Retrofitting headlights with Maxima Projectors (HIDS THE LEGALWAY)

[vietboy651]

This will be my first post regrading of upgrading and retrofitting the 9th Gen Galant. I had a help from my friend who is suave with retrofitting headlights. With my help, this will be his 6th retrofit on a vehicle. I learn a lot from this and I hope most of you can too. I have used his write to post on this forum so you guys can get a better idea how HIDs should be used. With the write up I'll be double posting if all of you don't mind. :069:


In the past I have shown my retrofit to most of you guys and each project I have learn different things about this. This time with my partner we are going to retrofit 2007 Nissan Maxima Projectors into a 06 Mitsubishi Galant.

Background Story: We decided to look up information on retrofitting Xenon Projectors on a Galant and haven't found any sucess of one being done so or even in a correct way of fitting. Just out of the blue we went to the salvage yard and found a 07 Nissan Maxima with the headlights still intact. WE HAD TO GRAB THE PROJECTORS FAST! Normally projectors from BMWs, S2000, Infintis, usually run about 400-500 dollars with Xenon Ballasts and all the wiring configations. Luckly on ebay you can get them for 100 dollars for just the projectors by themselves. We got the whole set and I won't tell you what we got them for.

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-But why the retrofitting?

1. HID kits with Halogen headlights are illegal. No acceptions. Most kits have a glimmering affect and mostly at high temps could ruining your headlight wiring.

2. Cut off lines are made on the projectors for an even spread for distances so the drivers aren't blinded by your lights.

3. A cleaner look and upgrade feel for your normal headlights.

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What we used for the Retrofit

- 07 Maxima Projectors and Ballast (Guess the price)
- D2S 30000k Bulb (Pink Violet Color) $20 Ebay
- Custom Wire Harness for conversion from Retrofitsource.com [9007 to D2S] $60-110 Depending on the Vehicle
- 70mm Custom White Angel Eyes From Retrofitsource.com $30
- Custom 3' Shrouds $30

Tools-

10 mm gear wrench, 12 mm, Rachet, Screwdriver philips and flat.
Prying Tool, Electric Tape, Double sided tape, Super Glue, Rotary Tool, Circular drill saw, heat gun, pilers, and a lot of improvising.

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Here our the set up layed out on the kitchen table

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Head light of the Galant

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Testing the Angel Eye (Very Fragile)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs238.snc1/8534_148965922180_501597180_3215261_6655077_n.jpg

[vietboy651]

Part 2 of Write up


Removing the Headlight from the Galant. Not as bad as taking one out from a 300zx and 350z.

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In order to get our projectors to fit inside the headlight we would need to take it apart. In order to do so, we preset the oven to 300 degrees and set it in the oven on a cookie sheet for 3 mins.

Note: Removed any metel clips, rubber hoses, before putting it int he oven.

After 3 mins the glue will soften so take the headlight out and and pry the headlight with a flathead screwdiver and putty knife of some sort. Be sure to take your time on this. If the glue starts to cool and dry put it back in the oven for 30 seconds.

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Note: After the first headlight is pryed, the oven will be hotter than before. So reduce the time to 1 1/2 for the second headlight. Remember take your time with these headlights.

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After both headlights lenes have been removed, we took out the inner chrome housing for our projector to be placed.

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Removing the Halogen light shield. Screw them.
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On the back of the housing we took a 2 1/2 circular saw drill on the back in order for the projector to fit inside.

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Result:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs218.snc1/8534_156335612180_501597180_3270413_5335995_n.jpg

The owner "JT" goofing around. Asian people really....lol. Oh look a B14 on the background!
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs238.snc1/8534_156335622180_501597180_3270415_1281165_n.jpg

Just to make it easier took a rotary tool to cut the housing for the projector to fit. Good thing the housing had a perfect outline for use to cut. We just too a sharpy to get a better view.

