HID Headlight Bulbs / HID Projector Retrofit

[Jrd505]

What's up gentlemen!!! Sooo happy to be apart of the club now! Just traded in my pos bmw x5 for a beautiful 2014 chevrolet silverado LTZ! Damn I love it! BUT like everyone here, hate the headlights lol I've been doing a ton of research and read so many pages here... 

 

One thing I have not seen much of is buying entire aftermarket headlight assemblies with halo style DRLs, so pretty and sexy, with pre-assembled HIDs. Example here.. 

https://www.protuninglab.com/hidxe14chsio1.html

 

This is in the description :

Most online seller also offers aftermarket headlights with HID kit. However, they do not offer pre-install HID combo because most headlights will require minor adjustment in order to fit HID light bulbs. At ProTuningLab, we offer pre-installed HID kit with the projector headlights. We will install the HID light bulb with the headlights and connect all wiring needed along with the HID ballast. When you receive the package, you simply install the headlights as instructed without worrying how to install or make adjustment with the HID system. 

 

I'm thinking of buying those (Spyder manufacturer) or one of the other headlight kits (really like this spec-d one below too). 

 

https://www.protuninglab.com/hidxe14chsi11.html

 

I know about the retrofit source and their entire HID Kit for like $200 I think? Then the same headlights I'm looking at are $350-$400 by themselves, so to me it makes sense to buy the pre-assembled one for around $400. Yes you have to buy the relay harness ($20) and maybe canbus? 

 

I'm looking to not only get HIDs but also replace the entire headlight assembly the includes some type of u-bar (halo-ish?) DRLs. 

 

Would love anyones opinion on this! And like I said, happy to be in the Chevy Silverado club! 

[FastWS6TA]

I drew them up in solid works and my cousin machined them for me.

Lol. Ahhh okay. Because I was going to be like dang I think someone 3d scanned my design and was reselling it. Lol. Although I figured if someone wanted to go through the hassle of machining them on a cnc they could have at it. Lol. I machined mine in my cnc one time and that was enough for me.

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[Crf450r420]

Lol. Ahhh okay. Because I was going to be like dang I think someone 3d scanned my design and was reselling it. Lol. Although I figured if someone wanted to go through the hassle of machining them on a cnc they could have at it. Lol. I machined mine in my cnc one time and that was enough for me.

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Not going to sell them, just wanted to never worry about that part again. First time drawing parts 8n solid works also, so things for me will get way more attention. It would be great to make things to sell, but for now any practice I can find.

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[truckguy82]

I just spoke with Phil from fast headlights on the phone. I had no idea the projector retrofits actually come with the bulbs and ballasts.

 

Only $350 - 10% for forum members and you get an easy to install d2s 4.0 projector, ballasts, and bulbs.

 

All this time I thought you needed to buy the projector retrofit and then you buy the bulbs and ballast. I mean it’s $180 for the morimoto hid kit. For only $135 more you get a projector upgrade and hid kit. 

 

Only $315 to have top of the line headlight output and beam pattern. That’s definitely a no brainer.

 

[SWOYER]

I just want to put this out there for reference, because if you're like me you're always interested in spending more money up front on a quality product than to have issues later down the road. I will be going with the morimoto 4.0 setup from fastheadlights, but here are two videos that really show the quality and the differences for these and the rx350's which are considered some of the best retrofit projectors on the market. I think the pattern on the 4.0 is nicer and wider for me, and subsequent I will get going that route. Also, they are much cheaper. 

 

Also, phil, any issues with the thread-mounting mentioned in the second video? I assume we have a higher install height and plenty of adjustment. Just asking the pro!. Thanks

 

 

Installed on a tundra for reference... Man they are pretty!

 

Edited February 4, 2018 by SWOYER

[MHPrior80]

Looks like I’m gonna try these in my Anzo head lights and go from there. They seem alright. I have the H1 bulbs in the Anzos so that’s why I’m trying these. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J2CHZF0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518449357&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=H1+opt7+led+show+glow&dpPl=1&dpID=51g7zV7mY0L&ref=plSrch

 

[SWOYER]

I just did my retrofit yesterday, and wow what a difference!

