love to have LED projectors, but I'm not spending $1,000 on headlights. Especially when I don't like a lot about their appearance.

Don't get the weird ice cube ones, then.

get these, we can match

 

[iamdub]

Don't get the weird ice cube ones, then.

get these, we can match

Twinning with my TYF bros makes makes me tingle. But, you know I'm in Louisiana, right? That means I'm poor and oppressed. I have so much HID and projector junk floating around from past cars and projects that I can't bring myself buy $700 pre-made housings. Those would look a lot better if they had clear reflectors and no Nike Swooshes in them.

 

[KidWgn]

Twinning with my TYF bros makes makes me tingle. But, you know I'm in Louisiana, right? That means I'm poor and oppressed. I have so much HID and projector junk floating around from past cars and projects that I can't bring myself buy $700 pre-made housings. Those would look a lot better if they had clear reflectors and no Nike Swooshes in them.

They aren’t just housings. They’re a self contained light. The LED chips are integrated into the projector.

The Nike swoosh can be made to illuminate white OR amber, too.

 

[iamdub]

They aren’t just housings. They’re a self contained light. The LED chips are integrated into the projector.

The Nike swoosh can be made to illuminate white OR amber, too.

I should've said "assemblies". I feel that just saying "lights" refers to the bulbs. Still, even if that Swoosh went completely black when not powered, I'm not spending $700 on headlights/housings/assemblies/fully assembled modular forward illumination pods.

I'll have about $120 total invested in what I'm cooking up now. It's sure to grow as I keep gaining ideas. But I'm trying to use up what I have on hand. I found some Morimoto projectors with what look like DxS bulbs and 55W ballasts. A buddy sent them to me a few years ago when he was purging before a move and I had forgotten about 'em. They're way too big to fit in the headlights, but they'd be bad ass auxiliary lights in the fog/driving light positions, complete with high/low beam.