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The result:

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs218.snc1/8534_156335692180_501597180_3270427_1188917_n.jpg

Some hardware we picked up at ACE

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We didn't use brackets for the projector since the housing was fitted perfect. We just marked the projector where it could be drilled and bolted to keep the projector in place.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs218.snc1/8534_156335707180_501597180_3270430_5019578_n.jpg

Having both put together.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs218.snc1/8534_156335717180_501597180_3270432_585158_n.jpg

[vietboy651]

Part 3 of Write Up


We took the shrouds and fitted them on to the housing around the projectors. We had to cut the shroud in order to have a good fit around the projector.

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We added the Angel eyes on to the shourd. From Retrofitsource the Shrouds have a custom groove for the angel eyes to fits. We used super glue to keep these eyes in place. We went ahead and placed them on the back housing of the headlight.

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Back to the Oven. Preset again to 300 for the oven. We are going to use the same glue that was on the headlight by reheating it with the oven. We were able to put them together with some arm strength. It's much eaiser with two people.

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We were kinda afraid that the oven would hurt from the fragile parts inside the headlight. So we went head and tested the Angel eye connected to the parking lights.

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The game plan before installing

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Testing HID bulbs and balast.

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Heres the balast from the Maxima while we put the D2S bulb in. We also used the same rubber seals for a cleaner look.

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Testing HID and Angel Eye

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Headlights both on

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[vietboy651]

4th Part of the Write up


Now for the parking Light test! Sexy ness!

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HID TEST ON! (Warm up)

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http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs238.snc1/8534_156922082180_501597180_3273800_1179108_n.jpg

Oh btw, the parking lights and signal lights are LEDs. Fogs are HID as well.

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Trying to get the cut off correct.

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Last cool photo!

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And to celebrate our sucess a case of Asahi.

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I did this similar to my Z32. But the projector were useless on the Z using halogen bulbs. So I replace them with some M3 Projectors for a cleaner, sharper output using a HID kits. If you have any questions about retrofiting PM me anytime. Retrofitting is great if you don't want to spend 800 to 1000 dollars on Xenon Headlights replacements.


I know my bulb are purple but I don't give a shit because this state doesn't really give a shit unless you have projectors in your vehicle. I also have 3000k Yellow Bulbs for the winter, 5000k Pure White, just for shits and giggles, I have 12000k Exotic Purple just to get people to turn their heads, and 35000k of Pink Violet for the same reason as the purple. Just going for a show car look for moment, but I hope I can learn more from you guys about my vehicle.

[beam514]

nice writeup! I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem, but might want to include some kind of warning saying you guys are not responsible for any damage done to a person's headlights while attempting this.

I don't understand the purpose of cutting the hole with the drill, then using the rotary tool?

[vietboy651]

I don't understand the purpose of cutting the hole with the drill, then using the rotary tool?

lol

You know what, we thought about that too. My partner wanted to kick himself in the nuts for thinking that. He was like...:allen:

Look at this way, we took at two appoarches just in case. Like what he said, it takes a lot of improvising.

[RedLine DOHC]

looks good

[02redgalant]

nice work on the retro.. ...not a big fan of the purple hids kinda kills the purpose of doing a retro (the desire for more light/lumens lol)

[johnygezony]

pretty sweet ! just i would never go with 30000k

[VegasMatt]

Great job!! Welcome to the site.

[9G]

good job man. i took the easy way out and just bought the gts projector heads.

[vietboy651]

Thanks guys! I know the whole purpose of retrofitting is to desire more light but I didn't really care, because I wanted to feel safer having HIDs with the projectors without getting pulled over.

I do have other bulbs just in case I needed to switched them.

[DOHCstunr]

good job man. i took the easy way out and just bought the gts projector heads.

I agree. Good job!

but I would have bought the factory/OEM mitsubishi Projector headlamps.
IMHO they look much much better.

[vietboy651]

Agree..but I just want to do something different and instead of the dual headlight look..plus my both led side markers looks nice with it...

[Jeffylou87]

Good work..

[krazienluv10]

wow great work!!! very original...

[vietboy651]

Thanks krazienluv10..I really digging the lip...how can I get something similar to it??