 

I used the FastHeadlights 2014-17 GMC Sierra Morimoto Mini D2S 4.0 Kit with Hylux Ballasts. 5000k Bulbs. 35w Ballasts. 

http://www.fastheadlights.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=buy_d2s4_sierra_kit_hylux

 

Here is what I learned and advise based on my own experience. 

1. Allocate about 8 hours to do this, it might not take you that long but it could. If you are taking your time or run into the smallest of hiccups, you will use a lot of time. 

2. Upper bumper removal (plastic). Take your time! Don't go yanking on it.. Work it from the outsides and top to get the outsides loose, do both sides, then when your releasing the tabs from under the bumper have someone else hold it and guide it out slowly. I broke two black tabs off, one on each side.. I don't know where they were but when I reinstalled it there is a small gap between the fender, this piece and the headlight, It's not totally noticeable but I assume that's where it was. 

3. The fastheadlight kit brackets are very nice and bolted right up, but I found that in my particular instance one of the projectors was a tight fit matching up to the headlight via the bracket holes. I've narrowed down the possible causes to the following; 1. The screws need to go in perfectly straight, if you are off angle at all then you will exaggerate any misalignment issues with the projector mount. 2. I used the next size up drill bit on the holes to open up the holes slightly, the threads still grabbed even though they don't need to. But, I believe this helped ease the installation even if it was just mental. 

4. The plugs that are on the harness from morimoto are too wide to fit into their own provided connector let alone the harness for the headlight. You can either shave them down to fit, or cut them off and put smaller ones on. I cut them off, threw out the loose packed adapter and plugged directly into the headlight harness and wrapped everything up tight with electrical tape. I was worried if that connection ever came loose I would have to pull the bumper and everything again, but the wiring is loose in the headlight housing and there is enough slack that I can pull it out the back and set/tape them if they ever work loose. But I doubt they will. 

5. Pulling the bumper, grill and lights looks terrifying, but it's really not that bad. Now that I've done it once I feel like I could easily do it again. Take your time and follow the guide and your fine. 

6. The hylux ballasts are cheaper than the morimoto, but, that doesn't mean there is any less quality. I found that the ballast performs well, it does have a slight buzz to it, but heat up time is acceptable. It's not the fastest, but it's not bad either. This is the amount of time it takes to reach full power from when the light is turned on. If you have the chance, you should consider the 45w version over the 35w. The 35w is very bright, but its not the same as a 55w. And while the 55w is very very bright, I think the 45w might be a good sweet spot. 

7. When cutting open the backs of the headlight housing, you may be tempted to use a dremel. Per the recommendation from fastheadlights, I found that using a box cutter heated with a torch to be far more effective and it didn't blow all kinds of debris into my headlight housing. BE CAREFUL OF THE WIRES INSIDE when your cutting, both the headlight harness and the shutter wires are close, but you can reach in and pull them away with one hand while you cut with the other. You hit those wires and you're going to create a lot more work for yourself. Also, use a junk knife, heating it with a torch will ruin it. 

 

 

All in all, I am very happy with the install and the ease this retrofit provides as compared to others I have done in the past. The GMC headlights are very easy to work with and the end result is amazing compared to the junk stock setup. If you are worried if you can do it, take your time, do your research and you'll be fine. Just give yourself enough time. 

 

Big thanks to FASTHEADLIGHTS for the customer support and for figuring this stuff out in advance. 

 

Will post pics of the process tonight when I adjust the headlights. (also very easy)

[truckguy82]

swoyer and I pretty much did it at the same time and we were messaging back and forth

 

As someone thats never done it before, it was quite a bit more difficult than I expected. Initially I was not pleased I took that path.

 

In the end, it obviously worked out and the headlights look amazing.

 

It is indeed a solid 7 hours if you’re taking your time trying to do it right. If I had to do it a second time, I could probably do it in 3-4 hours, but that’s still quite a bit of work.

 

The good news is, that unlike most jobs working on cars, a lot of the time is spent on the work bench. Which is obviously far easier than turning wrenches on your back and the 7 hours is mostly enjoyable.

 

I’d probably do it again knowing how much work it was. I can understand why a custom shop would charge several hundred in labor.

 

Phil from fastheadlights said it would be easy lol, I guess some people have different ideas of easy. 

