My Fastheadlights RX350 install - 14 Sierra

[Patrick983]

Ill start by saying I'm new to my Sierra but not at all new to cars, mechanics, hid lights or even retrofits. I was pleased to learn there are already kits for complete projector retrofits available for these new trucks.
So I ordered my kit based off the limited feedback available. I went with ease of install (rx350 kit). It's a new to me truck, I don't want to alter it anymore than I have to. I'll leave that to the Z06...
My initial impressions of Fast headlights were not good. There's no indication of any extended shipping time or delays etc when ordering. I order everything I can online, I'm used to things like communication and tracking numbers. None of which I received....ever. My lights took just short of a month to arrive. This would of been no problem after a single simple email stating a delay.

Moving on, I opened the box, and first thing i notice is there's no instructions. No biggie, I've watched the YouTube video and I'll just watch as I go. You need instructions, it would speed up the install greatly to have a parts list and step by step instructions. It's simply unprofessional. I felt like I bought something used off ebay. No biggie though, everything was well packed and looked good.

First issue: cutting the lights. I chose here not to follow my instincts and instead follow the instructions to cut the back off the housing. I should of separated them at the lens like every other set of lights I've modified (this was set #7). Issue 1 with this method was water. I used the suggested tapes, and used them liberally. I used a combination to get the strengths out of both types. In the end, I could pick my driver side headlight up by the reattached back cap and it felt solid as a rock. A week later after the first sign of rain and it looks like this

I trusted my instincts a little more and applied RTV To the passenger side, THEN tape, I also rtv'd the grommets. This headlight looks fine. Not sure how the moisture got in, I believe it's humidity honestly. Not a big deal just some trial and error.
Second issue: Theres no template or hard line to know where to cut. My interpretation of where Phil said to cut was plain wrong. The new projector plus adapter is much larger than stock. It does not fit well and it very tight. I've trimmed extra off the housing in this next pic, and marked in red where I had to shave the new adaptor bracket to wedge them in.
Even after cutting this much off the housing they had to be carefully wedged in... and barely fit.

So now they're in, I'm going to backtrack to another major issue. The adapter brackets themselves. These simply need revision. The mount holes don't line up, and when they do the new projector is not centered in the headlight. Perhaps the most ridiculous issue though I've attempted to photograph here:

The adaptors don't leave enough room to thread the 4th screw into. The screws are too big, and as you can see, the entire bracket is bent outward making the bolt holes not line up. These brackets are pre-installed on the projectors and honestly, this is just plain slack. You can look at them and tell they're not going to fit right. Both my headlight are screwed in by 3 of the 4 mounting screws. I think it'll be fine, but the brackets can be better....much better.
Other small annoying issues with the kit:
The grommets for the back of the headlights are supposed to be pre-installed on theach wires...says so specifically in the video. They were not. I had to strip all the connectors off and slide grommets on. This cost me almost an hour. A Very irritating oversight.

The mounting screws were not the right size or thread pitch
Oem black projector screw vs Fast headlights screw. Might be hard to see but I started screwing one in and it started cracking my headlight. I got correct screws and was on my way.

Edit: looked closer at the screws. they are correct size, but a different style screw (wood screw, sheetmetal etc) and have a different shape to the threads which is probably what was causing the cracking noises. the theads are "thicker" than the OEM screws.




The rest went well. Again instructions would be crucial for someone not familiar with HD systems. From here its just a standard HID install. I used the 12th source going into the fuse box for power and mounted my ballasts inside the support beam by the headlights for a hidden oem looking install. There's plenty of room and options though.
Here's the 12v power source I used... firewall side of fuse box on the drivers side...super easy. Just under the little black cover...


Test firing the lights...
These are 5500k 35watt setup. The look is exactly what I was going for.

In conclusion, I may have been harsh, but this really is a good product. The end result is every bit as good as I'd hoped. A few easy simple revisions or changes and I would have no complaints. The majority of my issues could have been prevented. I am very happy and would recommend the kit overall, just with fair warning that some creative thought may be needed on install. Would I buy again? Knowing what I know now it would be easy to overcome the quirks of the kit, but at this point I think I'd just save cash and do the FXR kit. Maybe though. Let me reiterate I am very happy with the kit. I focused on problems and issues because quite frankly that's whats you these forums are for and hopefully that will help future buyers get theirs installed quicker. Lastly I typed thus on my phone and have no intention of proofreading, apologies,if something doesn't make sense I'll attempt to clarify. Thanks.

[TXTruk15]

great writeup, I appreciate the pix and feedback - I've thought about tackling this project as I hate my headlight output, but am not familiar with lighting systems and would need good step by step instructions - I would be lost in space on this project, and I do most of my own mod work on my truck and vette and am somewhat mechanically inclined....

[6D9 Matt]

Great write up... I am thinking about this mod this summer maybe.

 

Any photos of the two lights next to each other before putting in the truck? Seeing the sealing up of the two different lights... (tape vs RTV + tape)

[Patrick983]

Great write up... I am thinking about this mod this summer maybe.

 

Any photos of the two lights next to each other before putting in the truck? Seeing the sealing up of the two different lights... (tape vs RTV + tape)

 

i didnt get any pics of the RTV but i had my hands full holding it in place. and as soon as it thickened enough i put tape over it.

Washed the truck thoroughly yesterday after redoing the drivers side (adding RTV). seems to be all good now. When i removed the headlight that was leaking yesterday i looked around. water from the side of the hood(where it meets the fender above the light) has a straight shot down almost right on where the cut was made. No wonder it was leaking. They are protected well from elements everywhere else but here, so its definitely important to get a good seal. I think i've got pulling the bumper trim off down to a science haha.

 

Updated pics of the lights performance. (FYI those are yellow fogs).

 

ill get some garage shots at night to show how crisp the beam pattern is hopefully tonight.

[zmnypit]

Something to mention for guys not wanting to cut their headlights a part looking for better output. You can put the 16 2500 hd HID lights in the 14-15's. Not sure what this conversion costs but the 16 HD install would be around $1300 with harness. No cutting required though.