[VIPtint]

the knowledge is priceless, and you now know what is involved. now all your friends will be askin you to do crazy retros for them. and you can make some money off of it. i have a buddy who did his first set, now he is doing a lot for the lexus and vip scene.

[krazienluv10]

it required a heat gun, cutting and melting/extending from another car

[Stewi]

nice work, great write up

[DOHCstunr]

pretty sweet ! just i would never go with 30000k

x's a million.

[Rayth]

isnt that color bulb more apt to get you pulled over than a HID kit? good write up though

[vietboy651]

isnt that color bulb more apt to get you pulled over than a HID kit? good write up though

Yes, but in NE and with shitty weather( you need the yellow light to see better thru fogs and snow). They don't seem to mind unless you rocking the ULTRA blue or red headlghts which I have seen some around town.. but other than that the cops here seems really cool with it..I see peeps driving with under glow here and cops didnt do anything so I was realy suprise at first.

[johnygezony]

^ive never heard of red...and wouldnt the light output of 30000k be significantly less then say 3000k,4500k, 5000k's ?

[vietboy651]

^ive never heard of red...and wouldnt the light output of 30000k be significantly less then say 3000k,4500k, 5000k's ?

It would be, but my 30000k(pink/violet) isn't that bad, had a lot of people say that my 30000k is pretty bright..It's just not as bright as my 5000k(pure white)

[johnygezony]

^yeah i guess its the color pink that is kinda eye piercing if you ask me. Hey man whatever keeps you safe. I know what crazy snow driving is like, after all i am surrounded by lakes.

[echo12]

I HAVE A QUESTION!

Is there any way possible to have the fog lights turn on with the parking lights. I have a 9Gts and the fog lights wont turn on unless the reg running lights are on.

I disabled my DRLs BTW

[Team Helotes]

Nope but BryanJ was selling a kit to fix that.

[TheGalant08]

I agree. Good job!

but I would have bought the factory/OEM mitsubishi Projector headlamps.
IMHO they look much much better.

wanna tell me how i can get my hands on the oem projectors haha google han't been much helpppp... starting to consider doing the retro though looks like it would be fun and i likee the way the headlight looks to begin with. scared though lol.

[02redgalant]

ebay

[rocgalant]

Are aftermarket HIDs actually illegal? I spent a lot of time scouring the internet for legislation, dockets, articles, etc that confirm whether they are illegal. I found nothing. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) and NHTSA do have information discussing the issue of HIDs and glare they create. But there is no ruling or law that explicitly bans their use. They just say that they are aware of the issue (which isn't even a major issue to them as far I can deduce) but more research needs to be conducted.

Does anyone have a clearly defined ruling about HIDs' legality?

[rocgalant]

Are aftermarket HIDs actually illegal? I spent a lot of time scouring the internet for legislation, dockets, articles, etc that confirm whether they are illegal. I found nothing. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) and NHTSA do have information discussing the issue of HIDs and glare they create. But there is no ruling or law that explicitly bans their use. They just say that they are aware of the issue (which isn't even a major issue to them as far I can deduce) but more research needs to be conducted.

Does anyone have a clearly defined ruling about HIDs' legality?

Well, this is embarassing. I literally spent hours online over the weekend looking up this information. As soon as I posted my question, I found my answer on a bimmer forum with language taken directly from FMVSS 108. Yes, apparently aftermarket HIDs are totally illegal in the States if the original car manufacturer did not specifically design the OEM headlamps for HID use. I don't care, I'm still getting HIDs within a couple weeks. I see enough glare, blue and purple lights on the roads around my way to feel confident that the cops don't really bother with it

[procksa49er]

As long as you have projectors I see no issue at all in why it is illegal. If you do not have projectors (as some older acuras do not) then there needs to be regulations on headlight aim/illumination patterns for each US Mfr.

HID's (speaking anecdotally) provide SOOOOOOO much more light on the road and the peripheral and forward illumination make night driving as safe as it can be (compared to daytime) so I hope this law gets trumped sooner rather than later to help night time motorists avoid accidents with other cars and living/nonliving hazards.