 

I do have to say, if you are going to buy a retrofit, it’s pretty much impossible to beat the customer service at fastheadlights. I was literally texting Phil at 8pm asking questions and he said multiple times “don’t hesitate to ask me anything”

 

and yeah, I’m like $315 all in and my headlights are incredible

 

 

[SWOYER]

Here's some photos I snapped.

Do they look slightly wide to anyone else? The left headlight kind of trails off before the right projector overlaps. Maybe that's how it is supposed to be?

Also got a bunch of dust in there I guess from working in the old man's shop. Now I guess it's just stuck in there lol?

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[Crf450r420]

Anyone need a set of the FAST Headlight adpaters for the FXR projectors? I didn't want to pull my lights a part more than once, so I bought another set to model the aluminum ones I made and now I have no use for them. I miss placed one set of the bolts for it, but if your like me they get replaced by stainless steel anyways.

[truckguy82]

10 hours ago, SWOYER said:

Here's some photos I snapped.

Do they look slightly wide to anyone else? The left headlight kind of trails off before the right projector overlaps. Maybe that's how it is supposed to be?

Also got a bunch of dust in there I guess from working in the old man's shop. Now I guess it's just stuck in there lol?

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I have dust too, wish I had bought some canned air or turned on the compressor. I just wanted to get it done so I’m like screw it.

 

beam pattern looks great IMO

[14 Silvy]

What's up gentlemen!!! Sooo happy to be apart of the club now! Just traded in my pos bmw x5 for a beautiful 2014 chevrolet silverado LTZ! Damn I love it! BUT like everyone here, hate the headlights lol I've been doing a ton of research and read so many pages here... 
 
One thing I have not seen much of is buying entire aftermarket headlight assemblies with halo style DRLs, so pretty and sexy, with pre-assembled HIDs. Example here.. 
https://www.protuninglab.com/hidxe14chsio1.html
 
This is in the description :
Most online seller also offers aftermarket headlights with HID kit. However, they do not offer pre-install HID combo because most headlights will require minor adjustment in order to fit HID light bulbs. At ProTuningLab, we offer pre-installed HID kit with the projector headlights. We will install the HID light bulb with the headlights and connect all wiring needed along with the HID ballast. When you receive the package, you simply install the headlights as instructed without worrying how to install or make adjustment with the HID system. 
 
I'm thinking of buying those (Spyder manufacturer) or one of the other headlight kits (really like this spec-d one below too). 
 
https://www.protuninglab.com/hidxe14chsi11.html
 
I know about the retrofit source and their entire HID Kit for like $200 I think? Then the same headlights I'm looking at are $350-$400 by themselves, so to me it makes sense to buy the pre-assembled one for around $400. Yes you have to buy the relay harness ($20) and maybe canbus? 
 
I'm looking to not only get HIDs but also replace the entire headlight assembly the includes some type of u-bar (halo-ish?) DRLs. 
 
Would love anyones opinion on this! And like I said, happy to be in the Chevy Silverado club! 

Sent you a pm


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[SWOYER]

4 hours ago, truckguy82 said:

I have dust too, wish I had bought some canned air or turned on the compressor. I just wanted to get it done so I’m like screw it.

 

beam pattern looks great IMO

ok good. It's weird because depending on where the headlights are hitting those cutoffs are like straight, angled, makes your head go loopy trying to make sure if you did it right lol. Also, I'd say the pics are a little brighter than real life, camera must have adjusted. Thats more what a 55w ballast probably looks like. But still bright. 

[Jrd505]

On 2/12/2018 at 7:29 AM, MHPrior80 said:

Looks like I’m gonna try these in my Anzo head lights and go from there. They seem alright. I have the H1 bulbs in the Anzos so that’s why I’m trying these. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J2CHZF0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518449357&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=H1+opt7+led+show+glow&dpPl=1&dpID=51g7zV7mY0L&ref=plSrch

 

You replaced your entire stock headlights with the Anzos?? That's the route I'm thinking of going. Do you have pictures? You like them? I just feel if I'm gunna take the time to do HIDs I might as well replace the headlights since I absolutely love the halo/U-bar style daytime running light look. 

[MHPrior80]

Yes I did. Here is a pic for ya..



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