EDIT: The older acuras have HID BTW like the RL

[02redgalant]

I doubt that law will every be tossed out.....and yes older acuras/lexus have hid in Reflectors specifically designed for HID with special bulbs d_R series which have shields over them......if you really think about by putting hid in reflectors and adjust them down..your actually shortening the effective length output..

[TheG3]

Agree..but I just want to do something different and instead of the dual headlight look..plus my both led side markers looks nice with it...

what were the LEDs you put in the side markers. i have been going nuts looking for them. i always get on track and than hit a wall haha. the bulb numbers and specs would be great... if you could even the exact page to order them from haha. thanks!

[carl3g]

what were the LEDs you put in the side markers. i have been going nuts looking for them. i always get on track and than hit a wall haha. the bulb numbers and specs would be great... if you could even the exact page to order them from haha. thanks!

I hate to break it to you but the guy hasn't signed on in over a year. I doubt you'd get an answer from him.

[TheG3]

yeahhhh, i figured that. but might as well throw a post up anyways to see if anyone can answer haha.

[Samman]

Well done ! ur G has a special look

[johnygezony]

^lol

[ALCALA]

Looks real bad ass

[oakrdrs187]

Just read this old dead thread for the first time. IMO, huge fail for doing a nice projector retrofit and running 30000k.

Lol at the newbs!

[FirstWHIP9gen]

i really wanna do this but i dont have the time nor patience i would pay somebody to do this and i would watch

[carl3g]

i really wanna do this but i dont have the time nor patience i would pay somebody to do this and i would watch

There's a few places that would retro for you. It will cost you a pretty penny though. Im sure there is someone/a company in your region that will do it, and you could watch.

[JesterheadGTS]

i really wanna do this but i dont have the time nor patience i would pay somebody to do this and i would watchwhy not just get the GTS projectors?

[FirstWHIP9gen]

the gts headlights are $400 a piece

[FirstWHIP9gen]

There's a few places that would retro for you. It will cost you a pretty penny though. Im sure there is someone/a company in your region that will do it, and you could watch.

well i need to find them then

[JesterheadGTS]

the gts headlights are $400 a pieceF that lol. I don't blame you for wanting to retrofit then lol. What about junk yards? They prob wouldn't charge $400 ea. and you could prob talk them down from whatever they're charging. Just tryin to help. But if in the end retro fitting is less costly then go for it:thumb:

[FirstWHIP9gen]

I can't even find a Junkyard that has a 9gen in it I always fin 8gens .. But a retrofit I think would be cheaper u just have to buy the projectors and hardware and I think that would be like $150-$300 maybe

[Gotti]

Hows the cut off on the gts with hid?

[oakrdrs187]

I can't even find a Junkyard that has a 9gen in it I always fin 8gens .. But a retrofit I think would be cheaper u just have to buy the projectors and hardware and I think that would be like $150-$300 maybe

It will also be the way to get the most output. The oem 9G projector housings are designed for halogen bulbs whereas a retrofit uses projectors designed for HID.

[johnygezony]

Hows the cut off on the gts with hid?

Shitty, It has a flare up on each side of the cut off and it looks rather messy. The funny thing is he used a quality projector (the Maxima uses a E55 Bi-X) and he probably put some shitty quality bulb in it, but hey he did the work and did a pretty good job with it.

[Gotti]

I'll be do mine sometimes next month or so, I have 2 2011 outlander sport projectors+ bulb and hid kit

[Silver9Gen]

The only question I would have about this is when mounting the projector, how do you know your mounting it straight?

[oakrdrs187]

The only question I would have about this is when mounting the projector, how do you know your mounting it straight?

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pdf/trs_tech/FX-R_Projector_Retrofit.pdf

[carl3g]

The only question I would have about this is when mounting the projector, how do you know your mounting it straight?

When you mount it, make sure to put the heads on the car and turn them on. Once you see your rotation is straight and what not, then you tighten everything up.

[12GaugeMule]

anyone have any pics of how the 9g looks retrofitted?